Last Updated on February 5, 2024 by Tia
In this article, I’m telling you the best winter wonderland destinations In Europe.
These European destinations are all you need to start planning the perfect winter wonderland escape!
Whether you are a Christmas fan or not these Xmas markets will have you singing carols in no time!
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Table of Contents
Why You Should Travel During Christmas
Who doesn’t love Christmas?
The most wonderful time of the year – A time to indulge and recollect!
To start anew, do things better, and be spiritual- no matter your religion!
Lastly, it’s the time to spend with family and friends and the time to reinvent yourself and set new goals.
To travel and experience something new, and spoil yourself and your loved ones, with the perfect thoughtful Xmas gifts
Cyprus During Christmas
Christmas in Cyprus is a little bit on the….bland side.
As beautiful as Cyprus is, it’s pretty horrendous during Christmas!
It isn’t cold enough, but it’s not snowing, and at the same time, it isn’t sunny or hot enough to be anywhere near a beach.
You have a coat on, but also sunglasses, and it’s all so confusing!
The streets and cities’ Christmas Decorations leave A LOT to the imagination and the whole thing just feels like a lukewarm feasting holiday rather than Christmas.
But fear not!!!
We are in Europe after all, and only a short flight and small budget away from Winter Wonderland.
Let’s explore my top picks below.
1. Winter Wonderland – Prague
With the most vivid Christmas markets in Europe, nothing beats Christmas in Prague! So this deserves the 1st spot!
Prague has the most lively Christmas street parties equipped with concerts, choirs, beers, and even lamb cooking in the streets!
There are Countless events, Christmas shopping, and a general atmosphere that just screams ”tis the season to be jolly”.
Winter Wonderland Prague – what to do
- Choose from a number of ice rings to do some ice skating
- Make sure you see some of the sights of Prague – the snow makes them extra pretty at this time of the year!
- My favorites are Charles Bridge and st. Vinus Cathedral along with the Old Town Square.
What makes Prague even more special is that the Xmas markets are open from the 2nd of December up until the 6th of January.
Christmas markets in destinations like Germany close down early on Christmas Eve as Catholics tend to have their celebration on the 24th.
Prague is affordable, with good flights and plenty of accommodation options!
2. Winter Wonderland – Budapest
Budapest is unique because a lot of effort goes into avoiding commercialism, and preserving the Hungarian authenticity of folk art and traditions.
There are lots of options for markets but the biggest and most popular are the markets on Vorosmarty Square and the Budapest Basilica Christmas Fair
Luckily both are within walking distance of each other.
These markets turn their attention to festive showcasing the handicraft talents of Hungary!
Think of traditional products made with tender loving care, like lacework, knits, and glass homemade candles.
Also carved wood and glass, pottery and leatherwork, and many more.
Vorosmarty Christmas Market
It really looks and feels like an old nostalgic postcard.
Held as the No.1 richest and most spectacular market in Budapest, it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors per year.
You should also note it is usually only open from the 9th of November to the 1st of January. Check the official website here for up-to-date information.
What can you expect to find at Vorosmarty Christmas market?
Well, bright colors, sounds, and lovely smells! Buzzing wooden market stalls and choirs singing. Great winter wonderland food, mulled wine, shopping, and all things merry.
Budapest Basilica Christmas Market
This Christmas market is in the center of the famous St Stevens Square and is only open from the 23rd of November to the 1st of Jan.
Walk over from the Vorosmarty market to see the special Christmas Laser Projection on the Basilica!
This year’s special show will be a 3D projection on the Basilica, that can be viewed from all corners of St Stephen’s Square with 3D glasses.
What is there to do in Vorosmarty and Budapest Vasilika Markets?
- handcraft stores for thoughtful handmade gifts
- An ice rink for some festive skating fun.
- Delicious Hungarian Cinnamon Pastries
- roasted chestnuts, Hungarian sausages
- Mulled Wine
- Free Christmas Concerts
- Light painting evening shows
- The enticing Buda Castle
- The colorful Fishermans Bastion
- St’ Stevens Basilica and Square
- Mathias Church.
3. Winter Wonderland – London
In love with Winter Wonderland? Then London couldn’t be missing from this list.
After all, it was my hometown for 11 years! Christmas in London is magical – in more ways than one.
London is magical and definitely comes alive during Christmas time!
And if you are lucky you might even get snow..!
