After the hustle and bustle of the festive season, we can often be left feeling as though we need to relax and unwind.
Whether this involves treating yourself to a massage, taking in some stunning views, or soaking up some winter sun, everyone can benefit from a weekend getaway in a new location. But where should you go for a winter break that soothes both the mind and body?
The team at Slingo slots has analysed various factors, from the number of wellness activities and adults-only hotels to average temperatures and air quality, to determine which European destinations should be on your winter wellness bucket list.
The best European destinations for a wellness weekend break in winter
1. Barcelona, Spain - 7.53/10 winter wellness score
Topping the list is the Spanish city of Barcelona, with a winter wellness score of 7.53 out of 10. Barcelona is known for its famous landmarks, such as the Sagrada Familia and Camp Nou stadium. If you need some time to unwind after a day of sightseeing, the city also boasts over 690 spa and wellness activities. If regular spa visits are on your winter getaway agenda, then make sure to book a stay at one of the 53 spa hotels located in the city.
On average, a winter weekend stay in Barcelona will cost around £554 ($673 or €659) for a hotel room but just £52 ($63 or €62) for return flights. During the winter months, temperatures in the city average around 7.9°C, with just under seven hours of sunshine, meaning you can soak up plenty of warm winter sun.
2. Lisbon, Portugal - 7.28/10 winter wellness score
Another great option for a relaxing getaway after the festive rush is Lisbon, scoring 7.28 out of 10. The views of the coastal capital city of Portugal have been posted on Instagram around 27,700 times, proving that it’s a stunning location to visit. Lisbon’s air quality is high during winter, averaging around 7.5 out of 100, meaning that you can benefit from healthy skin, quality sleep, and reduced stress throughout your stay.
In Lisbon, there are plenty of hotels to choose from, including Brown’s Avenue Hotel and Palácio Príncipe Real, which are both adults-only, ensuring you plenty of rest and relaxation. A three-night hotel stay in the city costs approximately £545 ($662 or €648) during the winter months, with return flights from London averaging around £85 ($103 or €101).
3. Rome, Italy - 7.07/10 winter wellness score
In third place is Italy’s capital, Rome, achieving a winter wellness score of 7.07 out of 10. The city is well-known for its pizza, pasta, and gelato, meaning you can fill your belly with plenty of delicious food while you’re there. You can also enjoy almost 500 spa and wellness activities, such as a session at Zem Yoga Studio or a massage at Templum Salutis. Rome is also home to plenty of beautiful views, showcased in the 15,300 Instagram posts under #romeview.
Return flights from London to Rome average at just £28 during winter, meaning you can splash the cash on a lovely hotel instead if you wish. You can expect to pay around £785 ($954 or €933) for a hotel during a weekend stay in Rome, with three adults-only options and 65 spa hotels to choose from.
The top European locations for spa and wellness lovers
1. Paris, France - 1,064 spa and wellness activities
Well-known for being the ‘city of love,’ Paris is the perfect place for a romantic weekend getaway with your partner during the winter months. There are over 1,060 spa and wellness activities to choose from, including the Molitor Spa by Clarins. Here, you can enjoy a range of personalised treatments using luxury Clarins products, as well as a Hamam spa, sauna, reading room, tea room, and hairdressing salon.
The European cities with the most spa hotels
1. Istanbul, Turkey - 447 spa hotels on Tripadvisor
If you’re planning a relaxing haven of a winter getaway, then why not book a stay at a spa hotel? Istanbul is the perfect place for this, as there are almost 450 spa stays to choose from. This includes the Romance Istanbul Hotel, which is ranked as the best value spa hotel, with over 5,000 5-star reviews on Tripadvisor. Guests staying at the hotel can take advantage of its swimming pool, sauna, Hamam bathing experience, and massage therapies.
The best European destinations for adult travellers
1. Istanbul, Turkey - 27 adults-only hotels on Tripadvisor
Istanbul also ranks top for adults-only hotels on Tripadvisor, with 27 child-free retreats. These include the Sultans Royal Hotel, The Soul Hotel, and Union Hotel Karaköy, all of which are 5-star rated on the site. Depending on which hotel you choose, you can be close to iconic landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, the Museum of Innocence, and the Galata Tower, as well as some amazing restaurants like Three Partners, Shamse, and F&B Culture.
The top European locations with Instagram-worthy views
1. Amsterdam, Netherlands - 318,000 Instagram hashtags
According to Instagram, Amsterdam has the most aesthetically pleasing views, with over 318,000 photos posted under #amsterdamview. The Netherlands' capital is well-known for its scenic canals, adorned with colourful tulips, boats, and buildings. Amsterdam’s stunning landscape creates the perfect environment to relax and unwind after a hectic festive period.
The European cities offering the most affordable weekend winter breaks
1. Nantes, France - £246 / $299 / €292 average price for weekend stay
Those looking for an affordable winter city break should consider Nantes in Western France. The city, located in the Upper Brittany region, is known for its unique combination of architecture, historical heritage, art, and culture. Tourists can expect to pay just £246 ($299 or €292) on average for a weekend stay in Nantes, making it the most affordable option on the list.
The European destinations offering the cheapest return flights
1. Various cities - £28 / $34 / €33 for return flight from London
Throughout the winter months, you can find affordable flight options to a wide variety of European destinations. These include Rome, Dublin, Vienna, Milan, and Sarajevo, which all have return flights starting from just £28 ($34 or €33). Flight times from London to these locations vary between one hour and 20 minutes (Dublin, Ireland) and two hours and 55 minutes (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina).
The European locations with the best air quality
1. Funchal, Portugal - 3.6 out of 100 air quality score
If you’re splashing the cash on luxurious facials during your winter getaway, then you won't want all of that hard work to be reversed by air pollution. Funchal, located in Portugal’s Madeira archipelago, has an average air quality score of just 3.6 during winter. This means that the city’s air pollution levels exceed the WHO guidelines by just one to two times, making it the least polluted location on the list.
The European cities with the warmest weather during winter
1. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain (Tenerife) - 15.9 °C average temperature in winter
For those who can’t bear the cold weather, jetting off to a warmer location during winter might be a non-negotiable. The city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a great option, as its temperatures average at 15.9 °C in January. There are plenty of beautiful sandy beaches for you to lay on while you relax, unwind, and soak up some winter sun.
The European destinations with the highest sunshine hours during winter
1. Valencia, Spain - 7.6 average sunshine hours in winter
If you find yourself craving some sunshine during the winter months, then visiting Valencia should be on your agenda. The Spanish city receives an average of 7.6 hours of sunshine each day in January. This means you can enjoy Valencia’s rich history, delicious food, and stunning beaches, all while basking in the sun.
Methodology:
We created a seed list of some of Europe’s top cities using sources such as The Times, CN Traveller, and TimeOut.
We then used Tripadvisor to discover how many ‘spa and wellness’ activities, spa hotels, and adults-only hotels each city has. Data is correct as of 10 January 2025.
Next, we used Instagram to gather the number of hashtags for each city’s view e.g. #barcelonaview. Data is correct as of 10 January 2025.
We then used Kayak to collect the total average price for a three-night stay (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) in a hotel in each city. We also gathered the average cost per person of a return flight from London to each city. Data is correct as of 10 January 2025. All currencies were converted on 13 January 2025 and rounded to the nearest whole number.
Next, we used IQAir to gather the average air quality score for each city. January data was used for all locations except Paphos (December data).
We then used Climate-Data to collect the average temperature and sunshine hours for each city in January.
Finally, we gave all nine factors a normalised score out of 10 before taking an average across all factors to form our winter wellness score.
