Where to go for Christmas abroad: top festive destinations

Every year, roughly 4.5 million Brits spend Christmas abroad — and once you've swapped a grey December drizzle for fairy-lit cobblestones, mulled wine in a medieval square, or a beach sunset with a cold beer, it's very hard to go back. Whether you're after a classic European Christmas market, winter sun, or something completely different, there's a festive trip out there that beats sitting on the M25 in the dark. Here's where to actually go — with honest advice on costs, logistics, and what it's really like.

---

Vienna, Austria: the gold standard of Christmas markets

If Christmas had a capital city, Vienna would probably win the vote. The Viennese take their markets (Christkindlmärkte) seriously — there are around 20 across the city, running from mid-November through to 26th December. The one in front of the Rathaus (City Hall) is the biggest and most famous, but locals tend to prefer the quieter market at Schönbrunn Palace or the charming Spittelberg market in the 7th district, which has better craft stalls and slightly less tourist crush.

What it's actually like: Vienna in December is cold — expect 0–5°C — so pack properly. It's also genuinely beautiful. Think roasted chestnuts, glasses of Glühwein for around €3–4, and baroque architecture lit up at night.

Getting there: Flights from London to Vienna typically run £80–£200 return depending on how far ahead you book. December is peak season, so book early. You can search for the best price using the flight tool on our site.

Where to stay: The 1st district puts you in the heart of everything, but budget travellers should look at Mariahilf (6th district) — a short tram ride from the main markets, with hotels from around £70–£90 per night. You can compare options on our site.

The honest downside: It's popular. Very popular. Weekends in mid-December can feel overwhelming. If you can go midweek, do.

---

New York City, USA: Christmas as you've seen it in the films

Yes, it's a cliché — but New York at Christmas actually lives up to the hype. The Rockefeller Center tree, ice skating in Central Park, the window displays on Fifth Avenue, the Christmas market at Union Square — it's all real, and it's genuinely magical. Manhattan in December smells like roasted nuts and looks like a film set.

What it's actually like: It is expensive, and it is cold (expect -2°C to 8°C in December). Crowds are significant from mid-December through New Year. That said, if you go in early December — say the 1st to the 15th — it's noticeably quieter and more enjoyable.

The best neighbourhoods to explore: Don't just stick to Midtown. The West Village and Brooklyn's DUMBO neighbourhood are beautiful in Christmas lights, much less hectic, and full of independent restaurants worth the detour.

Getting there: Transatlantic flights from UK airports to New York typically run £350–£700 return in December — book months ahead for the cheaper end. Check our flight search for current prices.

Where to stay: Midtown is convenient but pricey. Look at hotels in the Lower East Side or Long Island City (just one subway stop from Midtown) — expect to pay £120–£200 per night for a decent hotel.

One essential tip: Get travel insurance before you fly — US healthcare is eye-wateringly expensive, and no UK traveller should arrive in America without solid cover. Don't treat it as optional.

---

Lapland, Finland: the one for families (or the big kid in you)

If you want to make Christmas genuinely feel like Christmas, Finnish Lapland — specifically the area around Rovaniemi, which sits right on the Arctic Circle — is in a category of its own. This is where Father Christmas officially lives, according to the Finns, and the experience of seeing the Northern Lights, reindeer herding, husky sledding, and snowmobile rides across a frozen landscape is absolutely unlike anything else.

What it's actually like: Rovaniemi is small — you can walk the town centre in 20 minutes — and it exists almost entirely for winter tourism. That's fine; it does it well. Temperatures regularly hit -15°C or colder. The Northern Lights aren't guaranteed (clear skies needed), but your chances are good in late November through January.

For families: Santa Claus Village is genuinely wonderful for small children. Yes, it's commercial; yes, it's expensive. But watching a five-year-old meet Father Christmas in a log cabin in the snow, surrounded by real reindeer, is pretty hard to put a price on.

Getting there: Direct flights from London to Rovaniemi aren't always available — you may connect through Helsinki. Budget around £250–£500 return per person in December. Use our flight search to compare routes.

Tours and experiences: Husky safaris, Northern Lights snowmobile tours, and reindeer farm visits can all be booked in advance — you can browse and book Lapland tours directly on our site, which is worth doing early as December slots sell out fast.

Data roaming tip: If you're heading to Finland, grab an Airalo eSIM before you travel — it's a fraction of the cost of roaming charges and works seamlessly across Scandinavia.

---

Marrakech, Morocco: for something completely different

Not everyone wants cold. If you'd rather spend Christmas somewhere warm, atmospheric, and genuinely unlike anything in Europe, Marrakech makes a strong case for itself. December temperatures sit around a pleasant 18–20°C, the city is buzzing without the full heat of summer, and the souks are at their most atmospheric when the cooler evenings send everyone into the medina's narrow lanes.

What it's actually like: Marrakech doesn't celebrate Christmas, which is part of the appeal — it's just a normal December day, and you can either seek out the handful of riad hotels and restaurants putting on festive dinners, or ignore Christmas entirely and explore the city on its own terms.

Where to stay: Stay in the medina for the full experience — riads in the Mouassine or Kennaria neighbourhoods are characterful, often beautiful, and run from around £50–£120 per night for a double room. You can compare riad options on our site.

The honest downside: Marrakech requires patience. The medina can be overwhelming — touts, narrow streets, sensory overload. It's not relaxing in the traditional sense. But if you lean in rather than fight it, it's endlessly fascinating.

Getting there: Flights from UK airports run roughly £80–£180 return in December — one of the more affordable long-weekend options on this list.

---

Tallinn, Estonia: the underrated European Christmas city

While everyone else queues for Glühwein in Prague or Bruges, Tallinn sits quietly at the top of everyone's "should have gone there" list. Estonia's capital has one of the most perfectly preserved medieval old towns in Europe, a Christmas market that dates back centuries, and prices that feel like a step back in time compared to Western Europe.

What it's actually like: The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in December it's dusted with snow and lit up with Christmas lights — it looks almost impossibly photogenic. The central market on Town Hall Square is small but genuine, with local food, handicrafts, and the usual mulled wine (called hõõgvein here). Temperatures hover around -3°C to 3°C in December.

The practical stuff:

• Flights from London typically run £80–£160 return in December

• Hotels in the Old Town from around £60–£100 per night

• Budget for food: you can eat extremely well for £15–20 per person at dinner in a decent restaurant

• The local currency is the euro, so no exchange headaches

Why it beats the obvious choices: It's quieter than Vienna, Prague, or Bruges. You'll find it easier to get photos without 300 other tourists in frame, and the locals are genuinely proud of their city at Christmas.

---

How to choose the right Christmas destination

The honest answer is: it depends on your priorities.

• Classic Christmas atmosphere + markets: Vienna or Tallinn

• Big, bucket-list city trip: New York (budget permitting)

• Families with young children: Lapland — nothing else comes close

• Winter sun escape: Marrakech (or consider the Canary Islands as an even easier flight)

• Value for money: Tallinn, hands down

Whatever you choose, book early — December flights and accommodation fill up fast, prices rise sharply after October, and Christmas tours in Lapland can sell out months ahead.

---

Don't let another Christmas pass in a fog of leftovers and television repeats. Browse our destination guides, search flights, compare hotels, and book your festive escape over on the site — everything you need to plan a trip worth talking about in January is right there. Happy travels.

---