The best places to visit in Northern Europe in December – where to go for a short winter break in the Nordic Countries and Baltic States.
Northern Europe in December is the most authentic winter wonderland in the world. A sleigh ride through the forests of Lapland, a visit to Santa’s Village, Christmas markets and New Year celebrations in magical Nordic cities, and watching the aurora over snow-laden landscapes, are activities to put on your bucket list.
It’s all about adventure, childhood fantasy, festive merriment and awesome nature, so wrap up warm because there’s somewhere cool near Europe’s arctic circle that will take your fancy. Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Estonia are top choices for a trip to the north of Europe in December – destinations that will fascinate solo travellers, romantic couples, friends and family.
Don’t forget, the Nordic countries and Baltic states are the best places to see the Northern Lights in Europe. And their traditional cuisine is wonderful too. Read on to discover even more reasons to see Northern Europe this winter and the best places to visit for a Christmastime trip.
Related Posts on the best destinations to visit in Europe in December:
▶ Best Places to visit in Western Europe in December
▶ Destinations to Visit in December in Eastern Europe & Balkans
▶ Best Destinations to Visit in Southern Europe in December
The best time to tour Iceland is summertime, as the weather is mild and the days are long. A 7 day Iceland itinerary is perfect for wildlife and nature lovers during the summer months. You can drive around the island leisurely, hike the volcanic fields, or get boat trips out to see the whales and puffins. However, December in Iceland has its own special attraction too.
Visit Iceland in December
1. Reykjavik, Iceland
Visiting Iceland during December seems like a no-brainer, the combination of the icy weather, Christmas lights, and festive markets make Iceland a real-life winter wonderland!
One of the most exciting things about visiting Iceland during December is the winter solstice. In simple terms, the winter solstice means the longest nights of the year and, on some days, you may even only have 5 hours of sunlight! Although this may limit adventurous daytime activities, it’s the perfect time to catch a glimpse of the famous Northern Lights, an unbelievable, once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience!
Even if you don’t catch the lights, Iceland offers a variety of festive activities to keep you busy, including skiing, Christmas markets, and December festivals. Don’t worry about the cold, just layer on your thermals, and the hearty food of Iceland will keep you warm! Traditional fare includes fresh Icelandic fish, lamb meat soup, and Kleiner, which are fried, fluffy doughnuts.
Iceland caters to everyone. With 4 days in Iceland you can experience an adventure-filled trip that includes glacier hiking and visiting ice caves! However, for a more relaxed experience, you can add soaking in natural hot springs and exploring the capital city of Reykjavik, or even a little of both!
In fact, Reykjavik is the ideal base for a winter trip to Iceland. The capital city is famous for its unique architecture – you’ll recognise the iconic church and snowy street scenes as you stroll along to the Xmas markets. A good tip when you’re travelling to Iceland in winter, is to stay in the city itself, then take a tour to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, and to nearby places of scenic interest such as waterfalls or volcanoes.
Book your trip for the end of December and you will get to experience New Year’s Eve in Iceland too! This is an all-out affair with parties and an extravagant firework display. Just imagine, with Iceland’s low light pollution, how these fireworks illuminate the night as they play across the dark skies!
Finally, think about combining Iceland with a visit to Greenland. Only a short flight away, this is the ultimate winter destination for traditional dog sledding and snowmobiles. Apart from local flights (and the coastal ferry weather permitting) these are the only ways of getting around the country.
Recommended by Sam Opp of Find Love and Travel
Visit Finland in December
2. Lapland Finland (Home of Santa)
One of the most magical places to visit in Europe in December is Lapland in Finland. A region of untouched forests, mountains, lakes and rivers, where snow gently covers the landscape in a breathtaking wintery spectacle.
The most famous resident is Santa himself! That’s right, Santa Claus resides near the Arctic Circle in Santa’s Village. Although he’s here all-year-round, visiting in December is truly the most fun!
You can send postcards from the North Pole, meet with Santa himself and get your photo taken to immortalise the moment. Raid the sweet shops nearby to complete your childhood fantasies!
