Best city to explore in Europe in January

We spend the winter holidays every year in Europe! We rotate among Lisbon, Nice, and Naples. 60s, sunny, and no crowds!

I'd think Seville would also work well from the standpoint of weather. How many nights do you plan to be in Europe?

Elizabeth Minchilli, who is a food and travel guide/writer, and originally from the US says January is the best month to visit Rome (where she lives).

How long is your trip? We can’t comment on what you would enjoy as you haven’t disclosed your interests.

I went to Venice in January - no crowds. Five full days will be sufficient. Your children may get bored with the amount of religious art. They maybe art lovers.

January is miserable in mainland Europe, so pick a place with plenty of indoor museums and galleries that would interest all.

The weather will be better in the south. If you don’t mind the cold, Berlin has a great modern history. Great to fill a week.

Seville is good for 3 full days.

Lisbon with day trips to Sintra, Cascais and Evora can easily fill 7-10 days.

London, Paris and Rome have enough to fill a week if not a month all year round.

It depends on what you are looking for, but Luleå is lovely in January e.g.

christymarie, have you been to Europe before? Have the adult children? One reason I'm asking is that self-reliance and self-starting will be more important in January. I mean like researching museum hours and local events. It's a plus that things are quieter in the winter and after the Christmas holidays. Another issue is whether the children are, let's say, from a different generation (?) than you, and have more interest in nightlife or something like that.

You didn't say specifically that you hope to escape snow and grey weather. Many Europeans go to southern Spain and Portugal in the winter, but that's not exactly a cultural journey. Are you treating this like an American trip to Florida in the winter? Or like a summer exploration of another place and way of life?

I would note that it may be easier to find high-end dance, music, and opera during the winter, but I haven't been a lot in the winter.

It depends on what you like. How would we know what you specifically would enjoy?

I have not been in January, but Sicily is on my winter travel bucket list. So much to do and see and nice weather.

Most any other year I would say Kyiv for Orthodox Christmas.

I would suggest Paris, was there once in January (2007) over MLK long week-end. Luckily, the weather was all right, ie, not stormy, freezing cold, etc. In the Bay Area the days prior to our flight out on Thursday prior to the week-end from SFO to CDG, it was colder than was Paris when the plane landed before noon.

On seeing Pitea....I was there once in June for an afternoon trip, got there from Lulea.

Paris can get freezing in the winter. Was there in November once and the wind was so bad, and I say this as a Midwestern person. I don't recommend it.

Southern Spain, Portugal or even Italy.

"Is there a city that is best that time of year that we all would enjoy?"

I can't think of any city in Europe that is "best" in January. And no one knows what you and your young adults would enjoy. If you're looking at milder winter weather, then I'd say Sevilla or Naples or somewhere in Sicily. If you're thinking about a city that has lots to do indoors so the weather doesn't matter so much, I'd say Paris or London.

I’m not sure if you’re looking to escape the cold or embrace it, but there is a lot of great skiing and winter activities to be had in Europe. Zermatt, Switzerland comes to mind or you can explore the Tatra mountains in Slovakia or Poland. I think Iceland would also be nice to visit in January. You have the chance to see the northern lights, can warm up in some hot springs, and explore some epic ice caves.

As many have said, it depends on what you are looking for. Many Europeans travel north in the winter as well. For a bit of Christmas feeling, Tallinn can be a good option.