Top 14 Best European Countries To Visit In December

December transforms Europe into a winter wonderland where Christmas markets glow against medieval backdrops. Austria's Vienna, Germany's Munich, Czech Republic's Prague, and France's Strasbourg create magical atmospheres that define the season. From Switzerland's snow-capped Alps to Italy's cozy trattorias, each destination offers unique winter charm.

Keep reading as we uncover the best European countries to visit in December that will make your winter journey unforgettable.

1. Austria: Where Winter Dreams Come True

Vienna in December feels like stepping into a snow globe. The city's Christmas markets stretch across historic squares, filling the air with cinnamon and roasted chestnuts. Salzburg offers a quieter charm, where Mozart's birthplace sits beneath snow-dusted baroque architecture.

The Austrian Alps provide perfect skiing conditions, while thermal spas in Bad Gastein offer warmth against the mountain cold. December here means fewer crowds and lower accommodation rates—making luxury more accessible.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 20-January 6
  
• Getting there: Fly to Vienna or Salzburg
  
• Suggested stay: 4-5 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Schönbrunn Palace, Hallstatt, Innsbruck
  

2. Germany: Christmas Market Capital

Germany invented the Christmas market, and December showcases this heritage perfectly. Dresden's Striezelmarkt, dating to 1434, spreads across the old town's reconstructed squares. Munich's markets offer traditional crafts alongside Bavarian specialties.

I remember walking through Cologne's market at twilight, the cathedral's spires rising into purple sky while vendors called out in melodic German. The smell of Glühwein mixed with fresh bread created an atmosphere that exists nowhere else.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: Late November through December
  
• Getting there: Major airports in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt
  
• Suggested stay: 5-6 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Neuschwanstein Castle, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Black Forest
  

3. Czech Republic: Fairy Tale Winter

Prague in December looks like it was designed by Brothers Grimm. Snow dusts the castle's Gothic spires while the Old Town Square Christmas Market creates a medieval atmosphere beneath the Astronomical Clock.

The Czech countryside offers thermal springs and winter hiking. Český Krumlov becomes especially magical when snow covers its Renaissance architecture, transforming the UNESCO site into something from a storybook.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 1-31
  
• Getting there: Fly to Prague
  
• Suggested stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Český Krumlov
  

4. Hungary: Thermal Waters and Winter Warmth

Budapest's thermal baths provide perfect December refuge. Széchenyi Baths let you soak in 38°C water while snow falls around you—an experience that defines Hungarian winter culture.

The Christmas markets along the Danube offer craft spirits and traditional pastries. Fisherman's Bastion provides panoramic views over the frozen river, while Parliament's Gothic Revival architecture looks especially dramatic against winter skies.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 15-January 5
  
• Getting there: Fly to Budapest
  
• Suggested stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Parliament Building, Széchenyi Baths, Fisherman's Bastion
  

5. Poland: Medieval Magic Meets Winter Wonder

Krakow's Main Market Square becomes Europe's largest medieval Christmas market in December. The Cloth Hall's Renaissance architecture frames stalls selling amber jewelry and traditional pierogi.

Wieliczka Salt Mine offers underground adventure when surface temperatures drop. The Chapel of St. Kinga, carved entirely from salt, provides spiritual respite 135 meters below ground.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 1-January 6
  
• Getting there: Fly to Krakow or Warsaw
  
• Suggested stay: 4-5 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Wawel Castle, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Wieliczka Salt Mine
  

6. Slovakia: Alpine Beauty Without the Crowds

Bratislava's Christmas markets spread across multiple squares, each with distinct character. The High Tatras offer exceptional skiing with fewer tourists than neighboring Austria or Switzerland.

Bojnice Castle looks especially romantic covered in December snow. The fairy-tale fortress, Slovakia's most visited monument, hosts special winter tours that reveal medieval heating systems still warming ancient stones.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 20-January 8
  
• Getting there: Fly to Bratislava or drive from Vienna
  
• Suggested stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Spiš Castle, High Tatras, Bojnice Castle
  

7. Slovenia: Green Paradise in Winter White

Ljubljana's Christmas market transforms the riverside city into a winter fairy tale. The dragon bridge and baroque architecture create perfect photo opportunities when dusted with snow.

Lake Bled offers ice skating on its frozen surface, while Bled Castle perches dramatically above. The Julian Alps provide world-class skiing with Austrian quality at lower prices.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 15-January 10
  
• Getting there: Fly to Ljubljana
  
• Suggested stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Lake Bled, Postojna Cave, Piran
  

8. Croatia: Mediterranean Meets Winter Magic

Dubrovnik's medieval walls look spectacular against December's dramatic skies. The Adriatic remains mild, allowing comfortable walking tours without summer's crushing crowds.

