The holiday season brings a special magic to destinations around the world, transforming cities and towns into winter wonderlands filled with twinkling lights, festive markets, and joyful celebrations.
For those seeking to experience the true spirit of Christmas, certain countries stand out for their Christmassy atmospheres, rich traditions, and abundance of seasonal activities.
Ready to discover the most magical places to spend your Christmas holiday? Explore our curated list of the 12 best countries to visit in Christmas below.
12 Best Countries to Visit in Christmas
Read on to explore our curated list of the 12 best countries to visit in Christmas, where festive markets, twinkling lights, and holiday cheer await at every turn.
1. Germany
Germany is undoubtedly one of the top Christmas holiday destinations in the world. The country’s Christmas markets, or Weihnachtsmärkte, are the stuff of legend, transforming cities into winter wonderland.
Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is perhaps the most famous, dating back to the 16th century and offering a magical atmosphere with red-and-white striped stalls.
Dresden boasts the oldest Christmas market in Germany, the Striezelmarkt, where you can sample the city’s famous Stollen cake.
Munich’s Marienplatz becomes a festive hub, while Cologne offers seven distinct markets, including one beneath its magnificent cathedral.
For a more intimate experience, Baden-Baden’s market, set against the backdrop of the Black Forest, offers a romantic Christmas getaway.
Berlin’s numerous markets cater to all tastes, from traditional to trendy. It’s one of the best cities to visit in December in Europe.
The mining town of Annaberg in the Ore Mountains is home to unique Christmas traditions, including handcrafted wooden decorations.
Other fantastic destinations in Germany for Christmas include Frankfurt, Magdeburg, Quedlinburg, and Goslar.
2. Switzerland
Switzerland transforms into a winter wonderland during December, making it one of the best countries to visit at Christmas.
In Basel, the Christmas market spans the picturesque old town, offering a feast for the senses with culinary delights and handcrafted goods.
The snowy Alpine backdrop adds to the festive atmosphere, making Switzerland a postcard-perfect Christmas destination.
Zurich’s Christkindlimarkt at the main train station is Europe’s largest indoor Christmas market. It features a massive Christmas tree adorned with Swarovski crystals.
Montreux, on the shores of Lake Geneva, hosts a particularly enchanting Christmas market.
The Montreux Noël features a Santa’s workshop on a cogwheel train up Rochers-de-Naye mountain and a Medieval Christmas village near Chillon Castle.
You can find everything you need to know about visiting Switzerland in December here.
3. Austria
Austria ranks high among the best destinations to spend Christmas, with its elegant cities and snow-capped mountains creating a magical setting.
Vienna transforms into a Christmas wonderland, with over 20 Christmas markets dotting the city.
The Viennese Dream Christmas Market in front of City Hall is a must-visit. It features an ice skating rink and an area dedicated to children’s activities.
Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, offers a more intimate Christmas experience with its charming Christkindlmarkt in the heart of the old town.
Traditional carols fill the air, complementing the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.
Innsbruck, in the Tyrol region, combines urban charm with Alpine beauty. Its Christmas market is set against the magnificent Golden Roof and surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
4. Finland
For those seeking a truly authentic Christmas experience, Finland is among the best travel destinations during Christmas.
Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, sits right on the Arctic Circle and offers visitors a chance to meet Santa himself at Santa Claus Village.
You can cross the Arctic Circle, visit Santa’s post office, and enjoy reindeer sleigh rides here.
The nearby town of Levi is Finland’s largest ski resort, offering a range of winter activities alongside its Christmas festivities.
The chance to witness the Northern Lights adds an extra layer of magic to the Christmas experience in Finnish Lapland.
Finland is a very popular Christmas destination for families.
5. United States
The United States offers diverse Christmas experiences across its vast landscape.
New York City stands out as one of the most beautiful places for Christmas, with its iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, ice skating rinks, and elaborate department store window displays.
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes is a beloved tradition.
On the other coast, San Francisco’s Union Square transforms into a winter wonderland with an ice rink and a giant Christmas tree.
Hawaii offers tropical festivities for a different Christmas take, including Santa arriving by outrigger canoe.
Theme parks like Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida go all out with their holiday decorations and special events, creating magical experiences for visitors of all ages.
6. Canada
Canada embraces its winter wonderland status during Christmas, offering visitors a quintessential North American Christmas experience.
Quebec City, with its European charm, hosts the German Christmas Market, transforming the UNESCO World Heritage old town into a festive village.
Ottawa, the capital, sees the Parliament Building adorned with thousands of lights during Christmas Lights Across Canada.
