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Our thoughts naturally turn to Europe for Christmas as we seek cozy vibes, Christmas lights and the rich, deep colors and textures of Europe’s pubs and dining rooms. Want to be utterly absorbed by the festive season? Our list of the best places in Europe for Christmas is below. And if you’re feeling the call of Europe more generally, consider our Harmony of Central Europe journey, or browse our selection of European and British journeys here.

1. Nuremberg

The central square of Nuremberg’s old town comes alive with sizzling Bratwurst, twinkling lights, gold foil angels, hand-carved ornaments and ceramic mugs of glühwein from the end of November. Return home with ornate tins of Nuremberg lebkuchen, the iconic honey-sweetened, spiced soft cookie.

Experience it For Yourself On: Harmony of Central Europe

2. Prague

Average temperatures are around 30°F, making a little dusting of snow on Prague’s Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance rooftops highly possible. The main Christmas markets are in the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square – warm up with potato pancakes, noodle soup and svařák (mulled wine).

3. Paris

It’s the City of Light all year long, so if you want somewhere that truly sparkles at Christmas, Paris never disappoints. Shop in majestic grands magasins and wander iconic boulevards with a chocolat chaud in hand. Then cozy up with red wine and cheese of an evening.

Read Next: The Best Restaurants in Paris and Where to Find Them

4. Bruges

This little fairytale town is easily one of the best places in Europe for Christmas. Expect cobbled streets, sugary waffles, chocolate shops, canals, ice rinks, light trails and more, and a central square that looks as though it’s made up of actual gingerbread houses.

5. Strasbourg

In Alsace, the northeastern region of France that borders Germany and Switzerland, Strasbourg is known as the Christmas capital of France. For the festive season, over 300 wooden chalets are dotted across this magical city. There are sweet treats galore, but don’t miss the Alsatian tarte flambée, like a very thin pizza topped traditionally with lardons, creme fraiche and cheese.

Read Next: This is How Ashford Castle Celebrates Christmas

6. Amsterdam

There are multiple Christmas markets across Amsterdam, making it one of the best places in Europe for Christmas. Stalls come bearing mulled wine, stroopwafels, poffertjes (little, fluffy, sugar-dusted pancakes), wheels of Dutch gouda, and – of course – cones of golden frites with mayonnaise.

7. Dublin

There is always great craic to be had in Ireland’s capital. The Guinness Storehouse pulls out all the stops. And the opportunities for Irish coffee in cozy pubs are endless. Consider making time for a Christmassy dip (yes, really, in the ocean) at the icy Forty Foot at Sandycove Beach.

Experience it For Yourself On: Ultimate Ireland

8. Canary Islands

If you happen to be in Europe for Christmas but prefer to forego the chance of snow, head to Lanzarote, Gran Canaria or Tenerife. Lanzarote’s otherworldly volcanic landscapes make it a Christmas destination like no other, and the local wine is good, too.

9. Cologne

Roncalliplatz is an epic place to visit in Europe at this time of year – the gothic spires of Cologne’s imposing cathedral overlook hundreds of twinkling red-roofed huts, all arranged around a giant Christmas tree.

10. Vienna

Nowhere does cozy coffee and cake quite like Vienna. Come for a slice of dense, glossy, gorgeous Sachertorte, stay for sparkling lights, ice skating and carousel rides in front of City Hall. And a heaping tray of bauerngröstl (an Alpine dish of potatoes, bacon and onions).

11. Copenhagen

Step right this way for festive hygge aplenty. The main Christmas markets in Copenhagen are at Tivoli Gardens (the charming and pleasingly kitsch old amusement park or ‘pleasure gardens’) and Nyhavn (along the iconic canal).

12. Budapest

The Vörösmarty Square Christmas market is extravagantly lit and full of sweet wooden stalls, particularly good if you’re in the market for Hungarian folk craft – beautiful tablecloths and embroidered tree ornaments. The basilica market is also nearby, with an ice rink, light show and program of performances.

