With schools breaking up for the Christmas occasions in December, this can be a fabulous time of the year to travel, and the leading thing about going on occasion to Europe in December is the number of options there are! From City Breaks with the most excellent Christmas markets in the world to world-class Ski Resorts and Winter Sun Islands, there are numerous alternatives for the most excellent places to visit in Europe in December!
In this Europe travel guide, I’ve joined up with my individual travel bloggers to grant you the leading winter goals in Europe, which range from going by Santa in Lapland and the leading German Christmas markets to the winter sun on the Canary Islands and the pixie story scene of Cappadocia. I know not everybody needs a Christmas-filled occasion in December, so this list of places to visit in Europe in December will donate you parcels of diverse alternatives, whether you’re seeking out an end-of-week break in Europe in December or a 2-week Europe occasion in December.
Winter on the Northern Side of the equator extends from December to February, but practically, weather-wise, winter is late November and regularly the beginning of winter as well, in spite of the fact that you can apply this list to the leading places to visit in Europe in winter. The commitments are exceptionally concentrated on the month of December and the weather in Europe in December, with Christmas and the December holidays in mind. So let’s get into the most excellent places to visit in Europe in December!
1. Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi, being the Santa Claus town, celebrates Christmas like no one else. The best places to visit in Europe in December are Rovaniemi, Finland, and the northern lights. Need to see the Northern Lights in Europe in December? Book a trip to Rovaniemi, Finland! One of the finest places to visit in Europe in December is Rovaniemi. Located within the Lapland locale of Finland, this city may be a breathtaking destination. It’ll put you within the occasion’s soul and allow your memories to last a lifetime.
There are so many things to do in Rovaniemi
Further, in December, getting in the Christmas spirit is at the top of the list. Rovaniemi known as the official hometown of Santa Claus and is located on the Ice Circle, making it a prime destination for a Christmas getaway. One of the highlights is Santa Claus Town, where you can meet Santa himself, investigate the Santa Claus Post Office, and appreciate the merry air.
You’ll be able to appreciate the snow by going snowmobiling, taking a reindeer sledge ride, or indeed going puppy sledging. All of these can be family-friendly, but they also get your heart hustling! Be beyond any doubt to bundle up as the temperatures are regularly solidifying, indeed amid the day. Another reason to visit Rovaniemi in December is the opportunity to witness the mesmerizing phenomenon of the Northern Lights. With the long evenings of winter, there is the next chance of catching a glimpse of the moving auroras in the clear Ice skies. Wander outside the city, away from light pollution, and experience the awe-inspiring display of vibrant colors that portray the night sky. It’s an exceptional characteristic display that will leave you in awe and make enduring recollections of your winter getaway in Europe. You can also remain in a glass igloo to have uninterrupted views of the sky!
2. Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg is known as one of the finest places to visit in Europe amid Christmas around the world, and in this way, it may be a fantastic option for a winter getaway in Europe. All through December, the most important occasion is the yearly Christmas market, Christkindlesmarkt.
The most popular Christmas advertisement is in Hauptmarkt, a pleasant town square that is home to the Gothic Frauenkirche. The scenery of Nuremberg city certainly adds to the experience with its excellent churches, a castle on the slope, and timber-framed buildings. The top attractions in Nuremberg are still open all through the city in December. This incorporates the Royal Castle on the slope, neglecting the city. The banks of the Pegnitz Waterway are shocking to see, particularly the views of Maxbrücke, a lovely bridge.
At night, this area is exceptionally dynamic, with Christmas slowing down and individuals having fun. Other suggested things to do are to walk the city dividers and to pop in and see the Christmas shows in the various churches of Nuremberg. For nourishment and drink, the Christmas markets convey a variety of choices to undertake. For drinks, you’ll be able to enjoy various festive ciders and wines. There are endless gingerbread stalls, which add to the smell of the city. And when in Nuremberg, the local-strength frankfurter is a must-try in the event that you eat meat. In general, Nuremberg is one of the fantastic countries to visit in December in Europe, and consequently, it is one of the most well-known Christmas markets in Europe.
