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As the holiday season draws near, it’s the perfect moment to slow down and explore the best Christmas destinations Europe has to offer. Whether you’re craving a quick weekend city break, a sunny beach escape, or a longer festive adventure like a 14-day Christmas market itinerary by train, Europe offers an incredible range of places to explore!
A Christmas break isn’t about cramming in every sight. It’s the moment to embrace slow travel, pair a little sightseeing with a cosy stop at the markets. If you’re wondering where to go next, this guide reveals the best Christmas destinations in Europe to help you plan your getaway packed with festive charm.
11 Best Christmas Destinations in Europe for 2025
Top European Cities for Magical Christmas Markets
Visit Strasbourg, France, to Experience One of Europe’s Oldest Christmas Markets
With the title of Capital of Christmas, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Strasbourg this winter. Its uber-festive atmosphere, 30-meter Christmas tree, and sprawling 300-stall Christmas market – one of the oldest in Europe, dating back to 1570 – make it a must-visit!
While you’re there, go on a Christmas market walking tour, indulging in delicious treats like mulled wine and bredele Christmas cookies as you explore. Stroll the canals, enjoy a concert at Notre Dame Cathedral, then visit Obernai or Colmar for festive celebrations.
Strasbourg truly is an unforgettable choice for a Christmas getaway. However, if you’re not a fan of crowds, keep in mind that the city attracts around 2 million visitors during the Christmas season alone.
Visit Frankfurt, Germany, for an Authentic German Christmas Market Experience
Let’s return to where Christmas markets first began – Germany. Frankfurt truly comes alive at Christmas, making it a fantastic choice for a winter getaway. The city is home to one of the largest and oldest Christmas markets in Europe, with roots dating back to the 14th century.
Römerberg hosts these markets, surrounded by historic German buildings and St. Paul’s Church. Highlights include the impressive 30-meter-high tree and over 240 stalls selling delicious baked goods and unique souvenirs.
One must-try when visiting a traditional German Christmas market is the local delicacies, including delicious mulled wine and delightful gingerbread. After exploring Frankfurt’s incredible markets, don’t miss the winter lights at the Palmengarten Botanical Gardens, schedule a cruise down the River Main to admire the festive lights, and catch a seasonal concert at the Frankfurt Opera.
Visit Prague, Czechia, for Europe’s Most Famous Christmas Markets
December is arguably the best and most memorable time to visit Prague, as the city truly comes alive. Prague’s Christmas markets are among the most famous and beautiful in Europe. In fact, they frequently appear at the top of many best European Christmas markets to visit lists.
Prague’s largest Christmas market is in the Old Town Square, bustling with festive stalls. For the best view of the celebrations, climb the Old Town Hall Tower. Additional Christmas markets can be found at Prague Castle, Wenceslas Square, Náměstí Republiky, and Havel Market.
With so many Christmas markets to explore, they can take up much of your time. However, make sure to also visit the city’s main attractions, including Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, and consider taking a cruise down the Vltava River.
Visit Manchester, United Kingdom, for a Fabulously Festive Christmas
Manchester, the UK’s first Christmas market city, began in 1999 with just one location. This is a stark contrast to today, where Christmas markets now span nine locations across the city, attracting an impressive nine million visitors each year.
With over 220 stalls offering everything from wonderful gifts to incredible food, it’s guaranteed to leave you in the Christmas spirit. You can also go ice skating, shop at the Trafford Centre, see a Christmas show, or cruise down the Manchester canals. There are a lot of things that will keep you busy for Christmas in this wonderful city!
Affordable Christmas Destinations in Europe
Visit Tallinn, Estonia, for a One-of-a-Kind Christmas Escape
Tallinn is a hidden gem and one of the most unique Christmas destinations in Europe to visit this festive season! Winter is perfect for exploring, with historic streets and buildings lit up by fairy lights and Christmas decorations. With a good chance of snow, you might be lucky enough to experience a true winter wonderland as well.
The city is home to a world-famous Christmas market located right in the heart of the old town square. The Tallinn Christmas market has more of an intimate and cosy feel, which stands in stark contrast to many other European markets that operate under the belief that ‘bigger means better. What they lack in size, they more than make up for in quality. In fact, Tallinn was previously voted the number one European Christmas destination to visit.
The markets have over 60 wooden stalls selling delicious sweet treats and handcrafted ornaments. There’s also a pop-up ice rink in the old town for a spot of festive ice skating. While you’ll want to immerse yourself in all the festive experiences in the city, be sure to carve out time to explore Tallinn’s historical side. As one of the best-preserved medieval walled cities in Europe, dating back to the 13th century, Tallinn has an intriguing backstory that shouldn’t be missed!
Visit Budapest, Hungary, for a Budget-Friendly Christmas Destination
Budapest is one of the coolest destinations in all of Europe, making it the perfect getaway for friends, family, and couples. This unique city boasts stunning architecture, bustling ruin bars, incredible nightlife, and vibrant murals – each a compelling reason to visit.
As Christmas approaches, there are even more reasons to visit Budapest. The Christmas markets, held in front of the Basilica, are among the best and most beautiful in Europe. In fact, they have been awarded the title of Best Christmas Market in Europe multiple times.
During your winter getaway, you can spend your days wandering through the enchanting markets, ice skating at the city park ice rink, and escaping the chill in a thermal spa. Don’t miss the chance to admire the Christmas lights on a Candlelit Dinner River Cruise – it’s an experience you won’t forget!
Budapest is conveniently located within reasonable travelling distance of other beautiful European cities that also boast incredible Christmas markets, including Vienna, Prague, Dresden, and Berlin. With this in mind, if you’re looking to embark on an unforgettable Christmas adventure to all these cities, check out my 14-Day European Christmas Market Itinerary!
