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Best destinations to visit in December in Europe

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London
A Tapestry of History and Modernity
9.2
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎖️ Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
  • 🎡 Ride the London Eye for sweeping Thames views
  • 👑 See the Crown Jewels inside the Tower of London
Paris
The city of love, art and history
9.3
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.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Explore the masterpieces at the Louvre Museum
  • 🌆 Stroll along the romantic Seine River at sunset
  • 🗼 Climb the Eiffel Tower and admire the city skyline
Prague
A fairy-tale city with rich history
9.0
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.
Highlights:
  • 🕰️ Wander through the cobbled streets of Old Town Square
  • 🌉 Stroll across the iconic Charles Bridge
  • 🏰 Explore Prague Castle and its Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral
Budapest
A stunning mix of history and nightlife
8.3
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌇 Watch sunset from Fisherman’s Bastion over Buda Castle
  • 🏛️ Admire the Parliament Building from the Danube promenade
  • 💦 Soak in the historic Széchenyi Thermal Baths
Vienna
A Symphony of Culture and Elegance
9.1
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.
Highlights:
  • ☕ Savor traditional Sachertorte with Viennese coffee in a café
  • 🎻 Attend a classical concert at the Vienna State Opera
  • 🏰 Tour Schönbrunn Palace and stroll its spectacular gardens
Tallinn
Medieval charm meets modern innovation
8.2
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.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and admire its domes
  • 🌇 Climb Toompea Hill for sweeping views over the city
  • 🏰 Wander through Tallinn’s medieval Old Town and cobbled streets
Edinburgh
History, Culture and Festival Fever
8.3
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.
Highlights:
  • 🚶‍♀️ Walk the cobbled Royal Mile and shop local crafts
  • 🏰 Tour the historic Edinburgh Castle atop Castle Rock
  • 🌄 Climb Arthur’s Seat for sweeping city views
Munich
Bavarian capital of beer gardens and museums
8.7
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌇 Climb St. Peter’s Church tower for city views
  • 🏰 Visit the grand Nymphenburg Palace and gardens
  • 🍺 Raise a stein at Oktoberfest in Theresienwiese
Reykjavík
Vibrant city amidst stunning nature
7.9
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.
Highlights:
  • 🐋 Take a whale-watching tour from the city harbor
  • 💦 Relax in the Blue Lagoon’s steaming geothermal waters
  • 🌌 Watch the Northern Lights dance over Reykjavík’s night sky
Seville
Andalusia's Heartbeat of History
8.5
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.
Highlights:
  • 💃 Watch an authentic flamenco performance in a local tablao
  • 🌇 Climb La Giralda Tower for sweeping city views
  • 🏰 Marvel at the stunning Moorish architecture of the Alcázar Palace
Nice
Sun, Sea and Sophistication on the Riviera
8.2
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the pebble beaches of the French Riviera
  • 🏘️ Explore the colorful markets and narrow streets of Old Town
  • 🌅 Stroll along the famous Promenade des Anglais at sunset
Salzburg
Baroque Beauty and Musical Magic
8.1
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌷 Stroll through Mirabell Gardens and admire baroque sculptures
  • 🎻 Attend a classical concert in Mozart’s birthplace
  • 🏰 Explore Hohensalzburg Fortress and enjoy sweeping alpine views
Cologne
Gothic cathedral, Roman ruins and Kölsch
8.4
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.
Highlights:
  • 🍺 Taste authentic Kölsch beer in a traditional brewhouse
  • 🌇 Stroll along the Rhine River promenade at sunset
  • ⛪ Climb the Cologne Cathedral towers for panoramic Rhine views
Rovaniemi
Santa's Arctic Wonderland
7.0
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎄 Visit SantaPark’s magical underground Christmas world
  • 🏛️ Explore the interactive Arktikum Museum and Science Centre
  • 🎅 Meet Santa Claus and cross the Arctic Circle
Innsbruck
Alpine Peaks and Imperial Streets
7.9
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Explore Hofburg Palace and its ornate state rooms
  • 🏠 Visit Innsbruck’s historic Golden Roof landmark
  • 🚡 Climb the Nordkette mountains via cable car
Malta
History, beaches and Mediterranean charm
8.5
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.
Highlights:
  • 🕍 Wander through Valletta’s historic streets and baroque architecture
  • 💦 Swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon
  • 🏰 Explore the ancient walled city of Mdina at sunset
Nuremberg
Imperial castle, gingerbread and Christmas market
7.5
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.
Highlights:
  • 🚶‍♂️ Stroll through the medieval lanes of Nuremberg’s Old Town
  • 🏛️ Learn about history at the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds
  • 🏰 Explore Nuremberg Castle and enjoy panoramic old town views
Strasbourg
Where France Meets Germany in Style
8.3
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.
Highlights:
  • 🛥️ Take a scenic boat cruise through the city’s canals
  • 🌉 Wander the fairytale streets of Petite France district
  • ⛪ Admire the stunning Gothic architecture of Strasbourg Cathedral
Metz
Gothic Glory on the Moselle
7.7
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.
Highlights:
  • 🚶‍♀️ Walk along the Moselle river and enjoy city views
  • 🖼️ Explore the Centre Pompidou-Metz contemporary art museum
  • ⛪ Admire the stunning Gothic architecture of Metz Cathedral
Canary Islands
Spain's volcanic paradise year-round
9.0
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.
Highlights:
  • 🐬 Explore the marine life at Loro Parque, Tenerife
  • 🌋 Visit Timanfaya National Park’s volcanic landscape in Lanzarote
  • ⛰️ Hike to the summit of Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak
Lapland
Northern lights and midnight sun
8.9
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.
Highlights:
  • 🦌 Experience a traditional reindeer sleigh ride safari
  • 🐕 Go on a husky sledding adventure through snowy forests
  • 🌌 Chase the Northern Lights on clear Arctic nights
Münsterland
Moated castles and flat cycling country
7.4
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Admire the romantic moated castles of Nordkirchen and Vischering
  • 🏛️ Visit Münster’s historic Prinzipalmarkt square and its Gothic town hall
  • 🚴‍♂️ Cycle along the famous 100 Castles Route through the countryside
Cyprus
Mediterranean gem with diverse climates
8.1
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.
Highlights:
  • 💞 Discover Aphrodite’s Rock, the mythical birthplace of love
  • 🏖️ Swim in the crystal waters of Fig Tree Bay
  • 🏛️ Explore the ancient ruins of Kourion overlooking the sea
Iceland
Land of fire and ice
9.7
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.
Highlights:
  • 🚗 Drive the full Ring Road and explore Iceland’s natural wonders
  • 💦 Soak in the milky-blue waters of the Blue Lagoon
  • 🌌 Marvel at the dancing Northern Lights in winter
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