Winter travel, particularly for those who need to obtain a visa to enter the Schengen area, can be demanding, given the challenges posed by limited visa application slots and the lack of guaranteed approval for Schengen visas.
Schengen visas, issued exclusively by Schengen member countries, offer their holders the privilege of staying a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days in the Schengen area, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
For example, for a Schengen visa with a validity of one year, the visa holder can only stay a maximum of six months in the Schengen area.
However, once you have used the time allowed in the Schengen area, you can also explore 17 other countries around the world that are not part of the Schengen area but can be visited with a Schengen visa. The majority of these countries are located in Europe.
SchengenVisaInfo.com has selected the best non-Schengen winter destinations, each offering plenty of winter activities to explore with your Schengen visa.
Bulgaria
This EU member state, which has not yet joined the Schengen area, is home to some of the most beautiful ski resorts in Eastern Europe, such as Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo. Bulgaria is renowned for its charming spa culture, towns that come alive in winter, and numerous indoor attractions that attract visitors from all over the world.
Besides skiing, Bulgaria’s winter landscape provides an ideal setting for activities like snowshoeing, ice climbing and snowmobiling.
It is particularly in the Rila Mountains, the highest range not only in Bulgaria but also in the entire Balkans, that outdoor enthusiasts will find a paradise near Sofia. The journey from Sofia to the main launch points of Malyovitsa or Panichishte is a convenient 1.5 hour journey.
Offering a diverse landscape ranging from serene glassy lakes to the majestic Pirin Mountains, Pirin National Park is a vast natural wonder.
Within its confines, you will also discover captivating waterfalls like Skakaloto and Popina Luka. Although Skakaloto is perhaps a little more difficult to reach, the effort is well rewarded with a splendid winter hike.
With a record performance, the last winter season, 2022/2023, welcomed more than 1.7 million tourists, making it the most prosperous winter in the last four years. Bulgaria truly shines as a captivating winter destination.
During the winter months, some areas of Bulgaria are covered in deep snow, so be sure to pack your reliable winter hiking shoes before traveling to Bulgaria in winter.
Georgia
From heli-skiing to snowmobiling, Georgia offers an exhilarating range of winter activities for adventure seekers. Located at the crossroads of Southeast Europe and Western Asia, this potential EU candidate country offers travelers a diverse winter wonderland.
Located in the Ajara region of Georgia, Goderdzi Pass is a favorite destination for catski enthusiasts. The appeal lies in its pristine, untouched snow, and skiers delight in the climb to the starting point, followed by the exhilarating catski descent.
In the village of Bakhmaro, visitors can find one of the most pristine resorts in the country, particularly attractive to extreme adventure enthusiasts.
Located in the Guria region, it offers skiing and hiking routes, crowned by the magnificent ‘Sunset Hill’ where one can witness sunsets, making it an enriching experience for those embarking on a snowshoe hike to reach the top of the hill.
On a snowshoe tour, be sure to explore destinations such as Gergeti Trinity Church, Gveleti Waterfall, Sno Village, and Sno Gorge.
For those who want to move from village to village and experience snow-covered mountain landscapes, winter hiking and snowshoeing in Kazbegi, a small village in Georgia, is an ideal choice.
Be sure to bring your snowshoes to stay warm and enjoy the full experience.
North Macedonia
An EU candidate country with 85 percent of its territory covered by mountains, North Macedonia, the second most mountainous country in Europe, has excellent potential to become a top winter destination due to its distinctive climate. by heavy snowfall.
Mavrovo, one of the country’s largest national parks, spanning almost 200,000 acres, is famous for its famous ski resort and Mavrovo Lake.
Located in the Polog region of North Macedonia, the ski resort has 15.5 kilometers of ski and snowboard slopes, as well as 13 lifts to transport visitors efficiently.
Additionally, in the picturesque western town of Debar, visitors can find mineral thermal springs famous for their remarkable healing properties.
The water springs boast an impressive concentration of around four grams of various minerals per liter, making it one of the most healing and mineral-rich springs on the entire continent.
For ski lovers, an exciting annual event takes place every February in Popova Sapka: the Sarplaninski Cup. The competition brings together the best skiers from Macedonia and foreign participants, all vying for the coveted cup.
If the country is renowned for its summer charm, the winter season is now gaining momentum. In December 2022 alone, around 28,000 foreign tourists arrived, a sign of the growing popularity of the winter season in this destination.
Bosnia Herzegovina
Currently an EU candidate, Bosnia is home to some of the most renowned ski resorts in the Balkans, with a rich history in winter sports, having hosted the Winter Olympics.
Some of these notable ski resorts include Vlasic, Bjelasnica, which caters to those seeking an adrenaline rush with its steeper slopes designed for speed seekers, and Jahorina, famous for its scenic drives that rival famous destinations ski resort in the Alps.
Many log cabins are ready to welcome tourists, offering the inviting warmth and comfort of log fires at ski resorts after braving the cold Bosnian days.
When the first snowfall covers the mountains, locals and foreigners can hit the slopes and participate in skiing and snowboarding activities that last until spring.
Snowshoeing is growing in popularity as a way to explore snowy landscapes, and the country has some of the best trails in Europe for this winter activity. An example is the Čvrsnica mountain, where everyone can see scenes of snow-covered pine forests and frozen lakes.
Last year, in December 2022 alone, more than 50,000 foreign tourists flocked to Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting the growing popularity of this captivating destination.
Türkiye
Visiting Turkey on a Schengen visa is challenging, as only nationals of certain countries are allowed to do so and they must obtain an e-visa to enter.
Countries included are Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Niger, Angola, Gabon, North Korea, Bangladesh, Gambia, Pakistan, Benin, Ghana, Philippines, Botswana, Guinea , the Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Rwanda, Burundi, India, Sao Tome and Principe, Cameroon, Iraq, Senegal, Cape Verde, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Lesotho, Somalia, Chad, Liberia, Sudan, Comoros, Libya, Swaziland, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Togo, Djibouti, Mali, Uganda, Egypt, Mauritania, Vietnam, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Yemen, Eritrea, Nepal and Zimbabwe.
In winter, Turkey’s second largest lake, Lake Çıldır, freezes over with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, turning it into a popular destination for various winter activities, including traditional sledding.
Visitors can experience the activities, which range from traditional sleigh rides to snowmobile rentals and other modern transportation options on the frozen lake.
For a truly immersive winter experience, visitors, both local and foreign, can also embark on horse-drawn sleigh rides and ice fishing trips across the frozen expanse of the lake.
For ski enthusiasts looking for a convenient getaway from Istanbul, Uludağ Ski Center is easily accessible.
It has 28 kilometers of slopes catering to skiers of all levels, from beginner to advanced and to access the different slopes, 16 ski lifts are available for convenient transport.
In Turkey, a popular way to warm up after a cold winter outing is to try traditional hammams, or Turkish steam baths, which offer a wide range of spa-style treatments in addition to the essential hammam.
