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Christmas in Europe is something else entirely. One minute you’re sipping mulled wine in a medieval old town, the next you’re ice skating under a giant Christmas tree surrounded by twinkling lights. The mix of tradition, spectacle, and food makes Europe one of the best places to go for Christmas, whether you’re after big city celebrations or cosy small-town charm.
Our list of Christmas vacation destinations blends the classic heavy hitters with some underrated gems. Whether you’re planning a family Christmas trip, a romantic escape, or just chasing the best markets and snowy scenes, there’s something here for every kind of festive traveller.
London, England: Big City Lights and British Traditions
London is a full-blown spectacle in December. Think giant Christmas trees in Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden, glitzy shop windows on Regent Street, and mince pies everywhere you go. The city centre is practically made for festive wandering, with light trails in Kew Gardens and markets scattered along the South Bank and in Greenwich.
Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is chaotic in the best way: ice bars, circus tents, fairground rides, bratwurst, overpriced mulled wine, the lot. Christmas Day itself is quiet, but the build-up is electric. For a Christmas vacation that balances sparkle, tradition, and sheer scale, London ticks a lot of boxes.
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Vienna, Austria: Elegance, Ornaments and Endless Glühwine
Vienna knows how to do a European Christmas market. The main one outside the Rathaus is peak festive atmosphere, with vintage carousels, giant advent calendars, and stalls piled high with glass baubles and gingerbread. The smell of roasting chestnuts is basically its own landmark. There are smaller markets too, like the ones at Belvedere Palace or on Spittelberg’s cobbled streets, and they’re just as good for a slower browse.
The city does Christmas with poise: string quartets, horse-drawn carriages, candlelit cafes. It’s a strong contender for the best place for Christmas vacation if you want classic charm without the crowds of some bigger cities.
Tallinn, Estonia: Snow, Storybook Streets and Zero Tinsel Overload
Tallinn is the Christmas city for people who want the snow-covered fairytale without the tourist stampede. Its medieval old town turns into a postcard in December, with candlelit windows, frosty rooftops, and a compact but charming Christmas market in the town square.
There’s a real sense of local pride here, and fewer plastic souvenirs. Instead: woollen knits, spiced almonds, and traditional folk choirs. If your Christmas vacation involves chasing snow, avoiding queues, and drinking something warm under ancient stone arches, Tallinn’s got you covered.
Strasbourg, France: Half-Timbered and 100% Festive
Strasbourg takes Christmas seriously. Like, 400-stalls-across-12-sites seriously. It’s one of the oldest European Christmas Markets around, and they’ve had time to get it right. The whole city centre glows with lights, fir branches, and Alsatian charm.
There’s a giant Christmas tree in Place Kléber, vin chaud on every corner, and food that straddles French and German comfort eating. Wander over the canals, duck into the cathedral, or join a guided Christmas market tour to make sense of it all. For festive atmosphere with depth and tradition, Strasbourg is a best-in-class contender.
Colmar, France: Basically a Life-Size Snow Globe
Colmar looks like someone let loose with a gingerbread cutter and a box of fairy lights. It’s small, sure, but it leans hard into the festive season, with five separate markets, a skating rink, and canal rides with singing Santas.
It’s great for families, thanks to the kid-friendly market in Petite Venise, but adults will enjoy the wine, local crafts, and slower pace too. If you’re collecting places to visit for Christmas that feel like walking through a warm, festive film set, Colmar is top of the list.
Budapest, Hungary: Steamy Spas and Street Food
Budapest feels fresh compared to some of the more obvious Christmas destinations. It’s got atmosphere, history, decent prices, and actual things to do if you get bored with markets. The main ones are in Vörösmarty Square and outside St. Stephen’s Basilica, both heavy on handmade gifts and Hungarian comfort food.
What makes Budapest stand out is everything around the markets: thermal baths, ruin pubs, Danube views, and castles on hills. It’s a great mix of festive cheer and real-city grit. One of the best Christmas vacations in Europe if you like variety with your sparkle.
Prague, Czech Republic: Gothic Towers and Good Sausages
Prague’s Old Town Square is built for Christmas. The giant tree, the baroque skyline, the smell of klobása and svařák in the air, it’s properly festive without trying too hard. The main Christmas market here is busy but worth it, and Wenceslas Square has its own scene too.
Beyond the markets, the city’s just easy to love: cobbled lanes, lanterns, cheap beer, and views from Charles Bridge that don’t need a filter. It’s one of the best places to go for Christmas if you like things a little gritty and a lot beautiful.
Nuremberg, Germany: The Gold Standard of German Christmas Markets
Nuremberg is often the poster child for the German Christmas market scene. Its Christkindlesmarkt is legendary: traditional stalls, Zwetschgenmännle (fig men made of prunes), and an actual Christkind opening the whole thing with a speech from the balcony.
There’s a kids’ market too, with a mini Ferris wheel and steam train. The old town makes everything feel like it’s been frozen in time. If you want the classic Christmas market experience in Germany, this is the one to beat.
Kraków, Poland: Big Square, Low Prices, Good Vibes
Kraków is a smart pick for a winter break. The Christmas market fills the enormous main square in the old town with lights, food, and handmade gifts. It’s big, but not overwhelming, and the setting, surrounded by medieval architecture and horse-drawn carriages, makes it feel more magical than manic.
Food is a huge part of the experience here: pierogi, grilled oscypek cheese, and hot beer. Prices are lower than in Western Europe, and the atmosphere is warm, even when the temperature isn’t. A great value Christmas vacation destination that still delivers the festive goods.
Rovaniemi, Finland: Snow, Sleds and the Real Santa
Rovaniemi is where you go when you want to fully commit to Christmas. It’s the official hometown of Santa Claus, and yes, you can meet him. There’s also reindeer rides, husky safaris, and a solid chance of Northern Lights if the skies behave.
This isn’t a cheap winter break, but it’s one of the best places to visit at Christmas time if you’re travelling with kids or embracing full festive fantasy. Snow is guaranteed. Magic too.
Lucerne, Switzerland: Lakes, Lights and a Slower Pace
Lucerne is the antidote to the madness of the bigger cities. Set between a lake and snowy mountains, it’s beautiful, calm, and quietly festive. The Franziskanerplatz market is the main draw, but you’re really here for the setting: frescoed buildings, cobbled lanes, and misty lake views.
Take a boat cruise, ride a cable car, or just stroll the old town with a hot chocolate. It’s one of the best Christmas vacation destinations if you want fewer crowds, fresh air, and a proper Alpine atmosphere.
Bruges, Belgium: Pretty, Petite and Packed with Chocolate
Bruges is easy to fall for at Christmas. The medieval streets, the canals, the market in the main square—it all feels like a film set, but with waffles. Add in boutique shops, horse-drawn carriages, and a very enthusiastic lighting strategy, and you’ve got yourself one of Europe’s most likeable Christmas locations.
It’s walkable, romantic, and ideal for a short festive escape. If you’re looking for places to go during Christmas that deliver charm without effort, Bruges is a solid bet.
Are you looking for more Christmas travel ideas? Check out these top posts…
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