Are you looking for a way to spice up your winter holidays? Do you want to experience the magic of different cultures, cuisines, and celebrations in a short time? If so, then you should consider the December city breaks.
A city break is a type of travel that involves visiting a city for a few days, usually over a weekend or a public holiday. It is a popular choice for travelers who want to explore new places without spending too much time or money. City breaks are also great for discovering the local history, art, music, and food of a destination.
At Travel Mind, we help people from all around the world discover opportunities related to travel, visa, immigration, scholarship, and others. We are passionate about travel and we want to share our knowledge and tips with you. In this blog post, we will share some of the best destinations for December city breaks, the highlights of each city, and how to book your trip.
The Best Destinations for December City Breaks
We have selected some of the best destinations for December city breaks based on factors such as weather, attractions, events, and affordability. These are the cities that we think you will love to visit in December:
Prague
Vienna
Berlin
Copenhagen
Edinburgh
Each of these cities has something unique and special to offer in December, whether it is the stunning architecture, the festive markets, the lively nightlife, or the cozy atmosphere. Let’s take a closer look at each city and what you can expect to see and do there.
Prague
Prague is one of the best destinations for December city breaks because it is a city that combines beauty, history, and culture. It is known for its stunning architecture, from the Gothic spires of the Old Town to the Baroque palaces of the Lesser Town. Prague is also rich in historical landmarks, such as the Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle, the Astronomical Clock, and the Jewish Quarter. Prague is also a city that knows how to have fun, with a vibrant nightlife, a variety of pubs and bars, and a lively music scene.
But what makes Prague even more special in December is the Christmas markets. Prague has some of the most beautiful and festive markets in Europe, where you can find handmade crafts, traditional food, mulled wine, and live entertainment. The markets are open from late November to early January, and they are located in various squares around the city, such as the Old Town Square, the Wenceslas Square, and the Republic Square. The markets are also a great place to experience the local culture and traditions, such as the Christmas tree lighting, the nativity scenes, and the carol singing.
If you want to enjoy Prague in December, here are some tips and recommendations for you:
The best place to stay in Prague is the Old Town, where you can be close to the main attractions and the markets. You can find a range of accommodation options, from budget hostels to luxury hotels, on Jet2CityBreaks.
The best place to eat in Prague is the Old Town Square, where you can sample some of the delicious Czech cuisine, such as roast pork, dumplings, goulash, and trdelnik (a sweet pastry). You can also find many restaurants and cafes that serve international dishes, such as Italian, French, and Asian.
The best place to shop in Prague is the markets, where you can find unique and affordable souvenirs, such as wooden toys, glass ornaments, pottery, and jewelry. You can also find some of the famous Czech products, such as Bohemian crystal, beer, and chocolate.
The best place to sightsee in Prague is the Old Town, where you can admire the architecture, visit the museums, and explore the churches. You can also take a walking tour, a river cruise, or a hop-on hop-off bus to see more of the city.
Vienna
Vienna is another great destination for December city breaks because it is a city that exudes elegance, sophistication, and charm. It is known for its imperial palaces, such as the Schonbrunn Palace, the Belvedere Palace, and the Hofburg Palace, where you can learn about the history and the culture of the Habsburg dynasty. Vienna is also known for its cultural museums, such as the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Albertina Museum, and the Leopold Museum, where you can admire the works of famous artists, such as Klimt, Schiele, and Mozart. Vienna is also known for its classical music, with venues such as the Vienna State Opera, the Musikverein, and the Konzerthaus, where you can enjoy the performances of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna Boys Choir, and other renowned musicians.
But what makes Vienna even more special in December is the festive markets. Vienna has some of the oldest and most traditional markets in Europe, dating back to the 13th century. The markets are open from mid-November to late December, and they are located in various places around the city, such as the Rathausplatz, the Schonbrunn Palace, the Belvedere Palace, and the Spittelberg. The markets are also a great place to experience the local culture and traditions, such as the Advent wreath, the Krampus parade, and the New Year’s Eve concert.
If you want to enjoy Vienna in December, here are some tips and recommendations for you:
The best place to stay in Vienna is the Innere Stadt, where you can be close to the main attractions and the markets. You can find a range of accommodation options, from budget hostels to luxury hotels, on Jet2CityBreaks.
The best place to eat in Vienna is the Naschmarkt, where you can sample some of the delicious Austrian cuisine, such as schnitzel, strudel, sachertorte, and coffee. You can also find many restaurants and cafes that serve international dishes, such as Turkish, Indian, and Japanese.
The best place to shop in Vienna is the markets, where you can find unique and affordable souvenirs, such as candles, gingerbread, ceramics, and scarves. You can also find some of the famous Austrian products, such as Mozartkugeln, Swarovski crystals, and wine.
The best place to sightsee in Vienna is the Innere Stadt, where you can admire the architecture, visit the palaces, and explore the museums. You can also take a walking tour, a horse-drawn carriage, or a hop-on hop-off bus to see more of the city.
Berlin
Berlin is a perfect destination for December city breaks because it is a city that combines modernity, history, and diversity. It is known for its modern art, with galleries such as the Berlinische Galerie, the Hamburger Bahnhof, and the East Side Gallery, where you can admire the works of contemporary artists, such as Basquiat, Warhol, and Banksy. Berlin is also known for its historical monuments, such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, the Berlin Wall, and the Holocaust Memorial, where you can learn about the history and the politics of Germany. Berlin is also known for its vibrant nightlife, with a variety of clubs, bars, and festivals, such as the Berghain, the Watergate, and the Berlinale.
