Top 14 Best Places To Visit In December Europe

December transforms Europe into a winter wonderland of glowing Christmas markets, snow-dusted medieval towns, and cozy alpine retreats. The best places to visit in December Europe include magical destinations like Lapland's northern lights, Vienna's imperial Christmas markets, Prague's fairy-tale squares, and the romantic canals of Strasbourg.

Keep reading as we uncover Europe's most enchanting December destinations that will make your winter journey unforgettable.

1. Lapland, Finland: Arctic Magic Under Northern Skies

Lapland offers something no other European destination can—authentic Arctic wilderness where reindeer outnumber people and the aurora borealis paints the sky in electric greens.

The snow here falls differently. It's dry and powdery, creating a silence so complete you can hear your heartbeat. At 2 AM on a December night in Rovaniemi, I watched the northern lights dance overhead while sitting in a glass igloo, understanding why the Sami people call this land sacred.

Husky sledding through frozen forests feels like traveling through a living snow globe. The dogs live for these runs, their excitement infectious as they leap against their harnesses.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: December-March
  
• Getting There: Fly to Rovaniemi Airport
  
• Entry Fee: Free (activities from €50)
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 nights
  
• Key Spots: Rovaniemi, Saariselkä, Levi, Inari
  

2. Nuremberg, Germany: Medieval Christmas Market Capital

Nuremberg's Christkindlmärkte has operated since 1628, making it one of the world's oldest Christmas markets. The medieval Old Town provides a backdrop that feels lifted from a Brothers Grimm tale.

The market opens each year with the Christkind—a young woman dressed as an angel—blessing the festivities from the Hauptkirche balcony. Her words echo across cobblestone streets lined with wooden stalls selling handcrafted ornaments and steaming Glühwein.

Try the Lebkuchen cookies here. They're not tourist treats but a local tradition dating back centuries, made with honey and secret spice blends passed down through generations.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: November 30-December 24
  
• Getting There: Direct trains from major German cities
  
• Entry Fee: Free
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Spots: Hauptmarkt, Imperial Castle, St. Sebald Church
  

3. Alsace, France: Half-Timbered Holiday Dreams

Alsace's Christmas markets spread across picture-perfect villages where half-timbered houses lean against each other like old friends sharing secrets. The region's German influence creates a unique blend of French elegance and Germanic tradition.

Colmar transforms into a living advent calendar in December. Each medieval street reveals another Christmas scene—wooden stalls selling spiced wine, children's laughter echoing from carousel rides, and the scent of cinnamon wafting from bakeries.

Local tip: Visit Riquewihr early morning before tour buses arrive. The village sits empty except for shopkeepers preparing their displays, creating an intimate glimpse into Alsatian life.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November-early January
  
• Getting There: Train to Colmar or Strasbourg
  
• Entry Fee: Free
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Spots: Colmar, Riquewihr, Eguisheim, Kaysersberg
  

4. Vienna, Austria: Imperial Christmas Elegance

Vienna's Christmas markets unfold against the backdrop of Habsburg palaces and Gothic cathedrals. The city's imperial heritage elevates simple holiday traditions into grand celebrations.

Schönbrunn Palace's Christmas market feels like stepping into Empress Sisi's private winter party. Vendors in period costume sell traditional Austrian crafts while classical music drifts from palace windows.

The Spanish Riding School continues its performances through December, offering a glimpse of white Lipizzaner horses performing centuries-old dressage routines in heated indoor arenas.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Mid-November to December 26
  
• Getting There: Vienna International Airport
  
• Entry Fee: Free (palace tours from €16)
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 nights
  
• Key Spots: Schönbrunn, Salzburg, Belvedere, Naschmarkt
  

5. Prague, Czech Republic: Gothic Fairy Tale Winter

Prague Castle looms over the city like a protective giant, its spires catching December snow that transforms the medieval city into something from a fairy tale. The Christmas markets in Old Town Square operate in the shadow of the famous Astronomical Clock.

