Europe Best Places To Visit In December
Luckily for you, we have took the time to discover those locations that are guaranteed worth a visit in December. We will guide you trough 21 fully-packed locations not to miss when visiting Europe this winter. The Christmas period is a much-awaited holiday for many European residents. Countless numbers of tourists drench in the splendor of the cities and countries rich with history, making it their best place to visit during December to enjoy Christmas festivities. Surely, there are still a lot of places you can choose from, but where does one begin? These destinations shouldn’t be missed during your next European trip!
From the 21st to the 26th of December, solo travelers should consider heading to Copenhagen, Denmark. Known as Christmas Town, Copenhagen hosts one of the biggest celebrations of the season on its streets. Visitors can travel from place to another in horse-drawn carriages or simply stroll along and admire hand-crafted statues of Santa Claus and his reindeers. If you have visited Copenhagen before and feel like something completely new, you might want to head to Varna, Bulgaria and spend your days by the sea at Sunny Beach. Lisbon, Portugal Source: flickr.com The capital of Portugal is often overlooked due to its lack of beaches, but the city is worthy of a visit during any month of the year. In December, it’s perfect for those who prefer mild weather and a festive atmosphere.
Europe Best Places To Visit In December
Europe is the world’s second-smallest continent, located mostly in the Northern Hemisphere. With a population of 732 million as of 2015, it accounts for about 12% of the world’s human population. Geographically, Europe is dominated by large bodies of water and has coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and North Sea; with all available sea access routes. Europe not only attracts travelers but tourist also enjoy different cultures, architectures and cuisines that have been preserved for centuries.
Most people may think of warm-weather vacations as the only logical way to enjoy their time off, but there’s something to be said for embracing the icy weather, too. Winter brings about the magic of Christmas, the adrenaline of ski runs down mighty mountains, and the romance of sleigh rides under the starry cold skies.
While not every European city is suited to winter, some just flourish as the temperatures plummet. Take a look at our list of best places to visit in Europe in winter and what makes each so special.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. Zermatt, Switzerland
During most of the year, Zermatt is a sleepy village. Come winter, though, skiers of all abilities descend upon it to take over the 200-plus kilometers of pistes. Zermatt is a haven for expert skiers, with off-piste opportunities and top stations sitting at altitudes of almost 4,000 meters.
Non skiers will find plenty of things to do in Zermatt as well. For those who want to try snowshoeing and winter hiking, Zermatt offers plenty of sunshine during the colder months, perfect for a walk in the wilderness. There’s also tobogganing and sledding, as well as guided hikes for those who want to discover off-the-beaten-path areas.
A great easy trail to try is the 2.2-kilometer walk from Blauherd to Fluhalp, where you can catch sight of chamois grazing on the slopes and the Matterhorn in the distance.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Zermatt: Best Areas & Hotels
2. Bregenzerwald, Austria
The Bregenz Forest is the Zermatt of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. With many kilometers of trails available, chances are good you’ll get to enjoy this winter wonderland much on your own.
Clean air and clear skies mean this is the perfect destination for star gazing and night walks. In fact, the area is known for its snowshoeing trips through the forest on full moon nights, as well as its Damüls “cuddle path.” This is a romantic five-kilometer path better enjoyed under the stars.
Start at the Zum Glöckle public house, past fairy-tale wooden huts and towards the Alpe Unterdamüls hut. Though the hut is closed in winter, the nearby country inn and restaurant is a great place for a cup of hot chocolate as you reach your destination. It’s an easy walk on powdery snow illuminated by the infinite starry sky.
The towns of Au and Bezau are in the Bregenz Forest and offer easy access to ski trails, sledding, and sleigh rides, as well as winter hiking. There’s also plenty of things to do indoors when you need a break from the cold, including museums, galleries, and artisan buildings showcasing local handicrafts.
3. Val Thorens, France
Sitting at an altitude of over 2,000 meters with 140 kilometers of pistes, Val Thorens is the highest and most famous ski resort in Europe. The resort is surrounded by dramatic peaks and a blanket of snow as far as the eye can see – great for sports enthusiasts but also truly spectacular to see.
For those who want the beauty without the adrenaline, Val Thorens has plenty to offer off the slopes as well. From snowshoeing and winter hiking to more unusual activities such as mountain biking on snow or sliding down the mountain on France’s longest toboggan run. You can try an ice driving course or fly down the mountain on the highest zipline in Europe at hair-raising speeds of over 100 kilometers per hour. Or test your true courage with an ice diving experience.
