Where to spend Christmas? 11 magical destinations not to be missed
Christmas is approaching, and with it the desire to experience the magic of the festive season in enchanting surroundings. With traditional illuminated markets, fairytale settings and warm atmospheres, some destinations turn the Advent period into a real fairytale. Whether you’re dreaming of sparkling snow under the Northern Lights or a medieval atmosphere in the heart of Europe, discover 11 must-see destinations where spending Christmas will be an unforgettable experience.
200 audioguided tours for cities all around the world
DownloadAlso in the Strasbourg guide:
- The 10 best culinary specialities in Strasbourg
- Top 6 activities in Strasbourg
- Top 6 best hotels in Strasbourg
- Where can you find the best Christmas markets in France this winter?
- Christmas in London: what to see, what to do and where to stay
- How can you spend a New Year’s Eve that’s out of the ordinary?
- The best things to do in winter!
- The most beautiful villages to discover around Paris this winter
1. Strasbourg, the Christmas capital
Nicknamed the “Capital of Christmas”, Strasbourg embodies all the magic of Alsace’s traditions. From the end of November, the city is transformed into a veritable enchanted village, where the illuminations rival the beauty of the medieval architecture.
The Christkindelsmärik, or Christ Child Market, is France’s oldest Christmas market, established in 1570. Spread over several squares in the city centre, including the famous Place Broglie and Place de la Cathédrale, it features more than 300 stalls selling local crafts, traditional decorations and gourmet specialities. The smell of spiced mulled wine, pretzels and gingerbread wafts through the cobbled streets, while the gigantic fir tree on Place Kléber proudly dominates the town.
Download the audio-guided tour to discover Strasbourg on foot and on your own
To discover all the treasures of this exceptional city, the Strasbourg tour itinerary takes you through 32 places of interest, from Petite France to the covered bridges and the majestic Notre-Dame cathedral. Thanks to this fun audio guide, you can explore the emblematic districts on your own and discover the fascinating history of a city that celebrates Christmas like no other.
Don’t miss the breathtaking illuminated Notre-Dame cathedral or the Petite France district, with its half-timbered houses reflected in the waters of the Ill. To complete your experience, let yourself be guided through the historic alleyways thanks to the app, which will allow you to visit Strasbourg like a local, with anecdotes about Alsatian Christmas traditions.
2. Prague, the medieval jewel of Bohemia
The Czech capital is decked out in a thousand lights during the festive season, offering an absolutely enchanting medieval fairytale setting. Prague is one of Europe’s most popular Christmas destinations.
The Christmas market on Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) is without doubt the most spectacular. Dominated by a giant fir tree and the famous astronomical clock, it features 82 traditional wooden chalets where craftspeople and traders sell their creations. The atmosphere is particularly magical in the evening, when the illuminations reflect off the Baroque and Gothic facades that surround the square. The market also extends to Wenceslas Square and Prague Castle, offering several festive atmospheres to discover.
Download the audio tour to discover Prague on foot and on your own
Take advantage of your stay to visit Prague in depth thanks to an audio tour of 28 points of interest. From the majestic Prague Castle to St Vitus’s Cathedral, via Charles Bridge and its 30 Baroque statues, this itinerary for visiting Prague will reveal all the secrets of this thousand-year-old city.
Czech culinary specialities take pride of place: trdelník (rolled and caramelised pastry), grilled sausages, gingerbread with honey and, of course, the famous mulled wine with spices. Don’t forget to try svařák, the Czech version of mulled wine, which is particularly comforting on cold December evenings.
3. Imperial elegance in Vienna
The Austrian capital rivals in elegance and refinement during the Advent season. Vienna transforms its historic squares into veritable tableaux vivants, where centuries-old traditions meet imperial splendour.
The Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz, in front of the neo-Gothic town hall, is Vienna’s biggest and most famous Christmas market. With over 150 stalls selling arts and crafts, glass-blowing decorations and local cuisine, it attracts millions of visitors every year. The huge Christmas tree in the centre, surrounded by a trail of lighted hearts, creates an incomparably magical atmosphere. Regular brass bands add a musical touch to the already magical atmosphere.
Download the audio-guided tour to discover Vienne on foot and on your own
To explore this imperial city, the itinerary for visiting Vienna guides you through 26 emblematic sites, from the Hofburg Palace to St Stephen’s Cathedral and the National Opera. Let yourself be led through the streets of Vienna and discover the history of the Habsburgs while enjoying the festive atmosphere thanks to this audio guide to visit Vienna on your own.
The city is also enchanted by other markets: the Spittelberg market in the Bohemian quarter, the Schönbrunn Palace market with its illuminated courtyard, and the Freyung ecological market. Between two market visits, take a break in one of the historic Viennese cafés to enjoy a slice of Sachertorte accompanied by Viennese-style hot chocolate.
