To many, the Christmas season is one of the most magical times of the year. Although the holiday is widely celebrated in many places across the globe, some places just do it better. Snow-capped churches, string lights, large decorated trees in city squares, and the smell of roasted chestnuts is what you can expect from these winter wonderlands.
Every city celebrates the holiday in its own way. Some have grand customs and celebrations, while others simply stick to traditional seasonal cookies and cakes. And how can we forget Christmas markets?
Several cities have famous Christmas markets – a tradition that dates back to the late Middle Ages in some cases. The German city of Dresden is said to have the oldest market, dating back to 1434. Nowadays, you can find markets all over Europe, but some are better than others.
In the spirit of Christmas, we have decided to list the best and most beautiful Christmas cities you need to visit. So, get ready to start planning your next Christmas holiday!
What is the Best City to Visit During Christmas?
- Manchester
- Dortmund
- Paris
- Barcelona
- Glasgow
1. Manchester
With its famous Christmas markets, Manchester is a city avid holiday travellers need to visit during this time of the year. The first edition of this Christmas market took place in 1999. Since then, it has grown yearly, attracting millions of visitors from around the world.
The markets are spread across the entire city. You can find them around St Ann’s Square, Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, King Street, Market Street, and the Cathedral Gardens. This year, the Piccadilly Gardens will host a new family-friendly Winter Gardens attraction with bars, food stalls, craft sellers, and live music. In the city centre, you can see the renowned Giant Santa along with a special trail of light sculptures.
There are so many attractions that the city has something to offer festive visitors. To top it all off, you can also catch a good game of football, while you are there. Nothing says festive in the UK like a good boxing day fixture. With Manchester United and Manchester City both calling the city home, you have loads of great games to choose from during this time!
2. Dortmund
It is impossible not to include a German city on this list. You can experience insane levels of Christmas spirit in several German cities, but we decided to hone in one in particular: Dortmund.
The “Weihnachtsstadt” in Dortmund is one of the largest and prettiest Christmas markets in all of Germany. It contains more than 300 artfully decorated stalls that offer visitors everything they could desire from a Christmas market. From regional specialties (like the savoury bratwurst and Westphalian barbecued ham) to handmade Christmas decorations, unusual toys, and much more.
The heart of the Christmas city is the giant Christmas tree on Hansaplatz, known everywhere for its height: 45 metres. Indeed, it is composed of more than 1.700 spruces and illuminated by more than 45.000 lights.
In brief, if you want to take in a happy atmosphere and enjoy some hot wine to warm the body and soul during the cold winter days of December, you must go to Dortmund. Moreover, you can also add some good football to your holiday by watching the German powerhouse, Borussia Dortmund in-action.
3. Paris
Aside from being the city of love, Paris is also a good city to visit when you want to be surrounded by the Christmas spirit. Besides the everlasting party at Disneyland Paris, you will find some Christmas markets that won’t disappoint you. During the holiday season, Paris is filled with wooden chalets filled with French products, ferris wheels, Christmas food, arts, crafts, and ice-skating rinks.
If you take line 1 of the metro and stop at the Tuileries station, you will find Le Magie de Nöel market, filled with attractions for kids, food, and other traditional French products.
If you are looking for the most beautiful Christmas market in Paris, take the line 7 or 11 to stop at Hôtel de Ville’s Christmas market. There you will be greeted with lights and excitement that will remind you of a fairy tale.
Finally, if you want to visit a luxury Christmas market, bus routes 39, 63, 70, 86 and 96 will take you to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Christmas Market. There you can find jewellery items, leather-covered notebooks, and exquisite chocolates that will make you feel like a movie star.
All of Paris’ Christmas markets run until January. Aside from all the Christmas-related attractions, you can also take some time to see one of the most exciting teams in football at the moment: Paris-Saint Germain.
4. Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the most famous cities in Spain. After all, it is the home for La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo and, our personal favourite, FC Barcelona.
However, Barcelona is also home of some Christmas markets filled with Spanish traditions. La Fira de Santa Llucia is the most well-known and oldest Christmas market in Barcelona. Located just in front of the Barcelona Cathedral, this market brings people to the city until 23 December. You will see some traditional figures, like Tio de Nadal or The Caganer. These two traditional figures are not for everyone’s taste, but they are very popular in Spain.
Tio de Nadal is a log that is fed by the children of a family. On Christmas Day, the children must break it apart while singing a song. When it finally breaks, they will find some presents inside of it. The Caganer, however, is a naughty figurine that is said to “poop” in the presence of baby Jesus and the Virgin Mother.
With regards to Barcelona’s Christmas market, you can also check out Fira de Nadal de La Sagrada Familia, which, as the name suggests, takes place in front of La Sagrada Familia. You can visit this Christmas market until 23 December and experience the churros, baked sweet potatoes and, the Christmas classic, hot chocolate.
Besides the two Christmas markets mentioned above, there’s also Fira de Nadal del Port Vell and Fira de Reis that run until January.
Although these Christmas tricks may seem strange, Barcelona is worth a visit during Christmas partly because of them. If you are a football fan, you can also take this as an opportunity to watch the legendary FC Barcelona in action!
5. Glasgow
Glasgow also takes a place in our list of best cities to visit during the Christmas season. The St Enoch Christmas market Glasgow is a must-see!
Filled with Christmas treats from all over the world, there’s not a moment when you cannot feel the holiday spirit. Besides the Christmas treats, both Glasgow and Edinburgh have ice-skating rinks and stands with arts and crafts.
Edinburgh is just an hour away from Glasgow and is easily accessible by train. In Edinburgh, you will find a big Christmas market and a ferris wheel to get your Christmas spirit up. Or, if you’re a fan, Edinburgh is the perfect city to look for Harry Potter’s references, like Diagon Alley and the school that is said to be the inspiration for Hogwarts.
Asides from the Christmas seasonal products and fairs, Glasgow also has a football tradition. If you’re a Celtic or Rangers fan, take this Christmas season as an opportunity to book your football trip. Remember that the Old Firm game always takes place on New Years!