Looking for the best places to travel for christmas? Think giant Christmas trees, streets full of lights and little shops with decorated windows.
These pictures include snowy streets and a waterfront, plus a palm-lined escape if you’d rather skip the winter scenery.
You can plan around big markets or keep things simple with a few evening walks. There’s plenty of inspiration here! Just check current holiday schedules and displays before booking. Decorations change from year to year. Snow isn’t guaranteed either.
Christmas getaways worth saving
Strasbourg’s glowing market square
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous Strasbourg Christmas market. I love the enormous tree above all those little stall roofs. The illuminated cathedral in the distance is just as beautiful.
If you want a trip centered on Christmas markets, put this French city on your list. Leave yourself time to explore beyond the main square too.
New York’s castle of lights
How pretty is this storefront? The pink towers, sparkling clock and long curtains of lights make it look like a little castle. Well, not so little!
Save this Saks scene as inspiration for a New York holiday-window trip rather than expecting this exact display. I’d leave an evening open for looking at the decorated storefronts.
Rovaniemi’s red Christmas House
If meeting Santa is on your wish list, this Rovaniemi stop is one to look into. The red Christmas House has a pointed tower, snow across the roof and decorated trees beside the entrance.
I love the Finnish flags on either side. Confirm the attraction’s visiting arrangements before building your day around a Santa visit.
Rows of sparkling trees
I am obsessed with the rows of glowing trees in this scene. The little peaked stalls and illuminated towers at the end are so pretty together.
Treat this Vienna-inspired image as a mood to save, not a verified street layout. If you’re considering Vienna, look up the current Christmas festivities around Rathausplatz.
Québec City’s snowy lane
Want little shops and snowy streets rather than a huge fairground? This Québec City scene is for you.
I love the glowing globe lamps and snowflake decorations hanging above the lane.
Leave room for browsing around Petit-Champlain instead of planning only a quick photo stop. The shop windows are part of the appeal.
Leavenworth’s colorful rooflines
How cute are these buildings with their colorful lights? The snowy street and decorated horse-drawn carriage give this Leavenworth scene so much Christmas detail.
Save this Washington town if you like a mountain backdrop with your holiday lights. Look up current activities separately if you’re interested in a carriage ride.
Little shops below the mountains
Don’t want every evening to revolve around a giant Christmas market? No problem!
This alpine scene has glowing shop windows, small decorated trees and a dark mountain behind the buildings.
The village isn’t confirmed here. Borrow the trip idea by looking for an alpine stay near a walkable center with little shops.
Prague’s star-topped tree
This Christmas tree may just be one of my favorites here. I love the bright snowflakes and the shooting-star topper.
The tiny house shapes around the bottom are adorable.
If you like Christmas decorations surrounded by old-town buildings, consider Prague. Leave time to admire the buildings around Old Town Square as well as the tree.
London’s oversized silver baubles
Who says Christmas decorations have to be red and gold? These enormous silver baubles at Covent Garden are gorgeous.
I love the oversized greenery and silver bows beneath the arched roof.
Make this a browsing stop on your London trip. Leave a little time for the lower-level courtyard too.
Colmar’s light-trimmed houses
I love these steep rooflines outlined with little lights. The pale shutters, decorated window boxes and Christmas trees beside the entrances make this Colmar street even prettier.
If looking at buildings is your favorite part of a trip, save this one. You don’t need to fill every evening with scheduled activities.
Frankfurt’s carousel and stalls
If you are looking for a lively market scene, then this one is for you. There’s so much going on in Frankfurt’s square, from the illuminated carousel to the tall Christmas tree.
The walkways between the stalls are packed in this picture. I’d leave plenty of time for wandering rather than squeezing a market visit into a tiny gap.
Copenhagen’s sparkling Tivoli arch
What an entrance! I am obsessed with the huge sparkling snowflake beneath Tivoli’s arch.
The rows of lights follow every curve of the building.
If Tivoli Gardens is on your Copenhagen wish list, check seasonal opening dates and tickets first. I’d choose an after-dark visit for the lights.
Solvang’s windmill and red bows
This is a different take on a Christmas getaway. Solvang’s windmill has bright red bows along the balcony and blue lighting across the tower.
There’s a little decorated tree beside the entrance too.
You don’t need a snowy scene to enjoy holiday decorations. Consider this California town if you love Danish-style buildings.
Read also: 20 Winter Vacation Ideas in the US From Snowy Cabins to Beach Escapes
A holiday stroll past Shiretown Books
Calling all book lovers, this little shopping street is so pretty. The Shiretown Books sign hangs above red awnings and glowing windows.
I especially love the small lit trees beside the storefronts.
The town isn’t confirmed from this image alone. For a similar trip, choose a small-town stay near independent shops and leave an afternoon open for browsing.
Edinburgh’s bright fairground
If you want more than shopping on your Christmas trip, this Edinburgh scene has plenty of inspiration. A huge wheel stands beside the Scott Monument, with colorful rides and rows of stalls below.
I love how different this looks from the little village streets. Use the season’s event map to pick the attractions you’d most like to visit.
Red roofs and sparkling greenery
The red-roofed stalls and greenery covered in tiny lights are gorgeous here. The building behind them resembles Budapest’s Parliament, but this scene doesn’t establish a real market location.
If Budapest is on your list, use this as festive inspiration and look up its confirmed Christmas markets separately. Don’t plan a walking route from this picture.
Hallstatt’s snowy waterfront
Don’t want your whole trip to be about Christmas lights? No problem there!
This Hallstatt waterfront is beautiful with its pastel houses, steep roofs and snow-covered railings.
I love the blue house tucked into the hillside. Save this for a scenery-focused holiday rather than a trip built entirely around markets.
Rothenburg’s garland-lined street
This is one of my favorite street scenes on the list. I love the steep gabled building with its red shutters.
The garlands around the doorways add just enough Christmas decoration.
Consider Rothenburg if you enjoy old-town walks. With a lane this busy, I’d focus on the pretty details overhead rather than waiting for an empty-street photo.
Palms pools and a sunset
Would you rather trade Christmas markets for an ocean view? This resort scene is for you.
I am in love with that orange-and-pink sky above the palms and curved pools.
There aren’t visible Christmas decorations here. The resort’s location isn’t confirmed either, so use this as inspiration for a tropical holiday rather than a specific hotel recommendation.
Tallinn’s colorful little train
Last but definitely not least, we have this festive Tallinn square. I love the blue and purple lights on the little road train!
The Christmas tree and tall Town Hall tower look so pretty behind it.
Save Tallinn if you like an old-town setting for your holiday. Confirm whether the seasonal train is running if it’s something you’d like to include.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Emily
Related stories