11. Malaga

The Costa del Sol  is one of the best places to visit in Europe in December if you prefer your Christmas magic served mild (light jacket, no woolly hat). The streets are lively, fun and gorgeously lit and there are live performances (choirs, ballets, orchestras and more)  throughout the city every night.

12. Madeira

Known for its sweet, caramelly namesake wine and warm temperatures, Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal off the northwest coast of Africa. The Christmas lights in Funchal are always a treat and the midnight masses are legendary.

13. London

Take a red bus beneath the twinkling lights of Regent Street, go bauble shopping in Liberty, buy biscuit tins you’ll keep forever at Fortnum & Mason and ice skate at Somerset House. Talk about one of the best places in Europe for Christmas – London thrives under advent pressure.

Read Next: What to Wear to Dinner in London

European Christmas FAQs:

1. Where is the best place to go for Christmas in Europe?

Anywhere with a Christmas market, laced with twinkling lights, mugs of hot chocolate and the scent of caramelized sugar in the air will do it. There are plenty of such places on our list.

2. What is the most Christmassy town in Europe?

Lapland. Although in reality, this is not a town, but a region in northern Europe spanning parts of Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Russia.

3. Which country has the most beautiful Christmas in Europe?

Germany’s Christmas markets are adored and imitated the world over.

4. What is the warmest place in Europe in December?

While snow-sprinkled streets sparkle elsewhere, the Canary Islands – a Spanish archipelago which is geographically closer to Africa than Europe – tops the temperature chart, with average highs of 71.6°.

Hotels are forever upping their game, which means our luxury hotel bucket list keeps getting longer. How is yours looking? Here are some of the best new hotels in the world for 2025, the ones that are dazzling the rest with design, sustainability, amenities and a deep understanding of what it means for a guest to stay somewhere special.

1. Palazzo Talia – Rome, Italy

A short stroll from the Trevi Fountain, this luxurious Renaissance hotel has the grandeur to match the fountain itself, with its Baroque-style Carrara marble sculpture of Neptune in a shell chariot. Beneath impossibly high frescoed ceilings, guests rest, sleep and eat among Roman busts and Italian artworks. The rooms have a modern sensibility, though, with ancient marbles rubbing up happily against geometric tiles, straight lines and clean edges. The top-floor Talia Suite is a sprawl of splendor, wildly unique even among the best hotels worldwide, but every room is a box of treats. Our Ultimate Italy journey begins in Rome – arrive in town early for some palazzo time before we begin.

Credit @palazzo.talia on Instagram

2. Regent Santa Monica Beach Resort – Los Angeles, USA

Of all the best new hotels in Los Angeles, it’s this one that has the industry abuzz, because it’s exactly the beachfront oasis LA has been crying out for. This is a SoCal stay like no other, with sparkling views out to the Pacific, palm tree skylines, vivid orange sunsets, plus illustrious breakfasts on the terrace (lobster benedict, cinnamon toast crunch, for instance) and long, luxurious Hollywood-standard facials in the Guerlain spa. Rooms and suites are light, bright, breezy spaces that let the ocean do the talking. The hotel is a few sandy steps from the iconic Santa Monica pier.

Credit @regentsantamonica on Instagram

3. Six Senses at the Whiteley – London, UK

We like to keep our accommodations classic on our British Royale and Castles and Kingdomsjourneys but we always have an eye on the best new hotels in London. Among them this year is the London debut from one of the pioneers of luxury hotels. The building is a restored art deco emporium (it was London’s first department store 130 years ago). Upstairs, there are 109 rooms and 14 residences, each decorated in soothing tones and adorned with sumptuous furniture, frondy ferns and wonderful ‘sensory showers’. And downstairs is the spa, inspired by old underground stations, but blessed with saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools, aerial yoga, cryotherapy and flotation. This will be one of the top hotels for slowing down in one of the world’s fastest cities.