Standing in Wenceslas Square at midnight on December 5th, I watched hundreds of locals gather for St. Nicholas Day celebrations. Children dressed as angels and devils roamed the streets, continuing traditions that predate the castle itself.

Czech mulled wine, called svařené víno, tastes different here—less sweet than German Glühwein, with hints of local herbs that warm you from the inside out.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: December 1-January 6
  
• Getting There: Václav Havel Airport Prague
  
• Entry Fee: Free (castle tours from €12)
  
• Suggested Stay: 3-4 nights
  
• Key Spots: Old Town Square, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square
  

6. Hallstatt, Austria: Alpine Village Perfection

Hallstatt sits on the shore of a pristine alpine lake, surrounded by mountains that reflect perfectly in the still water. December snow transforms this UNESCO World Heritage village into something that belongs on a Christmas card.

The village has only 800 residents, making every interaction feel personal. Local shopkeepers remember your face after one visit, and the postman doubles as an informal tour guide.

Early morning walks along the lake reveal a different Hallstatt—one where mist rises from the water and church bells echo off surrounding peaks, creating a natural cathedral of sound.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Year-round (December quieter)
  
• Getting There: Train to Hallstatt Bahnhof
  
• Entry Fee: Free
  
• Suggested Stay: 1-2 nights
  
• Key Spots: Lake Hallstatt, Salt Mine, Bone House, Market Square
  

7. Salzburg, Austria: Mozart's Musical Winter

Salzburg's baroque architecture provides an elegant stage for December celebrations. Mozart's birthplace city maintains its musical heritage through winter concerts performed in heated historical venues.

The Christmas markets here feel more intimate than Vienna's grand displays. Local artisans sell handcrafted instruments and music boxes that play familiar Mozart melodies, connecting past and present through sound.

Walking through the old town after snowfall, your footsteps echo the same paths Mozart took as a child. The city preserves that sense of musical history in its very stones.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: November-January
  
• Getting There: Salzburg Airport or train
  
• Entry Fee: Free
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Spots: Old Town, Mirabell Palace, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart's Birthplace
  

8. Munich, Germany: Bavarian Winter Traditions

Munich's December atmosphere extends far beyond its famous Oktoberfest grounds. The city's Christmas markets showcase Bavarian craftsmanship—hand-carved nativity scenes, traditional dirndls, and wooden toys that last generations.

The Viktualienmarkt transforms its regular food stalls into holiday specialties. Local vendors serve Feuerzangenbowle, a flaming punch that involves dissolving a sugar loaf with rum—pure theater that tastes like liquid Christmas.

Visiting the English Garden in December reveals a different side of Munich. Snow covers the beer gardens, but locals still gather around heated outdoor areas, proving that Bavarian gemütlichkeit transcends seasons.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November-December 23
  
• Getting There: Munich International Airport
  
• Entry Fee: Free
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-4 nights
  
• Key Spots: Marienplatz, English Garden, Viktualienmarkt, Nymphenburg Palace
  

9. Zurich, Switzerland: Alpine Luxury Meets Holiday Tradition

Zurich combines Swiss precision with holiday warmth. The city's Christmas markets operate like clockwork, opening and closing at exact times while maintaining an atmosphere that feels spontaneous and joyful.

Lake Zurich reflects the city lights during December evenings, creating double illuminations that stretch across the water. Taking the evening tram along the lakeshore costs little but delivers million-dollar views.

Swiss chocolate reaches perfection here during December. Local confectioners create holiday specialties using techniques passed down through generations, making simple hot chocolate taste like liquid luxury.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November-December 24
  
• Getting There: Zurich Airport
  
• Entry Fee: Free
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Spots: Bahnhofstrasse, Lake Zurich, Old Town, Uetliberg Mountain
  

10. Strasbourg, France: European Capital Christmas Magic

Strasbourg calls itself the “Capital of Christmas,” and December proves this claim. The city's Grande Île becomes a pedestrian wonderland where trams glide silently through streets lined with Christmas stalls.

