Best destinations to visit in December in Europe
Best destinations to visit in December in Europe
December belongs to two very different seasons across Europe, with Christmas markets filling city squares while ski resorts fill up with snow.
Christmas markets reach their peak in the weeks before the holiday, especially across Germany, Austria and much of Central Europe, drawing large crowds for mulled wine and seasonal shopping. Alpine ski resorts move into full swing too, with snow becoming far more reliable than it was earlier in the season. Southern Europe stays milder, offering a gentler alternative for travelers who want a break from the cold further north. Prices climb steadily as the month goes on, peaking in the final week before Christmas and again around New Year's Eve. Booking well ahead becomes especially important for both markets and ski resorts during this stretch.
The destinations on our list for Europe reflect that same split between festive markets and full ski season conditions.
Lists by region
City in France
Paris
The city of love, art and history
The lights on the Champs-Elysees are on from late November to early January. Department stores such as Galeries Lafayette and Printemps decorate their windows with moving scenes. A market in the Tuileries Garden has rides and food stalls. Museums are warm places to spend a cold afternoon.
City in United Kingdom
London
A Tapestry of History and Modernity
The huge Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square has been a gift from Norway every year since 1947, thanks for British help in World War II. Skaters glide on rinks at Somerset House and the Natural History Museum while the Winter Wonderland fair in Hyde Park has rides and a market.
Island in Spain
Canary Islands
Spain's volcanic paradise year-round
These volcanic islands became part of Spain in the 1400s. Daytime highs are around 21 degrees Celsius in December, so beach days are possible. Tenerife has Mount Teide, which often has snow on top. Gran Canaria has the Maspalomas dunes. Flights from northern Europe are short.
City in Germany
Munich
Bavarian Tradition Meets Modern Flair
Christmas markets have been held on Marienplatz for hundreds of years. Stalls sell gingerbread, roasted almonds and Gluhwein, a spiced hot wine. The Residenz palace has its own market with a quieter mood. Winter days are cold, so warm beer halls are good places to rest.
City in Austria
Vienna
A Symphony of Culture and Elegance
The smell of roasted chestnuts and sweet baked apples is in the cold air at the Christkindlmarkt in front of the neo Gothic city hall, where tall trees are hung with thousands of lights. Concerts of Mozart and Strauss are held in baroque halls while another market is set up in front of Schönbrunn Palace.
City in Germany
Cologne
Where history meets a vibrant lifestyle
Under the twin spires of Cologne Cathedral, 515 feet tall, the air smells of roasted almonds and Glühwein, spiced hot wine. The market by the cathedral has dozens of wooden stalls under a huge tree while more markets are spread around the old town and along the Rhine.
City in Czech Republic
Prague
A fairy-tale city with rich history
The cold air of Old Town Square smells of grilled sausages and trdelník, a sweet pastry rolled in sugar and cinnamon, near a tall tree beside the Astronomical Clock. In the days before Christmas Eve vendors sell live carp from big barrels because fried carp is the traditional Czech holiday dinner.
City in Hungary
Budapest
A stunning mix of history and nightlife
The Danube divides this city into hilly Buda and flat Pest. The Christmas fair at Vorosmarty Square sells chimney cakes and mulled wine. A light show is shown on the front of St. Stephen's Basilica. Outdoor thermal pools such as Szechenyi are warm and steamy on cold days.
City in France
Nice
Sun, Sea and Sophistication on the Riviera
Bright and mild, this coastal city has daytime highs of about 14 degrees Celsius in December. A Christmas market is held at Place Massena. Lights are hung along the Promenade des Anglais. Sea views are clear and cafes keep their terraces open. The old town has food stalls with socca, a chickpea pancake.
City in United Kingdom
Edinburgh
History, Culture and Festival Fever
A city of about half a million people hosts a large Christmas market with fairground rides in Princes Street Gardens. The Old Town has cobbled lanes with warm pubs. A torchlight procession and a big street party mark Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year. Edinburgh Castle is lit up at night above the Old Town.
Country
Cyprus
Mediterranean gem with diverse climates
Relaxed and sunny, this island in the eastern Mediterranean has mild days of about 17 degrees Celsius in December. That suits sightseeing better than swimming. Ancient mosaics at Paphos and the ruins of Kourion are easy to visit. Mountain villages in the Troodos range have painted churches. Meze meals are served everywhere.
