7 Best Places to Spend Christmas in Europe in 2021

When it comes to Christmas breaks, it cannot be celebrated 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 essence of cinnamon and gingerbread in the air, colourful streets humming the Christmas carols, Christmas in Europe is undoubtedly a grand festive season. Additionally, 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 to be in Europe for Christmas? Read on further to know about the best places to spend Christmas in Europe!

Grand celebrations in Europe start four Sundays prior to the Christmas eve marking the beginning of the Advent. Post the Advent, most of the Catholic states celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas on the first week of December. But in major cities, Christmas in Europe is remembered for the main celebration on the 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 over the European cities, however, the experience in a few cities is just mesmerizing. Let’s find out the best places to spend your Christmas in Europe with your loved ones!

1. Reykjavik, Iceland
2. Milan, Italy
3. Prague, Czech Republic
4. Strasbourg, France
5. Vienna, Austria
6. Rovaniemi, Lapland
7. 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 from your Christmas in Iceland. Reykjavik is one of the best places to spend Christmas in Europe as it would turn out to look like a tiny city which actually bursts into a frenzy of colours, cheer, and festivities on Christmas. And you can go on a hunt for the Icelandic Yule Lads(Icelandic Santa Claus(es)).

• Best Suited for: Folks looking to experience breathtaking views of the Northern Lights along with grand Christmas festivities.
• Average budget per head: 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, Gulfoss waterfalls, Reindeer sledging 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 looks magical!

• Best Suited for: Folks looking for a great Christmas shopping experience in the streets and also in the luxury brand outlets.
• Average budget per head: INR 60,000- INR 80,000 per person
• How to reach Milan: Take a direct flight to Milan from Delhi or Mumbai. Of the 3 airports, Linate is the closest airport to Milan.
• Top Attractions: Church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie, visit the Sforzesco Castle, relish the Panettone, and explore Milan streets.
• Temperature in December: Around 4° Celsius
• Currency: Euro

3. Prague, Czech Republic

One of the most beautiful and serene cities in Europe, Prague lights up differently for Christmas and is one of the best places to spend Christmas 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

Very often than not people refer to Strasbourg as the Christmas Capital of Europe. It is the birthplace of Christmas celebrations in Europe and is undoubtedly one of the best places to spend Christmas in Europe. You cannot miss out on this 400-year-old Christmas market where you can literally shop anything. 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: INR 90,000- INR 1,20,000 per person
• 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! Rovaniemi is popularly called the official home of Santa Claus making it undoubtedly one of the best places to spend Christmas in Europe. You can visit and greet the Santa at the Santa Village which is located on the Arctic Circle throughout the 365 days of a year! Moreover your Christmas celebrations in Rovaniemi is surely special and a very unique one.

• Best Suited for: Folks looking for a fairytale trip to Europe and are okay with cold weather
• Average budget per head: INR 1,15,000- INR 1,30,000 per person
• How to reach Rovaniemi: no direct flights, fastest flight takes 14 hours to reach Lapland.
• 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 a 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 fairytale 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

Excited about spending your Christmas at this list of the best places to spend Christmas in Europe? Confused and not able to decide which of the cities to visit? Reach out to the experts at Pickyourtrail for your customized European itinerary this Christmas. From identifying best cities as per your requirements to planning the whole itinerary, it’s a one-stop platform.