The cathedral's astronomical clock performs its daily show at 12:30 PM, drawing crowds who gather regardless of December weather. Inside, the medieval stonework creates natural acoustics that amplify Christmas carols into something celestial.

Local bakers prepare bredele cookies throughout December—small, spiced treats that families make together as part of Alsatian holiday tradition.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November-December 30
  
• Getting There: Strasbourg Airport or train
  
• Entry Fee: Free
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Spots: Cathedral, Petite France, Grande Île, European Parliament
  

11. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany: Medieval Christmas Town

Rothenburg preserves medieval Germany better than any museum could. The town's Christmas market operates within walls that have stood for 700 years, creating an authentic backdrop that needs no artificial enhancement.

Walking the town walls at sunset during December provides views over snow-covered rooftops and into courtyards where local families prepare for Christmas. The perspective reveals how little the town has changed across centuries.

The Medieval Museum displays Christmas traditions dating back to the Middle Ages, showing how current celebrations evolved from ancient winter festivals.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: December 1-23
  
• Getting There: Train via Ansbach
  
• Entry Fee: Free (museum €4)
  
• Suggested Stay: 1-2 nights
  
• Key Spots: Market Square, Town Wall, Medieval Museum, Christmas Village
  

12. Cologne, Germany: Cathedral Christmas Grandeur

Cologne Cathedral dominates the city skyline and serves as a dramatic backdrop for multiple Christmas markets. The Gothic spires, completed in 1880 after 600 years of construction, create a sense of permanence that puts holiday celebrations into perspective.

The markets here spread across different neighborhoods, each with distinct character. The cathedral market attracts tourists, while residential areas host smaller gatherings where locals shop for family gifts and seasonal foods.

Climbing the cathedral's 533 steps rewards visitors with views over the Rhine River and surrounding winter landscape—a workout that earns the panoramic payoff.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November-December 23
  
• Getting There: Cologne Bonn Airport
  
• Entry Fee: Free (cathedral tower €6)
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Spots: Cathedral, Old Town, Rhine River, Museum Ludwig
  

13. Brussels, Belgium: European Union Christmas Spirit

Brussels combines international sophistication with Belgian tradition during December. The Grand Place becomes a winter wonderland where medieval guild houses frame Christmas stalls selling Belgian chocolates and handmade lace.

The city's Christmas market stretches across multiple squares, connecting historical areas through pedestrian paths lined with warming huts serving mulled wine and Belgian waffles topped with seasonal fruits.

European Union buildings illuminate with special holiday displays, creating a unique blend of political symbolism and Christmas celebration that exists nowhere else in Europe.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November-January 2
  
• Getting There: Brussels Airport
  
• Entry Fee: Free
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Spots: Grand Place, European Quarter, Royal Museums, Manneken Pis
  

14. Tallinn, Estonia: Baltic Medieval Christmas

Tallinn's Old Town preserves medieval architecture within walls that once protected merchants trading across the Baltic Sea. December snow transforms cobblestone streets into scenes from northern European folklore.

The Christmas market in Town Hall Square claims to host Europe's first Christmas tree, displayed here since 1441. Whether true or not, the tradition creates a sense of historical continuity that spans centuries.

Local vendors sell Baltic amber jewelry and hand-knitted woolen goods—practical items that reflect Estonia's climate and craftsmanship traditions rather than mass-produced tourist souvenirs.

Quick Facts:

• Peak Season: Late November-early January
  
• Getting There: Tallinn Airport
  
• Entry Fee: Free
  
• Suggested Stay: 2-3 nights
  
• Key Spots: Old Town, Town Hall Square, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Kadriorg Palace
  

December in Europe offers something magical that no other season can match. These best places to visit in December Europe transform ordinary travel into extraordinary memories.

Snow falls differently in each destination. Traditions vary from city to city. But the warmth of human connection during winter celebrations remains constant.

Pack your warmest coat and most comfortable walking shoes. December Europe awaits with open doors, glowing markets, and experiences that will make you understand why this season draws travelers from around the world.

Your winter adventure starts with choosing just one destination. The rest will follow naturally.