To get to Santa’s Village you’ll pass through Rovaniemi, the ideal base for exploring Lapland. In winter, the entire city is decorated with warming Christmas lights to get you in the holiday spirit. Naturally, there are plenty of things to do in Rovaniemi itself. Learn about local wildlife at the Artikum Museum or get up close to Arctic animals at the Ranua Wildlife Park. The outdoor zoo homes Arctic animals only, so they can feel comfortable in their habitats.
Of course, Finnish Lapland is much more than this. From snowshoeing to snowmobiling and even dog sledding, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the icy outdoor wilderness.
Visiting Lapland in December has another highlight, the chance to see the aurora borealis. Light pollution in this area is minimal, so on a cold, clear winter night, there’s a high chance of capturing the Northern Lights dancing their way across the Arctic sky.
And if you’re ready for the ultimate romantic experience, sleep under the starlit heavens cocooned snugly inside a glass igloo, in a Lapland aurora hotel.
Whether you’re lying open-eyed under the elusive aurora, racing around on a sleigh, or making your childhood dreams come true with Santa, Lapland will make this December one to remember forever.
Recommended by Pamela of The Directionally Challenged Traveler
Visit Sweden in December
3. Kiruna, Sweden
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Sweden, Kiruna is a winter wonderland located in the Arctic Circle in northern Europe. Surrounded by untamed wilderness, the city is an excellent base for diving deep into the Swedish Lapland.
The highlight of any trip to Kiruna in December includes staying in the famous Ice Hotel, visiting a reindeer farm, chasing the Northern Lights, and snow hiking to the Luossavaara and other mountains.
The original Icehotel and its all-season alternative Icehotel 365 are one of the main reasons many a traveller comes this far. The Icehotel is torn down and rebuilt every year with ice blocks carved from the frozen Torne River! Even if you don’t plan to stay, you can still get in for a drink at its Ice Bar!
It is one thing to appreciate the pictures but nothing prepares you for the magical phenomena of Northern Lights. To see the aurora its best to book one of the tours run by the locals, they know all the right places and the right timings. Unlike other places in the arctic circle, the Swedish Lapland offers a high probability to witness this eerie and fascinating sight.
Experience the local Saami culture by visiting one of their farms, Jukkasjärvi, an open-air museum, is the top choice. Here you will understand their culture, get to meet the reindeer, and taste unique local delicacies.
Close to the city, Luossavaara makes for a good hike (although it’s even better in summertime with the midnight sun). A former site of an iron ore mine, the mountain offers excellent views of the city. Those who dare can go underground to explore the mines, an inseparable piece of Kiruna’s history.
Only 10 kilometres away, Kiruna airport is the gateway to the city, with regular daily flights from major Swedish towns. The city also has a train station with a direct connection from Stockholm. Service might get affected during winter but travelling through a snowy landscape is an experience in itself.
Recommended by Vidyut Rautela of Triplyzer & Nomading Solo
4. Stockholm, Sweden
If you’re looking for a winter getaway that’s both festive and charming, look no further than Stockholm, Sweden. During the winter season, the city receives a decent amount of snowfall and temperatures average about 28°F (-2ºC). Thus, it’s definitely chilly but not so unbearably cold that you will want to stay inside the whole day! Plus, to help convince you to get out and explore, the city is decked out in holiday cheer!
You’ll also discover that there are plenty of activities and places to visit in Stockholm to keep you entertained. Get into the holiday spirit by visiting one of the Christmas markets set up around the city.
The most popular Christmas market is at Stortorget, the main square in the city’s old town, locally known as Gamla Stan. You’ll not only be able to admire the colourful and historic buildings encompassing the square but also find tons of stalls selling all sorts of traditional foods and sweets! One popular dish you’ll definitely want to try is Köttbullar, which is Swedish meatballs!
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for something more energetic to do, try ice-skating at Kungsträdgården. There, you’ll find a giant rink set up for skaters and be able to glide, or slide on your butt, across the ice underneath an array of twinkling lights!
Lastly, Stockholm is incredible to visit during the winter season because it transforms into a snowy Christmas card scene. And there’s no better way to appreciate the beauty of the city than from a vantage point. If you want to see one of the best views of the cityscape, be sure to head up Skinnarviksberget hill.
