Where to travel for a White Christmas

Having a white Christmas is something those in the Northern Hemisphere can hope for and enjoy but not so much for us down in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Say goodbye to sweltering Christmas lunches and hello to being cosy by a fireplace with these great locations around the world to get the perfect white Christmas (depending on the weather, of course).

Vienna, the capital of Austria is a beautiful location to visit for Christmas, but don’t overlook Salzburg. A smaller town but just as stunning, Salzburg was the birthplace of Mozart and the filming location for The Sound of Music. So, if you’re keen for some musically alive hills, Salzburg is a great choice, with a generous amount of Christmas markets in the main squares as well as the Hohensalzburg Castle courtyard. And what feels more decadently Christmas-y than a castle Christmas market?

As people passionate about snow sports will tell you, Canada boasts some of the best slopes. Plus, there are a lot of cities to choose from in the Great White North with their own specific vibes. One of those is Québec City, which has a distinctly European feel with its cobble-stone streets, castle-like buildings and French-speaking population.

Rumour has it that Santa lives in the remote town of Rovaniemi in the Arctic Circle of Finland. Called Santa’s Village by locals, it truly is a magical place, and this makes it the perfect place to enjoy a snow-filled Christmas. You can even enjoy a tour of the Ranua Wildlife Park while being pulled around by a team of reindeers or huskies. Plus, there’s also a chance of getting a glimpse of the Northern Lights. What a way to spend Christmas.

While Christmas markets are extremely popular in all of Europe, the ones in Germany are probably one of the most famous ones. The capital of Berlin boasts great food, stalls and light installation options, plus there are plenty of other cities with incredible Christmas experiences such as Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Nuremberg and the biggest and oldest-on-record Christmas market in the world, Dresden Striezelmarkt. 

In Budapest, the capital of Hungary, you’ll be able to enjoy the traditional aspects of a European Christmas alongside the less traditional. From the ruin bars (that is, bars operating out of abandoned, run-down buildings) and thermal baths to the Christmas markets and an outdoor ice rink, Christmas in Hungary is a little different. Plus, with frequent and gentle December snowfall, chances are good that you’ll get the snow you’re after.

Somewhere a bit closer (and cheaper) that still promises a generous heaping of snow is Japan. The north of Japan and its mountains are some of the snowiest places in the world, making them perfect for those who love to hit the snow fields with their skis or boards. Plus, Christmas Eve is Japan’s version of Valentine’s Day, making it the perfect trip for you and your significant other.

It’s impossible to talk about the legend of Christmas without a mention of New York City. There have been so many classic Christmas movies set there like Miracle on 34^th Street, When Harry Met Sally (Prime Video), and Serendipity (Netflix). While it’s not guaranteed that you’ll get a white Christmas, you’ll still be able to fulfil your silver screen Christmas fantasies by skating at the infamous Rockefeller Center Ice Rink under the Christmas Tree, enjoying all the Christmas lights, and checking out the legendary holiday window displays.

Norway boasts the northernmost town in the world – Tromsø, where snowfall can start as early as October. This is another location where you can see the Northern lights, being 350km north of the Arctic Circle. Plus, despite being so far north and having a population of over 50,000, it’s easy to get around on foot. If you’re determined to enjoy a snow-capped city, Tromsø in Norway is one of your best bets.

If you’re keen to soak up a European-style Christmas but still want to be able to speak the language, Scotland is a great option, in particular Edinburgh. Edinburgh has the classic feel of Europe with cobble-stone streets, well-preserved historical sites, toasty pubs with fireplaces to warm yourself, and Christmas markets packed with mulled wine and cider. While snow isn’t guaranteed, it’s cold enough that you’re in with a good chance to be blessed with snow come Christmastime.

International roaming

If you’re planning on travelling overseas over Christmas, you may like to connect with family and friends back home.

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^{This is an updated version of an article first published on 1 December 2023.}