4. Colmar, the pearl of Alsace
Colmar richly deserves its nickname of “Alsace’s little Venice”, and this appellation takes on even more meaning during the Christmas period. The town is transformed into a living postcard setting, with its illuminated half-timbered houses reflected in the canals.
There are six Christmas markets in the historic centre, each with its own personality. The market on Place des Dominicains is dedicated to local craftsmen, the one on Place de l’Ancienne Douane offers local produce, while the market in Petite Venise enchants with its merry-go-rounds and Santa’s big letterbox. Colmar’s intimate, authentic atmosphere makes it a prime destination for those seeking the true soul of Alsace traditions.
For those wishing to visit Colmar, the city offers much more than just its Christmas markets. Its museums, including the famous Musée Unterlinden, home to the Issenheim Altarpiece, its gourmet restaurants and its wine cellars make it a complete destination for a successful end-of-year break.
5. Copenhagen and Tivoli Gardens
The Danish capital offers a unique Christmas experience, combining Scandinavian traditions with the concept of ‘hygge’, the warm and cosy atmosphere so dear to the Danes. Copenhagen is one of the most original Christmas destinations in the world.
The Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market is an institution. This historic amusement park, open since 1843, transforms itself into an enchanted Christmas village from mid-November to early January. More than 50 stalls sell Danish crafts, decorations and delicacies, while the illuminated rides and Ferris wheel offer spectacular views over the city. The open-air ice rink and daily shows complete this magical experience. The architecture of the park, a blend of oriental buildings and Scandinavian pavilions, creates a setting that is unique in the world.
Take advantage of your stay to discover Nyhavn, the famous harbour with its colourful houses, magnificently illuminated during the festive season. The shopping streets of Strøget also feature their own decorations and entertainment, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the city. Don’t forget to try æbleskiver, small spherical pancakes sprinkled with icing sugar, and gløgg, Danish mulled wine flavoured with spices and almonds.
6. Tallinn, the medieval Baltic charm
The Estonian capital is a medieval nugget that takes on a fairytale air at Christmas time. Its historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers an exceptional setting for experiencing the magic of the festive season.
Tallinn’s Christmas market, on City Hall Square, lays claim to being the oldest public Christmas tree in the world, a tradition that dates back to 1441. The traditional market offers Estonian crafts, local culinary specialities and spiced mulled wine in a warm, authentic atmosphere. The wooden chalets, golden illuminations and medieval facades create a unique atmosphere, far removed from mass tourism.
Tallinn’s Old Town is easy to visit on foot. Its intact medieval ramparts, watchtowers, cobbled streets and Gothic churches form a backdrop worthy of the finest history books. The atmosphere is particularly magical when snow covers the red-tiled roofs and lanterns light up the vaulted passageways.
200 audioguided tours for cities all around the world
Download7. Rovaniemi, Santa’s official village
In Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi is the ultimate destination for an authentic and magical Christmas. This town right on the Arctic Circle is home to Santa’s official village.
Santa Claus Village is open all year round, but it’s during the Christmas season that it really comes into its own. You can meet Santa in person in his office, symbolically cross the Arctic Circle, post your cards from Santa’s official post office and explore the shops selling Lappish handicrafts and unique souvenirs. The reindeer, true local stars, can be approached at several farms in the area.
But Rovaniemi offers so much more: dog-sleigh safaris through snow-covered forests, snowshoe hikes under the Northern Lights, snowmobile excursions and nights in glass igloos to admire the starry sky. Lapland, covered in its immaculate white coat, creates an unreal landscape where the silence of the boreal forest is disturbed only by the crunch of snow underfoot.
Winter temperatures, which can drop to -30°C, are an integral part of the experience. Bundled up in thermal suits, you’ll experience an authentic Christmas in the Far North, far from the hustle and bustle of Europe’s big cities.
8. New York, the magic of America
The Big Apple is transformed into a festive playground over the festive season. New York at Christmas is a fairytale version of the American dream, with its illuminated skyscrapers and infectious energy.
The main event is the lighting of the giant Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, usually at the beginning of December. This 25-metre-high tree, adorned with 50,000 multicoloured LED lights and topped with a Swarovski star 4 metres in diameter, attracts millions of visitors. The ice-skating rink just below is a cinematic experience. The animated window displays of the Fifth Avenue department stores, including Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, compete in creativity and ingenuity.
Christmas markets abound in the city: the Winter Village in Bryant Park offers 170 shops and a free ice rink, the Union Square market focuses on local crafts and organic produce, while the Columbus Circle Holiday Market offers a breathtaking view of snow-covered Central Park. A stroll through snow-covered Central Park, a performance of The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center or a horse-drawn carriage ride through the decorated streets complete the New York Christmas experience.
9. Quebec and Montreal, the charm of French-speaking North America
Quebec offers a unique Christmas experience, blending French and American traditions in a spectacular winter setting. Quebec’s two major cities rival each other in charm during the festive season.
Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is transformed into a picture-postcard village with its snow-covered stone houses, old-fashioned lampposts and sparkling decorations. Quebec City’s German Christmas Market, in the Petit-Champlain district, is the largest outdoor Christmas market in North America. More than 90 exhibitors offer crafts, decorations and gastronomy in an authentic European atmosphere, at the foot of the illuminated Château Frontenac.
Montreal, for its part, is banking on cultural diversity, with several markets reflecting the city’s different communities. The Old Port Christmas Market features a skating rink, Ferris wheel and live entertainment. The illuminations on Boulevard Saint-Laurent and in Chinatown add a splash of colour to the Montreal winter. The warm welcome of Quebecers, their infectious joie de vivre and their generosity make this destination a top choice for spending Christmas in North America.
10. Bruges, the Venice of the North
The Belgian city of Bruges, with its frozen canals and preserved medieval architecture, offers an exceptionally romantic setting for celebrating Christmas. It is one of the most photogenic destinations in Europe during the festive season.
The Christmas market takes place on the Grote Markt and the Place Simon Stevin, at the foot of the UNESCO-listed belfry. Around a hundred stalls sell Flemish crafts, Bruges lace, Belgian chocolates and local culinary specialities. The ice rink set up on the square creates a festive atmosphere where young and old can enjoy themselves in a unique medieval setting. The illuminations are reflected in the calm waters of the canals, creating stunningly beautiful light displays.
A boat trip on the illuminated canals, a chocolate tasting in one of the many artisan chocolate factories, or a visit to the local breweries where excellent Belgian beers are served with Flemish carbonnade – that’s what awaits you in Bruges. The city, already magnificent in normal times, becomes absolutely enchanting under its winter coat of snow.
11. Salzburg, in the footsteps of Mozart
Mozart’s birthplace, nestling in the heart of the Austrian Alps, offers a magical Alpine setting for celebrating Christmas. Salzburg combines authentic traditions, an exceptional musical heritage and breathtaking mountain scenery.
Salzburg’s Christmas markets are among the most authentic in Austria. The Christkindlmarkt at Domplatz and Residenzplatz, dominated by the Hohensalzburg fortress, offers traditional Austrian handicrafts, carved wooden decorations and local culinary specialities. Advent in the Baroque Old Town, a World Heritage Site, exudes authenticity with its family-run stalls handed down from generation to generation. The Hellbrunn Palace Market, slightly off-centre, offers a more intimate atmosphere in an enchanting Renaissance setting.
During Advent, classical music concerts abound in the city’s baroque churches, offering an opportunity to hear Mozart’s works in his hometown. An excursion to the Untersberg, the mountain that dominates Salzburg, offers an exceptional Alpine panorama. Ski enthusiasts will also find plenty to do in the surrounding resorts, all of which are less than an hour away.
200 audioguided tours for cities all around the world
DownloadIn conclusion, these 11 magical Christmas destinations each offer a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you are seduced by the Alsatian traditions of Strasbourg, the medieval charm of Prague, the imperial elegance of Vienna or the authenticity of the Far North in Rovaniemi, each city has its own magic. Christmas markets, with their traditional chalets, magical illuminations and gastronomic specialities, create a warm atmosphere that warms hearts despite the winter chill. Planning your stay in one of these destinations guarantees you a memorable festive season, full of authentic traditions and magical moments to share with family and friends.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the Christmas markets?
Most Christmas markets open at the end of November and remain open until 24 or 31 December. The ideal period is between early and mid-December: the crowds are reasonable, the atmosphere is already festive and you can avoid the crowds of the last weekend before Christmas. Some cities, such as Strasbourg and Vienna, extend their markets into the New Year.
How do you prepare for the cold in northern destinations?
For destinations like Rovaniemi or Quebec, where temperatures can drop to -30°C, opt for the three-layer system: thermal underwear, insulating layer (fleece) and windproof waterproof jacket. Don’t forget a hat, gloves, scarf and waterproof shoes with fur. Hand and foot warmers are also very useful.
Is it necessary to book accommodation well in advance?
Absolutely. The fairytale Christmas destinations attract millions of visitors and accommodation fills up quickly, sometimes as early as September for the best addresses. Book at least 3 to 4 months in advance, or even 6 months for Rovaniemi or New York. Prices also rise considerably as the festive season approaches.
What culinary specialities can you try at Christmas markets?
Each destination has its own specialities: mulled wine and pretzels in Alsace, trdelník in Prague, æbleskiver in Denmark, hot chestnuts in New York, and caribou (a mixture of red wine and strong alcohol) in Quebec. And don’t miss the gingerbread, grilled sausages and traditional pastries that vary from country to country.
Can I visit more than one city on the same trip?
It’s entirely possible, especially in Europe where distances are short. A Strasbourg-Colmar-Basel tour can be completed in just a few days. You can also combine Prague and Vienna (4 hours by train), or Bruges and Brussels. However, you should allow at least 2 full days per city to enjoy the festive atmosphere without rushing.
200 audioguided tours for cities all around the world
Download
