Top 7 Places to Spend Christmas in Europe

When it comes to Christmas holidays, it cannot be celebrated anywhere better than in Europe. Whatever is your idea of a perfect Christmas vacation, Europe has it all. With snow-capped mountains, Christmas conifers in the streets, the pleasant smell of cinnamon and gingerbread in the air, colourful streets, pleasant humming of the Christmas carols, Christmas in Europe is undoubtedly a grand festive season. There are also small seaside towns with deserted beaches to grand cities, where you can cherish candlelight dinners by crackling fires. The way you choose to celebrate is on you! Going on a Europe Trip for Christmas? Read on further to know about the best places to spend Christmas in Europe in 2024!

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Grand celebrations in Europe start four Sundays prior to Christmas eve marking the beginning of Advent. Post the Advent, most of the Catholic states celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas in the first week of December. But in major cities, Christmas in Europe is remembered for the main celebration on Christmas eve where people enjoy the midnight mass and relish a heart-warming meal with their families, and friends.

7 Top Places to Spend Christmas in Europe

Christmas is grandly celebrated all across Europe, however, the experience in a few cities is simply mesmerising. Let’s find out the best places to spend Christmas in Europe with your loved ones!

Reykjavik, Iceland
Milan, Italy
Prague, Czech Republic
Strasbourg, France
Vienna, Austria
Rovaniemi, Lapland
Copenhagen, Denmark

1. Reykjavik, Iceland

How about experiencing the Northern lights along with a grand Christmas Eve in a snowy background? Sounds magical right! This is exactly what you can expect for a Christmas experience in Iceland. Reykjavik is one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in Europe because it becomes a colourful city saturated with joy and spirit of the holiday after the first week of November. You have the chance to look for the Icelandic Yule Lads (Icelandic Santa Claus)es.

Best Suited for: Adventure seekers interested in Northern Lights, and families desiring grand Christmas celebrations.
Average budget per head: It costs approximately between INR 1,00,000- INR 1,20,000 per person.
How to reach Iceland: Take a flight to Amsterdam- Keflavik Airport or the Smyril Line ferry from Denmark.
Top Attractions: Lighting of Oslo Christmas tree, Relax at Blue Lagoon, Gullfoss waterfalls, Reindeer sledding tours
Temperature in December: -1° to 4° Celsius
Currency: Icelandic króna

2. Milan, Italy

Christmas in Europe is incomplete without visiting the fashion capital of the world, Milan. For all those who have dreamt a fairyland like in the movie Frozen, can visit Milan, one of the best places to spend Christmas in Europe and experience it all first hand. Likewise, the whole city is covered with snow and glamourous lights which look magical!

Best Suited for: For individuals considering shopping around during the Christmas celebrations on the streets and also in the luxury brands stores.
Average budget per head: Up to INR 80,000 of travelling cost per head of the total profile of the group.
How to reach Milan: Fly London Luton to Milan by using a direct flight originating from either Delhi or Mumbai. Among the three airports, Linate is the one nearest to Milan.
Top Attractions: Tour the Church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie, the Sforzesco Castle, take a taste of the famous Panettone and walk around the streets of Milan.
Temperature in December: Around 4° Celsius
Currency: Euro

3. Prague, Czech Republic

Formerly a stunning, peaceful city in Europe, Prague is different in the Christmas season because of the festive lights and is arguably one of the best places to be during Christmas in Europe. As one of the oldest markets, Prague is home to the most beautiful and the most exquisite and probably the best Christmas market in Europe.Being one of the oldest markets, Prague hosts the most beautiful and the best Christmas market in the whole of Europe. With the streets shining brighter than ever, Christmas in Prague feels nothing less like an extravagant carnival. Also, it is an easily walkable city!

