It’s a magical time of year, and what better way to party than to get into the magical Christmas spirit all over the world? These 10 places offer a unique mix of tradition, celebration, and joy, from cute European markets to warm getaways.
1. Nuremberg, Germany – home of the German Lebkuchen
In Nuremberg, you can go shopping for Christmas at the popular Christkindlesmarkt. Hauptmarkt has more than 180 market stands that sell everything from toys to cookies.
Don’t miss the chance to try the famous Lebkuchen, which is German gingerbread. It was first made in Franconia in the 1300s. To try real Lebkuchen, go to the Lebkuchen-Schmidt stands at the Christkindlesmarkt.
Hotels in Nuremberg
- Novina Hotel Tillypark
- Hotel Agneshof Nürnberg
2. Salzburg, Austria – authentic charming traditions
Visit Salzburg, a city that is full of life and very Austrian. With snowy mountains in the background, its famous Baroque building looks even more beautiful. Also, Mozart was born there, so you can expect to hear a lot of music everywhere you go.
It also has the oldest Christmas market in Europe. The market is full of cute customs and smells like fresh gingerbread. Do you want to see how true that is? Take a tour of the Christmas markets in Salzburg with a local.
Hotels in Nuremberg
- Hotel Hohenstauffen
- Altstadthotel Wolf-Dietrich
3. Dublin, Ireland – best Christmas pubs experience
In December, you can have fun at Christmas in Dublin. It feels like Christmas in the streets, where there are ice rinks and carol singers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. If you want to get cozy, Temple Bar bars have what you need. Stay at the Castle Hotel near Temple Bar if that sounds like fun.
The 12 pubs of Christmas are another thing that makes Dublin one of the best places to spend Christmas. A well-known game asks groups of friends to go to 12 pubs by the end of the night. As you might expect, only the toughest competitors make it to the end.
Our custom-made 5-day trip lets you see Dublin’s castles and cliffs.
Hotels in Nuremberg
- Egans House
- Baggot Court Townhouse
4. Copenhagen, Denmark – one of the best Christmas destinations
Plan a Christmas trip to Copenhagen. The capital of Denmark is cheap and friendly, and the city center is very shiny. It’s also easy to get around. Get your Tivoli Gardens tickets ahead of time if you want a full holiday dream. It’s a very old amusement park that looks especially beautiful at Christmas.
People love castles, and at Christmas, they take on a magical beauty all their own. Kronborg Castle, Christiansborg Palace, and Rosenborg Castle are some of the most well-known.
Check out our list of the best things to do in Copenhagen with kids if you’re going there with them.
Hotels in Nuremberg
- Copenhagen Marriott Hotel
- Hotel Skt Petri
5. Washington DC, USA – A mix of old-school American traditions and the spirit of Christmas
Washington, DC is the center of Christmas customs, and they are all very heartwarming. Don’t miss the Pathway of Peace, which is lit up and has 56 Christmas trees. Protect yourself from the cold before you go sightseeing.
Washington, DC is without a doubt one of the best places to spend Christmas. Visit the National Christmas Tree in President’s Park or watch the holiday boat show in Wharf. There’s something fun for everyone at Christmas.
Hotels in Nuremberg
- The Normandy Hotel
- The Dupont Circle Hotel
6. Montreal, Canada – fireworks and Christmas magic in the old town
There is magic at Christmas in Montreal. You can ski on Mont Tremblant and skate on the Vieux Port ice rink in this city, which is Canada’s second biggest. Take part in Christmas events and walk around Old Montreal. After that, go on a spooky walking tour to meet the ghosts of Christmas past.
Since 1925, Montreal has had a parade of Santa Clauses every year. In this area, it’s called Defile du Pere Noel. The parade goes through the city center to Catherine Street with about 15 to 20 floating statues. Also, don’t miss the chance to see the beautiful Christmas lights in Montreal’s Old Port every year. moving slowly.
Washington, DC is without a doubt one of the best places to spend Christmas. Visit the National Christmas Tree in President’s Park or watch the holiday boat show in Wharf. There’s something fun for everyone at Christmas.
Hotels in Nuremberg
- Manoir Sherbrooke
- Hotel Bonaventure Montreal
7. Edinburgh, Scotland – a city steeped in Christmas magic
From the dramatic Old Town to the Georgian New Town, Edinburgh has a lively vibe. There are beautiful Christmas markets in Edinburgh, and the New Year’s street party is one of the biggest in Europe.
The best time to see Edinburgh on foot during the holiday season is during a magical walking tour. This is the city where the world of Harry Potter was first imagined. You can use an audio-visual quiz to see how much you know, find out what House you belong to at Hogwarts, and see Tom Riddle’s grave.
Our 14-day vacation to vintage England is made just for you. You’ll see two traditional cities, London and Edinburgh, and some peaceful Scottish islands.
Hotels in Nuremberg
- The Bonham
- Radisson Blu Hotel
8. Rome, Italy – Christmas in majestic surroundings
All over the city of Rome, different holiday customs are celebrated. So you have art collections, museums, and landmarks, as well as Italian food and culture that make you think of Christmas. Rome is one of the best Christmas vacation spots because of all of these reasons. There’s also the Midnight Mass at the Vatican. To see more, why not go on a private Christmas tour with people from the area?
You can’t miss the Christmas tree in the Colosseum in Rome. It’s only a few meters shorter than the one in the Rockefeller Center in New York, but it’s still a beautiful sight.
Italy doesn’t miss a chance to show off its famous food at Christmas either. If you can, don’t miss the chance to eat a traditional Italian Christmas dinner before midnight mass.
Take in all of Ancient Rome’s sights and sounds on our custom-made 6-day trip.
Hotels in Nuremberg
- Hotel Area Roma
- Hotel Marcantonio
9. Lapland, Finland – the homeland of Santa Claus
In Finnish Lapland, you can visit Santa at the famous Santa Claus Village, which is just outside of the fun city of Rovaniemi. It’s a Christmas dream for kids, and kids do love it. But it’s also meant to charm grown-ups. Also, you might see the Northern Lights in December.
Meet Apukka’s pack of huskies and listen to their stories before pulling your own sled through the trees with them.
Check out the area around the Arctic Circle, go to Santa Claus Village, try traditional Lappish food, and go snowshoeing on our custom-made 5-day trip.
Hotels in Nuremberg
- Park Hotel Tornio
- Lapland Hotels Äkäshotelli
10. Berlin, Germany – a mix of cultural and nightlife festivities
It’s a bit of a holiday tale that Berlin has more than 50 neighborhood Christmas markets. You should also go because it has famous museums, great nightlife, and fun things to do.
You can take a walk through the lit-up Berlin Botanical Gardens at night from the middle of November to the beginning of January. During the holiday season, there are golden arches that glow, statues of penguins that sparkle, and lights that twinkle from the trees. Get your tickets ahead of time because they sell out quickly, and don’t forget to bring your camera for the perfect holiday picture.
You can find things to do in Berlin all year long in our detailed guide.
Hotels in Nuremberg
- Essential by Dorint Berlin-Adlershof
- Leonardo Royal Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz
