13 Beautiful Christmas Towns in Europe That Feel Like Pure Holiday Magic

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If you visit one of the best Christmas towns in Europe, you can expect to find streets covered in magical Christmas decorations, tall Christmas trees, festive events, and Christmas markets bursting at the seams with sweet treats, traditional foods, and unique gifts. With so much on offer, it’s no surprise millions of people visit Europe at Christmas every year.

However, with many exceptional places to visit, finding the best place to spend Christmas takes time and effort. Luckily, we’re here to help. Below, you’ll find 12 of the best European towns for Christmas. The towns we’ve selected are renowned for their Christmas markets, rich traditions, and festive decorations.

Hallstatt, Austria

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In Hallstatt, you’ll spend your European Christmas escape admiring snow-covered Alpine mountains, walking along the shores of the picturesque Lake Hallstatt, hiking in dense forests, and experiencing local traditions in the heart of the town, just three hours from Vienna. Better yet, you can enjoy Hallstatt without the large crowds that descend on the UNESCO World Heritage site in spring and summer.

At Christmas, Hallstatt’s scenic streets are smothered in decorations, while a Christmas market is opened in the town square. Here, you can pick up last-minute gifts for your friends and family, meet the locals, and sample local food and drink. Take your camera to Hallstatt because you don’t want to miss the opportunity to snap the impressive natural scenery and traditional Alpine architecture.

Interlaken, Switzerland

In Interlaken, the scent of wood fires, beautifully decorated fir trees, and atmospheric Christmas markets remind visitors that the town is one of the best places in Europe for a Christmas break. As if the resort town’s traditional architecture, breathtaking scenery, and lush parkland weren’t enough, Interlaken becomes a winter wonderland at Christmas.

Here, you can enjoy all the typical things we love during the festive season. You can overindulge in sweet treats, explore arts and crafts markets, try new foods, and admire the glitz and glamor of the bright Christmas lights and decorations. However, Interlaken also presents travelers with the opportunity to do something crazy. Even at Christmas, weather-dependent, tourists can skydive. Imagine how impressive the snowy lakeside town looks from above.

Fort William, Scotland

12 Train Rides for Fall Foliage in the World West Highland Line Scotland - Glasgow to Mallaig — © Shu / Adobe Stock

Fort William is one of Europe’s best Christmas towns for travelers seeking outdoor adventure, Christmas activities, and local traditions. In Fort William, you can spend your vacation exploring the Christmas market, eating traditional British pub grub, attending Christmas-themed events, and hiking in the Scottish Highland’s mesmerizing scenery, which includes Ben Nevis, the United Kingdom’s tallest peak. Do not miss Hogmanay, the Scottish celebration of the New Year.

Conveniently, Fort William also offers easy access to many of Scotland’s famous attractions, such as Glenfinnan Viaduct, which was famously featured in the Harry Potter movies, the ultimate Christmas-time watch. In fact, you can ride a steam train across the viaduct, just like Harry Potter, from Fort William. After a busy day exploring, sit by a roaring fire with a beer.

Hay-on-Wye, Wales

You can call me biased because I live in Wales, but Hay-on-Wye is one of the best Christmas towns in Europe. This is an excellent alternative to the crowds at the festivities in London. This charming town in South Wales has everything, from cozy cafes serving luxury hot chocolates and magical bookstores covered in Christmas decorations to fascinating Christmas markets hosted by local producers and unique attractions.

You’ll likely spend most of your time in Hay-on-Wye exploring the Christmas Fayre and local food market. However, the town has plenty to see, including Hay Castle, Richard Booth’s Bookshop Cinema, the Lion Street Gallery, and the 24/7 Honesty Bookshop. You can also enjoy a scenic stroll along the River Wye. You should also try some traditional British pub grub in a local pub.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Famed for hosting one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in Germany and its marvelous medieval architecture, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is easily one of the best Christmas towns in Europe. Straight out of a Disney fairytale, this magical destination is a sight to behold at Christmas. Like most German Christmas markets, it is open as of mid-November for the four weekends before Christmas.

The vibrant medieval architecture that lines the narrow cobblestone streets looks spectacular, adorned with bright lights and decorations. Meanwhile, the Rothenburger Reiterlesmarkt is a haven for Christmas cheer and spirit. You can shop for last-minute gifts, drink mulled wine, eat bratwurst, and listen to live music. What’s not to like? Oh, and don’t forget to visit Castle Garden, Plönlein, and the German Christmas Museum.

Annecy, France

Weekend Getaways in France Annecy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes — © Santosha57 / Adobe Stock

Like Rothenburg od der Tauber, Annecy, an Alpine town in southeastern France, is much loved for its vibrant medieval architecture. However, Annecy’s position on the Thiou River and alongside Lake Annecy also adds to its allure, especially at Christmas season, when the town transforms into a winter wonderland. While Strasbourg, the capital of Christmas and the oldest Christmas market, usually takes the spotlight, Annecy has much to offer.

