7 Christmas Getaways from London That Will Get You Into the Festive Spirit

Today I want to share my guide to the best Christmas getaways from London with you. Whether you dream of European cities with famous Christmas markets or British classics with yuletide charm, there are a lot of great escapes you can enjoy during the run-up to December 25th. I’ve spent years traveling all over the UK and Europe during the festive season, and today I want to share my favorite places with you. Read on for my list. There’s a map, too.

Best Christmas Getaways from London

The best Christmas trips from London range from beloved English cities to bustling European capitals. Some are home to famous British Christmas markets, while others are known for delicious food, seasonal attractions, or festive events.

Whatever your interests, these easy escapes from London are sure to get you into the Christmas spirit. Better yet, they’re great ways to find unique gifts for people back home.

If you go, make sure to reserve things like trains, flights, and hotels well in advance. Christmas is a popular time of year to visit the UK and Europe, and things book up well ahead of the season.

1. Vienna

Vienna is one of my favorite getaways from London during the festive season. I’ve been here multiple times at Christmas, and I love everything from the markets to the decorations and seasonal events.

Vienna is ideal at Christmas because it has so many festive markets to choose from. Whether you want to shop for gifts, enjoy mulled wine, sample the city’s famous food, ice skate, or just soak up the scene, the markets here have something for every visitor.

The Christmas markets in Vienna usually open in mid-November and run through Christmas. Dates change each year, so make sure to check before you book your travel (the same is true for the other places on my list).

Vienna is famous for its Christmas decorations, too. From hotels to shops, the Austrian capital goes all out with seasonal lights, displays, and larger-than-life installations. Walking around the city in November and December is a treat for the eyes.

If you want to learn more, you can take a look at my blog post with an itinerary for a Christmas trip to Vienna. It has everything you need for a great getaway.

If all that appeals, you can book a place to stay in Vienna here. Whether you’re looking for a hotel or an apartment, there are plenty of options to choose from. My top pick is the 25Hours Hotel at MuseumsQuartier. I’ve stayed here before, and I love the central location and colorful atmosphere. You can book a room here.

2. Paris

Paris is next on my list of the best Christmas getaways from London. The city is impressive at any time of year, but it really comes alive with markets and magic during the festive season. I should know. I’ve been here a million times at Christmas.

Paris has a lot of Christmas markets dotted throughout the city each year. Whether you want to go to the big ones in the Jardin des Tuileries or La Defense, or you prefer a small one like the market in the Place des Abbesses in Montmartre, there’s one for you.

Some of the markets in Paris focus on food and gifts, while others have funfair rides, ice skating, and entertainment. Most are open from mid-November through December.

Additionally, the shops in Paris decorate for the season. From the stunning displays inside the big department stores to the twinkling facades on Rue du Faubourg St Honore, it’s worth a special trip to see the city’s festive decor.

If you want to know more, you can check out my blog post with an itinerary for a weekend trip to Paris at Christmas. It has everything you need for a festive time in the City of Light.

If all that appeals, you can book a place to stay in Paris here. There’s plenty of good accommodation to choose from. If you want some direction, you can take a look at my blog post about the best area to stay in Paris for your style.

3. Edinburgh

Edinburgh is one of the best British Christmas getaways from London. The Scottish capital is bursting with festive cheer in the run-up to Christmas, and it has some of the biggest and most elaborate New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world.

Edinburgh has big Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, and decorations each year. From Princes Street Gardens to George Street and St Andrew Square, Auld Reekie comes alive with the sights, scents, and sounds of the festive season.

Add to that famous restaurants like The Dome (it goes all out with decorations at Christmas) and festive pubs, and there’s a lot to love about this place from the middle of November through New Year’s.

If you want to learn more, you can take a look at my blog post about the best things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas. It has lots of ideas for your trip.

If can extend your stay, Edinburgh is one of the best places to spend New Year’s Eve in the UK. The Hogmanay celebrations involve a multi-day extravaganza that features a torchlight procession, a street party, fireworks, and more.

If an escape to Edinburgh appeals, you can book a place to stay here. My top pick for the festive season is No11 Boutique Hotel & Brasserie. It has beautiful decor, and it’s a great place to base yourself in the city. You can book a room here.

4. Reykjavik

Up in Iceland, Reykjavik is another of my favorite Christmas getaways from London. While most people think of this city as somewhere to visit in summer, there’s a lot to love about it during the festive season as well.

