European cities in Christmas splendor – 12 beautiful cities to visit in December

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | Are you looking for a city weekend in December? Then there are plenty of European cities that offer Christmas lights, decorated squares, cozy restaurants and atmospheric Christmas markets. We recommend twelve cities that we have visited ourselves and that are perfect for a December trip – from medieval alleys in Tallinn to outdoor cafes by the Adriatic Sea in Split.

European cities with Christmas spirit

We have visited all the cities on this list, some of them during Advent or Christmas and others at completely different times of the year. What they have in common is that they are cities that we like and that have something extra to offer during December.

Here we don't just focus on Christmas markets. A successful December weekend can just as easily be about beautiful light installations, good food, museums, thermal baths or a walk through a historic city center. We've also taken into account that the trip should be reasonably smooth from Sweden. The list is not a ranking – the cities are simply suitable for slightly different kinds of December trips.

1. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is a city that we have experienced ourselves at Christmas time, and the historic environment fits almost improbably well with Christmas lights and decorations. On the Old Town Square, a large Christmas tree usually rises in front of the beautiful facades, while Christmas markets fill both this square and other places in central Prague.

But Prague is of course much more than Christmas markets. Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and all the winding cobblestone streets are there all year round, and on a cold December day there are plenty of cafes, beer halls and restaurants to warm up in. We think Prague is a city that works great for a long weekend, as there is a lot to see while large parts of the city center can be discovered on foot. It is also usually easy to get to Prague from Stockholm by direct flight.

READ MORE: Christmas market in Prague - one of the best in Europe
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2nd Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is another city that we have seen in full Christmas splendor. We last visited just before Christmas 2024 and were greeted by an old town filled with fairy lights, Christmas decorations and Christmas spirit. In the Town Hall Square, the large Christmas tree stands amidst the market stalls, with the medieval houses around it as a near-perfect backdrop.

The Christmas market at Rådhustorget will run from 20 November to 6 January 2026, but it's just as cozy to just wander around the old houses and alleys. Also take a walk up to the viewpoints on Domberget, and don't miss all the city's nice restaurants.

Tallinn is also unusually convenient for us Swedes. You can fly, but from Stockholm you can also take the ferry across the Baltic Sea and make the boat trip part of your December trip.

READ MORE: Christmas market in Tallinn - a brilliant experience
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3. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is a lovely city all year round, but we really enjoyed experiencing it during Advent. It combines grand buildings and bridges over the Danube with Christmas lights and Christmas markets, including at Vörösmarty tér and in front of St. Stephen's Basilica.

The beauty of Budapest as a December destination is all the other things you can do. When it's chilly outside, for example, it's extra tempting to sink into the warm water of one of the city's famous thermal baths. Add in good Hungarian food, cafes, ruin bars and all the attractions on both sides of the Danube, and you'll easily have a weekend full of activities.

READ MORE: Christmas market in Budapest – markets, food and Christmas atmosphere
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4. Turku, Finland

Turku may not be the first city that comes to mind when planning a European December weekend, but we think it deserves a place on the list. We visited the city before Christmas 2023 and here you will find a much more Nordic Christmas atmosphere than in, for example, Prague and Budapest.

Turku also has a special connection to Finnish Christmas. The traditional Christmas Peace is proclaimed from here on Christmas Eve, a tradition with very old origins. The city is just the right size for a short weekend and there are restaurants, museums and the environments along the Aura River to discover.

For those of us who are departing from Stockholm, there is another advantage: you can take the night ferry. Instead of just transporting yourself to your destination, you can have dinner on board, sleep during the journey and wake up in Finland.

READ MORE: Things to do in Turku – attractions and experiences
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5. Colmar, France

If someone were to build a city just to fit on Christmas cards, the result might look something like Colmar. It has colorful half-timbered houses, canals, cobblestone alleys, and the charming Petite Venise area.

We have visited Colmar at other times of the year, including Easter and late summer, but not yet in December. Christmas in particular is a big event in the city, with several Christmas markets at various locations in the historic center. In 2026, the markets will open on November 23 and several will continue until December 29, while a special food market will continue into the new year.

And of course, you don't just want to look at Christmas decorations here. Alsace is known for both food and wine, so take the opportunity to sit down at a winstub and try regional specialties.

Colmar requires a little more transportation than several other cities on the list, but can be reached by plane to one of the nearby airports and then by train.

READ MORE: Visiting Colmar - a picturesque dream in France

6. Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb is another city where we have experienced the Advent atmosphere ourselves. What we remember is not just the market stalls but the whole community – the lights, the music, the food and all the people gathering outside in the city.

During Advent, various parts of the city center are usually filled with events and decorations, including around the parks and squares in the lower town. When you've had enough of the Christmas cheer, there's of course the usual Zagreb left to discover. Take the funicular up to the upper town, stroll among the historic buildings and pop into one of the city's small and sometimes rather quirky museums.

We like Zagreb precisely because it feels like a living city and not like a backdrop set up just for tourists.

READ MORE: Christmas Market in Zagreb – Experience Advent Zagreb
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7. Hamburg, Germany

We know Hamburg well, but we have not yet visited the city during Christmas. We like the large harbor, the boats, the bridges, the Speicherstadt, the restaurants and the shopping – and of course all of this is still there in December.

There's also a big dose of Christmas. Hamburg has more than 20 Christmas markets with different themes, and the classic market in front of the town hall will run in 2026 from November 23 to December 23. There are also markets at Jungfernstieg and St. Petri, among others, and even a much more adult version at St. Pauli.