But what makes Berlin even more special in December is the diverse markets. Berlin has some of the most varied and multicultural markets in Europe, where you can find products and food from different countries and regions, such as Scandinavia, Japan, and Africa. The markets are open from late November to early January, and they are located in various areas around the city, such as the Alexanderplatz, the Gendarmenmarkt, the Potsdamer Platz, and the Charlottenburg Palace. The markets are also a great place to experience the local culture and traditions, such as the Christmas tree lighting, the ice skating, and the fireworks.
If you want to enjoy Berlin in December, here are some tips and recommendations for you:
The best place to stay in Berlin is the Mitte, where you can be close to the main attractions and the markets. You can find a range of accommodation options, from budget hostels to luxury hotels, on Jet2CityBreaks.
The best place to eat in Berlin is the Kreuzberg, where you can sample some of the delicious German cuisine, such as currywurst, pretzel, stollen, and beer. You can also find many restaurants and cafes that serve international dishes, such as Turkish, Vietnamese, and Mexican.
The best place to sightsee in Berlin is the Mitte, where you can admire the architecture, visit the monuments, and explore the museums. You can also take a walking tour, a bike tour, or a hop-on hop-off bus to see more of the city.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is an ideal destination for December city breaks because it is a city that embodies coziness, happiness, and sustainability. It is known for its fairy-tale castles, such as the Rosenborg Castle, the Amalienborg Palace, and the Christiansborg Palace, where you can learn about the history and the culture of the Danish monarchy. Copenhagen is also known for its colorful houses, such as the Nyhavn, the Christiania, and the Tivoli Gardens, where you can enjoy the scenery, the atmosphere, and the entertainment.
But what makes Copenhagen even more special in December is the hygge atmosphere. Copenhagen has some of the most cozy and festive markets in Europe, where you can find handmade crafts, organic food, hot chocolate, and glögg (a spiced wine). The markets are open from mid-November to late December, and they are located in various places around the city, such as the Nyhavn, the Tivoli Gardens, the Kongens Nytorv, and the Christiania. The markets are also a great place to experience the local culture and traditions, such as the Christmas tree lighting, the Santa Claus parade, and the Lucia procession.
If you want to enjoy Copenhagen in December, here are some tips and recommendations for you:
The best place to stay in Copenhagen is the Indre By, where you can be close to the main attractions and the markets. You can find a range of accommodation options, from budget hostels to luxury hotels, on Jet2CityBreaks.
The best place to eat in Copenhagen is the Torvehallerne, where you can sample some of the delicious Danish cuisine, such as smørrebrød, frikadeller, risalamande, and pastry. You can also find many restaurants and cafes that serve international dishes, such as Italian, Thai, and Moroccan.
The best place to shop in Copenhagen is the markets, where you can find unique and affordable souvenirs, such as candles, woolen products, ceramics, and chocolates. You can also find some of the famous Danish products, such as Lego, Bang & Olufsen, and Royal Copenhagen.
The best place to sightsee in Copenhagen is the Indre By, where you can admire the architecture, visit the castles, and explore the gardens. You can also take a walking tour, a canal cruise, or a hop-on hop-off bus to see more of the city.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a wonderful destination for December city breaks because it is a city that blends history, nature, and culture. It is known for its medieval architecture, such as the Edinburgh Castle, the St Giles’ Cathedral, the Royal Mile, and the Holyrood Palace, where you can learn about the history and the legends of Scotland.
But what makes Edinburgh even more special in December is the Hogmanay celebrations. Hogmanay is the Scottish word for New Year’s Eve, and it is one of the biggest and most festive events in the world. The celebrations last for three days, from December 30 to January 1, and they include various activities and attractions, such as the torchlight procession, the street party, the fireworks, the concert in the gardens, and the Loony Dook (a dip in the freezing water). The celebrations are also a great place to experience the local culture and traditions, such as the ceilidh (a folk dance), the Auld Lang Syne (a song), and the first-footing (a gift-giving ritual).
If you want to enjoy Edinburgh in December, here are some tips and recommendations for you:
The best place to stay in Edinburgh is the Old Town, where you can be close to the main attractions and the celebrations. You can find a range of accommodation options, from budget hostels to luxury hotels, on Jet2CityBreaks.
The best place to eat in Edinburgh is the Grassmarket, where you can sample some of the delicious Scottish cuisine, such as haggis, neeps and tatties, cranachan, and shortbread. You can also find many restaurants and pubs that serve international dishes, such as Indian, Chinese, and French.
The best place to shop in Edinburgh is the markets, where you can find unique and affordable souvenirs, such as tartan, tweed, whisky, and fudge. You can also find some of the famous Scottish products, such as Harris Tweed, Edinburgh Crystal, and Walker’s Shortbread.
The best place to sightsee in Edinburgh is the Old Town, where you can admire the architecture, visit the castle, and explore the museums. You can also take a walking tour, a ghost tour, or a hop-on hop-off bus to see more of the city.
Conclusion
Taking a city break in December can be a great way to enrich your travel experience and create lasting memories. You can discover new places, culture, and cuisine, while enjoying the festive atmosphere and the winter wonderland. Whether you choose Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Copenhagen, or Edinburgh, you will not regret taking a December city break.
Thank you for reading our blog post and we hope you have enjoyed it. Please leave a comment below or share this blog post with your friends and family. We would love to hear from you and your feedback is always appreciated. Happy travels!