Buzz
As December approaches, winter settles in across Europe, casting its magical spell everywhere. Traveling through Europe in December seems to hold a special significance for wanderers. Everywhere you go, festive spirits are high, enveloping everything in a serene Christmas atmosphere.
December brings a sense of tranquility and marks the beginning of the European travel season. Travelers from all over the globe are eagerly seeking out the most beautiful destinations to experience a winter full of flavor and emotion. So if you're considering a European getaway in December, don't miss out on these incredible destinations.
Dresden, Germany
Dresden, a city of romantic charm in winter. Photo: Pinterest.
Dresden is a city of resilience and grandeur. European travelers know Dresden for its wartime past, having been heavily bombed at the end of World War II. However, the city has risen from the ashes. In December, Dresden, nestled in the Saxon region, may seem a bit gloomy with its cloudy skies and snow-covered streets, but its residents adorn it with vibrant colors, festive decorations welcoming Christmas, and dazzling lights throughout the month.
The famous Christmas market in Dresden. Photo: Stockimage.
The Striezelmarkt, Dresden's Christmas market, is the oldest market in Germany. Its historical significance alone is enough to entice travelers. Here, you can indulge in mulled wine and the traditional German fruity stollen loaf, or even try your hand at baking your own fruitcake.
Old Town's Baroque district bears the scars of war. Photo: Pinterest.
Certainly, the weather can be quite cold, with temperatures typically around 2 degrees Celsius. So, bundle up and take a stroll through the Baroque architecture of Old Town or join a historical tour to explore the remnants of World War II.
Rovaniemi & Levi, Finland
Where better to visit Santa Claus than in his own homeland? Rovaniemi is the capital of Finland and the ultimate destination in Europe in December, with temperatures ranging from -4 to -11 degrees Celsius. Here, you'll witness a snowy wonderland, just like something out of the movie Frozen.
Rovaniemi is as beautiful as stepping into a fairy tale. Photo: Discovering FindLand.
This is a destination for families, groups of friends, or couples looking to strengthen their bond. And for nature lovers, it's simply unmissable. You can meet Saint Nick, or Santa Claus, in legend, or marvel at the Northern Lights illuminating the night sky.
Santa Claus emerges amidst the white snow. Photo: Lastminute.
Culinary culture is also a significant highlight of Rovaniemi. You can indulge in delicious Christmas feasts, and of course, don't miss out on two specialties: lingonberries and leipäjuusto, Rovaniemi's special cheese bread.
The beautiful Northern Lights appear in Levi. Photo: DiscoveringFindland.
If you want to explore more of Finland's majestic landscapes, pack your bags and head to Levi. Dubbed as the 'cleanest air destination in the world' with over 20km of trekking trails. Strap on a pair of snow boots to keep your feet warm and get ready for the snowy scenery.
Stockholm, Sweden
The next warm European destination after Finland is Sweden. Cities in southern Sweden usually hover around 0 degrees Celsius, while northern regions can drop to below -10 degrees Celsius.
Stockholm is enchanting in winter. Photo: TravelPassionate.
Especially in December, Stockholm, Sweden, becomes incredibly beautiful. You can immerse yourself in the snow while strolling through famous districts like Gamla Stan, the Old Town. Experience the Christmas shopping atmosphere in Sodermalm or explore countless fascinating museums nearby.
The Northern Lights appear in the skies of Kiruna. Photo: Stqmqvist.
If you're looking to experience nature, head north in Sweden to Kiruna. Choose a reindeer or a moose and embark on your own exploration journey. And much like Finland, you can also capture stunning photos of the Northern Lights here.
Bath, United Kingdom
When it comes to hot springs, there's no better place than Bath in chilly December. The Roman Baths, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are even more magnificent in the winter snow, with steam rising from the public baths, naturally warm.
The ancient city of Bath in winter. Photo: ZuleikaHenry.
Sadly, you can't soak in the Roman Baths in winter; you can only check-in. The reason being the baths are too old, built to Roman standards over many centuries, hence not safe for European travelers to bathe in. However, you can enjoy fantastic spa technology and, of course, swim in warm waters elsewhere in Bath, namely the famous Thermal Spa.
In addition to its famous hot springs, Bath impresses visitors with a series of tourism activities throughout December until mid-January. The ancient churches here become even more charming during the Christmas season and become the most attractive destination in England.
Bath's Christmas market. Photo: Aol.co.uk.
In addition to its famous hot springs, Bath also impresses visitors with a series of tourism activities throughout December until mid-January. The ancient churches here become even more charming during the Christmas season and become the most attractive destination in England.
Brno, Czech Republic
With an average temperature of -0.6°C, Brno in southern Czech Republic will give European travelers freezing weekends. Brno also intrigues visitors, maintaining its traditional charm and even more interesting than Prague, which is increasingly overrun by tourists.
Brno still retains its old-world charm. Photo: ShutterStock.
If you love white snow, then you can't miss Brno. For history and culture enthusiasts, Brno is like a small gift waiting for visitors to discover. Brno unveils a treasure trove of UNESCO World Heritage sites and several castles dating back to the Middle Ages for travelers to explore. And notably, the 13th-century Veveri Castle is a true gem.
Traditional garlic soup česnečka. Photo: Reddit. You can escape the cold in cozy eateries and cafes, brimming with Brno's essence. Additionally, after a day of exploring in the winter chill, you can warm up your dinner with a bowl of traditional goulash or česnečka (garlic soup).
Konya, Turkey
From December 7th to 17th, the central Turkish city of Konya hosts the annual Rumi Festival. During the festival, Whirling Dervishes perform the traditional semazen dance: a unique religious spectacle of the Turkish people, blending a bit of meditation experience, in the form of countless clockwise spins. According to legend, this dance helps Whirling Dervishes to get closer to God.
Konya city attracts a large number of devotees. Photo: European travelers will be immersed among over 100,000 pilgrims to Turkey on this occasion. You can express reverence and become a pilgrim for the traditional whirl dance performance in the air, catering to less devout tourists.
The Whirling Dervishes dance brings dancers closer to God. Photo: ShutterStock. It is an important principle for pilgrims - and the Mevlevi Order (the name of the Whirling Dervishes) has adhered to it for centuries. Because Konya is a conservative city, you will need to pay attention to your attire and demeanor when visiting the shrine here.
Els Enfarinats Festival in Ibi, Spain
And now for a completely different winter experience… Els Enfarinats, meaning 'the flour-covered ones' in Spanish, is an event that takes place on December 28th in the town of Ibi in Alicante. Locals and tourists engage in mock battles using… flour and eggs. The scene is incredibly chaotic. And almost everyone finds joy in being covered in a layer of flour and eggs.
The town square where the battle begins. Photo: Wiki. This festival is based on a historical uprising, where people join two factions. One side dresses up as soldiers, paints their faces, and tries to occupy the city, while the other side resists. And a lucky resident will be elected as the mayor in the battle.
Dousing opponents with baskets of eggs. Photo: Usatoday.
As soon as the festival kicks off, the crowd disperses in all directions, and bags of flour fill the air. Next come the chicken egg bombs raining down on every front. Wear swimming goggles to protect your eyes and be prepared to return to the hotel covered from head to toe in flour and eggs.
Danh Bui – dulichvietnam.com.vn
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Posted by: Diem Huong Le Thi
Keywords: Where to travel in Europe in December?