This makes Hamburg interesting for those who want to combine the Christmas spirit with a regular city weekend. You don't have to spend three days on mulled wine and gingerbread if you don't want to - the harbor, museums, shopping and restaurants provide plenty of options. In addition, Hamburg is relatively easy to get to from Sweden.

READ MORE: Things to do in Hamburg – attractions and experiences
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8. Riga, Latvia

Riga is another of the Baltic cities where we have experienced the Christmas market and December atmosphere. Here, distances are short and it is easy to wander around the Old Town among churches, historic houses and small squares.

At the Christmas markets you can find Latvian crafts, wool products, food and warming drinks. The city itself also contributes its special mix of medieval environments and grand Art Nouveau architecture. And when the cold starts to bite, there are plenty of restaurants and bars to curl up in – perhaps to try the Latvian herbal liqueur Riga Black Balsam.

Riga is also a practical destination for a short weekend since the flight from Sweden is short.

READ MORE: Christmas market in Riga – crafts and delicacies
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9. Salzburg, Austria

We visited Salzburg at a different time of year, but it's easy to imagine the baroque old town framed by Christmas lights and the surrounding mountains. There is a strong Advent tradition here with markets, music and concerts.

The classic Christkindlmarkt spreads out on Domplatz and Residenzplatz in the heart of the historic city center. But even here, we think the city itself is at least as important as the Christmas market. You can visit Mozart's birthplace, go up to the Hohensalzburg Fortress and just stroll among the beautiful buildings in the old town.

Salzburg is not quite as easy to reach from Sweden before Christmas as, for example, Prague and Hamburg, and depending on the winter timetable, a change may be necessary. For those who want to combine a city weekend with an Austrian Advent feel and Alpine environment, the trip may still be worth the extra transport.

READ MORE: Things to do in Salzburg – attractions and experiences

10. Warsaw, Poland

We visited Warsaw during the run-up to Christmas 2016 and had time to experience both the Christmas decorations and the winter atmosphere. The Polish capital is quite different from many of the smaller historic cities on this list. Here you get a real big city weekend with restaurants, shopping, museums and large avenues.

At the same time, there is the colorful old town, which was rebuilt after the destruction of World War II and becomes extra atmospheric with Christmas lights. Warsaw is therefore a good fit for those who want to have both the Christmas spirit and plenty of other things to do. Another advantage is that the city is easy to reach from Stockholm by plane.

READ MORE: Things to do in Warsaw – our best tips
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11. Krakow, Poland

If you prefer a more compact and historic Polish city, Krakow is another option. We have visited Krakow extensively, but not in December. However, we can attest that the old city center is perfect for exploring on foot.

The heart is the enormous Rynek Główny square, where the Christmas market usually spreads out during Advent. Around it are churches, restaurants and cafes, and the historical environment continues towards Wawel.

Krakow and Warsaw thus offer two quite different Polish weekend experiences. Warsaw is a larger and more distinct metropolis, while Krakow's historic center is more concentrated and easy to walk around. Both are also relatively easy to reach from Sweden.

READ MORE: Krakow in Poland - tips and guidance in Swedish
READ MORE: Things to do in Krakow – tips for Poland's historical gem

12. Split, Croatia

Finally, we abandon the notion that a Christmassy December trip has to involve snow, woolly hats, and sub-zero temperatures. We celebrated Christmas in Split 2022 and experienced a completely different version of the European Christmas atmosphere.

Split was heavily decorated for Christmas and there were market stalls and Advent events along the promenade. We also found an ice rink and areas with food and people. At the same time, we could sit at outdoor cafes and walk along the Adriatic Sea in temperatures that were around 15 degrees during the day. Quite a nice combination!

On Christmas Eve we also tried the Croatian Christmas dish bakalar, a dish made with dried and salted cod. It may not have become our new favorite dish, but we like to try local food and it felt extra fun on Christmas Eve.

Split is not as easy to reach from Sweden during the winter as during the summer season and you may have to change flights. But for those who like to swap the winter cold for milder temperatures, it is an exciting alternative. And between the Christmas activities there is Diocletian's Palace, the old alleys, restaurants and the sea.

READ MORE: Christmas in Split – this is how to celebrate Christmas in Croatia
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Things to consider when traveling to Europe in December

December is popular for city trips, especially during the Advent holidays. If you want to stay centrally, it may be wise to book both your trip and your hotel well in advance. Also check the dates for Christmas markets and other events before you book. They vary from city to city and year to year. For example, Hamburg's historic market closes on December 23, 2026, while Tallinn's Christmas market continues until January 6, 2027.

If you're traveling over the Christmas holiday itself, it's even more important to check opening hours. Over the years, we've experienced everything from closed grocery stores in New Zealand to government closures in Sri Lanka. Restaurants, museums, shops and public transportation may operate differently on December 24–26.

READ MORE: Celebrating Christmas abroad – our experiences

European cities in Christmas decorations – which one will you choose?

We like how diverse a December trip can be. One day it could be a Christmas market among medieval houses in Tallinn, the next it could be a thermal bath in Budapest or a seaside terrace in Split. And sometimes it's actually enough to get away for a few days, stroll around a beautifully lit city and sit down at a nice restaurant.

Which European city would you most like to visit in December? Maybe you have a favorite of your own that we should discover during the Christmas season?