Zagreb's Christmas market, one of Europe's most beautiful, spreads across the historic upper town. Plitvice Lakes freeze partially, creating ice formations that transform the waterfalls into natural sculptures.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 20-January 5
  
• Getting there: Fly to Zagreb or Dubrovnik
  
• Suggested stay: 4-5 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Dubrovnik Old Town, Plitvice Lakes, Split's Diocletian's Palace
  

9. France: Elegance Wrapped in Winter

Strasbourg claims to host France's oldest Christmas market, dating to 1570. The cathedral's astronomical clock and half-timbered houses create perfect Alsatian atmosphere enhanced by December snow.

Paris sparkles with holiday lights along the Champs-Élysées. The Louvre and other major attractions have shorter lines, while café windows fog with warmth as locals escape winter streets.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 15-January 8
  
• Getting there: Multiple airports, excellent train connections
  
• Suggested stay: 5-7 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Loire Valley castles
  

10. Belgium: Chocolate and Christmas Markets

Bruges becomes a medieval Christmas card in December. The Markt square hosts markets beneath Gothic architecture while chocolate shops offer seasonal specialties that warm both hands and hearts.

Brussels' Grand Place transforms into a winter wonderland with light shows projected onto guild houses. The city's famous waffles taste even better when eaten warm against December cold.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 1-January 6
  
• Getting there: Fly to Brussels
  
• Suggested stay: 2-3 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Grand Place, Bruges' Belfry, Ghent's castle
  

11. Netherlands: Canals and Christmas Lights

Amsterdam's canals reflect Christmas lights in perfect symmetry during December evenings. The Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum offer cultural warmth when temperatures drop below freezing.

Ice skating on frozen canals happens during especially cold Decembers—a quintessentially Dutch experience. Keukenhof may be closed, but the city's cozy brown cafés provide perfect refuge with local jenever warming cold fingers.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 20-January 5
  
• Getting there: Fly to Amsterdam Schiphol
  
• Suggested stay: 3-4 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Rijksmuseum, Jordaan district, Kinderdijk windmills
  

12. Switzerland: Alpine Perfection

The Swiss Alps receive perfect powder snow in December, making skiing conditions optimal. Zermatt offers views of the Matterhorn while Interlaken provides access to Jungfraujoch—the “Top of Europe.”

Christmas markets in Basel and Zurich compete with neighboring countries while maintaining Swiss precision and quality. Thermal baths in Leukerbad provide relaxation after mountain adventures.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 15-January 15
  
• Getting there: Fly to Zurich or Geneva
  
• Suggested stay: 5-7 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Matterhorn, Jungfraujoch, Lake Geneva
  

13. Italy: La Dolce Vita in Winter

Rome in December offers mild temperatures and fewer tourists at the Colosseum and Vatican. Christmas markets in Trentino-Alto Adige blend Italian and Austrian traditions beautifully.

Venice becomes especially romantic when occasional December fog rolls across the lagoon. St. Mark's Square empties of summer crowds while cafés serve hot chocolate that rivals any found in Vienna or Paris.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 20-January 8
  
• Getting there: Multiple airports throughout the country
  
• Suggested stay: 6-8 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Colosseum, Florence's Uffizi, Venice's Doge's Palace
  

14. Spain: Iberian Winter Warmth

Madrid's Retiro Park hosts Christmas markets while the Prado Museum offers cultural respite from December cold. Seville maintains pleasant temperatures, making walking tours comfortable.

Barcelona's Sagrada Familia looks especially dramatic against winter skies. The city's beaches empty but remain accessible, while tapas bars provide warmth and authentic Spanish flavors throughout the cooler months.

Quick Facts:

• Peak season: December 15-January 10
  
• Getting there: Major airports in Madrid and Barcelona
  
• Suggested stay: 5-6 days
  
• Must-visit spots: Alhambra, Park Güell, Santiago de Compostela
  

Your December Adventure Awaits

December transforms Europe into a continent of lights, warmth, and wonder. These fourteen countries offer the best European experiences when winter settles across ancient cities and snow-capped mountains.

From Austria's imperial Christmas markets to Spain's mild Mediterranean charm, each destination provides unique reasons to travel during Europe's most magical month.

Pack your warmest coat and most comfortable walking shoes. Your perfect December European adventure starts with choosing which of these incredible countries calls to you first.