19 of the best places to travel at Christmas
This post is for everyone who wants to travel at Christmas. Are you looking to travel this Christmas and wondering the best places to travel over the Christmas period?
You’ve arrived at the right post. Christmas is around the corner now and it’s time to get planning for it, particularly if you’re looking to head overseas!
No matter where you are in the world, the festive season is always a time that fills me with joy, happiness and contentment. It’s a time for spending extra quality time with your loved ones, reflecting on the previous year, and projecting dreams, goals and ambitions for the year ahead. There’s no best place to travel at Christmas, there’s many!
Many people choose to spend Christmas snuggled up at home, but that doesn’t have to be the case. I’ve spent quite a few Christmases in Australia, embracing their summer to escape from the dreaded UK winter.
But, in the name of exploring somewhere new and spreading my wings even further, I’ve put together a bucket list of the best places to travel at Christmas, to inspire you to get away at the most wonderful time of the year...
Here are 19 of the best places to travel at Christmas
1. Germany
Germany is Christmas market central and without a doubt one of the best places to travel at Christmas! I really enjoyed exploring the Christmas markets in Munich, and would love to go back and see the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg and Cologne too! Think of all the glühwein you could drink if you did a trip combining all three…!
- The best things to do in Berlin, Germany
- 48 hours in Berlin, Germany
- Check out my Christmas market road trip through Germany & France here.
Check out my 22 top tips for travelling in Europe here.
EXPLORE GERMANY ON MY BLOG HERE
2. Italy & Vatican City
Imagine midnight mass in The Vatican… all the Christmas feels! Combine it with a weekend of sightseeing in Rome, pizza and pasta and it sounds like a great alternative Christmas weekend and one of the best places to travel at Christmas.
- Check out my weekend guide to Rome here.
- The best capital cities to visit in Europe
- A complete guide to Palermo, Sicily
- A Sicily bucket list: 20 of the best things to do
Top tip: Want to save money and only take carry-on luggage? Check out my carry-on packing guide here.
Hoping to explore Sicily? Here are 20 things to do and places to visit in Sicily that you cannot miss!
3. London, England
If you haven’t experienced London at Christmas, you must. With lights everywhere, little huts selling mulled wine, and the perfect place to start your Christmas shopping (if you don’t mind the hustle and bustle), it’s the most magical place to travel at Christmas!
- Check out my top 24 festive things to do in London this year here.
- The best things to do in London, England
- The best things to do in London when it rains
- The best free things to do in London
- Ideas for a Christmas Day Out in London
EXPLORE LONDON ON MY BLOG HERE
Top tip: Get more sustainability tips for travelling in Europe in an eco-friendly way in this blog post!
4. Prague, Czechia
With some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, Prague is the perfect destination for travellers on a budget – it’s so cheap!
Top tip: Check out the flight deals on Skyscanner here.
Top tip: Get £25 off your first AirBnb stay here.
5. Lapland, Finland
Home to Santa himself, Northern Finland is a beautiful place to explore at this time of year. Chalets, snow, husky rides & even the chance of seeing the northern lights will make this the trip of a lifetime. This is one of the best places to travel at Christmas if you’re ready to embrace the cold and have a once in a lifetime experience.
- Check out my winter guide to Levi, Finland here.
- 14 photos that will make you want to go to Finnish Lapland
- A complete guide to Helsinki, Finland
- A winter travel guide to Levi, Finland
- 4 days in Finland: Driving the Koli Ice road and Koli National Park
EXPLORE FINLAND ON MY BLOG HERE
Check out more ways to keep fit when you’re travelling in this blog post!
See my complete guide to hiking for beginners here.
6. Dublin, Ireland
Every year thousands of swimmers take a frosty dip at Forty Foot in Dublin! It might be cold but Dublin in December is one of the best places to travel at Christmas!
