Everyone loves being treated to presents, especially around Christmas. And, what could possibly be better than the gift of travel? Plan a holiday with your loved ones and discover a new place during the next holiday season. Gift yourself and your family a Christmas trip and explore the best places to go for Christmas.
Wondering where to go for your Christmas vacation? We’ve compiled the best places to visit for Christmas, so you can start planning a holiday full of fun and festivities.
Here are some of the best places to visit for Christmas
- Hong Kong
- Lapland, Finland
- Nagano, Japan
- Cologne, Germany
- Goa, India
- Valkenburg, Netherlands
- Quebec City, Canada
- Bruges, Belgium
- Riga, Latvia
- Bali, Indonesia
- Reykjavík, Iceland
- Seoul, South Korea
- Tallinn, Estonia
- Vienna, Austria
- Strasbourg, France
Hong Kong
Perfect for a family Christmas holiday!
This extraordinary city doesn’t let Christmas pass by quietly. As one of the world’s top Christmas destinations, Hong Kong is undoubtedly one of the best places to go for Christmas. With lights dangling from skyscrapers and Christmas music blasting from speakers everywhere, this is a Christmas lover’s paradise!
Stay entertained with exciting holiday festivities and events, including the Hong Kong Winterfest and festive fireworks. It is one of the best places to go for Christmas with kids, too, as Hong Kong Disneyland will be sure to impress with Christmas-themed amusement and entertainment options.
Lapland, Finland
Time to prove to everyone that Santa is real!
If you grew up believing that Santa was real, then the Arctic Circle of Finland is definitely a place to go for your next Christmas vacation. Decked in his red and white attire, follow him through reindeer-dotted forests and enjoy a truly white Christmas!
When at Lapland, visit the Santa Claus Village to watch Santa in action, and have the opportunity to send postcards to your friends and family – with Santa’s special postmark – from the Santa Claus Post Office. At the Christmas exhibition located within the Village, you can also learn more about Finnish Christmas traditions and have your photo taken with the Father of Christmas.
Nagano, Japan
Ideal for winter sports lovers!
For any winter sports enthusiast wondering where to go for Christmas, Nagano is the Christmas paradise for you! With tons of opportunities for snowboarding and skiing, this is a great destination for Christmas travel.
After a day of exploration and adventure, you’ll be sure to enjoy the cosy Christmas spirit while relaxing in the town’s onsens – Japanese hot springs. While in Nagano, be sure to visit the Nagano Prefectural Shinano Art Museum and Zenkōji Temple.
Cologne, Germany
A shopper’s paradise during the holiday season!
The best Christmas destinations will leave you with that warm, fuzzy feeling, and what’s better than a Christmas market to spread cheer? With eight different Christmas markets on both sides of the Rhine River, Cologne is the perfect spot to pick up some presents.
Among the impressive architecture, you’ll find festive music, arts and crafts, toys, and decorations; all while the scent of mulled wine, roasting chestnuts and gingerbread fills the air.
READ MORE: Discover the 8 most famous cities for New Year’s Eve
Goa, India
For beach lovers and party animals!
One of the best warm places to spend Christmas is Goa. For an idyllic seaside Christmas getaway, enjoy the whitewashed Catholic churches, firecrackers, bells and carolers here for a holiday you’ll never forget. On both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, head to the beach to sit back and watch fireworks illuminating the midnight sky.
If you’re in North Goa, popular beaches for firework-watching are Baga and Calangute, while Colva and Bogmalo beaches are the ones to head to in South Goa. Dancing and parties break out across the sand, and everyone is welcome to join the celebration!
Valkenburg, Netherlands
Visit the most unique Christmas Market in Europe!
Valkenburg will be completely wrapped in the Christmas spirit from November 18, 2022 to January 8, 2023. Above and underground, enjoy the many festive lights, music, and tasty treats!
There is so much to do in Valkenburg during the holidays! Experience a one-of-a-kind underground enchantment in Valkenburg’s caves, complete with the cosiest stalls, charming lights, the Christmas story told in large and small scales, and 30 metres of miniature villages. For that authentic Christmas feel, the entire town is decked out in Christmas spheres.
Quebec City, Canada
The perfect snowy holiday destination!
If you’re looking for Christmas holiday destinations with lots and lots of snow, consider Quebec City! This 400-year-old walled city is an atmospheric location to spend your Christmas vacation.
With its lit-up cobblestone streets and historic stone houses, the local good cheer and delicious food are sure to keep you feeling warm this Christmas.
Bruges, Belgium
A dreamy destination to celebrate Christmas!
