Best Christmas Destinations in Europe

With Christmas  just 2 months away, now it’s the best time to plan your holidays in one of Europe’s best Christmas markets.  In this post, top travel bloggers from around the world share their favourite Christmas destinations in Europe.

 Best Christmas Destinations in Europe

Nuremberg – Germany 

Nuremberg in Bavaria, Germany gets our stamp of approval for being our favourite European Christmas destination. This unofficial Franconian capital city holds a Christmas Market – Christkindlesmarkt – every year, and has been doing so since 1628; a time when Christmas gift-giving to children started in the region.

The city’s Christmas Market is located in the quaint and charming Old Town Hauptmarkt (market square) where 180 stalls await visitors. The Christmas Market typically runs from the last week in November up to Christmas Eve. Visitors to the market can enjoy all sorts of things, such as horse carriage rides; regional foods (be sure to try the Nuremberg sausages – 3 on a bun); libations such as Gluhwein (mulled wine); handmade local products; souvenir and gift shopping; the children’s Christmas market where the Christkind visits with kids.

Being part of this festival that is always packed with both locals and tourists is worth taking a trip to Nuremberg. It is a time where everyone there revels in the atmosphere and conviviality of the season.

You can also check the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt Website here.

Contributed byViv Chapleo & Jill Hoelting from WAVEJourney.com. You can follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

Prague, Czech Republic

We love to be with our friends & family during the holidays, but if you could take them anywhere in the world for Christmas, it would be Prague. We have visited Prague several times and just last year in December when all the Prague Christmas markets were set up. Prague is the perfect place to travel to during the Christmas season. There are a ton of things to do in Prague year-round, and it’s magical to see Old Town Prague transform into a gorgeous picturesque Christmas market.

Nothing beats having a cup of hot gluhwein as you wander the streets of Prague. The weather is chilly but very pleasant, we have visited in the summer heat, and we much prefer the cooler temperatures. Stop in the local restaurants and shops to warm with some local treats or do a bit of Christmas shopping. Prague really is the perfect Christmas destination.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin is without a doubt one of the most exciting European destinations to visit over Christmas. This cosmopolitan capital puts on quite the celebration during the holiday season, drawing thousands of visitors to marvel over its elaborate Christmas decorations. In addition to being decked out in lights and embellishments, Berlin also plays host to over 60 Christmas markets in the months of November and December. Each market is unique but full of beautiful stalls with great food, delicious mulled wine, souvenirs, Christmas decorations, crafts, and so much more. We’ve only had a chance to visit a few markets during our brief visit to Berlin in 2012, so we can’t wait for a chance to one day go back to Berlin for more Christmas fun.

Contributed by Oksana & Max from Drink Tea & Travel. You can follow them on  Facebook and Instagram.

Dresden, Germany

Home to Germany’s oldest Christmas Market, Dresden is a must-visit destination during the festive Christmas season. The top draw in the city is Striezelmarkt, the famous market which came up in 1434 and has been around ever since. Located in the centre of the city at Altmarkt Square, the visit to the market is incomplete without trying out the traditional hot wine, Gluehwein, and the German Christmas Cake, Hefestriezel, which also gave the market its name. There is something for the kids too, and these are famous Christmas toys from the Ore Mountains like nutcrackers, incense smokers among others. Despite the cold, the markets are open till late and are a great place to end your day with a local meal.

However, this is not the only market to be explored, and other recommended markets include Medieval Christmas Market and Frauenkirche Christmas Market, both within walking distance to each other in the heart of old city.

Contributed by Siddhartha Joshi from The Wanderer. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

Brussels, Belgium

Christmas is a time to be with family, so for as long as I can remember I`ve always been home for Christmas. In Belgium, we always celebrate with a large family dinner and by visiting a nearby Christmas market. Almost every city has it’s own Christmas market so there’s a lot of good choices!

Brussels organises one of the biggest Christmas markets in Europe. Besides the impressive spruce tree in the middle of the Grand Place, the main attractions are the Sound & light show, the Ferris wheel and the numerous Christmas stalls around the Fish Market.

Most people visit the Brussels Christmas market for the great atmosphere, the lights, the chalets full of Christmas presents and, of course, the genever and gluhwein! On Saturday, there’s also a large Christmas Parade!

So if you are thinking of visiting Europe in Winter, I would suggest visiting some of the many Christmas markets, especially the one in Brussels!

Far up north, in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, the month of December is full of old traditions, delicious food and snow-covered Christmas trees. The city is most beautiful after dark when the cobblestone streets light up in the glow from thousands of Christmas decorations. In the city’s old port, Nyhavn, the charming wooden ships in the frozen canals make for some excellent Christmas pictures.

It’s not really Christmas, though, until you’ve had the Danish version of mulled wine and pastries called gløgg and æbleskiver. The best place to get this is at the traditional Christmas market in Tivoli, a 150-year-old amusement park in downtown Copenhagen. Once a year it turns into a magical winter wonderland full of elves and strolling families. In the market, you find anything from home-knit slippers to delicious Danish sweets and possibly also the coziest Christmas atmosphere you’ve ever experienced.

Contributed by Marianna & Liam from Rucksack Ramblings. You can follow them on Instagram and Pinterest.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Scotland really sparkles at Christmas time, and one of the hottest destinations in December is the capital, Edinburgh (pronounced, Edin – bruh / Edin – bur – uh). The city is littered with the typical lodge style wooden huts that serve European style mulled wine and sell Scottish trinkets and crafts which make nice souvenir festive gifts. The Christmas market also boasts of adult chair-o-planes, an ice rink, and Santa’s grotto. I would strongly advise sticking around Scotland for the biggest celebration of the year, Hogmanay. Hogmanay is New Year’s Eve to all you none – Scots out there. Bring in the bells with a bang with Edinburgh Festival’s firework display, live music, and street ceilidh. Big kids coming to Scotland, check out my favourite bars in Edinburgh!

Contributed by Gemma & Craig from Two Scots Abroad. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Spending a Christmas in Florence Italy last year was one of my most incredible travel experiences in Europe. The streets of Florence are filled with people, bright from the millions of lights, and smells great from all the delicious food on every corner. We spent four days here last Christmas in an old AirBnb and couldn’t believe how the Christmas feeling just lingered in the air before and after December 25th. One of our more memorable moments was heading to a Christmas night mass and watching all the Italians come together with their family. We can’t speak a word of Italian, but it was still wonderful to experience!

Contributed by Cameron & Natasha from The World Pursuit. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Krakow, Poland

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So where are you spending Christmas this year?

Do you have a favourite Christmas destination?