Why not join them, and then toast to a very merry Christmas with a Guinness? Christmas cheer is real in Ireland and they are ready to welcome you with open arms,
- Check out my city guide to Dublin here.
- The best places to visit in Northern Ireland
- 15 of the best things to do in Dublin, Ireland
- A City Guide to Belfast, Northern Ireland
EXPLORE IRELAND ON MY BLOG HERE
See my 21 cheap places to visit in Europe here
Top tip: Check out money-saving tips on my blog here.
7. Kiruna, Sweden
Located in the Arctic Circle, Kiruna is such a stunning snow adventure destination! Snowmobiling, spas, ice hotels and more give you the perfect opportunity for a winter adventure. Much like Finland, Swedish Lapland is a once in a lifetime adventure and hands down one of the best places to travel at Christmas. My memories here will stay with me forever.
Check out my winter guide to Copenhagen, Denmark, here.
EXPLORE SWEDEN ON MY BLOG HERE
8. Vienna, Austria
This city is full of culture every day of the year, but add in some Christmas markets and festive cheer and it looks like a great weekend away! Good for a solo travel weekend too because Vienna is so safe. Vienna is an epic place to visit, particularly popular with those that love diving into museums and history, making it one of the best places to travel at Christmas.
- Check out my weekend guide to Vienna here.
- 16 things to do in Vienna on a budget
- A guide to visiting Vienna during summer
- A bucket list of adventures in Austria
EXPLORE AUSTRIA ON MY BLOG HERE
See 16 cheap things to do in Vienna, Austria here.
See my ultimate Christmas Market road trip itinerary through Europe here.
9. The Alps
A chalet in The Alps would be the perfect cozy holiday for Christmas! Ski by day and snuggle by night (after a cheeky après-ski drink of course). Spanning Austria, Switzerland and Germany, there are plenty of chalets to cozy up in! I loved skiing in La Plagne and Val D’Isere in France, as well as my favourite road trip through the Alps.
Check out winter sport holidays on my blog here.
For the ultimate French and Swiss road trip itinerary, check out this post for the French Alps and this post for the Swiss Alps!
EXPLORE SWITZERLAND ON MY BLOG HERE
10. Bath, UK
Bath holds an award-winning Christmas market every year which attracts thousands of visitors. Explore the markets and picturesque side-streets followed by a cuppa in a local cafe – bliss!
EXPLORE THE UK ON MY BLOG HERE
See my bucket list of van life road trips in Europe here.
Check out the best places to visit in the UK here.
11. Bruges, Belgium
Another stunning city with an amazing Christmas market, make sure you wash some typical frites down with a large glass of mulled wine! I spent an amazing day in Bruges and would happily go again when it’s lit up with Christmas magic!
Check out my day trip to Bruges and Ghent here.
Top tip: If you’re extending your stay in Belgium beyond Bruges, check out my guide to Brussels here.
EXPLORE BELGIUM ON MY BLOG HERE
EXPLORE EUROPE ON MY BLOG HERE
12. New York, USA
Just like the movies! New York is a bucket lister and one of the best places to travel at Christmas for those that want to indulge in city life! While you’re Christmas shopping, try and find a Christmas miracle on 34th street or go ice skating at the Rockefeller Center.
Check out my Arizona road trip here!
Check out my West Coast California road trip here!
EXPLORE THE USA ON MY BLOG HERE
13. Australia
A typical destination for Brits escaping the dreary winter, Christmas time is the perfect time for backpackers to explore Australia!
The sun is shining, the people are lovely… and just imagine… Christmas on the beach?!
Sydney is an amazing city to explore: I think Manly would be an amazing place to spend Christmas! Byron Bay, Noosa or St Kilda would be equally as relaxing and chilled.
EXPLORE AUSTRALIA ON MY BLOG HERE
Top tip: Don’t miss out on anything when you visit Australia: check out this East Coast Australia bucket list!
Top tip: Want to know how much you’ll spend when you’re in Australia? Check out my budgeting guide for Australia here!
