Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year to travel. Around the world, historic squares glow with twinkling lights, festive markets fill the air with spiced treats, and local bakeries showcase the rich flavors of the season. Whether you’re dreaming of wandering through traditional holiday stalls overseas or craving a festive getaway closer to home, December offers endless opportunities to travel deliciously.
If you’re searching for the best Christmas travel destinations, this guide highlights some of the world’s most magical cities and seasonal traditions, including a few unforgettable holiday tours with us at Travel Deliciously. From exploring local holiday flavors on our Oshkosh Christmas trip to soaking up the classic energy of the Big Apple on our NYC Christmas trip, we love bringing winter travels to life.
And for those who dream of Europe in December, nothing compares to the fairytale atmosphere of the old world. You can wander ancient, stall-lined streets on our tour of the best Christmas markets in Europe or immerse yourself in gingerbread, hand-crafted gifts, and centuries-old traditions on our Poland Christmas markets tour.
We believe the best Christmas travel destinations combine breathtaking scenery, timeless holiday customs, and incredible local food. Whatever your ideal holiday travel style looks like, these destination ideas belong right at the top of your Christmas wish list.
Vienna, Austria: A Classic Christmas Escape
Vienna is one of the best places to go for Christmas if you love grand architecture, elegant traditions and festive markets. During December in Vienna, you’ll find the Christkindlmarkt at Rathauplatz which is the city’s largest and most famous Christmas market, located right outside City Hall. It features a massive ice skating rink, fairground rides and a glowing “Tree of Hearts.”
You can also visit Karlsplatz Art Advent, located right outside St. Charles Church. This rustic market requires all vendors to sell strictly handmade artisan crafts and features unique play areas for children. Or, if you want to see incredible holiday light displays, head to Graben and Ringstraße Boulevard.
We also recommend trying regional specialties like traditional Glühwein (mulled wine),roasted chestnuts, savory Käsekrainer sausages, potato spirals, and sweet pastries like Krapfen. For travelers searching for the best places to visit for Christmas, Vienna offers a beautiful combination of culture, food and holiday atmosphere.
Want to experience the Vienna Christmas market alongside other holiday favorites across Europe? Consider joining our 8-day holiday adventure to tour the best Christmas Markets in Europe, featuring top festive destinations across Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, and Slovakia.
Strasbourg, France: A Christmas Fairytale
Strasbourg is often considered one of Europe’s quintessential Christmas destinations. The city’s historic center becomes a festive wonderland, with decorated streets, illuminated buildings, Christmas markets and traditional Alsatian food.
Known as the official “Capital of Christmas,” Strasbourg boasts France’s oldest and largest holiday market, featuring over 300 festive stalls. The city’s Christkindelsmärik was founded in 1570 at Place Broglie, where it showcases classic historic wooden chalets. Some of our other favorite spots include Place Kléber, where you can see a 100-foot-tall Christmas tree, and the Strasbourg Cathedral. We also love Petite France, a historic neighborhood that features picturesque canals, decorated lock bridges, and cozy corners.
For food, we recommend trying spiced white wine (vin chaud) flavored with nutmeg, cinnamon, and star anise, or sampling spaetzle with mustard sauce, sauerkraut, galettes, and fresh Bredle Christmas cookies. If you’re looking for nice places to travel in December, Strasbourg should be high on your list.
Kraków, Poland: Christmas Markets and Polish Traditions
Kraków is one of the best destinations to visit at Christmas for travelers seeking history, culture, and festive traditions. The city’s magnificent Main Market Square becomes the center of Christmas celebrations as market stalls offer Polish crafts, decorations, gifts, sweets and traditional foods, while the surrounding medieval architecture creates an unforgettable setting.
Besides the Christmas market, we also recommend you experience the Kraków Christmas Cribs (Szopki). This unique, UNESCO-listed folk tradition features elaborate, colorful nativity scenes modeled after Kraków’s Gothic and Renaissance architecture. You can see the official competition entries on display in the Main Square on the first Thursday of December, followed by exhibitions across the city. Or, for beautiful holiday light displays, head to St Mary’s Basilica and Cloth Hall.
For regional specialities, we recommend steaming bowls of bigos (hunter’s stew), żurek (sour rye soup), fresh pierogi (dumplings) and grilled smoked mountain cheeses (oscypek) served with cranberry jam.
Ready to see Kraków and the rest of Poland at Christmas? Join us on our Poland Christmas market tour to experience the unforgettable food, rich history, and festive magic of Poland for yourself.