3. Reykjavik, Iceland
Seeking out the finest places to visit in Europe in December for snow and winter activities? On the off chance that so, at that point it would be beyond any doubt to head to Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. After all, this city is covered in snow and is a magical winter wonderland where you’ll regularly see the northern lights dancing through the sky since the city, as it were, gets around four hours of sunshine a day. However, if you truly need to enjoy the natural beauty of the northern lights, jump on the Golden Circle and take it to Ingvellir National Stop.
You’ll also be able to go to nearby Lake Kleifarvatn on the Reykjanes Landmass as part of a fun day trip from the city. Be mindful that numerous roads are closed in Iceland in December. So, it’s best to remain in Reykjavik and do brief day trips from there. You’ll also cherish that Reykjavik is bedazzled with tons of dynamic Christmas enrichments that you can see as you meander through the boulevards. Be that as it may, you cannot visit Iceland in December without checking out Yule Town at Ingólfstorg. Not only is the decor amazing, but you can go ice skating on an enormous ice arena that sits in the center of the market.
There are also tons of vendors here that offer scrumptious conventional nourishments, like Sld (pickled herring) and Hangikjöt (smoked sheep), as well as enrichments, homemade gifts, and more. And if you stay in Iceland through the Unused Year, you’ll see tons of firecrackers light up the sky. You can also join in on the fun as individuals assemble around blazes and party together until the sun begins to come up.
4. Gran Canaria, Spain
For those desiring a winter sun goal, Gran Canaria is a fabulous choice. An extraordinary place to visit in Europe in December is Gran Canaria. For those looking for some nearly guaranteed winter sun, the Spanish Canary Islands are a great alternative. The normal high temperature is 22 °C (71 °F), with the ocean temperature being almost the same, so swimming is still an option. The evenings and mountain locales can get a little chillier, but a long-sleeve top or light coat ought to be sufficient.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the capital city found within the north of the island, and Maspalomas is a popular tourist resort that sits in the south, next to the Maspalomas sand dunes. However, if you are looking for a calmer resort, Taurito is a nice choice. Taurito Beach sits at the end of a valley with towering cliffs on either side. There’s also a saltwater water park and a couple of pleasant shoreline bars.
Puerto de Mogan could be a short drive away and is in some cases alluded to as the ‘Little Venice of Gran Canaria’ because of the narrow back roads and colorful buildings in the marina zone. For a break from the coast, a fun day trip is a full-day island tour into the mountain regions. Highlights include the Valley of Fataga, an aloe vera farm, and the towns of Tejeda and Teror.
If you’re going by on a Sunday, the Mercadillo de Teror (The Sunday Advertisement of Teror) is a must-see; it’s one of the most seasoned markets within the Canary Islands. Several places have had Christmas decorations displayed since November. Throughout December, Belén de Arena de las Canteras takes place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This is often a giant nativity scene in the shape of sand figures on the beach!
5. Barcelona, Spain
This was at a beach outside Barcelona in December. Spain is a great option for the best places to visit in Europe in December for winter sun, and the city of Barcelona is a great option because you’ll be involved in a city break and time on the beach. You won’t be swimming or sunbathing in Barcelona in December; it’s not like one of the Spanish Canary Islands that I recommend as a great European Winter Sun Occasion, but in the event that you get a conveniently warm day, you will be able to appreciate a walk along the shoreline like we did at the end of December, which was such a beautiful way to spend the time between Christmas and New Year.
A city break in Barcelona in December is additionally awesome since the swarms are less than in the summer and Barcelona is a city you can walk around for days, and strolling around in the comfortable winter temperature is much more pleasant than the hot summer heat. We went by Barcelona and the coastline nearby just after Christmas, and in spite of the fact that there were Christmas decorations around, it wasn’t one of the most Christmassy cities in Europe, which we enjoyed.