05 Dec Top 6 Christmas destinations in Europe!

Willing to experience a different Christmas Eve? Fairy lights, Christmas decorations, typical food and much more… Keep on reading and find out our Top 6 Christmas destinations in Europe to spend a magical Christmas Eve!

1. United Kingdom

Christmas in London. Palace of Westminster

London’s Christmas season is just warming up. There are so many things to do in London at Christmas. Frosty park walks, hot toddies at festive markets, ice-skating with friends, fireside pub lunches, concerts, impressive light displays and spectacular West End shows. One of the biggest attractions at this time is Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. It is a spectacular creation of ice and snow with more than 500 sculptures, where, in addition, is the largest outdoor ice rink in the United Kingdom, a giant ferris wheel and different shows and Christmas markets.

But if shopping is your thing, London is also a perfect city. All the shops in the city are decorated for the occasion and open their doors so you can find gifts and ornaments, who would not like to visit Harrods or Covent Garden at this time with its special decoration?

The London people are the most Christmas, and therefore, two days after Halloween, they light the festive lighting of the city, and take the opportunity to welcome this time of year, with a great ceremony full of musical performances.

2. Spain

Christmas in Spain. Larios street (Málaga)

Christmas in Spain is quite a treat. Bright Christmas lights elaborate nativity scenes, lovely almond sweets, and time-honored traditions – all wrapped in a festive atmosphere. This is how they celebrate Christmas in Spain, a time full of family gatherings, joy, and peculiar local customs – most of them utterly enchanting, others pretty unusual, but all memorable and deeply rooted in the Spanish culture.

3. Hungary

Christmas in Hungary. Stephen’s Basilica of Budapest

Although it is a fantastic city to visit in spring and summer, the freezing winter and the numerous flea markets that come up before Christmas eve, Christmas decorations,  projections on its cathedral, typical food, winter clothes and many more… make Budapest a perfect destination for these dates. On a walk for its streets full of Christmas lights, you can also discover impressive places, such as the Heroes’ Square, Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle and the Central Market, ideal to feel like a Hungarian.

Last, but very important: spend a relax time enjoying thermal baths. Budapest is known as the city of spas, since it has 118 springs (natural or artificial) so an outdoor bath in hot water with the city hovering around 0º is a unique experience that you should not miss. The Széchenyi Spa is one of the best known and also offers the possibility of giving you a relaxing massage. A perfect experience for a relaxing day that can culminate, at night, in a romantic cruise on the Danube.

4.Czech Republic

Christmas in Prague. Old Town Square (Prague)

If you decide to spend your Christmas holidays in Prague, rest assured you’ll be awe-struck by the sheer beauty of the Czech capital. Some of local traditions and things locals actually do in Prague are:
Visit Christmas markets, see the animals at the Prague Zoo, get warm in cozy cafés, go skiing nearby, explore some of the great museums and galleries, just stroll around and admire the beauty.

5.France

Christmas in France. Arc de Triumphe (Paris)

Paris is a very complete city to visit at Christmas. It has everything: shows, flea markets, shops … But one of its hallmarks are the lights that are found in the key points of the city, and that are lit on November 18. Among these you can not miss those located in the avenue of the Champs Elysees, in the Place de Vendôme.

Another of the most common activities at this time is ice skating. In Paris there are many options to practice this sport, from the skating rink of the Champs Elysees to the track of the Plaza de Hotel-de-Ville (town hall). To go shopping, in addition to walking through the mythical avenues of Paris, we find many Christmas markets: in Montparnasse, in Saint Germain des Prés, in La Défense or in the omnipresent Elísesos Fields.

And, of course, if you travel as a family, it is an ideal occasion to go to Disneyland Paris and so that the little ones also enjoy unforgettable Christmas. In addition, during the months of November and especially December, Paris is filled with children’s activities as merry-go-rounds in which the youngest of the house can enjoy. It is the ideal city to spend these dates as a family.

6. Italy

Christmas in Italy. Piazza della rotonda (Rome)

Italy celebrates Christmas and the winter holidays with special events and festivals. Italy’s winter holiday season generally starts with the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, a national holiday, and runs through Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas, on January 6.

In Rome at Christmas there is a fantastic lighting. you can be delighted with a luminous display that makes the city look completely different. At the da Vinci Airport or at the Termini station you can see an impressive decoration, but it is even better in the historical center, where some of the mythical spaces of the city such as the Plaza del Popolo, or the Plaza de España, or Even the Coliseum, they also welcome Christmas in this way.

And for art lovers, two recommendations. The first, visit the Roman churches, especially the Piazza di Spagna, as they are filled with nativity scenes with great detail. And, the second, enjoy the concert of classical music outdoors that occurs on Christmas Eve in the Plazza del Quirinale.

What are you waiting for spending Christmas Eve around Europe? From Premium Incoming we encourage you to plan your next Christmas holidays in Europe. Let your trip in our hands. Contact us for more information at info@premiumincoming.com