- Read More: Top-Rated Ski Resorts in France
4. Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland is at its best in winter, when the alien-looking landscape is covered in blue ice as far as the eye can see. The land of the eternal glaciers, Iceland offers the kind of adventures you can’t find anywhere else in Europe.
Every February, Reykjavik holds the Winter Lights Festival, which showcases light installations and plenty of outdoor activities to celebrate the last month of winter and the upcoming lighter days.
If you’re looking to warm up, Iceland is also famous for its many geothermal pools, where you can soak in steaming hot water under the icy midnight sky.
Reykjavik is also the perfect starting point for adventures around the country. From here, you can catch a train or a short flight to other corners of Iceland, where you can do everything from glacier hiking in Vatnajökull National Park to witnessing the 10,000-year-old Great Geyser in action.
Accommodation: Top-Rated Resorts in Iceland
5. Abisko, Sweden
Abisko is often considered the best place to see the northern lights on a budget. This is because the village has a special microclimate that makes catching the dancing lights on the sky a lot more likely than in other Scandinavian destinations. This means shorter stays are needed, which is easier on the budget.
Abisko is also the perfect destination for die-hard winter fans who want to experience cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and winter hiking under the never-ending polar night.
The world’s first ice hotel is also located nearby – you can either spend a night here in “cozy” -5 degree Celsius temperatures or just take a guided tour to learn about its construction and history.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Abisko
6. Hallstätt, Austria
Hallstätt sits right on the shores of Hallstätter See, full of 12th-century fairy-tale churches and quaint Alpine houses and surrounded by the snowcapped Dachstein Mountains.
Hallstätt is tiny, with a population of under 1,000 permanent residents who live in Alpine timber houses built up on the steep hill slopes.
Equally stunning all year long, Hallstätt really shines when it’s covered in snow and ice. If you’re feeling up to the task, the best view of winter Hallstätt is from the Hallstatt Skywalk high above town, though reaching it requires a hike not always possible in the depth of winter.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Hallstätt
7. Rovaniemi, Finland
For December travelers, no other destination makes more sense than Rovaniemi, considered the official home of Santa Claus. A fairy-tale place just four kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, the Santa Claus Village feels like a mix of amusement park and Arctic wonderland.
The area around Rovaniemi is a favorite for northern lights tours. Over 200 aurora borealis displays can be seen here every year – one of the highest numbers in Scandinavia.
Even if you don’t catch a display of northern lights, Rovaniemi goes through a magical period of Polar Twilight (rather than Polar Night), where the sun will still rise for a couple of hours per day. During these months, bluish, glittering snowdrifts cover everything, providing a magical quality to nature and buildings alike.
The Ounasvaara outdoor area around town is perfect for snowshoeing among snow-covered forests, while Ounaskoski beach is a famous spot for winter swimming under the midnight sun.
When you need some indoor time, Rovaniemi offers plenty of icy breaks, including a snow restaurant, an ice hotel, ice slides and castles – plus a warmer break in the form of the Arktikum Science Museum.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Rovaniemi
- Read More: Top-Rated Things to Do in Rovaniemi
8. Nuremberg, Germany
Christmas markets are a European staple, and few countries do Christmas markets better than Germany. After all, it’s hard to beat the blinking of holiday lights in a medieval town, especially under a soft dusting of December snow. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, which has been around since around the 1500s, is considered one of the best Christmas markets in Germany.
Here, over one hundred stalls sell everything from the famous local “Rauschgoldengel” (gold-foil angel decorations) to the traditional lebkuchen gingerbread against a backdrop of historical buildings.
With shopping done, visitors can catch a holiday concert at the Lorenzkirche church, home to one of the largest organs in the world. Or take a stroll up cobbled streets to the grounds of Nuremberg Castle, then visit the city’s toy museum to learn about the centuries-old tradition of wooden toy making.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Nuremberg
9. Prague, Czech Republic
Winter rolls over Prague in early December and lasts well into February, with a dusting of snow regularly covering the Old Town’s church spires and red rooftops.
Second only to Germany for its great Christmas markets, the city is lively and busy during the second half of December, as tourists from all over Europe come over for some holiday merriment. February is Masopust or carnival season in Prague – another great time to visit during the cold months to see a fanciful parade of giant puppets and whimsical costumes.
The city that Franz Kafka loved just feels more magical in winter, as ice-skating rinks open all around the city, and medieval churches put on classical music concerts for the delight of visitors.
If you need a break from the cold Prague evenings, Prague is home to many other attractions, including over 100 museums and galleries, an indoor aqua park, one of the oldest libraries in the world (the 12th-century Strahov Library), great shopping, and much more.