When you’re not walking around Lake Annecy, enjoying a romantic stroll along the Thiou River, or admiring the snow-capped Alpine mountains, get lost exploring the festive streets in Old Town Annecy. You’ll find beautifully decorated medieval buildings, an ice rink, live concerts, and more across the town. You’ll also find magnificent displays and exhibitions in the churches and local theater. Sounds perfect, right?

Valkenburg, Netherlands

Valkenburg is the go-to European Christmas town if you want to create memorable experiences for your entire family. This picturesque town in the Southern Netherlands takes Christmas super seriously and promises visitors the ultimate Christmas experience. Across the town, you’ll find bright lights, Christmas-themed parties, and beautiful decorations.

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However, the town’s Christmas markets are the main highlight. At Christmas, Valkenburg’s streets are filled with stalls selling handmade gifts and food, but the best Christmas market is found underground in the Caves of Valkenburg. This market transports visitors into a winter wonderland that features Santa meet and greets, miniature villages, bright decorations, and Christmas stories. As you would expect, this market is a big hit with families.

Haugesund, Norway

In Haugesund, a town on the North Sea in Rogaland County, Norway, festive travelers can experience lively Christmas markets, colorful decorations, festive parties, and Norway’s outstanding natural beauty. Topping things off nicely, it’s not uncommon for snow to descend on the city in December, which only adds to the town’s allure at Christmas.

Wrap up warm and spend your time in the town walking along the waterfront, admiring Christmas decorations, visiting local attractions, and exploring the Christmas market. Make sure you take a photograph under the tall Christmas tree and buy yourself a fragrant mulled wine to warm up. When exploring Haugesund, keep your eyes peeled for Haraldshaugen, the Viking Planet, and Den Lille Bokbutikken.

Selfoss, Iceland

If you want to spend your Christmas exploring the great outdoors, eating traditional cuisine, and escaping the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, look no further than Selfoss, a breathtaking town in Southern Iceland best known for its impressive scenery. From Selfoss, you can quickly visit iconic destinations like Selfoss Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park, and Kerid Crater.

After a busy day of exploring, kick back in a cafe or restaurant with a hot chocolate and something to eat. Alternatively, make the short drive to Reykjavik to explore the Christmas market and dance the night away along Laugavegur Street. A neat bonus to spending Christmas in Selfoss is an increased chance of spotting the Northern Lights.

Durbuy, Belgium

Christmas in Durbuy, a charming town in Eastern Belgium, is a wonderland for families and couples looking for relaxed vibes, festive events, and exciting Christmas markets. Every year, this remarkable town comes to life with the most amazing bright lights, which only make the town’s medieval buildings look more impressive. While most visitors flock to Bruges, the old town square in Durbuy is magical this time of year.

The town welcomes visitors to an annual Christmas village encompassing most of the historic center. Walking through the historic streets, you’ll pass aisles of crafts stalls, alcohol stands, food stalls, and more. This is the perfect place to grab a waffle and pick up any last-minute presents you forgot to buy. The market also features an ice skating rink, a luxury outdoor food and drinks bar, and a VIP stand.

Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, you’ll find a charming medieval town and winter wonderland called Český Krumlov, just two hours from Prague. In December, this beautiful town becomes one of Europe’s best Christmas towns, offering travelers snow-kissed streets, local Christmas traditions, and a fascinating Christmas market. This outstanding Christmas market is in the heart of the town’s UNESCO-listed historic center.

Surrounded by fairytale-esque properties, there is much to see and do at the market. You can peruse the stalls for last-minute Christmas gifts, sip on mulled wine or hot punch, indulge in the town’s delicious Christmas cookies and gingerbread biscuits, and listen to live music and Czech Christmas carols. You can also visit iconic attractions like the 13th-century castle, the Church of St. Vitus, and Cloak Bridge.

Bled, Slovenia

We don’t know about you, but the fact that Bled hosts a Christmas market called the Bled Winter Fairytale already tells us the Slovenian town is one of the best towns in Europe to spend Christmas. Can things get any better than a magical Christmas market surrounded by the breathtaking lake that is Lake Bled? We don’t think so!

At the Bled Winter Fairytale, located on the Lakeside Promenade, you’ll find magnificent Christmas decorations, outstanding views, wooden stalls offering a wide range of festive food, drink, and gifts, and traditional Slovenian souvenirs and decorations made by local artisans. After exploring the Christmas market, you might also be pleased to hear that Bled offers many outdoor activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, and snowshoeing.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Rovaniemi, in Finnish Lapland, is the official hometown of Santa Claus and one of the best places to experience Christmas in Europe. The Santa Claus Village is open all year, but during Christmas, it is also covered in snow and Christmas magic. Other than meeting Santa, you can cross the Arctic Circle and send a postcard from Santa’s official post office.

Explore local Christmas markets for handmade gifts and enjoy activities like reindeer sleigh rides, dog sledding, and seeing the Northern Lights. For a true winter wonderland, Rovaniemi is tough to beat.