Top 10 Christmas Holiday Destinations to Visit in 2023
Author: Maheshwari Vickyraj, Content Writer
The Christmas countdown is nearly here! We can’t believe it will soon be time to pull out our holiday decorations and sing songs by the fire during this magical season. But this year, let's tinsel things up a notch and turn our festive spirits into a full-blown adventure.
We've rounded up our top 10 dreamy destinations to visit this magical season so why not embrace the jolly and plan a snug Christmas escape, where every destination is a gift waiting to be unwrapped!
1. Get cosy In Budapest
When the festive season comes knocking, Budapest truly becomes a winter wonderland. Start your adventure by taking a heartwarming stroll through the dazzling Christmas market, where scents of freshly baked chimney cakes and mulled wine will whisk you away.
Hop aboard a charmingly lit tram for a scenic ride along the Danube, where the iconic landmarks of Budapest are adorned in festive finery. Don't miss a dip in one of the city's famous thermal baths – a toasty escape from the winter chill. And for a truly magical experience, catch a live holiday concert or ballet performance in one of the city's historic theaters.
2. Catch A Snowflake In New York
Ready to let your inner child out to play as you take in the city's sparkling Christmas lights? Trust us, New York is the place to be! Book early and catch family-friendly shows at Radio City or stroll down Fifth Avenue and feel mesmerised by the all-out-mad holiday displays in Dyker Heights.
Don't miss out on the Rockefeller Christmas tree, a gleaming holiday emblem. Enjoy a festive drink at pop-up bars Miracle and Sippin’ Santa’s Surf Shack, that miraculously appear on 9th Street for the festive season. Visiting the Christmas markets in Columbus Circle and Union Square should be a holy grail for a complete NYC experience. For all cultural vultures, the New York City Ballet will take you to the realm of enchantment and everything Nutcracker!
3. Christmas Cheer In Funchal
Unwrap your presents in the balmy weather of Madeira with an average temperature of 21°C in December and enjoy the celebrations as you explore Funchal, where the festive feels dial up the island vibes! Dive into the holiday spirit by strolling along the Avenida Arriaga, where you'll be dazzled by the incredible Christmas lights display. Take a cable car ride up to Monte, where the hillside gardens are adorned with twinkling decorations, offering breathtaking views of the city's illuminated coastline below.
Don't miss the famous 'Funchal in Lights' festival, where the city becomes a canvas of colourful projections and festive animations. Make sure you sample Madeira's sweet wines and indulge in traditional Portuguese holiday treats like bolo de mel (honey cake). Don’t forget to click Instagramy pictures all throughout the island, but especially during 'Festa', as the Madeirans call it, where you'll find stunning decorations outsides house, such as traditional "lapinhas" (cribs) and flowers. And if you extend your stay, you’ll be bedazzled by the firework display on New Year’s Eve!
4. Dubai For The Little Ones
Bask in the sun with an average temperature of 21°C in December in Dubai and have a sunny Christmas, while you bungee jump to kick off Tis the season! Indulge in the opulence and have a king-size experience brunching on the beach, where loads of restaurants and hotels around town lay on incredible feasts by the sea. Try brunch at Café Nikki at Nikki Beach. There’ll be fresh seafood, seasonal favourites and festive sweets, plus a live band to keep you jolly.
Spot a Santa at the Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market and enjoy live music with traditional food and drinks. Keep your kids entertained at the ice rink in Global Village or have a snowball fight in the desert at the Magical Winter Wonderland at Ski Dubai. When it comes to taking that perfect Christmas snap, trust us — from hotel lobbies to glittering malls, you’ll be spoilt for choice with spectacular decorations and Xmas trees!
5. Jingle All The Way To Prague!
Get ready to unwrap the holiday spirit as you explore this enchanting city of spires. Start your adventure with a visit to the Old Town Square, where the towering Christmas tree sparkles with thousands of lights and the charming Christmas markets beckon with traditional Czech treats like trdelník (sweet pastry) and svařák (mulled wine).
