Where to Go for Your Next Girls Trip: Winter Edition

Aruzhan Kuandyk
13 hours ago
4 min read

There’s something special about planning a girls’ trip. It’s the group chat coming back to life. The “pick your dates” spreadsheet nobody fills out correctly. The excitement of imagining yourselves somewhere far away — laughing over late dinners, taking blurry photos, and creating stories you’ll retell for years.

If you’re dreaming of a girls’ getaway and want interesting destinations that feel magical (especially in winter), this guide is for you.

Discover with us:

❄️ Lapland, Finland

🌋 Reykjavik, Iceland

🏔 Zermatt, Switzerland

Lapland, Finland

Lapland is a good pick if your group wants a slower pace and a change from the usual city trip. The landscape is quiet, the pace is naturally calm, and the short daylight hours actually take the pressure off — you end up doing less and enjoying it more. Because of its connection to Christmas and the whole Santa Claus mythology, the season feels purposeful rather than gimmicky. You get markets, quiet villages, reindeer everywhere, and a sense that the place was built for this exact time of year.

Must-Do Group Activities

Visit Santa Claus village
Skiing
Northern lights hunting tour
Sauna + cold plunge
Husky sleigh ride

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik works because it gives you two worlds in one place: a small, manageable city and wild natural landscapes only minutes away. It’s also a great winter pick because Iceland genuinely leans into the season: geothermal pools, cozy cafés, early sunsets, and scenery that’s dramatic even on a random Tuesday.

The city itself has enough restaurants and bars to make evenings easy, but the real draw is how simple it is to escape the city for a day and be standing in an ice cave or by a waterfall.

What to do:

Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon
Golden Circle day trip
Glacier hike or ice cave tour
Low-key bar hopping in the center

Northern Lights in Reykjavik — Reykjavik, Iceland

Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt is the classic Alpine village — the kind people picture when they imagine winter in Europe. It’s car-free, clean, and set under the Matterhorn, which makes the entire place feel like a real-life postcard without slipping into theme-park territory.

Even if no one in your group skis, the mountain lifts and the Gornergrat railway make the high-altitude scenery accessible. And because the town is compact, it’s extremely easy for groups to split up and meet later.

Must-do Activities

Gornergrat scenic railway for Matterhorn views
Après-ski
Spa afternoon
Fondue or raclette dinner

Tips: Book restaurants early, stay near the village center, and non-skiers can still enjoy lifts and scenic routes.

A mountain-side town in Switzerland — Zermatt, Switzerland

Madeira, Portugal

If your group wants warmth, Madeira is the answer. The island is green, dramatic, and laid-back. Picture mornings spent hiking along easy levadas, afternoons exploring cliffside towns, and evenings tasting wine in Funchal while the Atlantic stretches beyond the terrace. Even the small fishing town of Câmara de Lobos becomes a spot to gather, share a meal, and compare sunset shots.

Group Highlights:

Sunrise or sunset at Pico do Arieiro
Madeira wine tasting in Funchal
Easy levada walks
Dinner in Câmara de Lobos

Ocean view from the cliffs — Madeira, Portugal

Vienna, Austria

The city is alive with Christmas markets, their lights spilling over cobblestone streets while the smell of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts fills the air. Your group could wander through the stalls, sampling sweets, picking up quirky gifts, and stopping for a warm pretzel whenever someone needs a break from shopping.

Some mornings might be slow, spent café-hopping with coffee and strudel, while afternoons could be museum hopping or strolling along the Ringstrasse, taking in the city’s grand architecture. For a change of pace, a day trip to Hallstatt is easy. The snow-topped village and frozen lake feel straight out of a storybook, perfect for photos and relaxed group time.

Must-do activites:

Visit Austrian National library
Try Sacher torte
Museum Quarter strolls for cultural stops
Go down the highest slide in Vienna, Danube Tower

Christmas fair with a carousel and holiday lights — Rathausplatz Christmas market

Lake Como, Italy

Winter at Lake Como is calm and peaceful — perfect for a group that wants long meals, lakeside walks, and minimal crowds. It will also be easier to visit some villas and attractions that are fully booked in the summer and therefore need to be booked well in advance. Ferries still run, so you can hop between towns like Bellagio and Varenna, then end the day with a relaxed dinner overlooking the lake.

One of the area’s most distinctive events is the Città dei Balocchi. From late November to early January, the buildings and attractions of the town of Como are dressed in breathtaking lighting effects, creating an exciting Christmas atmosphere. Group Highlights:

Ferry rides between towns
Visit Città dei Balocchi
Spa afternoon
Walks around villas and gardens

Stepped street with a view of the lake — Bellagio, Italy

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is surprisingly versatile for a girls’ trip. The city has a relaxed vibe but still feels lively in winter. Think thermal baths with private or shared pools, stylish cafés for long chats over coffee, and vibrant ruin bars where the group can end the night without a strict schedule.