These cities feel like they were made to celebrate Christmas.
This time of year, the whole planet is in a festive mood, with spectacular decorations, towering trees and sparkling Christmas markets. There are, however, some places where the festive fairytale is taken to another level. From New York to Paris, these cities know how to celebrate Christmas in their own unique way.
Bruges, Belgium
About 80 km from Brussels, Bruges is a city that seems to have sprung from a medieval fairytale. Its medieval architecture remains intact and its historic center is a Unesco World Heritage Site. At Christmas it becomes even more beautiful. It’s hard to imagine a more romantic place to spend the holidays, as you wander the cobbled lanes and storybook canals, go ice skating on the Christmas market rink and warm up with a cupof Belgian hot chocolate.
Quebec City, Canada
The Old Town of Quebec is the only city in North America whose walls are stillin excellent condition. For this reason, it is a Unesco World Heritage Site. When the cobbled streets and the 16th- and 17th-century buildings are covered in snow, you feel as if you’re inside a living Christmas postcard.
Salzburg, Austria
Set at an elevation of 420 m, at the foot of the Alps, this fairytale city in west-central Austria leaves no one unmoved. Imagine a setting of lanes that transport you back in time, architecture that plays between Baroque and Renaissance, palacesand an impressive fortress gleaming high on the hill. Add to that the snow and Mozart’s melodies (Salzburg is the birthplace of the great composer) and you have the perfect Christmas escape.
Strasbourg, France
Home to France’s oldest Christmas market (since1570) and a gorgeous Old Town, this picturesque Alsatian city near the German border seems tailor-made for Christmas lovers. At this time of year, Strasbourg feels like a huge festive fair. Traditional wooden stalls filled with local specialties, sparkling ice rinks, concerts and cultural events bring the atmosphere to life. They dontcallit the capital of Christmas by accident.
Rovaniemi, Finland
Is there a better Christmas trip than a visit to Santa Claus’s village? With its all-white landscapes, snow-covered wooden cottages and intricate ice sculptures, there’s no doubt this Finnish citynear the Arctic Circle is the ideal place to get into the Christmas spirit. Reindeer- and husky-drawn sleigh rides and spectacular Northern Lights excursions make the travel experience even more exhilarating.
Paris
The City of Light shines even brighter at Christmas. From the beautifully decorated Champs-Élysées, the show-stopping window displays and the impressive Galeries Lafayette decor to skating with the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop and the Christmas markets set up in squares and in front of churches, Paris invites you to live the ultimate festive experience. World-class museums, bistros, patisseries, carousels and ice rinks in various corners of the city create an amazing Christmas atmosphere that’s hard to find elsewhere.
London
With Oxford Street lighting up from early November, London is always one of the first cities to kick off the festivities. The beloved metropolis knows how to stage pure holiday magic. Winter Wonderland (Winter Wonderland) in Hyde Park, skating at Somerset House and the Kew Gardens with the North Pole Village (North Pole Village) are some of the Christmas experiences you shouldn’t miss.
New York
Christmas-time New York is a thrilling experience worth living at least once in your life. From the famed Rockefeller Center ice rink andthe dazzling Fifth Avenue window displays tocarriage rides in Central Park, Broadway shows and the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, the American metropolis lives Christmas with all its heart and sweeps you along with it.
Prague
It’s hard not to fall in love with Prague at Christmas. In the Czech capital, the festive scene includes street musicians with trombones and cellos, boat rides on the Vltava, concerts in 18th-century churches and nights in jazz clubs. The historic center, the large market in Old Town Square with the masterpiece Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, the alleys of the historic Mala Strana district and, of course, the fairytale Castle will convince you that Prague is the perfect Christmas destination.
Vienna
Although Vienna is wonderful in every season, in most travelers’ minds it is synonymous with Christmas. The charm of the old town, the imposing palaces, the beautifully decorated Christmas markets, the romantic melodies, the fragrant strudels and the Viennese cafés give the city a magical dimension. Must experiences include a stroll through the market at City Hall Square (Rathausplatz) and the legendary Christmas concerts.
