Last updated on at 07:38 am
The best places to visit in Europe in December feature twinkling Christmas lights with little flurries of snow slowly cascading on centuries-old cobbled streets under the backdrop of fairy-tale castles with spires reaching the sky.
Europe is beautiful but gets even more magical in December when the Christmas spirit and exciting holiday activities add cheer. Europe has it and more, whether it’s finding delight in perusing Christmas markets, skiing amongst snow-capped mountains, or watching Christmas shows.
But first, some advantages of visiting Europe in December.
Advantages of Visiting Europe in December
Visiting in December is great because
- the month belongs to a low season when travel expenses are cheaper. Airfare is cheaper, hotel rates are cheaper, and
- there are fewer crowds, so you have museums and other sights all to yourself.
So if you’re decidedly set on visiting Europe in December, here are some options.
1. London, England
London is a lovely city, but even more so in December when it transforms into a winter wonderland full of magical sights and activities, and the spirit and magic of Christmas are hanging in the air.
Trafalgar Square is decorated with huge Norwegian spruce and carols are everywhere.
There are festivals, many different shows, ice rinks, and markets. Shopping is a joy, too, with shops prettily decorated for the holidays.
You can enjoy the sights and sounds with a tour of London via the hop-on-hop-off buses.
It is recommended to extend your stay well into the New Year because there are a lot of activities for that holiday, too.
Though rates tend to rise around the holidays, booking tickets well in advance may give you big savings.
Christmas Tours and Cruises
Here are some Christmas tours and cruises you can book in advance to make your London visit in December an experience for a lifetime.
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Where to Stay in London: The Ampersand Hotel
Related Read: Things to Do in London: 12 Awesome, Fun Activities
2. Nuremberg, Germany
Nobody does Christmas markets (Christkindlmarkt) in Europe better than Germany, and of them all in the country, the one in Nuremberg is the most impressive.
During Advent each year, Nuremberg’s lively Christmas fair is held at Hauptmarkt. Displays of locally crafted and handmade goods and other delicacies are sold in stalls with red and white striped canvas below the castle.
Munch some delicious Lebkuchen, a softly spiced gingerbread that dates back to the fourteenth century, and pair them with Glühwein, their version of mulled wine. Go for Kinderpunsch if you want something non-alcoholic.
Where to Stay in Nuremberg: Karl August – A Neighorhood Hotel
Related Read: Nurnberg, Germany: Wonderful Things to Do and More
2.1. Rüdesheim am Rhein
Rüdesheim am Rhein, a town in the Rhine Gorge, also has a great Christmas market each year. Called the Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations, it’s as magical as the one in Nuremberg. See more information here.
Where to Stay in Rüdesheim am Rhein: Hotel Rose
3. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague in the Czech Republic is remarkable, to begin with, but gets more so in December when snow covers its spire-decorated skyline and majestic castle on the hill.
This picturesque landscape and its Christmas market draw visitors from all over the world.
While second only to Germany’s Christmas markets, Prague’s very own is nevertheless as much a magical and fun experience. From December 1 to 24 each year, stalls selling local products and delicacies dominate the Old Town Square against a backdrop of a giant Christmas tree. It’s a great delight to browse through the various displays and offerings while eating some locally-made sweets.
There are also several ice skating rinks around town where you can lace up your skate shoes and have fun gliding along with merrymakers.
Some fantastic shows you can catch include The Nutcracker at the National Theater and many special classical music performances at the castle grounds.
Where to Stay in Prague: Hotel CUBE Prague
Related Read: Things to Do in Prague: Free and Fun Activities
4. Grindelwald, Switzerland
The Swiss Alps offer the best skiing and snowboarding facilities in Europe, so if you’re up for some adrenaline-pumping fun in the snow, look no further than the pristine Alpine resorts of Switzerland.
Switzerland has every kind of ski resort to suit one’s fancy and pocket — from family-friendly retreats to glitzy, celebrity-favorite hotels.
The resort village of Grindelwald in the eastern Alpine foothills offers family-friendly slopes and amenities for all abilities.
Grindelwald is also one of the best starting points for hiking around the Alps. A variety of trail maps are available at the town’s tourist office — from easy scenic walks to intense rock climbing activities. Guided hikes of different extents are also available.
Other ski resorts in Switzerland to go to:
- Davos is the largest resort in Switzerland with its twin towns of Davos Platz and Davos Dorf. It offers an indoor sports center and has many restaurants, nightclubs, and bars.
- Verbier is also one of the largest ski resorts in the country;
- Zermatt, a mountain resort that sits directly below the mountain of Matterhorn, offers top-notch skiing and hiking. It has a historic town center and an Alpine museum.
- St. Moritz is luxurious and a bit pricey.
Where to Stay in Grindelwald: Bergwelt Grindelwald – Alpine Design Resort
Related Read: Lucerne, Switzerland: The Ideal Swiss City
5. Kitzbühel, Austria
While Austria’s mountain skiing scene is only second to that of Switzerland, it still offers top-quality and fun winter sports.
The tiny village of Kitzbühel situated east of the city of Innsbruck offers fashionable skiing facilities. So does St. Anton in the Tyrolean Alps. More information can be found here.
