Ready to whisk yourself away to a winter wonderland this December? Well, we’ve rounded up some of the best EU destinations for Christmas vibes that could put Whoville to shame at this time of year!
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Lapland, Finland
Lapland is a magical place to visit at Christmas time. It is home to the northern lights and has tons of winter activities that will keep the whole family entertained. Skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding and husky sledding are easy-to-access activities that will be sure to bring out your inner child! Just remember to get your wintersports travel insurance before you go!
Tallinn, Estonia
This gorgeous medieval city has a huge array of Christmas markets offering handmade gifts, decorations and foods to give as gifts. The festive vibe comes in strong with music-a-plenty from carol singers and street performers, Christmas parades, concerts, theatre performances, and ice skating rinks.
Brussels, Belgium
This Belgian city is a wonderful place to visit for Christmas. It is well-known for its Christmas markets selling a variety of festive goods from handmade chocolates to handcrafted jewellery. Top tips for where to see some sights while you shop include:
- Grote Markt: Located in Brussels’s Old Town quarter, which has been hosting this market since 1549! Check out the impressive equestrian statue depicting Philip II – who was the King at the time – on his horse.
- Place du Jeu de Balle/Grand Place: This is home to Notre Dame du Sablon Church which dates back to 1270.
- Patershol/Rue des Bouchers: This street starts off at Place Royale, passes St Gudula Cathedral and takes you to Patershol Square, which is full of shops selling traditional Belgian fare like chocolate biscuits filled with whipped cream!
Vienna, Austria
The Christmas markets here are huge attraction for visitors. While you’ll find them all over the city, those in the know say to head to Karlsplatz square and the adjacent streets for some truly festive retail therapy and the market on Graben for baked goods like gingerbread men, as well as handcrafted jewellery and toys from around Europe. There are also daily performances of traditional German carols by choirs and orchestras to watch out for during your stay!
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Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is considered one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, and in December becomes a hub for holiday shopping, with more than 40 Christmas markets scattered throughout the capital – many with their own unique attractions such as ice skating rinks. If you’re looking for some more wintersports action, Stockholm is also great place for cross country skiing! There are several trails around town for you to discover.
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg’s Christmas market is one of the biggest in Europe and has been going on since 1570. It’s an open-air market with more than 500 stalls, selling everything from mulled wine to toys. One of the largest Christmas events is a parade through the streets that includes magical creatures, carollers and dancers, amongst a myriad of festive delights.
If you’re looking for a Christmas holiday to remember for all the right reasons don’t forget your travel insurance! Get in touch for an instant quote before you travel!