Credit @sixsenseslondon on Instagram

4. Rosewood Schloss Fuschl – Austria

On the alpine shores of Salzburg’s Lake Fuschl, one of the best new hotels this year graces the lush skyline like a fairytale castle. The building itself is a centuries-old retreat historically visited by royals and cultural luminaries looking for peace and divine inspiration. Now, it emerges as one of the world’s top hotels, thanks to elegant chalets with lake views and butlers, sunrise yoga, paddleboarding, authentic Salzkammergut cuisine, and Rosewood’s unblemished record for creating gorgeous spas. The interiors celebrate the Old Masters, with Renaissance paintings adding to a dreamy atmosphere. Sustainability efforts include the Schloss Fuschl bee colony, which supports local honey production. Our Harmony of Central Europe journey – through Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and the Czech Republic – features a stay in Salzburg.

Credit @rwschlossfuschl on Instagram

5. Maison Barrière Vendôme – Paris, France

There are just 26 rooms, suites, and apartments at this quietly luxurious hotel between Place Vendôme and the Jardin des Tuileries, and each of them is dedicated to an iconic muse. The three Vendôme Apartments embody the free and daring spirits of Nina Simone, Bette Davis and Agatha Christie with their brilliant views of cinematic Paris, while the Grande Suite Marlene Dietrich is bathed in a golden Hollywood glow. It’s a chic, restful place, and one of the best new hotels in Paris for sheer personality. The restaurant, Frida, brings much-needed color, candlelight, drama and guacamole to central Paris.

Credit @maisonbarriere.vendome

6. Brach Madrid – Madrid, Spain

In the heart of magnificent Madrid, on the epic Gran Via, Brach is the latest of a clutch of luxury hotels designed by Philippe Starck. His story for the hotel is of a man with such longing for a woman that he fills every space with sentimental objects – so there are little surprises scattered throughout, and every fabric, pattern and material has been selected to tell a story of love. Rooms and suites are divine treasure troves and the La Capsule spa is a true sanctuary in the city. The Parisian patisserie lures passers-by from the pavements, with its classic Paris-Brests, and with French pastries given a Madrileño twist (almond, honey, turron).

7. Ran Baas The Palace – Patiala, India

We adore our visits to Maharaja palaces on our Imperial Rajasthan journey, so this one was firmly on our radar before it opened. Originally, Ran Baas was a royal guesthouse occupying one wing of the 10-acre Qila Mubarak complex. Now, it’s one of the best new hotels in the world – and its uber-white facade is incredible to behold. Within, there’s more white, but also marble floors from Rajasthan with black marquina inlay work, gilded frescoes, silk carpets and crystal chandeliers. It feels sumptuous and smooth. Breakfast is a lavish treat to be savored: tea, pastries, fruit, cheese and ceramic jars of fruit murabbas.

Credit @ranbaasthepalace_patiala on Instagram

Nothing gets the food-motivated among us gossiping, plotting and planning quite like a galaxy of new Michelin star restaurants. Here, we introduce you to a few of our favorite newly starred spots of 2025, so you can get your reservations in ASAP, and adjust your travel plans accordingly.

1. Chishuru – London, UK

Of the 12 new Michelin star restaurants in London in 2025, Chishuru is a firm favorite. This west African restaurant in glitzy Fitzrovia started life as a pop-up neighbourhood spot in Brixton, south London, winning diners over with flavor and care. The name Chishuru refers to the hush that falls over the table when the food is so good nobody wants to speak. The modern Michelin star incarnation lives in a space that’s soft and sleek, with cosy carved wood, golden light, peachy terrazzo tables and a very inviting atmosphere. Chef Joké Bakare is a formidable chef, a force for deliciousness. If our British Royale or Castles & Kingdoms itineraries are on your horizon, make your reservations now.

Credit @chisuru on Instagram

2. Vaisseau – Paris, France

In the 2025 Michelin Guide, the Île-de-France region (which encompasses Paris) had the highest number of new Michelin star restaurants. In Paris, other new stars went to Aldehyde, where young chef Youssef Marzouk fuses French traditions with Tunisian flavors and Hakuba, a Japanese restaurant with an all-star cast of chefs. Our pick here, Vaisseau, is French TV chef Adrien Cachot’s monochromatic, youthful space for flexing his interest in unconventional ingredients and unexpected pairings, like lentils with coffee or spider crab with anise. A signature dish is the cacio e pepe mochi. If you’ve booked the Ultimate France journey with us and want your Paris sojourn to include an adventurous tasting menu with tons of personality, Vaisseau is the one to book.