Where to Stay in Kitzbühel: ERIKA Boutiquehotel Kitzbühel
Related Read: Salzburg, Austria: Things to Do When Visiting
6. Reykjavík, Iceland
In recent years, Iceland has become a popular winter tourist destination in Europe, and it’s not difficult to understand why. With its beautiful Northern Lights and a rugged, untouched beauty best displayed during winter, the season justifiably draws a crowd.
Winter activities still abound in Iceland, even with the drop in temperatures and shorter daylight hours. Tours from Reykjavík include visiting ice caves and viewing snow-capped mountains and frozen waterfalls. Outdoor activities like skiing, ice-climbing, snowmobiling, and more are also available.
Blue-colored ice caves can be seen in the southeast part of the country with a qualified guide. They are open for a visit sometime from November to March.
Skiing is done in North Iceland such as at Hlìõarfjall in the city of Akureyri. It’s the country’s largest ski field. Up north are smaller ski fields on the Tröllaskagi peninsula. There’s also a ski field just outside Reykjavík called Bláfjoll.
Other activities Iceland offers include ski tours, glacier hikes, dog sledding, Heli-skiing, skating, and Snowshoeing.
Winter Tours and Activities
These are some of the best winter experiences in Reykjavík for your visit.
Where to Stay in Reykjavík: Reykjavïk Residence Apartment Hotel
7. Málaga, Spain
If you want to experience relatively mild winters and balmy weather in December, then the southern part of Europe is one of the best places to visit in Europe in December.
December to March is the cheapest time to visit Spain, the third largest country located in southwestern Europe.
The best place to visit in Spain in December is Málaga, the second-largest city in the region of Andalucia. Málaga, the native town of painter Pablo Picasso, has been voted the best Spanish City to visit during Christmas.
Like the countries in Western Europe, Málaga in December is full of festive Christmas spirit, but with warmer weather. Palm trees are decorated with Christmas garlands, there are street concerts and light shows all over the place, Christmas carolers bring holiday cheer, and there’s a Christmas market on the square.
The highlight of the festivities is the Procession of the Three Kings on January 5 which commences at five in the afternoon, the observance of which has the whole city shutting down.
Where to Stay in Málaga: Only YOU Hotel Málaga
Related Read: Ávila, Spain: Exquisite Authentic Medieval City
8. The Canary Islands, Spain
Sun, sand, and sea are what visitors wanting to escape the cold can find in Spain’s Canary Islands in December.
The Canaries on the fringe of the tropics west of Morocco offer an abundance of sunshine mellowed by cool winds.
The best place to experience these is in Las Palmas, the capital and port of Gran Canaria, the most well-known of the Canary Islands.
In Las Palmas, stay at Playa del Inglés, a bustling resort with many hotels, restaurants and nightclubs. It offers great nightlife activities, too.
Other activities in Playa del Inglés are water sports, day trips, camel safaris, go-karts, and fairs.
Attractions near Playa del Inglés include the Dunas de Maspalomas, dunes that are nature reserves; a park with a collection of unusual birds against the backdrop of a subtropical garden; a theme park; and a golf course.
Where to Stay in Playa del Inglés: Hotel Parque Tropical
9. Venice, Italy
Winter is the perfect time to visit Venice if you’re looking to enjoy this beautiful city without the usual crowds that invade it the rest of the year.
Come winter, it transforms into a tranquil landscape that makes the best backdrop for enjoying a gondola ride. Of course, the fact that hotel rates are less expensive is an irresistible enticement difficult to pass up.
Where to Stay in Venice: Simon’ Secret
Related Read: Things to Do in Florence, Italy
10. Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is a pretty place to celebrate Christmas.
Just like the rest of Estonia, it gives off both Eastern European and Nordic vibes that make it completely charming. Fanciful church spires, palaces in Baroque style, glass high-rises, mystifying battlements, quaint wooden houses, ambient restaurants, and sunny cafés dot its attractive landscape.
Tallinn’s Unesco-preserved Old Town is decked with a Christmas tree and holiday decorations and dotted with Christmas markets. Holiday cheer permeates its medieval buildings, shops and restaurants, and history-rich streets. You can drink mulled wine while enjoying the sights and basking in the Christmas spirit.
Where to Stay in Tallinn: CRU Hotel
Whichever of these best places to visit in Europe in December you choose, you sure will definitely have a great time.
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I’m just about to plan a trip in December so this list is super useful! I think Tallinn might be the one!
That’s great! I’m glad you find this useful. Tallinn is lovely, hope you have the best experience while there.
Berlin and Paris are totally worth a try! I would also recommend Warsaw or Krakow in Poland.
All beautiful places! Paris is especially a personal favorite of mine. Will be adding them to my list. Thanks for the suggestions!
This was a great guide! I’m planning a trip to Europe for next December and I’m so excited to see the Christmas decorations and how magical everything looks.
Thank you and I’m glad you think so. Oh, that’s lovely! Hope you have the best time!
Never been to Europe at all. But would love to visit during the warmer season to explore the culture. Thanks for sharing these awesome places to visit in Europe.
You’re welcome and hope you have an amazing time when there.
This is great! Super helpful to plan a magical holiday!
Thank you! I’m glad to know you find it helpful.
Oh wow… London or Switzerland… what a hard decision! Both on my bucket list. ❤️
Heh, I would be in a pickle too deciding between both. Maybe go to both? 😉