The festive period is cherished for so many different reasons. Some people delight in the traditional food and drink, like mulled wine, gingerbread cookies, and dried fruit-studded stollen. Others seek more novel experiences, from themed train journeys to one-of-a-kind markets.
Whether you prefer a traditional or more alternative festive time, Europe offers a myriad of holiday activities for you to explore. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Festive Experiences in Germany
Delight in Munich’s Traditional Christkindlmarkt
After a leisurely breakfast at Munich Marriott Hotel City West, make your way to the legendary Munich Christkindlmarkt, a Christmas market with roots dating all the way back to the 14th century. It’s found in the heart of the old city, at the Marienplatz, which is worth a visit for its stunning Gothic architecture alone. If you time your visit right, you’ll get to see the Rathaus-Glockenspiel, a historic clock with animated figurines, strike the hour. You can expect many traditional treats to get you in the festive mood, including glühwein (mulled wine) and spiced lebkuchen cookies.
Alternatively, step out of the ordinary at Munich’s Tollwood Winter Festival where you can revel in live theatrical performance, music galore, organic delicacies and even a curling rink. Be sure to sample the festive feuerzangenbowle, whereby a rum-soaked sugar cube is set alight and drips into the punch bowl filled with mulled wine beneath it.
Slide Down Berlin’s Sledding Hills
For a less traditional festive celebration, head to Berlin, where many of the Christmas markets channel the capital’s free-spirited, alternative energy. The Heissa Holzmarkt winter market, located in a sprawling complex on the Spree River home to one of the city’s most famous nightclubs, is the perfect place to sip mulled wine around a roaring fire pit or browse for vintage finds. For a slightly quirkier approach, check out Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt Auf Dem RAW-Gelände for old-timey medieval vibes. After braving the cold, head to the sauna at JW Marriott Hotel Berlin to warm back up.
Visit Rothenburg’s Quirky Reiterlesmarkt
For an alternative German festive experience, head off the beaten track to Rothenburg for its quirky Reiterlesmarkt, which honors the mystical figure Reiterle, meaning “little horseback rider.” Believed to be an ambassador from a different world, Reiterle’s origins are said to date all the way back to prehistoric times.
Festive Experiences in the Czech Republic
Go on a Christmas Market Adventure in Prague
The Czech capital is bursting with Christmas markets, with some of the most impressive held at the Old Town Square, as well as at Wenceslas Square in the heart of the city. A scenic walk from Prague Marriott Hotel over the river will take you to the stunning Prague Castle, which hosts its own Christmas market.
Festive Czech foods to look out for include juicy roast pork, spiced gingerbread and local speciality pastry trdelník — cylindrical cake cooked over fire then topped off with sugar and walnuts. For a traditional Czech meal, head over to Municipal House Beer Hall.
You might also pay a visit to Prague’s Gingerbread Museum. Contrary to what the name implies, this spot isn’t really a museum at all, but rather a specialty shop for anyone who loves to bake. Here you can buy everything you need to transform your own kitchen back home into a gingerbread factory bursting with evocatively festive aromas.
Festive Experiences in Hungary
See Ballet at the Budapest Opera House
“The Nutcracker” is a well-known festive ballet that is set on Christmas Eve, making it synonymous with the season. If you want to experience one of the best renditions of the ballet, head to the Budapest Opera House.
You must also grab yourself a traditional chimney cake, the Hungarian equivalent of Czech trdelník or German baumkuchen. As with other spit cakes, this cylindrical treat is cooked over a live fire, resulting in sugary, caramelized edges. Finally, wrap up your evening at the iconic Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest, which goes above and beyond to make your festive period special.
Take a Dip at the Iconic Szechenyi Baths
In Budapest, warm up in an atmospheric outdoor spa at Szechenyi Baths, which opened to the public in 1913. Thought to be the largest medicinal thermal bath in Europe, this soothing spot is typically open even on Christmas Day.
You’ll also find a lively café here boasting local treats and delicacies, and you can even order a beer or wine to enjoy while sitting in the baths. Book a relaxing massage, or if you prefer something a little more involved, opt for a guided tour of the baths.
End the night with a drink in SOCIETY25 bar at W Budapest or push the boat out with dinner at The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest.
Festive Experiences in Italy
Enjoy Towering Christmas Trees and Delicious Cake in Milan
You can’t help but feel festive standing under the elegant Christmas tree of Piazza del Duomo, with the city’s magnificent main cathedral as a backdrop. You’re spoiled for choice for Christmas trees in Milan, with another impressive one gracing the chic shopping center Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a couple of minutes walk away.
Sample some festive Italian treats at the city’s ancient Fiera Degli Oh Bej, Oh Bej street market, which promises the likes of castagnaccio chestnut cake and mulled wine aplenty in December. After a bustling day, slip away from the crowds to the contemporary haven that is The Westin Palace, Milan.
In the Italian capital, make it a festive period to remember by booking into The St. Regis Rome, before attending one of the daily Masses inside St. Peter’s Basilica itself — make sure you book a ticket in advance. Complement the experience with a stylish Sicilian-influenced meal at W Rome’s Giano Restaurant.
Enjoy a Very Special Festive Day Trip from Rome
Step away from Rome’s festive tourist trail by visiting the city’s botanical gardens: the Orto Botanico di Roma in Trastevere. Here you can take a magical walk beneath the twinkling lights that bedeck the grounds at this time of year.
If you’re travelling with children, you could head some 12 miles east of Rome to see Santa and his little helpers, along with other fairytale folk, at the ethereal Lunghezza Castle.
Festive Experiences in Switzerland
Stock Up on Gifts at Basel’s Barfüsserplatz Market
Switzerland is well known for its fine chocolatiers, practicians of a craft that’s been refined since the 19th century, so it’s a fine place to pick up exquisitely delicious festive gifts.
From Basel Marriott Hotel, walk to Barfüsserplatz, in the idyllic old town, to explore over 155 wooden chalets selling artisan gifts, delicious street food such as waffles, moreish Swiss raclette, warming mulled wine and läckerli (the local version of gingerbread).
Visit a Train Station Transformed as a Christmas Market in Zurich
Switzerland offers the chance to visit a Christmas market, or Christkindlimarkt, in an unconventional location. At Zurich Main Station you’ll find row after row of festive items and also a tall, glistening Christmas tree.
Treat yourself to a stay at Zurich Marriott Hotel, where you can enjoy a cocktail or rare whisky at the New York-inspired Lenox Bar.
Festive Experiences in the United Kingdom
See the English and Scottish Capitals at Their Seasonal Best
London’s Kensington is particularly pretty during the festive period and London Marriott Hotel Kensington makes a great base for ice skating at ICE at Kensington Palace.
Afterwards, walk it all off with a stroll around Kensington Gardens, or hit the shops — some of the most famous streets such as the King’s Road are within walking distance. You might head towards Knightsbridge for festive displays in iconic addresses such as Harrods.
In Edinburgh, you can see the Scottish capital from up above on the Big Wheel in East Princes Street Gardens. You’ll enjoy a bird’s eye perspective of the historic Old Town, Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat, all sparkling with fairy lights.
Afterwards, return to Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh for a soothing soak with a view in the spa’s rooftop Hydropool and Thermal Suite.
Wander Through Illuminated Gardens and a Safari Park
Just east of Cambridge, Anglesey Abbey’s Winter Lights event offers an original take on the tradition of festive light displays. This sensory experience promises to tease out all the magic of the abbey’s gardens.
Another quirky display is being held at Longleat wildlife and safari park, where the themed Festival of Light is filled with life-sized lanterns and depicts different scenes with lights.
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