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The holiday season is upon us and a lot of people are looking to spend quality time with their friends and loved ones. Europe has a lot of great places to visit, especially during the winter period and we will try to give you the best choices out there. So here are the 15 best European places to visit in December.
1. Prague, Czech Republic
2. Vienna, Austria
One of the easiest choices for a trip in December is definitely Vienna. If you are looking for culture, exploring museums, opera houses, sightseeing, and history or just plain old shopping and enjoying the food and drinks this is the place to go. City’s first district is stunning and a visit to Stephansplatz is a must. Just down the street from that great cathedral is Vienna’s biggest opera house, Albertina. During the winter times, Albertina will live stream their Operas and concerts to the people on the streets so you can enjoy while strolling around. Museum Quarter is also right nearby and there is a lot of exhibitions for everybody. Arts and history and the natural museum are right across from each other and have one of the biggest collections in the world. For shopping and food Mariahilferstrasse is not going to let you down. The most popular street in Vienna includes stores of all kinds and a lot of restaurants and coffee places where you can just sit, relax and enjoy this beautiful city.
3. Zermatt, Switzerland
4. Budapest, Hungary
Hungary’s capital city is rich with history and culture, but it is also a modern city with a lot to offer. You can go days on end exploring its streets and cultural heritage, spend December days in lovely cafes and small corner pubs or go on wild parties. St. Stephen’s Basilica light show is definitely a sight to see, its old architecture combined with modern light shows and 3D animations is something you don’t want to miss out on. While strolling down the streets make sure to try a Langos which is Hungary’s most famous street food. This flatbread with garlic and cheese will keep your stomach warm on those cold December days.
5. Barcelona, Spain
The winter festivals in this city in Spain are a sight to see. Ranging in a variety of carnivals and fairs which last throughout the whole of December and later you will for sure not have a boring moment in this city. Handcrafted figurines sold by the local craftsman are a perfect Christmas present or a decoration for your living room. With its warm weather even in the winter period don’t expect to see a lot of snow, but for those who want to stay away from the cold Barcelona is the perfect place for a December trip. And if you can get your hands on a homemade paella which is a seafood delicacy this trip will be perfect.
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
7. Rovaniemi, Finland
8. Malta
For those of you looking to escape the cold nights of December, look no further. Malta has sunshine all year round and its mild climate might be a great place to run away from the cold. With a great deal of Mediterranean cuisine and homemade wine, this small island country is a foodies dream come true. Read more: Best Destinations for Solo Female Travelers in Europe Alongside a number of winter festivals, you can take a day trip to the island of Gozo and experience a mountain climbing adventure. With Malta being primarily a summer destination accommodation and travel arrangements are a lot easier to find during the winter period.
9. Venice, Italy
This romantic destination is great to visit any time of the year but it will give you a special look at this amazing old city in December. The Basilica of St. Marco is one of its most famous landmarks and getting around the city by gondolas will be a lot easier due to less crowded streets. The weather can get colder during the winter period so make sure to dress warmly, while going out to get a famous Italian cappuccino and a bignè al cioccolato which is a croissant filled with chocolate, one of the favorite breakfast food in Venice.
10. Amsterdam, Netherlands
11. Dublin, Ireland
What better to keep you warm than a nice glass of Irish whiskey? The capital of Ireland has a lot to offer, especially if you enjoy spending your time at a local pub talking about nothing and everything with the locals and having a large pint of beer. Visiting the Newgrange ancient tomb is a great way to spend some time looking into this country’s ancient history. The Hill of Tara which was the seating of the Irish kings is also something to consider. Also, make sure to check out St. Patrick’s Cathedral which stands in the heart of this city.
12. Lake Bled, Slovenia
This Alpine resort is a jewel of winter nature. Surrounded by mountains and forests this emerald lake represents all off the best that winter has to offer. With an ancient castle looking over this small picturesque town you can enjoy the amazing views with a glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate. Read more: How to Avoid Crowds in Europe Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia is just an hour away and is also one of the best places to visit in December. Vogel skiing resort is also right nearby and besides this favorite winter sport also offers a great number of thermal spas and relaxation centers.
13. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
This hidden gem of the Balkans has a lot to offer during the winter period. The city center is a world heritage site and its warm and inviting hosts will serve you up with some of the tastiest food and beverage that you can imagine. Cevapi with kajmak for dinner or burek for breakfast with a small cup of homemade coffee will warm up your heart the same as your belly. Surrounded by mountains you won’t have a problem with finding ski or snowboarding resorts. This is a place you will want to come back to over and over again.
14. St. Petersburg, Russia
15. Edinburgh, Scotland
Dancing Scotsmen on the streets and deep-fried Snickers bars, do you need anything more than that in your perfect December trip? This gothic city in Scotland is full of history and visiting the Edinburgh Castle should be on the top of your to-do list. If you are a fan of the Harry Potter series there are even more reasons to visit this amazing city. Most of the locations in the books and movies are based on Edinburgh itself and the cafe where this story started is one of the biggest tourist attractions. Of course, there are a lot of other cities and towns to visit in Europe but we tried to bring you 15 of the best. Visiting any of these wonderful places will not be a waste of your time. Happy holidays and enjoy your vacation.
