Christmas in Europe is the kind of trip that stays with you. Historic squares fill with market stalls, the air smells of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine, and cities that are busy all year slow down and light up. Head into the Alps and the same season looks completely different, with snow on the rooftops and quiet villages glowing after dark.
December is also one of the most atmospheric times to travel. Cities put up their decorations early, historic squares fill with stalls and music, and even landmarks you have seen in photographs a hundred times look different once the lights come on. The crowds are different too. Popular sights still draw visitors, but the pace feels slower and the mood more relaxed than in peak summer.
The good news is that you do not have to pick just one place. Europe's cities are close enough that you can see several in a single trip, and each one celebrates in its own way. This guide covers the best European cities to visit at Christmas, what each is like in December, and which of Gantu's Europe tour packages cover them. If you are comparing the best Christmas destinations in Europe, it should help you narrow down a trip that fits your dates and interests.
Why Visit Europe at Christmas?
Europe takes Christmas seriously, and it is one of the best Christmas holiday destinations for travellers who want lights, history and snow in one trip. Squares are decorated weeks in advance, markets sell hot food and handmade gifts, and the big landmarks look different after dark. Add snow in the Alps and you get scenery that is hard to match at any other time of year.
There is a practical side too. December is cold, the sun sets early (often before 5 pm in northern cities), and many shops and attractions shut or cut their hours on 24 and 25 December. None of this should put you off, but it does mean packing properly and checking opening times before you go.
A multi-city trip also suits the season well. Each city celebrates in its own way, so moving between two or three gives you a much better sense of Christmas in Europe than staying in one place. On a guided tour, someone else handles the transport between cities, which is a real advantage when it is cold and dark by late afternoon.
Best European Cities to Visit at Christmas
Paris, France
Paris is the obvious first choice, and it earns the reputation. The Champs-Élysées is strung with lights, department store windows turn into small theatre sets, and the Eiffel Tower looks best after dark. A Seine cruise is a good way to see it all from the water, and Disneyland Paris is a popular add-on for families.
Gantu's Paris to Zurich tour opens in Paris with a city tour, a visit to the second level of the Eiffel Tower and a Seine River cruise. An optional Paris Illumination Night Tour and a Disneyland Paris day are also on offer.
Zurich and the Swiss Alps, Switzerland
If you want snow, head to Switzerland. Zurich's old town sits on the lake and is pleasant to walk in winter, while Lucerne, about an hour away, has the wooden Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument. For a proper mountain view, Mt. Titlis has a rotating cable car and a Cliff Walk high above the valley. Grindelwald and Interlaken add the village feel that people picture when they think of the Alps.
All of these are part of the same Paris to Zurich tour, which finishes in Switzerland.
Amsterdam, Netherlands, with a stop in Brussels
Amsterdam is calmer than the bigger capitals in December. The canals are lit in the evenings, the cafés are warm, and a canal cruise gives you a quiet look at the city. Dam Square is the busiest spot. On the way there, the tour stops in Brussels for the Grand Place, one of the most photographed squares in Europe.
Both cities are stops on the Paris to Zurich tour, so they fit easily alongside France and Switzerland.
Rome and Venice, Italy
Christmas in Italy has a more traditional, religious feel. Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica draw crowds from around the world at this time of year, and the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain are worth seeing in the cooler weather. Venice is much quieter in winter. St. Mark's Square and the canals are easier to enjoy without the summer crowds.
Gantu's Rome to Paris tour covers Vatican City, a Rome city tour, Pisa, Florence and a Venice Vaporetto ride before heading north to Paris. Opening hours around 24 and 25 December can change, so check the Vatican and Colosseum schedules in advance.
London, United Kingdom
London goes big at Christmas. Shopping streets are decorated, there are seasonal markets and ice rinks, and the West End is busy. The main sights are just as good as ever: Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Big Ben and the London Eye.
The Zurich to London tour reaches London at the end of the route, after Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Paris. The Eurostar carries you from Paris to London, and the London leg includes the London Eye and Madame Tussauds.
Reykjavík, Iceland
Iceland is a different kind of Christmas trip. There are no big markets here. What you get instead is long winter nights, which is exactly what the Northern Lights need, along with geothermal pools and a landscape that looks even more dramatic in winter.
Iceland at its Best with Northern Lights is a 10-day trip that includes a Northern Lights bus tour with hot cocoa, the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle and a glacier ice-tunnel experience. As with any aurora trip, sightings depend on weather and cannot be guaranteed.
How to Combine Several Cities in One Trip: Best Christmas Destinations Europe
Picking one city is hard, and you do not have to. Gantu's Europe tours already link several of the cities above into one route, using coach travel between destinations and the Eurostar for the Paris to London leg. They are fixed group itineraries, so the route, hotels and sightseeing are planned for you. Here is how the three main routes work.
Paris to Zurich: 10 days, 9 nights
The Paris to Zurich tour is the shortest of the three and a good first Europe trip. It runs through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland.
