December is here, and we all are surely counting the days for beautiful white Christmas filled with love and joy.
Colourful Autumn is diminishing and white winter has slowly started to set in. With no more than 45 days to go for Christmas, the mood for Festive holidays has already kicked in. Christmas gives everyone a moment to just relax, to forget about emails and family feuds, and cozy up inside where it’s warm and fuzzy.
Christmas destinations in Europe during this time are something different; European markets, festive vibes, and happy people. Cities are already in a Christmas mood as lighting and decorations have already started to take place. If you are planning to visit Europe, don’t miss these unique places to visit during Christmas.
Here are the 5 best places to visit during Christmas in Europe
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is a blend of old buildings & modern designs which are all lit up during Christmas. If you are lucky enough you can experience the magical snowfall to sparkle up everything.
Your trip to Copenhagen cannot complete without a visit to Tivoli. The traditional Christmas market, the many wonderful restaurants, and the thrilling rides in the amusement park of Tivoli garden leave something for everyone.
Copenhagen’s markets are the best place to soak up the atmosphere of the Christmas holiday season. You will find a Christmas market at every corner of the city but a few of the must-visit market list includes Freetown Christiania, the Christmas market in Nyhavn harbour, the renaissance castle Kronborg, Kongens Nytorv, and many more. Each of these markets has its own uniqueness which makes it worth visiting.
One of the experiences you can have is ice skating at the ice rink outside the Frederiksberg Gardens. It opens in November and stays open till February. You can go and skate during nighttime when it comes alive due to the Christmas lights. If you are someone who has level EPP2 training in Kayak you can rent a paddle from the Kayak Republic and cruise into the Nyhavn canal for Saint Lucia Day.
If you are not afraid of the hangover then surely you need to crackle with your food and traditional glogg to warm up your frozen limbs after being out and about all day is a must.
2. Salzburg, Austria
If you feel to celebrate Christmas as those in fairy tales visiting Salzburg will fulfill your wish during the most beautiful time of the year.
On the banks of the Salzach River, there is the town of Oberndorf where the Old Silent Night chapel is located. Visit the chapel as it is famous for the world’s most beautiful Christmas Carol “silent night” which was first sung here in the year 1818. Lyrics of Silent Night were written by a priest Josef Mohr who was also born in Salzburg.
If you are visiting Salzburg and not visiting advent Christmas Markets during Christmas then you are missing out on must thing to do. Christmas markets are beautiful in Salzburg which has a history and tradition as long as from the 17th century. Staring to light up from November end its truly an experience to take during Christmas. You can visit the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, Hellbrunn palace market, Mirabell Square market, etc.
The Alps are regarded as one of the best destinations for skiing and you can go for a few of the best skiing areas of the alps in the south of Salzburg. You can do almost all kinds of winter sports over there.
One can also enjoy fireworks at Silvester on the occasion of New Year. There are parties going all over places during this time and thousands of people from the city and outside the city gather here and welcome the new year with champagne and firecrackers.
If you are someone who loves to explore local cultures and traditions then you can go to various local places in Salzburg where events related to old customs and traditions take place. One such traditional event is Salzburger Adventsingen in which local children sing in their native language.
Another event is Perchtenlaufe which has existed because many people from mountain villages follow their old customs and traditions till today. Perchtenlaufe which used to take place in the numerous mountain villages of Salzburg, is now due to its popularity it is widely celebrated all over Salzburg. It is basically a pagan tradition where people were wooden masks and dress as demons in order to banish evil spirits. They also perform some dances and visit door-to-door in the areas to deliver luck and blessings. These customs and traditions are also performed to awaken the New Year Spirits which according to them are at rest under the snow cover.
3. Nuremberg, Germany
If you love old medieval towns and landscapes which are there in fairytales, then Nuremberg city should be on your list. Located in Northern Bavaria, Nuremberg is known as Germany’s Christmas city and it is full of joy during this festive season.
One can visit the old town of Nuremberg. Bombings during world war II almost destroyed the old town and it was rebuilt again preserving the old-fashioned theme of the town. From buildings to squares to shops, everything in the old town has a glance of the past and you can sense the history from it.
European cities and Christmas markets go hand in hand, even Nuremberg has a Christmas market that is famous worldwide for keeping its old traditions. Located in the Main Square area when you stroll through the market, there is a fragrance of roasting chestnuts, wine, and gingerbread baking in the air.