Reykjavik doesn’t have the star-studded Christmas extravaganzas some of the other cities on my list do. Instead, it has a quiet charm during the run-up to December 25th.

You’ll find decorations throughout the city, including Christmas trees and lights. There are also ice skating rinks, Christmas markets on certain days from late November through December, and Icelandic Christmas foods and drinks to enjoy.

But the real highlight is the winter magic. Whether you soak under the sunset at the Sky Lagoon or revel in the long nights, there’s something special about this place at Christmas.

If you want to learn more, you can watch my YouTube video about Christmas in Reykjavik. It has all the highlights, plus information about the weather and daylight hours during the Christmas season in Iceland.

If that all appeals, you can book a place to stay in Reykjavik here. My top pick for accommodation in the city is the Reykjavik Marina hotel. I’ve stayed here at Christmastime before, and I like its location and rooms. You can book a stay here.

5. Cologne

Cologne is next on my list of the best Christmas trips from London. One of the most famous cities for Christmas markets in Germany, it’s not only a great place to get into all things festive, but also a fun destination in which to immerse yourself in the seasonal spirit.

That’s because Cologne does Christmas so well. From the many markets to the festive decorations and twinkling lights, the whole city is magnificent to see from mid-November through December.

For most visitors, the highlight of a Christmas trip to Cologne is exploring the markets. The main ones are all in walking distance of one another in the city center, and they’re packed with chalets selling everything from handicrafts to food and drinks.

Cologne Cathedral is also worth a visit. Not only does this famous church have its own Christmas market, but also stunning interiors and rich history.

You can see more on my blog post about visiting the Cologne Christmas markets. It has everything you need to find the best ones.

If that sounds like your kind of getaway, you can book a place to stay in Cologne here. There’s no shortage of options, from hotels to apartment rentals and more.

6. Salzburg

Back in Austria, Salzburg is another of my favorite places to visit in Europe at Christmas (or any other time of year, for that matter).

Starting in mid-November, Salzburg is known for its spectacular scenery, Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, and decorations. The Mirabell Gardens look beautiful in any season, but in winter they come alive with seasonal flowers and magical dustings of snow.

The Christmas markets in Salzburg are some of the best in Europe, too. The square in front of the cathedral fills with chalets and lights, and the sounds of carol singers serenade visitors as they browse the stalls.

Salzburg’s restaurants also get into the Christmas spirit. I love the way St. Peter Stiftskulinarium, which claims to be the oldest restaurant in Europe, decorates its labyrinth of small dining rooms for the season.

If you want to see more, you can take a look at my blog post about a Christmas trip to Salzburg. It has all the information you need to plan a great trip.

If that sounds like your kind of getaway, you can book a place to stay in Salzburg here. My top pick for a place to stay at Christmas is the Imlauer Hotel Pitter. When I stayed here, I loved the location near the old town. You can book a room here.

7. York

York is another of my top picks for Christmas getaways from London. This city in the north of England is famous for its festive markets, of which there are many dotted throughout the historic center.

York has an impressive variety of Christmas markets from the middle of November through December each year. From big ones in the main squares to smaller numbers tucked away in quiet corners, there’s one for every visitor.

Beyond the markets, York’s shops and restaurants burst with Christmas cheer. From decorations on facades to special foods and drinks like mince pies and mulled wine, there’s a lot to get excited about here.

The city is also home to Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, an annual extravaganza featuring the north of England’s largest outdoor ice skating rink, a vintage funfair, a Santa’s Grotto, and an alpine cafe. It’s a great place to get into the seasonal spirit.

If you want to know more, you can take a look at my blog post about York’s Christmas markets. It covers the main ones in the heart of the city.

If this sounds like your kind of trip, you can book a place to stay in York here. My top pick is the Guy Fawkes Inn. With four-poster beds and windows offering views of York Minster, this notorious medieval criminal’s house-turned-secret-escape has loads of atmosphere. You can book a room here.

Map

Best Christmas Getaways from London

I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of Christmas trips from London and that it’s inspired you to get out and discover some of the best places to visit in Europe and the UK at Christmas. I’m sure these escapes will help you get into the seasonal spirit as much as they’ve helped me.

If you want more inspiration, you can take a look at my blog posts about the top places to visit at Christmas in the UK and the best European Christmas markets.

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