Family-Friendly Christmas Breaks in Europe
Visit Lapland, Finland, for the Most Magical and Unforgettable Family Holiday
Rovaniemi is the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime bucket list destination for families. As the city is blanketed in snow for half the year, it truly embodies the definition of a Winter Wonderland. As the official hometown of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi is home to Santa Claus Village, where you can meet Santa and capture some unforgettable photos. You can even send a Christmas card from Santa Claus’ main post office.
Additional bucket list experiences that you can have in Rovaniemi include going on a snowmobile safari, taking a husky sledge ride, or trying reindeer sledging. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi!
Although it can be super expensive, especially if you’re looking to stay in luxurious accommodation and partake in a lot of the activities mentioned above, the experience is undoubtedly worth it and will leave you and your family with life-long memories!
Visit the Canary Islands, Spain, for Warmer Weather
Winter weather is not everyone’s cup of tea, so if you’re looking to escape for some much-needed sunshine, heading to the Canary Islands in December might be exactly what you need!
In December, Tenerife and Lanzarote enjoy highs of around 21°C, Fuerteventura reaches highs of 19°C, and Gran Canaria sees highs of 17°C. The low temperatures for these islands in December rarely drop below 10°C.
Spend your days sunbathing on the beach, enjoying drinks at the pool bar, or, for something a bit more adventurous, go kayaking and snorkelling with turtles – it will surely be a winter experience like no other. It’s also quite common to see nativity scenes in the Canary Islands on the run-up to Christmas, so you won’t completely forget about the festive season!
Romantic European Getaways for Christmas
Visit Dubrovnik, Croatia, for an Unexpected Christmas Getaway
When you think of a Christmas getaway, Dubrovnik might not be the first destination that comes to mind. Let me change your perspective on why this enchanting city is worth visiting during the holiday season.
With its cobbled streets, red-tiled rooftops, breathtaking sunsets, and charming old town, Dubrovnik is the perfect romantic destination. However, Dubrovnik has also been voted one of Europe’s most overcrowded tourist destinations, making it a tad too busy to fully enjoy during the summer months.
Alternatively, visiting Dubrovnik at Christmas is a wonderful option. The city is less crowded than at other times of the year, and the temperature remains mild, with highs of around 14°C – much warmer than many other destinations on this list.
During the holiday season, Dubrovnik is beautifully decorated with Christmas lights, adding to its romantic atmosphere. The city hosts its own Christmas markets on the main street in the Old Town, allowing you to fully embrace the festive spirit. Dubrovnik is also an excellent choice for those looking to do a bit of sightseeing, from going on a walking tour around the city to cruising around the Elaphiti Islands. It’s the perfect mix of festivity and adventure!
Visit Bruges, Belgium, for the Perfect Romantic Vibes
Bruges is quaint and totally charming! With its romantic vibes, it is the ultimate Christmas destination for couples. December is arguably one of the best times to visit this city. As the temperature plummets, Bruges looks like it has come straight out of a fairytale.
The city streets are decked out in Christmas decorations and fairy lights, and the market square in the centre of Bruges welcomes the best Christmas markets in Belgium, serving up buttery Belgian waffles and delicious hot chocolates.
You can also go ice-skating on the Lake of Love, cosy up on a horse-drawn carriage, wrap up warm for a canal cruise, or find a bar with an open fire to enjoy some delicious Belgian beer. A trip to Bruges for Christmas will be nothing short of magical!
Visit Salzburg, Austria, for the Ultimate Picture-Perfect Winter Wonderland
With a 900-year-old fortress sitting proudly above the historical city and views over the Alps, Salzburg looks like it is straight out of a Disney film. December is a fantastic time to visit Salzburg as the surrounding Alps (and sometimes the city) are blanketed in snow, transforming it into a proper winter wonderland. Plus, you can still enjoy all the usual sights with the added charm of the festive Christmas activities.
Spend the wintery days in Salzburg getting better acquainted with the city’s streets, visiting its beautiful Christmas markets, enjoying a Mozart concert at Hohensalzburg Fortress, and going ice-skating in Mozart Square.
One of the best things to do in Salzburg, although not a Christmassy activity, is to go on the Sound of Music tour. I went on this tour when I visited Salzburg, and it’s a lot of fun – you visit some beautiful places around the city, and on the bus between places, you can get involved in some voluntary singing along to the film’s famous songs.
If you’ve got holidays to use up and are looking for a proper Christmas adventure, then check out my 7-Day European Christmas Market Itinerary, which takes you on an epic journey through Munich, Salzburg, and Vienna – home to some of the world’s best Christmas markets.
Tips for Planning Your Christmas Trip to Europe
- Book accommodation early — December is a popular time to visit Europe, and the best hotels (and flights) can sell out fast, so try to book ASAP. Plus, the earlier you book, the cheaper the prices.
- Consider train travel if visiting multiple cities — it’s scenic, fast, and drops you right in the centre.
- Pack smart for winter — warm layers, waterproof boots, scarves, gloves, and a cosy hat. This will just make your trip so much more enjoyable!
- Carry some cash — many Christmas market stalls still prefer quick cash payments.
- Mix busy days with downtime — balance big markets and sightseeing with cafe breaks (or mulled wine breaks!).
- Buy travel insurance and free cancellation bookings in case winter weather delays plans.
If you’re thinking about squeezing in a getaway this year, definitely take a look at Expedia, especially if you’re travelling on a budget. They offer brilliant package deals that can save you up to 20% on flights and hotels. I’m a huge fan — I’ve booked multiple trips through them, including a December weekend in Amsterdam with flights from Edinburgh and a 4-star hotel for just £265pp!
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Thanks so much for reading – it means the world!
Kirsty x