When it comes to the best places to go for Christmas, Bruges is at the top of my list. You’ll feel like you’re in a fairytale in this dreamy city. A picturesque medieval treat at any time of the year, Bruges is one of the most charming Christmas destinations.
Sample Belgian beer, visit the chocolate shops and hop on a horse-drawn carriage for a tour of the cobbled streets. The scent of fresh waffles lingers in the air, and the Christmas market is one of the best in Europe.
The main Christmas market in Bruges is in Grote Markt, with its wooden chalets surrounding a glittering ice rink.
READ MORE: Find out why Bruges is also one of the most romantic holiday destinations
Riga, Latvia
For a magical Christmas celebration
Consider fresh snow-dusted mediaeval streets, twinkling markets brimming with mulled wine and handcrafted treasures, and cosy bars serving traditional fare. Isn’t it magical? All of this and more can be found when spending Christmas in Riga, Latvia’s beautiful capital. From choir concerts and authentic Christmas markets to one-of-a-kind Christmas traditions, the city is well-known for being one of the best places to go for Christmas.
Bali, Indonesia
For a magical Christmas holiday!
Adding to the list of the best warm places to spend Christmas, Bali is magical. This is the place for peace and tranquillity: celebrate the season in serenity in a relaxed villa or an all-inclusive resort.
As the unofficial arts and crafts centre of Indonesia, keen shoppers in Bali will be spoilt for choice: you’ll find everything from upscale boutiques and galleries to rustic handicraft stalls and workshops.
Unwind in paradise as you admire the Christmas Eve sunset at the island temple of Tanah Lot.
Reykjavík, Iceland
Christmas lights and fairy tales!
Expect plenty of Christmas lights and a cosy atmosphere in Iceland. Look out for the Yule Lads: Icelandic folklore talks of thirteen characters who show up in town on the thirteen days leading up to Christmas.
Head to the beautiful capital of Reykjavík and you may just spot one. Undoubtedly one of the best places to spend Christmas!
Seoul, South Korea
For those who like to go the “extra mile”!
They take Christmas seriously in Seoul, and it should definitely be on your list of ideas for Christmas trips! Light shows and Christmas festivals are the highlights here, as the entire month leading up to Christmas day is an extravaganza.
Enjoy the merry mood at the Lotte World Christmas Festival – an impressive parade of floats and performers. Be sure to take a few spins around the outdoor ice skating rink at Seoul Plaza!
READ MORE: While in Korea would you dare try some of the most bizarre and weird food in the world?
Tallinn, Estonia
Enjoy a festive traditional Christmas
Tallinn’s main draw is its world-famous Christmas market on Town Hall Square. Tallinn Christmas Market was named the Best Christmas Market in Europe in 2019, and it is still regarded as one of Europe’s best Christmas markets to visit in 2022. Wind your way through the square’s wooden market stalls, which radiate out from an enormous tree in the centre. Handmade items such as woollen mittens and sweaters, as well as wooden ornaments, make excellent gifts.
Warm yourself up with a cup of glögi (with or without alcohol). Consume a gingerbread cookie or a plate of sausage, potatoes, and sauerkraut. Children can see Santa, who also serves as a multilingual MC for the stage performances on weekends. This year, the market is open from 25 November 2022 until 8 January 2023.
Vienna, Austria
For the outdoorsy traveller!
With three outdoor Christmas markets, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Vienna with delicious food and mulled wine to keep you warm. The vibe makes it one of the best places to visit for Christmas.
If you’re into music, this should definitely be on your list of Christmas destinations. There are many Christmas concerts to enjoy, including the special Strauss and Mozart Christmas performances.
Strasbourg, France
For the Christmas markets
It’s not called the Capital de Noel (Christmas Capital) for nothing. Strasbourg’s Christmas markets are legendary, and the massive Christmas tree in the town square may bring tears to your eyes. The Alsace region of France is one of the most beautiful in Europe, but Strasbourg takes the cake when it comes to Christmas.
Strasbourg is well-known as the “Capital of Christmas.” Every year, nearly two million tourists visit the Alsatian capital to experience its enchanting market. For over a month, Strasbourg has been imbued with a festive, spiritual ambience that has few parallels in Europe. The Christmas Market is spread across more than ten locations, all of which are located in the Grande Île district. It is the main reason why this city is one of the best places to spend Chrismas.
During the four weeks of the Christmas Market, the city is illuminated with magnificent illuminations that add magic to the air. The most enchanting of all is the large Christmas tree on Place Kléber Square. At thirty metres tall, this majestic, beautifully decorated tree stands proud and impressive.
These Christmas vacation destinations should have you excited to start planning your fun Christmas getaway! If you have any suggestions on where to go for Christmas, please leave a comment and let us know.