Best Suited for: Couples looking for a romantic experience with a grand Christmas Eve.
Average budget per head: INR 65,000- INR 80,000 per person
How to reach Prague: There are no direct flights from India, 10 hours journey to reach Václav Havel Airport (PRG)
Top Attractions: Must-see streets of Old Town Square, candlelight dinner on the iconic Charles Bridge, visit 600-year-old Prague Astronomical Clock
Temperature in December: From 0° to 5° Celsius
Currency: Czech Crown

4. Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg is often referred to as the Christmas Capital of Europe than any other city in the continent. It marks the beginning of Christmas festivities in Europe and undoubtedly ranks among the best places to celebrate Christmas in Europe. This is a 400-year-old Christmas market that you cannot afford to miss; it is that place where you can buy almost everything. Don’t forget to click photos at the giant Christmas tree in Place Kleber!

Best Suited for: Folks looking to experience the raw and most authentic Christmas celebration.
Average budget per head: The cost ranges from INR 90,000 to INR 1,20,000 for each individual.
How to reach Strasbourg: No direct flights, Reach to either of these airports: Strasbourg, Zurich, Munich or Frankfurt
Top Attractions: Visit the city centre of Place Broglie, click pictures at the giant Christmas tree in Place Kleber, Christmas Markets at the Cathedral Square and Cruise over the Rhine river
Temperature in December: Around 0° to 5° Celsius
Currency: Euro

5. Vienna, Austria

From the ever-changing evening sky at Belvedere to the streets of Graben, Vienna truly feels magical during Christmas in Europe. December is slightly warm here compared to the cold months of January and February. From mid-November, Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into magical Christmas markets making it one of the best places to spend Christmas in Europe. You would not want to miss out on the Viennese experience for sure!

Best Suited for: Folks looking at a luxurious Christmas trip to Europe with grand celebrations.
Average budget per head: INR 1,10,000- INR 1,30,000 per person
How to reach Vienna: Only one direct flight from Delhi, the average flying time is about 15 hours, reach Schwechat International airport.
Top Attractions: Stroll over the Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna is home to iconic artists of Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud.
Temperature in December: Around 0° to 4° Celsius
Currency: Euro

6. Rovaniemi, Lapland

Welcome to the land of Santa! Known as the official home of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi has to be one of the best places for Christmas in Europe. Another place to go and say Merry Christmas to Santa is the Santa Village which is located on the Arctic Circle throughout all 365 days of the year! ! Moreover your Christmas celebrations in Rovaniemi are surely special and a very unique one.

Best Suited for: Those who have planned for an ideal and traditional tour of Europe and those who are open to frosty climate.
Average budget per head: INR 1,15,000- INR 1,30,000 per person
How to reach Rovaniemi: No non-stop flights, fastest takes one 14 hours to reach Lapland region.
Top Attractions: Greet Santa at the Santa Village, Reindeer ride, city tour with huskies, stunning views of northern lights, explore the Arctic zoo and more.
Temperature in December: Around -4° to -11° Celsius
Currency: Euro

7. Copenhagen, Denmark

Surely not on the last of your list, Copenhagen– the Land of Vikings is surely one of the best places to spend Christmas in Europe and definitely a must-visit for your Christmas in the Scandinavian countries. Copenhagen follows some of the best Christmas traditions. You can go on for a romantic walk and explore the whole city and its massive Christmas markets. In short, it’s a top city to experience Christmas in Europe.

Best Suited for: Folks looking for a long fairy tale trip to Europe and explore the gorges
Average budget per head: INR 1,00,000- INR 1,20,000 per person
How to reach Copenhagen: No direct flights and any flight takes around 16 hours to reach Copenhagen.
Top Attractions: Explore the majestic gardens of Tivoli, have some mulled wine at the unique Hotel d’Angleterre, go ice skating at Frederiksberg, go ice skating at Frederiksberg and more.
Temperature in December: Around 1° to 5° Celsius
Currency: Danish Krone

Looking forward to having your Christmas on any of this list of the best places to spend Christmas in Europe? Perhaps you are perplexed about choosing any of the cities to visit? Reach out to the experts at Pickyourtrail for your customised European itinerary this Christmas. From identifying the best cities as per your requirements to planning the whole itinerary, it’s a one-stop platform.