- Paris (Days 1 to 3): arrive, transfer to a 4-star hotel and have an Indian dinner on the first evening. The days that follow include a Paris city tour with the Eiffel Tower (second level) and a Seine River cruise, plus a Disneyland Paris day or a free day. An optional Paris Illumination Night Tour is available.
- Brussels and Amsterdam (Days 4 and 5): stop at the Grand Place, Manneken Pis and the Atomium, then continue to Amsterdam for a city tour, a canal cruise and an option to visit the windmills at Zaanse Schans.
- Cologne and Frankfurt (Day 6): a visit to Cologne Cathedral, then an overnight stay in Frankfurt.
- Black Forest and Zurich (Day 7): a drive through the Black Forest and a stop at the Rhine Falls before reaching Zurich.
- Swiss Alps (Days 8 and 9): Grindelwald and Interlaken (with an optional Jungfraujoch excursion), then Mt. Titlis and Lucerne.
- Departure (Day 10): transfer to Zurich Airport.
Zurich to London: 12 days, 11 nights
The Zurich to London tour covers a similar route in the other direction and adds London.
- Zurich and the Alps (Days 1 to 3): an Indian dinner on arrival, then Grindelwald and Interlaken and a day at Mt. Titlis and Lucerne.
- Germany and the Netherlands (Days 4 to 6): the Rhine Falls and Black Forest on the way to Frankfurt, Cologne Cathedral, then Amsterdam, with a city tour and a canal cruise.
- Brussels and Paris (Days 7 to 9): a stop in Brussels, a Paris city tour with the Eiffel Tower and a Seine cruise, and a Disneyland Paris or leisure day.
- London (Days 10 to 12): the Eurostar from Paris to London, an orientation tour of the main landmarks, the London Eye and Madame Tussauds, then a transfer to Heathrow Airport.
Rome to Paris: 14 days, 13 nights
The Rome to Paris tour is the longest route and the most complete.
- Rome (Days 1 and 2): an Indian dinner on arrival, then the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica, followed by a city tour with the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Roman Forum.
- Pisa, Florence and Venice (Days 3 and 4): the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a viewpoint stop over Florence, then Venice with a Vaporetto ride, St. Mark's Square, the Doge's Palace and an optional gondola ride.
- Innsbruck, Liechtenstein and Switzerland (Days 5 to 7): Vaduz, Swarovski Crystal World and Innsbruck's Old Town, then Zurich with Grindelwald, Interlaken, Mt. Titlis and Lucerne.
- Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium (Days 8 to 11): the Rhine Falls and Black Forest, Frankfurt, Cologne Cathedral, Amsterdam and Brussels.
- Paris (Days 12 to 14): a Disneyland Paris or leisure day, a Paris city tour with the Eiffel Tower and a Seine cruise, then departure. An optional Paris Illumination Night Tour is available.
Departure dates differ for each package, so check the package page or enquire about dates that suit your festive-season plans.
When to Book and Practical Tips
- Book early. December flights and hotels get expensive and fill up quickly.
- Decide between early December and Christmas week. Early December still has the markets and fewer crowds. Christmas week feels more festive but has more closures.
- Pack warm. Thermal layers, a proper coat, gloves, a hat and waterproof shoes with good grip make a big difference.
- Sort your visas. Most of these destinations fall under the Schengen visa. The UK needs a separate one, so apply early if London is on your route.
- Plan around closures. Check opening hours for 24 and 25 December, and book popular attractions ahead of time.
Why Plan Your Europe Trip with Gantu
Gantu takes care of the parts of a long trip that are easy to get wrong. Here is what you can expect from its Europe tour packages:
- Hotels: 4-star stays on the European routes (3-star in London on the Zurich to London tour), arranged for every night of the trip.
- Airport transfers: you are met on arrival and taken to the airport on the last day.
- Transport between cities: coach travel on the European routes, and the Eurostar between Paris and London.
- Guided sightseeing: city tours and key attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Vatican, Mt. Titlis and the London Eye are built into the itineraries.
- Meals as listed: breakfast and dinner are listed for most days on the European routes, starting with an Indian dinner on arrival. Jain and vegetarian options are available.
- Tour manager: an Indian tour manager (Hindi and English) travels with the group.
- Optional tours: the Paris Illumination Night Tour, Disneyland Paris, a Venice gondola ride and the Jungfraujoch excursion are optional extras and are not part of the package price.
- Clear itineraries: each package page shows the day-by-day plan, hotels and included activities before you book.
You can browse the full range of Europe tour packages and pick the route that matches your dates and interests.
Conclusion
Europe in December rewards almost any itinerary, and the best European Christmas destinations each offer something different. Paris gives you lights, Switzerland gives you snow, Rome gives you history, and Iceland gives you a chance at the Northern Lights. Choose the cities that appeal to you most, book early, and plan for the cold.
