Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Check out all the most beautiful Instagram-worthy destinations for Christmas!
Rovaniemi, Finland
Rovaniemi, Finland is the perfect place for Christmas photos! Why? Because it’s Santa’s hometown. And not only can you visit Santa’s Village, but you also get to experience Finnish Lapland. Best time to visit? Rovaniemi is a Christmas destination so December or late November. Santa’s Village is the place for Christmas photos. There you can go on a reindeer ride and afterward take pictures with them. Or you can go to the husky park and look (and take photos) at the gorgeous huskies.
And let us not forget that you need to visit the Village. Visit Santa and take some cute shots with him. The outside, the whole Village area is super Christmassy and you can literally take a photo anywhere and it would look fabulous! And you will totally fall in the best Christmas mood while walking around the Village! Let us not forget that during wintertime there is a snow/ice hotel just outside Rovaniemi.
It’s super pretty to visit and so perfect for Instagram photos! Just next to the snow hotel there are the Instagram famous glass-igloo hotels. So Instagram-worthy, either during Christmas time or even after! You might even get to see the northern lights! If you love Christmas and want to spend a couple of days at this perfect Christmas location! Your Instagram feed will look fab!
Recommended by: Ronja at Ronja Goes Abroad
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is another top destination to take beautiful Christmas photos. Even though the Danish capital is good to visit for its stunning architecture and style throughout the year, the holiday season definitely makes it look more charming. One of the best places to visit in Copenhagen during Christmas is Nyhavn. When there, you will find yourself standing in front of a delightful canal enclosed by colorful houses on both sides. You can take a boat trip to capture unique photography perspectives or stroll by the water and enjoy the many Christmas stalls and twinkly lights.
Strøget, the nearby pedestrian-only street in the city center, is also adorned with many Instagram-worthy Christmas markets during this time of the year. You can also admire a beautiful bird’s eye perspective of the street from the Tower at Christiansborg Palace. It is a viewpoint that is free to visit. Last but not least, make sure to spend a good number of hours at the Tivoli Gardens. With several Christmas stalls, rides, restaurants, and photo ops- it is unlike any other amusement park out there. The decorations in Tivoli Gardens are so magical that you may want to press the shutter button on your camera at every step.
The best time to go to Copenhagen is before Christmas. Although the festive decor stays up till mid-January, the holiday spirit is much more enjoyable before Christmas day. If you are looking to get better deals, then late November to Early December is a good time.
Recommended by: Charu at Travel with CG
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and one of the best cities to visit during Christmas in Europe. During the Christmas period, you can do a lot of great things, also the Netherlands loves Christmas so there is a lot organized in the city. First of all, Amsterdam is decorated with lights during the Christmas period, which makes the street scene very romantic which makes it great to take photos.
Several locations can only be visited during the Christmas period. The largest Christmas tree in the Netherlands is decorated every year on the dam. In the background is the royal palace located which makes it very impressive to see. You can also go to the Amsterdam Winter Paradise, which is a fair in winter atmospheres. It is located at the RAI in Amsterdam. The Sunday before Christmas there is always a Funky Xmas Market at Westergas, here you will find handmade products by artists.
You will amaze yourself with how beautiful some products are. Another nice destination is the Ice Village behind the Rijksmuseum at the museum square, a winter village is being built during December to ice skate, eat oliebollen and relax by various campfires. During Christmas, you can do all these extra great things in addition to what you can normally do in Amsterdam. If you want more information about Amsterdam, you can read this in this 3-day travel guide of Amsterdam.
Recommended by: Alexander at Travel Your Memories
Paris, France
Paris is magical any time of year, but the city really comes alive around Christmas time. There isn’t the usual swell of tourists, the air is delightfully cold and crisp (so it’s the perfect season to enjoy decadent Parisian hot chocolate), and the City of Lights lights up with the Christmas spirit. If you visit Paris sometime during the Christmas season,you’ll be sure to stumble upon the Christmas markets and the beautiful decorations in front of shops, but the absolute best place to catch Christmas Insta photos in Paris is at the Galeries Lafayette.