If you want more tips on the best Christmas Holidays In London, click here
What to do in London that makes it Winter Wonderland worthy.
- Let’s start with the unmissable, magical fairy tale world of Harrods, and of course Harrods Christmas World. Arguably THE best Xmas displays in all of London! It really is your one-stop Christmas destination.
- Visit the enormous Winter Wonderland and its gorgeous Christmas market in the heart of Hyde Park as well as the Southbank Center Winter market.
- Explore the Xmas fun and wander in the markets of Leicester Square!
- Then make sure to walk through Piccadilly to Oxford Circus and shop till you drop with the breathtaking decorations as your backdrop.
- Carnaby street is nearby too and a real must in terms of decorations as well as Selfridges and the John Lewis Department.
- Buy art, crafts and unique presents you will only find in London
- go ice skating
- drink Mulled wine whilst sampling street food that tastes like you are sitting in a restaurant.
4. Winter Wonderland -Berlin, Germany
You will be spoiled for choice when looking for Christmas Wonderland in Berlin.
With over 50 Christmas Markets to choose from I really couldn’t even begin to do them justice!
Berlin is such a cosmopolitan city that it is constantly buzzing with life, more so during Christmas.
In Berlin, there are winter sports to suit all tastes and abilities, Indulgent spas to warm and pamper yourself, and sparkly and fabulous New Year’s Eve Parties.
What to do in Berlin During Christmas
- Visit the Berlin Cathedral and Gendarmenmarkt Square.
- Explore the Brandenburg Gate and of course the Tv Tower for 360 panorama Views of the City.
- Go mad for shopping at KaDeWe Europe’s biggest department store
- Visit the Museum Island – not only is it one of the UNESCO world heritage sites, but it also houses the most exciting exhibition centers in Germany.
With such an overwhelming choice of Xmas markets, please click here for the perfect guide to finding the perfect market that suits you best.
Affordable, bright, loud, and wonderful, experience Berlin this winter and tick it off your bucket list!
5. Basel, Switzerland
Nothing screams Christmas more than the snowy winter wonderland of Switzerland and the quaint little town of Basel.
Basel offers the best of both worlds, as it lies in the heart of Europe, and the center of the border triangle of Switzerland, France, and Germany.
Its 2 big Christmas markets are considered to be the prettiest and largest in Switzerland!
What you will find in Basel
- an impressive array of options to make Xmas shopping an easy task
- beautifully decorated chalets, and cozy cafes to warm yourself up
- Fluffy thick snow, and wine by the fireplace
- Snow fights and walks along the lit-up winding streets echoing sounds of Xmas carols
- Skiing or snowboarding the alps. Whether you are an experienced master of the snow or simply keen to learn how to snowboard there’s no place better to do it than on the Swiss Alps – and no place better than Bael which is the gateway to all Swiss Ski resorts.
Switzerland was made for Christmas!
6. Rovaniemi, Lapland – Finland
Did you know that the town of Rovaniemi received the status of the official Home town of Santa Claus in 2010?
Spending Xmas, New Year, or anytime in between in Rovaniemi, Lapland, is something that you will treasure forever.
An experience of a lifetime that may not come cheap, but will provide memories that both you and/or your children will most likely treasure forever.
The Magic of Christmas is so alive here, you can feel it in the air!!
The best things to see and do in Lapland
- Sleep in an igloo
- Stay in hotels entirely constructed by snow,
- Visit husky and reindeer farms and go on sled rides.
- Grab the opportunity to see the world-famous Northern Lights
- Book to visit Santa Claus (whose home is in a secret location). Santa Claus accepts visitors every day of the year, an attraction which brings in 500.000 annual visits to Lapland.
- Have a stroll through the magical Santa Claus Village and get your shopping donw
- Visit the post office where you can send personalized letters home with Arctic post stamps that cannot be found anywhere else.
- Take advantage of the heavy snow and have a go at cross country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing and tobogganing.
- Go ice-climbing and swim in a lake covered in ice.
Book early in advance, and bring your warmest clothes- temperatures drop to -20 and sometimes as low as -40! My ski trip packing list will come in handy! Click here to see offers to Lapland!
I hope you enjoyed this article, and I sincerely hope your Christmas is as magical as you imagine them to be!
There are just so many gorgeous Winter Wonderland destinations to choose from and I just wish New York was in Europe so it could be included in this list haha!
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Love, Tia x
