As the lights go up and the scent of mulled wine hangs in the winter air once more, travellers worldwide seek destinations that truly capture the magic of Christmas. comprehensive analysis reveals which destinations offer the most compelling Christmas tour experiences for 2025, combining accessibility, value and unforgettable festive atmosphere. (Image: Canva)
London, UK: London transforms into a Christmas spectacular each December, offering many Christmas tours that cater to every festive fantasy. From traditional walking tours through Victorianera markets at Greenwich and Southbank to exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences at historic palaces adorned with seasonal decorations, the British capital delivers Christmas magic at every turn. (Image: Canva)
Amsterdam, Netherlands: The Dutch capital offers Christmas tours that blend traditional charm with innovative seasonal experiences. Tours range from boat cruises past illuminated merchants’ houses to culinary experiences sampling traditional Dutch holiday treats like oliebollen and speculaas. (Image: Canva)
Nuremberg, Germany: This Bavarian city offers the most authentic journey into European holiday heritage. Tours are available in an average of five languages, and accommodation per night works out at around $197, the most affordable among the top three destinations. The medieval Old Town becomes an enchanted village where visitors sample traditional Lebkuchen (gingerbread), admire handcrafted wooden toys that have been made using centuries-old techniques, and watch artisans create glass ornaments using methods passed down through generations. (Image: Canva)
Zagreb, Croatia: Zagreb has emerged as Eastern Europe’s Christmas gem, despite being smaller than many Western European capitals. The city’s tours often include visits to the Upper Town with panoramic views over the illuminated city, explorations of traditional Croatian Christmas customs, and culinary experiences featuring regional holiday specialties. (Image: Canva)
Strasbourg, France: Strasbourg proudly claims the title of “Capital of Christmas,” hosting France’s oldest Christmas market since 1570. With its various Christmas tours, this Alsatian city nestled on the French-German border offers a unique blend of both cultures’ festive traditions. Tours explore the city’s multiple market areas, from the traditional Christkindelsmärik around the cathedral to the charming Village du Partage promoting sustainability and ethical consumption. (Image: Canva)
Prague, Czech Republic: Prague’s fairytale architecture provides the perfect backdrop for Christmas tours that transport visitors into a storybook winter wonderland. Tours cover traditional Czech customs, tastings of trdelník (a cinnamon-sugared pastry) and svařák (mulled wine) and explorations of artisan workshops where glass ornaments and marionettes are crafted. Tours often incorporate the city’s stunning Baroque and Gothic architecture, which becomes even more enchanting under winter illumination and light snowfall. (Image: Canva)
Budapest, Hungary: Budapest’s Christmas markets spread across both sides of the Danube, with tours offering diverse perspectives on Hungarian holiday traditions. Tours often combine Christmas market visits with experiences of Budapest’s unique thermal bath culture, offering the surreal experience of relaxing in outdoor thermal pools while snow falls around you. (Image: Canva)
Quebec City, Canada: Quebec City stands as North America’s closest approximation to a European Christmas experience, its Christmas tours celebrating both French-Canadian heritage and winter wonderland charm. Tours often provide festive market experiences with outdoor winter adventures, reflecting how Canada embraces the winter period. Visitors can tour the Ice Hotel, ride horse-drawn carriages through snowy streets, and experience Quebecois Christmas traditions that blend French, British and Indigenous influences. (Image: Canva)
Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens becomes a twinkling fairyland during Christmas. Tours explore Copenhagen’s hygge approach to Christmas – the Danish concept of cozy contentment – through visits to candlelit markets, traditional bakeries producing æbleskiver (spherical pancakes), and workshops demonstrating traditional Danish paper-cutting crafts. (Image: Canva)
Rome, Italy: Rome offers a distinctly Mediterranean Christmas experience with tours that blend religious significance with Italian festive traditions. As the heart of Catholicism, Rome’s Christmas celebrations carry profound spiritual meaning, with tours to elaborate nativity scenes (presepi) displayed in churches throughout the city, midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, and the lighting of the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square. (Image: Canva)