If you are someone who loves to taste local food you can try the bratwurst which is a German sausage made from beef, veal, or pork. The best place to have bratwurst is Hexenhäusle in the Altstadt. You can also visit the Hausbrauerei Altstadthof craft brewery which is famous for its beer which is made up from only local organic ingredients.
One can explore the Imperial Castle which is said to be built in the 12th Century. It gives a breathtaking view of the city with red roofs from the top. Also, you can go to Rock Cut Cellars which were used to preserve beers. Since it was a tunnel-like structure during wartime it was used as an escape route for people.
Nuremberg has more than 30 museums and you can visit the Nuremberg Toy museum which will give you childhood nostalgia. Also, you can visit the Nazi Party Rally Grounds and Documentation Centre museum which was supposed to be the indoor stadium for 50,000 spectators. A place where Nazi Rallies were supposed to take place but due to the outbreak of world war II the construction was not completed. So, what was supposed to become an indoor stadium remained an open auditorium. It was converted into a museum in 2001 which is basically a Nazi-related exhibition that helps people understand the Nazi system and how it worked.
4. Lapland, Finland – One of the best places to visit during Christmas in the whole world
Known as the home of Santa Claus, Lapland is one of the most exciting regions to visit during Christmas. The largest and northernmost region has only 3 % of Finland’s population but has the epitome of the Christmas spirit.
Lapland is almost filled up with snow during the Christmas period and temperatures are often below freezing point. It is almost dark throughout 24 hours because of the Polar Night, still, Christmas in Lapland is alluring. Aurora borealis or Northern Lights are also visible which takes place during this time of the year as there is no sunrise. If you are someone who wants to watch Northern Lights and also wants to go for the Christmas holidays, Lapland is the place for you.
One can also visit Rovaniemi, the largest and capital city of Lapland, the hometown of Santa Claus. Also, you can take the Reindeer Sleigh rides which is one of the ways to ride through snowy forests. There are many various regional history museums from where you can get information about Lapland’s history.
Lapland is home to Sami people the only indigenous people of the European Union and they have a rich cultural heritage in this country. One can get more information about the Sami heritage by visiting museums like skidda and the Skolt Sámi Heritage House in Inari, or Skierri in Enontekiö.
One can also experience staying snow house with many igloo hotels available in Lapland. So, if you want to take a whole different experience instead of a traditional celebration then Lapland would be the most beautiful place to visit during Christmas in Europe.
5. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague, one of the most beautiful place to visit during christmas during Christmas, is a mixture of East and West from having Architectural Structures where Rich European History to having Modern day Cafés having all sorts of things available. Visiting Prague during Christmas is one of the best things you can experience in your life as the whole city is in a festive mood and looks magical. Markets are set up in the beautiful squares of Prague and the whole city glitters with lights. It Snows during Christmas time which adds to the beauty of Prague.
So, if you are visiting Prague you can go around take a stroll in the market and buy presents for your friends and families. There are Market walking tours available which you can take or just go by yourself and check the Christmas Markets. Visit the Old town square market which is the biggest and oldest market and attracts a lot of visitors. It opens basically at the start of December. Don’t miss the Wenceslas Square Market which has more of building and street decoration that looks stunning for taking pictures. Others markets are the republic square market, Namaste Miru market, and the Christmas market at Prague castle which you can visit.
If you are in Prague in early December then on 5th December, i.e., ST. Nicholas day you can watch Mikulas, who gives sweets and candies to children. Exactly one month later on 5th January, you can watch the Three Kings Procession which marks the end of Christmas. Also, you can celebrate New Year’s Eve in Prague which is basically celebrated whole night event where locals and visitors enjoy the fireworks at midnight and toast to welcome the New year.
You can go out to one of the best picturesque city and take pictures at locations with beautiful red rooftops some of them covered in snow. Visit some of the best locations like PetřínLookout Tower, Letina Park, Charles Bridge, and Prague Clock Tower which are famous for taking Instagrammable pictures.
People do go ice skating in the old town during this time if you love ice skating even you can go for it. Prague has varieties of museums like the Torture Museum, the house of Madonna Museum, the Kafka Museum, the Sex Machines Museum, the Apple Museum, etc. which you can explore.
These are the best places to visit at Christmas which Travell For Life would suggest to you. The Holiday season in Europe is something you need to experience once in a lifetime. Which one is your unique Christmas destination to spend this year? or Where are you going to visit during Christmas and celebrate?