City in Germany
Nuremberg
Medieval Charm Meets Living History
About two million people visit the Christkindlesmarkt each year. It is among the most famous Christmas markets in Germany. A young person dressed as the Christkind, a Christmas angel figure, opens it from the Frauenkirche balcony. Lebkuchen gingerbread and small grilled sausages are the local treats.
City in Spain
Seville
Andalusia's Heartbeat of History
The Alcazar palace was built by Moorish and Christian rulers over many centuries. It is a calm place to visit in the cool months. Daytime highs are around 16 degrees Celsius in December. Orange trees in the streets have fruit. Christmas lights and nativity scenes are set up in the old centre.
Country
Malta
History, beaches and Mediterranean charm
Nativity scenes called presepju are a Maltese tradition and are displayed in churches and homes. Valletta has lights along its main streets. Daytime highs are around 15 degrees Celsius in December. Imqaret, fried date pastries, are sold at street stalls. The island is mild and sunny for walking.
City in Austria
Salzburg
Baroque Beauty and Musical Magic
This city lies at the edge of the Alps in northern Austria, near the German border. The Christmas market on Cathedral Square sits below the Hohensalzburg fortress. The carol Silent Night was first sung in 1818 in nearby Oberndorf. Krampus runs, with costumed characters in masks, take place in early December.
City in France
Strasbourg
Where France Meets Germany in Style
The Christkindelsmärik, a Christmas market held in Strasbourg since 1570, has stalls around the Gothic cathedral and a giant tree in Place Kléber. Visitors sip vin chaud, spiced hot wine, while eating bredele, small Alsatian Christmas cookies, under the half timbered houses of Petite France along the canals.
Country
Iceland
Land of fire and ice
Like a story of fire and ice, the island has steaming geothermal pools beside frozen waterfalls and only about four hours of daylight in December. Visitors soak in the Blue Lagoon, a milky blue pool in a lava field, while the northern lights often shine over the water on clear nights.
City in Iceland
Reykjavík
Vibrant city amidst stunning nature
On the 13 nights before Christmas, Icelandic children leave a shoe by the window. The Yule Lads, 13 mischievous characters, fill it with small gifts. Giving books on Christmas Eve is a local habit called Jolabokaflod. Days are short, with about four hours of daylight. Northern lights tours leave from the city.
Region in Germany
Münsterland
Land of castles and cycling
Compared with the busy markets in Munich and Nuremberg, markets here are quieter and set in castles and small towns. Many castles stand in the middle of moats. Nordkirchen Castle holds a Christmas market in its courtyard. Cycle paths between villages are flat and well signed.
City in Austria
Innsbruck
Alpine Peaks and Imperial Streets
Ski areas around the city usually open in early December. The Nordkette cable car rises from the city to about 2,000 metres in minutes. Christmas markets in the old town are open from mid November until just before Christmas. The Golden Roof is a landmark beside the main market.
City in Estonia
Tallinn
Medieval charm meets modern innovation
The old town is inside stone walls built from the 1200s onward with about 26 towers still standing. In December a Christmas market with a tall spruce is held on Town Hall Square while snow often falls on the red tile roofs. Visitors warm up with roasted almonds and glögi, a hot spiced berry drink.
City in France
Metz
Gothic Glory on the Moselle
This city in Lorraine, northeast France, lies where the Moselle and Seille rivers meet. Markets are held on Place Saint Louis and Place de la Comedie. A parade for Saint Nicholas on 6 December is a Lorraine tradition. The Gothic cathedral has huge stained glass windows covering more than 6,000 square metres.
City in Finland
Rovaniemi
Santa's Arctic Wonderland
Unlike most Christmas towns, this one lies on the Arctic Circle. Santa Claus Village has a post office and a line on the ground that marks the circle. Reindeer sleighs and husky rides are easy to book. Days are short and snow is deep. Northern lights are often seen on clear nights.
Region in Finland
Lapland
Northern lights and midnight sun
Finns take a sauna on Christmas Eve and in Lapland many cool off with a roll in the snow or a dip in a hole cut in the ice. December has very short days with blue twilight at midday while the northern lights are often visible on clear nights.
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