Christmas in Europe is such a magical time of year. Spending the festive period somewhere new or even somewhere you’ve been before, wrapping up warm and cozy and discovering a new place whilst with your family or friends. I am yet to spend Christmas time in a new country but when I do I’m going to go all out. If you want to make the most out of your trip, there will be a few things to keep in mind and remember when booking your trip.
From dressing for the cold weather to planning the best itinerary for your Europe break, here are some of my top tips for celebrating Christmas in Europe!
With snow falling on the streets and the twinkle lights overhead, there is so much to love about spending some time in the Christmas markets in Europe especially with your loved ones. You can find one in almost every country in Europe, with quite a few across the UK.
Some of the best Christmas markets in the UK include Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool, with the rest including Vienna, Prague, Munich, Berlin and Nuremberg. There are so many across Europe on different dates so make sure you do your research before you go and the best time to visit the country you’re planning on visiting.
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The best part about spending Christmas in Europe is that each country has their own unique Christmas traditions. In France, they have the Le Reveillon de Noel, a Christmas Eve feast.
In Iceland, families exchange books on Christmas Eve to read before Christmas Day with some chocolates. Or they leave their shoes in the window on Christmas Eve and if they’ve been naughty they will receive a potato, or if they’ve been good they will receive a nice gift hidden in their shoe.
Also, in Austria at 4pm on Christmas Eve, people light up their Christmas trees for the first time and sing carols with family and friends.
Wherever you decide to go, research the country’s Christmas traditions and take part in them as much as possible. You’ll learn so much more about the local culture, and you might find a new tradition to bring home with you for your Christmas celebrations.
Winters in Europe are known to be freezing, so make sure you bring plenty of layers with you and wrap up warm. It is possible to even see some snow if the weather is the right temperature.
Ideally, you’ll want to pack a lot of oversized sweaters, heavy coats, fleece-lined leggings, knitted beanies, gloves and scarves. I would also recommend bringing snow boots to keep your toes nice and toasty and definitely make sure they are water resitant to keep your feet dry.
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Christmas time in Europe can get incredibly busy, despite the freezing temperatures. Make sure you book your trip in advance to ensure you get the best price on flights and hotels so it doesn’t cost you a fortune.
The downside is that airlines, hotels and tour operators will increase their prices at such a busy and demanding time of year so you need to be sure you get a good price. It’s also the time of year to find discounts on group tours, so if you are looking to travel with friends or family – now would be a good time.
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Daylight in some European countries are at it’s minimum during the winter so make sure you make the most of the daylight they have. If you’re trying to sightsee as much as possible, try to get up before the sun rises and make the most out of the limited time that you have.
Evenings are quite spectacular too so don’t hide away in your hotel room when the sun goes down. You may have a chance at seeing the Northern Lights in most countries like Norway and Iceland. The buildings and stalls will also be lit up with twinkling Christmas lights and you may even see the stars.
SHOP MY ESSENTIALS FOR CHRISTMAS IN EUROPE!
Images used in this post are my own and credit to Helena Jankovičová Kováčová and Daria Obymaha on Pexels.
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What are some of your top travel tips for Christmas in Europe? Did I miss anything out that you festive travellers need to know? Share your tips in the comments below.
Happy travels,
I’m dying to go away at christmas time to go and see all the Christmas markets! Especially in Germany!
Isobel x
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