Toronto’s Distillery District becomes a magical Christmas Market, while Vancouver’s Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park offers a unique holiday light display.
For a truly Canadian experience, Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains offers stunning winter scenery, outdoor activities, and cozy Christmas celebrations in its mountain lodges.
7. Poland
Poland is emerging as one of the best countries to visit during Christmas, with its rich traditions and beautiful markets.
Krakow’s Christmas market in the Rynek Glówny (Main Square) is a feast for the senses, with wooden stalls selling traditional crafts, ornaments, and hearty Polish food.
The nearby mountain resort of Zakopane offers a unique highland Christmas experience, with horse-drawn sleigh rides and traditional górale (highlander) culture.
Wroclaw’s market spreads across the city center, featuring a fairy tale forest and an ice rink.
Gdańsk, on the Baltic coast, adds its own charm to Polish Christmas celebrations with its maritime-themed market in the historic old town.
Poznan’s Bethlehem Poznań International Christmas Market brings together vendors from around the world, offering a diverse Christmas shopping experience.
Poland’s deeply rooted Christmas traditions, including the Wigilia feast on Christmas Eve, add depth to the festive atmosphere.
8. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom, particularly London, offers a magical Christmas experience that blends tradition with modernity.
London’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is a massive Christmas extravaganza featuring markets, rides, ice skating, and shows.
The city’s iconic locations, like Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, and Oxford Street, are transformed with stunning light displays.
Outside of London, charming alternatives include Edinburgh, with its European-style Christmas market and Hogmanay celebrations, and Bath, with its picturesque market set against Georgian architecture.
The UK’s Christmas traditions, from pantomimes to carol services in centuries-old cathedrals, add to the festive atmosphere.
9. France
France, especially its Alsace region, is one of the top Christmas destinations in Europe.
Strasbourg, the “Capital of Christmas,” hosts one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in Europe, dating back to 1570.
The entire city center becomes a festive wonderland, with the star being the great Christmas tree in Place Kléber.
Nearby, Colmar, with its well-preserved old town, turns into a living Christmas card. Its canals and half-timbered houses create a fairytale setting for its six Christmas markets.
Of course, Paris sparkles during the holiday season, with the Champs-Élysées adorned with lights and charming markets dotting the city, including one in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
10. Japan
While not traditionally associated with Christmas, Japan has embraced the holiday with its own unique twist, making it one of the more interesting Christmas destinations.
Tokyo goes all out with its winter illuminations, transforming areas like Marunouchi and Roppongi Hills into glittering wonderland.
The Tokyo Disney Resort offers a magical Christmas experience with parades and special events.
Japanese Christmas traditions include eating Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas Eve (thanks to a successful marketing campaign) and sharing Christmas cake.
11. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic, particularly Prague Christmas markets in the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are among the most beautiful in Europe.
The Old Town Square market features a massive Christmas tree, nativity scene, and daily performances by folk bands and choirs.
The aroma of traditional Czech treats like Trdelník (a kind of spit cake) and Svařák (mulled wine) fills the air.
Czech Christmas traditions, including the feast of carp on Christmas Eve, add authenticity to the experience.
12. Denmark
Denmark, with its concept of hygge (cozy contentment), is tailor-made for Christmas celebrations.
Copenhagen transforms into a winter wonderland, with the Tivoli Gardens at its heart.
This historic amusement park becomes a Christmas village with thousands of lights, Christmas markets, and performances.
The pedestrian street Strøget becomes a festive shopping destination, while the free town of Christiania hosts an alternative Christmas market.
The picturesque Nyhavn harbor is particularly charming during the holiday season, its colorful buildings reflected in the water and adorned with Christmas decorations.
Danish Christmas traditions, including the Christmas Eve feast of roast pork or duck, rice pudding with a hidden almond, and dancing around the Christmas tree, offer visitors a glimpse into authentic Scandinavian holiday celebrations.
Final Thoughts on The Top Christmas Holiday Destinations
As we’ve explored, these 12 countries offer some of the most enchanting Christmas experiences in the world.
From the traditional markets of Germany and Austria to the winter wonderlands of Finland and Switzerland, each destination brings its own unique magic to the holiday season.
But the magic of travel doesn’t end with the holiday season!
If you’re inspired to plan more adventures, why not explore our guides on the best places to visit in December with kids for family-friendly winter fun?
Or, for those dreaming of warmer climes, discover the most incredible places to visit in the world and the best tropical islands to visit. Your next unforgettable journey awaits!