14. Israel
One of the most cultural places to be at Christmas. If you want to learn more about the religious festival, rather than the commercial side, Jerusalem & Bethlehem should be on your Christmas travel bucket list!
Top tip: Long haul flights can be awful if you aren’t fully prepared. Here’s my survival guide for long haul flights, including everything you need to take in your hand luggage!
15. Tokyo, Japan
For a less religious experience, head to Japan. Most Japanese people aren’t Christian, but still celebrate Christmas in a commercial sense. They go absolutely crazy for lights and luminous displays here, so expect everything to be lit up! I personally love Tokyo – there are so many things to see and do there, and it’s so different to London!
If you fancy getting shoulder deep in powder, I’ve spent a couple of winters adventuring through the mountains in Niseko! One of the dreamiest and the best places to travel at Christmas for a truly breathtaking white Christmas!
- Check out my complete guide to Tokyo here.
- Niseko, Japan: A complete travel guide
- A complete guide to Tokyo, Japan
- A temptation to visit Tokyo, Japan with KLM
Top tip: For the ultimate ski trip in Japan, check out my complete guide to Niseko here.
16. Cape Town, South Africa
Another place to chase the winter sun! What’s more, you can watch an outdoor screening of a Christmas movie at The Galileo in Kirstenbosch Gardens. Check what’s on here.
South Africa is also an amazing place for a budget safari experience, if you want to see the big 5 without spending too much money! Watch my South African safari come to life in my video below…
EXPLORE SOUTH AFRICA ON MY BLOG HERE
Top tip: Planning a luxury safari in Kenya? Check out my top tips, itinerary and planning guides here!
17. Queenstown, New Zealand
Another sunny destination for the time of year and one of the best places to travel at Christmas if you’re going further afield! Loads of restaurants open for Christmas dinner and the New Year’s fireworks attract thousands of people from all over NZ. Start the summer season off in New Zealand with a bang! There’s so much to do in Queenstown, from hikes and walks to skydives and more!
- Check out my guide to Queenstown here.
- The best hikes in New Zealand
- The best things to do in New Zealand
- Working holiday visas in New Zealand: everything you need to know
EXPLORE NEW ZEALAND ON MY BLOG HERE
Top tip: Want to know how much you’ll spend when you’re in New Zealand? Check out my budgeting guide for New Zealand here!
18. Thailand
Why not try somewhere that doesn’t celebrate Christmas? As a predominantly Buddhist country, Christmas is only a national holiday in certain provinces. December is also a great time to visit Thailand weather-wise, with little to no rain and glorious sunshine! I absolutely loved my first backpacking adventure in Thailand. From volunteering in an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, to exploring Bangkok or holidaying in the islands, there’s so much to see and do here!
Top tip: Before you go backpacking, check out my top tips for solo travel in Southeast Asia here.
EXPLORE THAILAND ON MY BLOG HERE
Top tip: Looking to add adventure to your winter without travelling so far? Check out my top tips here.
19. Bali
If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know that I love Bali. So much so I’ve been 5 times! It’s one of the best places for wellness, and I know I’d rather be on a tropical beach in Uluwatu than staying in the grey UK any Christmas! From the cultural hub of Ubud to the relaxed vibes of Canggu, Bali is one of the best places to travel at Christmas if you’re looking for heat and relaxation…
- Check out my complete guide to exploring Bali here.
- The best things to do in Bali
- The best time to go to Bali: Which month is best?
- Where to stay in Bali – see Bali on a map
- A guide to exploring Ubud, Bali
Top tip: Before you go to Bali, make sure you check out my top tips for visiting Bali here!
Top tip: If you’re looking at visiting Indonesia, but not Bali, check out my guide to Nusa Lembongan here.
Where are the best places to travel at Christmas in your opinion?
Where have you been at Christmas and enjoyed? We’d love to know!
Love as always and happy adventuring,
Mollie
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