The 10 European Capitals to Visit in December

December is undoubtedly one of the most beloved months for traveling, and even with just a weekend available, people always try to go somewhere. This is especially true for the magic of Christmas approaching and the beauty of cities lit up and decorated for the holidays. Festivals and special events to participate in, traditions to discover, museums to visit, unusual activities, and maybe even some snowy landscapes: here are the 10 European capitals to visit in December.

Not sure which one to choose? Let us handle that! With Waynabox, choose your departure city and travel dates, eliminate destinations you have already visited or don't want to go to, and embark on a surprise trip; you'll discover your destination 48 hours before departure! Find out how it works >>>

We certainly cannot recommend anything less than our wonderful capital, the Eternal City: Rome. Visited by tourists from all over the world, it becomes even more captivating in December thanks to the light installations and numerous events.

It is an ideal destination especially if you have little time and cannot travel too far: with a 3-day itinerary, for example, you can visit some of the most important attractions, such as the iconic Colosseum, purchasing the priority entry to avoid the long lines that form this month, or the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, participating in a tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica.

Additionally, the city is filled with numerous Christmas markets: you can start from Piazza Navona and then reach those in Piazza di Spagna. To enjoy a panoramic tour of all of Rome, we recommend boarding the tourist bus, which also provides shelter from the cold. See also: What to see in Rome

Berlin is a city rich in history, and December is a wonderful month to visit. In German-speaking countries, the Christmas season is particularly heartfelt and the streets are filled with lights, Christmas trees, and the famous markets. Berlin is also very easy to reach and is an excellent destination for organizing a 3-day itinerary.

You can't forget to stop by the Brandenburg Gate or to admire the city from above at the Berlin TV Tower. Museum lovers can spend an entire day at the Museum Island, where the famous Pergamonmuseum is located. You can also admire the entire city aboard the tourist bus: December is particularly cold, so you can enjoy it indoors.

Finally, Berlin at Christmas offers a lot of activities and experiences. From the famous markets at Gendarmenmarkt and Alexanderplatz to the ice skating rinks set up around the city, and the pub crawls with priority entrance to the club for those looking for nightlife. See also: What to see in Berlin

Certainly, one of the most beautiful capitals to visit in December is Paris, the French capital. Romantic, charming, and wonderful year-round, it gets even better this month. Now it's easier to reach due to the direct train from Milan, which takes you right into the city center, ideal for those who don't like flying!

Be sure not to miss the classics, such as a visit to the Louvre or the Musée d'Orsay. If you love museums, we recommend purchasing the Paris Museum Pass. Certainly, one day, especially if traveling with family, should be devoted to Disneyland Paris, which has special hours for this period.

Don't forget about shopping: enter Galeries Lafayette to enjoy the beautiful decorations and take a walk along the Champs-Élysées, fully lit up, until you reach the Arc de Triomphe, where you can also purchase the ticket for the summit. Paris at Christmas truly offers activities for everyone! See also: What to see in Paris

And after capitals like Berlin and Paris, we couldn't skip London, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. If you visit the English capital in December, be prepared for a bit of patience: it really gets crowded, but it's not hard to see why. Already captivating year-round, in December it fills with lights, markets, and genuine Christmas parks.

During this time, the temperatures are very chilly, but don't miss must-sees like the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. If you're a fan of the Harry Potter saga, you also shouldn't miss the Warner Bros Studios, beautifully decorated for the holiday season.

London at Christmas is truly incredible. Besides the illuminated streets and squares, you can find wonderful markets like the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, the Christmas Market at London's South Bank near the London Eye, and the London Bridge Christmas Market. Don't miss the ice skating rinks and many events. See also: What to see in London

Like Germany, Austria is an ideal country to visit in December: from ski slopes and mountain villages to the wonderful capital Vienna, with its markets and Christmas music filling the streets. Moreover, if you come from Northeast Italy, you can reach the Austrian capital by car or train.

Vienna is a perfect capital for organizing a 3-day itinerary, especially for those who are lovers of art and history. The city is rich in important museums, like the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and magnificent historic palaces, such as the Hofburg Palace and the famous Schönbrunn Palace. If you plan to visit as many museums as possible, consider purchasing the Vienna Pass. And after touring on the tourist bus, there's nothing better than concluding the day with a traditional dinner and show at the Wiener Rathauskeller.