For a truly whimsical experience, venture into Prague Castle, where the grandeur of the historical complex is enhanced by the magic of Christmas decoration. Take a leisurely stroll across the iconic Charles Bridge and if you're lucky, you might even catch a snap with some snowflakes gently falling around you. And speaking of snow, don't forget to embrace the winter wonderland vibe by ice skating on one of the city's picturesque ice rinks.
6. Buon Natale From Rome
The Eternal City dresses up in its holiday finest to celebrate Christmas in true Italian style! Start your yuletide journey at the heart of the city, where the majestic Vatican City glows with magnificent lights and hosts a midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, drawing pilgrims and visitors from around the world to witness this spectacular event.
Rome's historic streets come alive with Christmas markets, offering delightful Italian treats like panettone and roasted chestnuts. Piazza Navona, adorned with sparkling decorations and a charming carousel, is a must-visit. Take a sip of hot chocolate at a traditional café while enjoying the view of the city's iconic landmarks, including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.
7. Noël À Paris
Get your winter glow up and practice saying 'Joyeux Noël' because you are in the City of Lights! Start your holiday adventure with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower, which dazzles as it's decked out in twinkling lights and a giant holiday wreath. Make sure you grab a warm croissant and chocolat chaud from a nearby café for the ultimate Parisian morning.
Next, wander through the charming Christmas markets along the Champs-Élysées, where you can bite into crêpes, sip mulled wine and hunt for unique gifts. Don't miss the dazzling displays at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores, where the holiday window decorations are like a magical storybook come to life. Trust us, your Instagram will thank us!
8. Christmas Spirits In Brussels
The Belgian gem transforms into a winter wonderland and it's like a giant box of chocolate pralines just waiting to be unwrapped! Start your festive adventure at the Grand Palace, where the historic buildings are adorned with thousands of shimmering lights, creating a breathtaking backdrop for the Christmas tree. Make sure you try the delectable Belgian waffles and warming hot chocolate from the nearby stalls.
Stop by enchanting Christmas markets where a magical ice-skating rink awaits your best moves and the scent of freshly baked speculoos cookies fills the air. Brussels's famous Atomium also gets a festive makeover, offering panoramic views of the city's twinkling lights from its spheres. To add to the sweet experience, indulge in Belgian chocolates and sip on some fine Belgian beer while you stroll through the charming streets.
9. Dutch Delights And Holiday Nights
The Dutch masterpiece comes to life and takes on a cosy and whimsical charm during Christmas! Instead of cycling in Amsterdam, take a canal cruise through the illuminated waterways and capture the city from a different perspective, where historic bridges twinkle with festive lights and houseboats are adorned with wreaths and garlands.
Explore the lively Christmas markets like the one at Museumplein, where you can sample some Dutch stroopwafels and cheese, while shopping for unique gifts for your loved ones. Don't miss the spectacular Light Festival, where artists from around the world transform the city into a mesmerising canvas of light and colour.
10. Festive Feels In Colmar
Colmar, located in the northeastern part of France near Strasbourg during Christmas is like stepping into a snow globe filled with festive feels, making it the perfect city for a joyful and picturesque holiday escape!
Begin your fairytale adventure by wandering through the cobblestone streets of Old Town, where half-timbered houses are adorned with twinkling lights, The town's Christmas markets, especially the ones at Place des Dominicains and Place Jeanne d'Arc, offer a delightful array of local treats like mulled wine and flammekueche (Alsatian pizza). Warm up with a cup of chocolat chaud at a cosy café while you admire the town's beautiful decorations and animated shop windows. Don't forget to explore the Unterlinden Museum, which is lit during the holiday season and catch a traditional Alsatian choir performance for a heart-warming experience.
Start planning your extraordinary Christmas getaway now by CLICKING HERE to make this holiday season jingle-all-the-way!