Credit @adriencachot on Instagram

3. Vineria Modi – Taormina, Italy

Across Italy, there were 36 new Michelin star restaurants in 2025. Vineria Modi is located in the impossibly gorgeous historic centre of Taormina, on the east coast of Sicily. Taormina is where the second season of White Lotus was filmed – true to those scenes, it’s a place that oozes beauty and glamor. Vineria Modi started as a wine bar and remains a wonderful choice for wine aficionados, thanks to a thrilling wine list and enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff. Now, chef Dalila Grillo will prepare six or seven intricate courses to enjoy alongside your wine, each plate with beauty to befit its surroundings. Every dish is laced with Sicilian flavor, and the chef’s own personality. Grillo’s brother oversees the front of house.

Credit @vineriamodi_taormina on Instagram

4. MAE – Barcelona, Spain

In a modern, pale pink and green dining room, three friends are doing something special at one of the hot new Michelin star restaurants in Barcelona. The name MAE is taken from a Costa Rican colloquial term for ‘friend’, a perfect encapsulation of the concept, which draws on the cultures, tastes and experiences of the trio – Mariella Rodríguez (Costa Rica), Diego Mondragón (Colombia) and Germán Espinosa (Spain). The Grand Mae menu is an intensely wonderful journey through 16 plates featuring seamless, dreamy fusion dishes like cuttlefish tartare with jalapeno gazpacho, asparagus with smoked eel and green mole, and fermented strawberries with tepache (a fermented drink made from the peel and the rind of pineapples).

Credit @mae.restaurant on Instagram

5. Crizia – Buenos Aires, Argentina

In Argentina, the culinary scenes of Buenos Aires and Mendoza are thriving – there were three new Michelin star restaurants across the two cities this year. At Crizia, chef Gabriel Oggero is famed for sourcing from producers across the country and for his deft preparation of seafood. Consequently, the Crizia oyster bar is a thrill: beautiful oysters from Patagonia, served Rockefeller (gratinéed with parmesan, spinach and cream), or tempura (in brioche buns with radish cream and seaweed caviar), or raw with yuzu. You can then choose from appetisers from the ocean and appetisers that are farm-raised or orchard-grown, before you move on to mains from the wood oven. There is plenty more exceptional dining on our Classic South America journey, which visits Argentina, Brazil and Chile.

Credit @criziarestaurant on Instagram

6. Texture – Copenhagen, Denmark

There is incredible technical precision at play at this calming little French fine dining restaurant in central Copenhagen. As the name suggests, chefs focus on texture as well as flavor here; from the glassware and linens to the silky, velvety, crunchy textures of the food itself – everything has been considered. Plates are intricately balanced – there are lobster and crab doughnuts with imperial selection caviar, langoustine tartare with lavender cream and clams, cold tomato consomme with rose. Chef Karim Khouani hails from Marseille, with an Italian mother and a Moroccan father, so you may notice these influences, too. The petits fours plate includes an orange blossom tart that is reminiscent of Khoani’s childhood in Marseille – and is reason alone to book a table.

Credit @restaurant_texture_ on Instagram

7. LYLA – Edinburgh, Scotland

Our Castles & Kingdoms voyagers will also adore this elegant new Michelin star restaurant within a Georgian townhouse. LYLA’s tasting menu is a vibrant celebration of the wonderful line caught fish and sustainable shellfish available across the Scottish Isles. But before that, an unforgettable evening at LYLA begins upstairs, with views over the Firth of Forth, with Champagne and snacks (Peterhead lobster with pickled kohlrabi and sake, for instance). Only then are guests seated for 10 courses in the main dining room, beneath coffered ceilings and ornate cornicing, with all eyes on the open kitchen.

Credit @lylaedinburgh on Instagram