The Best European Cities to Visit in December

Where else to start? Germany is the home of Christmas markets and the definitive country to visit if you’re looking to amp up the warm festive fuzz this winter. You can’t go wrong with big cities like Nuremberg and Cologne or, for a calmer experience, quaint towns like Koblenz, but for us it’s always Munich that comes out on top. This city really knows how to celebrate, and the market has been a mainstay for over 700 years. Go ice skating in Karlsplatz, try open-air curling on the Nymphenburg Palace canal, or hop on the Christmas tram for a tour of the city accompanied by festive tunes and a hot mug of glühwein (mulled wine). As night falls there are actually a whole host of markets to choose from. Start off at the OG, Marienplatz, where the giant luminescent tree lights up surrounding gothic buildings, stalls are lined with chocolate Santas, hand-painted baubles, sweet treats galore and enough glühwein to keep you warm – and a little jolly – all night long. Read our guide to the best Christmas markets in Munich to find out where to go next.

Iceland in December is very cold and very dark, with only a few hours of daylight. Sounds bleak, no? Well, Reykjavik is anything but at this time of year. The city is imbued with a friendly, playful spirit, while the beauty of surrounding areas is transformed by heavy snowfall. There’s plenty to do, with Christmas buffets, concerts and shows cropping up all over town, while locals go wild with quirky Icelandic traditions. Your main reason to visit Reykjavik in December, however, is that this is absolute peak time to see aurora borealis – perhaps the Norse Gods’ version of turning on the Christmas lights? Join a tour for your best chance of success and, if luck isn’t on your side, you can always warm your spirits (and your body) in one of the country’s many hot springs or lagoons.

Although chilly, Turkey’s Istanbul is far more temperate to visit in December. The city’s spectacular selection of ancient monuments and architectural feats are resplendent in the winter sunshine, while a little dusting of snow might add even more character, as if that’s necessary. The countless things to see and do indoors here makes it perfect for winter travel, while smaller off-season crowds allow you to take in the majesty of the Blue Mosque, or the vibrant colours of spice markets, without having to duck and weave between crazed tourists. And if temperatures do dip, then that’s just the perfect excuse to go relax in some Turkish Baths.

The fairytale streets of Scotland’s capital lend themselves perfectly to cold nights and crisp winter mornings, while the city’s many cosy pubs are the perfect refuge when the weather takes a turn for the worst. Edinburgh goes all out on Christmas lights and the market, spanning the length of Princes Street Gardens, is one of Europe’s finest. It’s even worth hanging around until the very end of December, when the entire city gathers for one of the biggest New Year’s Eve (or Hogmanay) parties around. Expect friendly locals, plenty of beer and a passionate rendition of Auld Lang Syne as you see in the new year with your new-found Scottish buddies.

You may have heard some horror stories about Italy’s most romantic city – peak season prices, streets overflowing with tourists and a nose-pinching stench emanating from the canals. Well, you need not worry about any of those in December. In fact Venice has a serenity in winter that makes it easy to see why all those tourists come in the first place. Strolling around the city’s labyrinthine alleyways at your own pace is a real treat, especially as darkness begins to descend, the shimmer of street lamps bouncing off traditional Venetian buildings and casting shadows over bridges, perhaps even a little fog clouding your vision and your memory as you attempt to find a way back to the hotel. Gondolas are still running at this time of year, providing the canals haven’t frozen over, and you won’t have to fight off rival tourists to hop onboard.