The top Christmas experiences for 2025 highlight 25 destinations that stand out for their popularity, combining ideal access, high value, and truly magical holiday atmosphere. London Is the most popular for Christmas Tours and Amsterdam follows in the ranking, according to latest data-driven research from TripAdvisor and Kayak.
Nine of the top ten destinations are European. The continent’s deep-rooted Christmas traditions, historic market culture and architectural charm create an authentic holiday atmosphere that never fails to draw people in. Four North American destinations secured spots in the top 25. However, Quebec City, in eighth place, was the only North American destination to make it to the top ten. Several top-ranking destinations offer tours in numerous languages, with Amsterdam and Nuremberg leading in this category.
The ranking is below:
More specifically, below are the 10 most popular countries for Christmas tours:
1. London, United Kingdom
London transforms into a Christmas spectacular each December, offering many Christmas tours that cater to every festive fantasy. From traditional walking tours through Victorianera markets at Greenwich and Southbank to exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences at historic palaces adorned with seasonal decorations, the British capital delivers Christmas magic at every turn. While not the best in terms of the number of languages offered for tours (London ranks at number 26 in this category), and although December accommodation averages around $274 per night, the sheer breadth of free festive attractions—including the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree and Covent Garden’s decorations—helps balance the overall trip cost.
2. Amsterdam, Netherlands
According to Tripadvisor, the Dutch capital offers Christmas tours that blend traditional charm with innovative seasonal experiences. Tours range from boat cruises past illuminated merchants’ houses to culinary experiences sampling traditional Dutch holiday treats like oliebollen and speculaas. With tours available in an average of five languages and a reasonable average price per hour (around $23), Amsterdam presents a more accessible alternative to London. However, accommodation costs are steep at $267 per night on average during December.
3. Nuremberg, Germany
This Bavarian city offers the most authentic journey into European holiday heritage. Tours are available in an average of five languages, and accommodation per night works out at around $197—the most affordable among the top three destinations. The medieval Old Town becomes an enchanted village where visitors sample traditional Lebkuchen (gingerbread), admire handcrafted wooden toys that have been made using centuries-old techniques, and watch artisans create glass ornaments using methods passed down through generations. What’s more, Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt isn’t just a Christmas market—it’s a 400- year-old tradition that defines the German festive experience.
4. Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb has emerged as Eastern Europe’s Christmas gem, despite being smaller than many Western European capitals. The city’s tours often include visits to the Upper Town with panoramic views over the illuminated city, explorations of traditional Croatian Christmas customs, and culinary experiences featuring regional holiday specialties. The tours are available in three languages on average and cost approximately $46.98 median price, with accommodation averaging a relatively affordable $165 per night.
5. Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg proudly claims the title of “Capital of Christmas,” hosting France’s oldest Christmas market since 1570. With its various Christmas tours, this Alsatian city nestled on the French-German border offers a unique blend of both cultures’ festive traditions. Tours explore the city’s multiple market areas, from the traditional Christkindelsmärik around the cathedral to the charming Village du Partage promoting sustainability and ethical consumption.
Visitors can enjoy tours in an average of three languages, but you may need to cough up as much as around $322 per night for accommodation and $44 per hour for tours. Strasbourg is the priciest city for December accommodation out of the top five.
6. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague’s fairy-tale architecture provides the perfect backdrop for Christmas tours that transport visitors into a storybook winter wonderland. Tours cover traditional Czech customs, tastings of trdelník (a cinnamon-sugared pastry) and svařák (mulled wine) and explorations of artisan workshops where glass ornaments and marionettes are crafted. Tours often incorporate the city’s stunning Baroque and Gothic architecture, which becomes even more enchanting under winter illumination and light snowfall. The tours are delivered in three languages on average, which is great news for visitors, and cost around $39 (median) per hour. Though Prague is generally more affordable to visit than destinations like Strasbourg, its December accommodation costs are steep at around $277 per night.
7. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest’s Christmas markets spread across both sides of the Danube, with tours offering diverse perspectives on Hungarian holiday traditions. Tours often combine Christmas market visits with experiences of Budapest’s unique thermal bath culture, offering the surreal experience of relaxing in outdoor thermal pools while snow falls around you. While Budapest scores points for language accessibility (an average of three languages), it’s ranked much lower in the median tour price per hour category due to an average asking price of $55.
On the bright side, you can stay in Budapest in December at a somewhat cheaper price than most top ten destinations. Our analysis revealed the average nightly fee to be approximately $227.
8. Quebec City, Canada
Quebec City stands as North America’s closest approximation to a European Christmas experience, its Christmas tours celebrating both French-Canadian heritage and winter wonderland charm. Tours, which typically cater for two languages, cost approximately $22.63 per hour median price, and accommodation averages $201 per night. This makes Quebec City one of the more reasonably-priced Christmas tour destinations when compared with cities like Strasbourg, Prague, London and Amsterdam.
Tours often provide festive market experiences with outdoor winter adventures, reflecting how Canada embraces the winter period. Visitors can tour the Ice Hotel, ride horse-drawn carriages through snowy streets, and experience Quebecois Christmas traditions that blend French, British and Indigenous influences.
9. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens becomes a twinkling fairyland during Christmas. Tours explore Copenhagen’s hygge approach to Christmas—the Danish concept of cozy contentment— through visits to candlelit markets, traditional bakeries producing æbleskiver (spherical pancakes), and workshops demonstrating traditional Danish paper-cutting crafts.
Accommodation averages $242 per night—putting Copenhagen in a similar price range to Budapest—and a tour can set you back around $57 per hour. However, Copenhagen is one of the more tourist-friendly destinations language-wise, with an average of three language options for tours.
10. Rome, Italy
Rome offers a distinctly Mediterranean Christmas experience with tours that blend religious significance with Italian festive traditions. As the heart of Catholicism, Rome’s Christmas celebrations carry profound spiritual meaning, with tours to elaborate nativity scenes (presepi) displayed in churches throughout the city, midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, and the lighting of the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square.
Tours are often given in three languages on average, reflecting Rome’s status as a global tourist destination, though accommodation averages a whopping $331 per night. Visitors will also need to factor in an average of around $52 per hour for a Christmas tour.
“What’s really striking about this year’s results is how completely Europe dominates the Christmas tour landscape—nine of our top ten destinations are European cities. But what’s even more interesting is the diversity of destinations. You’ve got London leading with sheer variety, the Netherlands, France and Germany with classic Christmas market experiences and language accessibility, and then hidden gems like Zagreb offering more affordable December accommodation”. stated Mauricio Preuss, PrivacyJournal CEO.