Certainly, the period of Christmas in Vienna is one of the most beautiful times of the year: in addition to the lights and the completely illuminated City Hall, you can find various ice skating rinks and numerous markets, such as the Christmas Village Belvedere Palace and the Schönbrunn Christmas Market. See also: What to see in Vienna

From Vienna we reach Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, one of the most charming and romantic capitals year-round, even more so in December. Again, Prague is a perfect destination for a 3-day escape and is ideal for those who do not have much time and a reduced budget. Here, in fact, the cost of living is significantly lower than in other European capitals.

There are many things to do and see in Prague: from a sunset walk along the Charles Bridge to a visit to the Prague Castle with the St. Vitus Cathedral. Prague is also a perfect destination for young people, thanks to its lively nightlife. If you want to enjoy a quieter evening, you shouldn't miss a concert at the Reduta Jazz Club or the experience of a medieval dinner.

Lastly, Christmas in Prague is truly magical. From Christmas markets to local traditions, from ice skating to the most unique events. For example, if you visit the city in early December, you will be able to witness the Day of Mikuláš, the arrival of St. Nicholas, with the traditional parade. See also: What to see in Prague

Besides Prague, one of the most charming and romantic capitals in Europe is certainly Budapest, Hungary. This is also a destination that allows for planning a low-cost trip even during December, keeping in mind that costs tend to increase this month.

One of the first stops to make in the city is definitely the Hungarian Parliament, located in Pest, the more modern part of the city. On the opposite bank of the Danube is Buda, where attractions such as the Buda Castle and the Fisherman's Bastion are located. The Hungarian capital is also known for its wonderful thermal baths: there's nothing better than spending a few hours relaxing in one of the thermal baths in Budapest, like the famous Széchenyi Baths.

Christmas in Budapest is truly a fascinating time: Christmas markets, concerts inside St. Stephen's Basilica, and ice skating. And don't forget to conclude the evening in one of the famous ruin pubs of the city, the heart of its vibrant nightlife. See also: What to see in Budapest

Amsterdam is certainly one of the most loved European capitals especially by young people, thanks to its lively nightlife. Extremely charming and alternative, it's also very easy to reach from many cities in Italy. However, prepare to face significantly cold temperatures, especially in December.

Amsterdam is a city with activities for everyone: from art lovers, thanks to the famous Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, to history lovers, with the Anne Frank House. But also for families with children, who can visit the NEMO Museum and Madame Tussauds. Certainly, on the cold December days, we recommend using public transport to get around the city and purchasing the GVB public transport pass.

Additionally, December is filled with events, among the most famous being the Amsterdam Light Festival, which creates projections and light shows throughout the streets, squares, and canals. You'll also find Christmas markets: don't miss the Ice Village at Museumplein, which also has a large ice skating rink. See also: What to see in Amsterdam

Now let's head over to the Northern European countries, specifically Denmark, where the magic of Christmas and the holidays begins to be felt as early as late November. Prepare for the cold: winter here is particularly harsh, dress in layers and wear warm clothing to avoid discomfort.

Copenhagen is a truly magical city that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. Unfortunately, it is also quite expensive, like all of Northern Europe, so to fully enjoy it, we recommend purchasing the Copenhagen Card. Certainly, one of the most famous attractions is the Tivoli Gardens, which has special hours for the Christmas market during December. We recommend purchasing the unlimited attractions pass to enjoy a day or evening of fun.

Take the opportunity to taste typical Christmas products, rich in cinnamon, and warm up with a glass of GløggII, a mulled wine with raisins, almonds, cardamom, orange, and brandy. See also: What to see in Copenhagen

Finally, we recommend a still little-known capital, away from mass tourism, ideal for those who want to discover less crowded destinations. We are talking about Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. A perfect city to visit with a 3-day itinerary full of beauties that will make you fall in love.

Tallinn is a city rich in charm: we recommend participating in a 2-hour guided walking tour of the Old Town to wander through its wonderful alleys rich in shops and small stores, or, given the decidedly cold temperatures, hop on the tourist bus to admire the city from the window. From the Tallinn TV Tower, you can enjoy a truly unique view of the city.

Needless to say: at Christmas, the city becomes even more beautiful, with lights, events, and Christmas markets. And right here, in the distant 1441, the first Christmas tree was displayed in Europe. Immerse yourself in its culinary traditions, tasting typical sweets like Kissel and Curd. See also: What to see in Tallinn