Cologne, Germany: Christmas Markets Beneath the Cathedral
Germany is famous for its Christmas markets, and Cologne is one of the country’s most atmospheric destinations during the holiday season. The city hosts several markets, each offering a different experience. One of the most spectacular is located near Cologne Cathedral, where festive stalls sit beneath the shadow of the magnificent Gothic landmark.
Besides Cologne Cathedral, be sure to visit the Old Market, where charming house gnomes (Heinzelmännchen) decorate the rooftops and an ice-skating rink winds through the historic alleys. You can also explore the Market of Angels at Neumarkt, featuring hanging star lights, wooden chalets, and actors dressed as angels. Nearby on the Rhine River, the Harbor Christmas Market offers a fun nautical vibe with fish specialties and a large wooden ship serving hot mulled wine (Glühwein).
For food, we recommend potato pancakes (Reibekuchen), roasted chestnuts and gingerbread. If you’re looking for an easy way to see multiple markets at once, you can hop aboard the Christmas Market Express, a mini-train that connects four major city-center markets.
Copenhagen, Denmark: A Cozy Christmas Getaway
If your ideal Christmas involves cozy cafes, beautiful lights, excellent food and a relaxed atmosphere, then Copenhagen is worth considering. You’ll get to experience hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-gah’), a Danish concept focused on creating a sense of warmth, comfort, and well-being through life’s simple pleasures.
We recommend visiting Tivoli Gardens, where this historic amusement park transforms into a winter wonderland filled with thousands of twinkling lights, festive rides, and decorated wooden stalls. Head to Nyhavn Harbor to experience Christmas on the water and witness the Floating Saint Lucia Parade on December 13th, a peaceful procession of illuminated kayaks draped in Christmas lights gliding through the city’s historic canals. Afterwards, stroll down Strøget, the city’s main pedestrian shopping street, where major department stores like Illum and Magasin showcase elaborate holiday window displays.
For food, we recommend Gløgg (traditional Scandinavian mulled wine spiced with cinnamon, cloves, almonds and raisins), Æbleskiver (fluffy, round pancake puffs dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam) and pebernødder (small, crunchy spiced holiday cookies).
If you’re looking for nice places to travel in December, Copenhagen is a top pick for a sophisticated European city break filled with cozy holiday charm.
Québec City, Canada: European Charm in North America
Québec City consistently ranks among the best destinations to visit at Christmas, blending winter scenery, history, and festive charm. It offers all the magic of a European holiday getaway without the need to fly overseas.
We recommend you visit the Québec City German Christmas Market, which spreads across multiple locations in Old Québec. You can also admire the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a historic castle hotel featuring beautiful holiday decorations, Christmas tree displays, and classic winter charm. Afterward, head to Rue du Petit Champlain, a cobblestone shopping street that turns into pure holiday magic at night.
If you want to do some classic winter activities, you can ride the historic outdoor toboggan run at Terrasse Dufferin, go ice skating at Place D’Youville, or warm up in a Nordic outdoor spa amidst falling snow.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Old-World Charm in the Heart of the Midwest
Just like visiting Québec City, you don’t have to travel overseas to enjoy a magical Christmas experience. If you’re in Wisconsin or visiting, join us onour Milwaukee Bakery Bus Tour where you’ll spend the afternoon with your fun local guide for a trip around Milwaukee and you’ll indulge in signature cookies, candies and pastries from Milwaukee’s best bakeries.
If you want to venture outside the Milwaukee area, our Oshkosh Christmas trip offers a full day of festive Fox River Valley traditions. We’ll visit the Paine Art Center and Gardens to explore the Nutcracker in the Castle exhibit, stop for lunch at Red Cabin at Green Acres, and browse ornaments at the year-round Kristmas Kringle Shoppe. Plus, every guest takes home a complimentary holiday plant courtesy of Haentze Floral Company.
Looking for other stateside Christmas destinations? Nothing compares to Christmas in New York City. From the iconic Rockefeller Center tree to the glowing light displays of Dyker Heights, it’s a winter wonderland like no other. Join us on our NYC Christmas trip and experience the best of the city during the holidays!.
Make This Christmas Your Next Great Journey
The best Christmas travel destinations aren’t simply places with beautiful decorations. They’re destinations where you can taste something new, discover a local tradition, meet people, explore historic streets and create memories that last long after the decorations come down.
Whether your idea of the perfect holiday involves European Christmas markets, Polish traditions, Milwaukee bakeries or a festive Wisconsin day trip, there is a Christmas adventure waiting for you.
Contact us and start planning your magical holiday escape today!
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