Ready to immerse yourself in a winter wonderland? Then make your way up to Stockholm in Sweden!
Recommended by Kristin Lee of Global Travel Escapades
Visit Denmark in December
5. Copenhagen, Denmark
In Denmark, hygge is a lifestyle. Hygge is the practice of self-care and making yourself cosy, especially during dreary seasons. So it’s no surprise that Copenhagen is a magical winter destination despite its frigid temperatures, and crowds roam the streets for some holiday cheer and warmth.
There are numerous Christmas markets scattered across town, with the biggest one being in Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe. You can even also watch The Nutcracker in the Tivoli Concert Hall!
Another Christmas market to visit is in Højbro Plads near Strøget, one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe. Almost 200,000 lights illuminate the market with wooden cabin booths selling gifts, drinks, and treats! If you’re lucky, you might run into Santa and be able to take a photo with him.
The highlight of the Christmas markets is all the delicious foods and drinks! You cannot visit a Danish Christmas market without sipping on gløgg, a Scandinavian mulled wine with a splash of aquavit, and dried fruit and nuts at the bottom to eat.
Danish pancake balls are a must – æbleskiver is deep-fried ‘donut hole’ served with powdered sugar and jam. The name literally means “apple slice” because, in the original recipe, thin slices of apple were used as a filling.
In December, most restaurants will serve the traditional Danish Christmas lunch, known as Julefrokost. This meal consists of pork roast or duck, caramelized potatoes, pickled cabbage, and rice pudding.
Feeling cold, tired, and sore from walking around all day? Treat yourself to a spa and massage day at AIRE Copenhagen in the Meatpacking District! In AIRE Copenhagen, you can have a Roman bath experience by swimming in different heated pools and jacuzzis, reminiscent of the baths in ancient times. Follow it up with a massage to relieve those tender muscles and joints.
Once you’re done, you can also treat yourself to a few chocolate truffles and cava, a glass of Spanish champagne. And that is how you wrap up your hyggelig Copenhagen itinerary!
Recommended by Hannah of Hannah on Horizon
Visit Estonia in December
6. Tallin, Estonia
One of the most magical places to visit in Europe in December is Tallinn. The capital city of Estonia is recognised as having the ‘Best Christmas Market in Europe’. It may not be the biggest in the world but the ambiance is definitely perfect!
Did you know that Tallinn’s Christmas traditions date back to the pagan times? Nowadays, the Xmas market is set out in the cobbled Town Hall Square – a picture postcard scene with a huge garlanded Christmas tree in the middle of the medieval marketplace, and beautiful wooden chalet stalls filled with traditional decorations and all sorts of enticing gifts. You’ll find handmade trinkets, toys, candles and wool clothing at these captivating stands.
Thinking of food? Delicious specialities to savour at an Estonian Christmas market are blood pudding, which is a black sausage, as well as potatoes, gingerbread cookies, crepes, and local craft beer. You can also enjoy a glass of glögg, a traditional Nordic mulled wine, often made with local berries.
Snow-clad Tallinn is an authentic wonderland with an average temperature of -2°C (28°F) throughout the winter season. December is the third coldest month of the year, behind January and February, so it is important to dress warmly.
Ice-skating on the open-air rink by St. Nicholas Church on Harju Street is fun, and guaranteed to keep you warm too. Tired by now and feeling hungry? Don’t worry, local restaurants are snug and inviting. A must-visit is Olde Hansa, which offers a medieval culinary experience (recipes are said to be over 700 years old!). Kompressor is another gem, a cosy pancake pub where you can taste sweet and savoury crepes, enjoy a cup of coffee or mug of beer!
Overall, you’ll want to spend at least 2 days in Tallinn at Christmastime, if you want to experience everything it has to offer. The Tallinn Card pass is handy, for accessing the city’s tourist attractions. These include the 13th century town walls, Toompea Hill and Castle, Aleksander Nevski Katedraali (Russian Orthodox Cathedral) and Kadriorg Palace.
Recommended by Taylor of Brown Eyed Flower Child
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