Located near the Paris Opera, the Galeries Lafayette is a super luxurious mall that has entire buildings dedicated to different types of apparel. The main building is literally a few stories tall and has a gigantic opening intersecting the center. And this space is where a stories-tall Christmas tree and display live during the Christmas season. The display has music and lights, so it’s a festive scene you cannot miss.
Visit the Galeries Lafayette close to opening in order to beat some of the crowds. If you visit during a popular time, you’ll have to wait in line. Even with a line, this is a Christmas display you don’t want to miss!
Recommended by: Gabby at the Office Escape Artist
Colmar, France
If you are looking for the perfect Christmas destination for epic Instagram pictures then look no further than Colmar France. Located in the Alsace region you will not find a more picturesque place. Tourists flock to this area of France every year to enjoy the epic Christmas markets that are world-famous. Known as a fairy tale town for its colourful timber houses, you will find so many places to take the epic Insta shot. The best places to get your Insta pictures are in The Little Venice area of Colmar. With its cobblestones streets, classic coloured buildings and doorways to please everyone you will find the exact backdrop you are looking for. Beside the canal is also a perfect place for a picture. As the sun goes down you can get brilliant colours off the water from the buildings.
Recommended by: Bec at Wyld Family Travel
Berlin, Germany
Compared to other German cities like Munich and Nuremberg, Berlin isn’t often thought of as a Christmas wonderland. However, Germany’s largest city turns festive during the holidays with Christmas markets and light displays. If you’re visiting Berlin around Christmastime, be prepared to take some fun and festive Instagram photos! Berlin is home to several different Christmas markets, with one of the most famous being the market at Gendarmenmarkt.
At this market, one of the city’s prettiest squares is transformed into a winter wonderland. The market is home to a maze of beautiful wooden stalls, each selling homemade crafts, souvenirs, and holiday treats. Don’t visit this market (or any Christmas market) without sampling a mug of glühwein, or mulled cider. Posing in front of a market stall with your mug of glühwein makes for the perfect Insta pic! In addition to Berlin’s Christmas markets, you can find dazzling displays of Christmas lights throughout the city. Some of the most popular displays in the city include the lights at Potsdamer Platz, the lit-up trees at Unter den Linden, and the Christmas Tree at Brandenburg Gate.
Berlin’s Christmas markets start to open around the middle of November and usually stay open through the first few days of the new year. Christmas light displays usually turn on in the last week of November. To maximize your amount of holiday fun (and to get the best Christmas-themed Instagram shots), plan your visit to be in December. At this time, you can guarantee that most of the city’s main Christmas markets will be open.
Recommended by: Sydney at A World in Reach
Cologne, Germany
The weather in Cologne may not be the most comfortable in winter, but there are still plenty of activities for the perfect time in Germany. Strolling through the Old Town of Cologne will give you many opportunities to shoot some amazing pictures. The highlight of your stay in Cologne is going to be the visit to the cologne cathedral, which is also the biggest in Germany. You can visit the inside, which is very spectacular, and also walk up over 500 steps to the top of the cathedral.
One thing you should not miss is to try the famous “Koelsch” beer in one of the traditional breweries. Koelsch is served in a small glass, freshly poured from a big wooden barrel and not to compare to other german beers. If you’re visiting during Christmas time you should also visit the Christmas market which is a big thing in Germany. Definitely try some Gingerbread and mulled wine, you won’t regret it. Another great spot for some Instagram photos is going to be the other side of the river from where you can overlook the city and the old Hohenzoller bridge.
Recommended by: Victoria at Guide Your Travel
Prague, Czech Republic
Without a doubt, Prague is one of the most picturesque and Insta Worthy cities in Europe. But this is especially true during the Christmas season when Prague’s Christmas Markets are in full swing, twinkling fairy lights adorn the city’s trees and if you’re lucky, a light dusting of snow falls on the terracotta rooftops. Despite being a non-religious country, the Czech Republic takes the advent season pretty seriously and you’ll find almost every city square adorned with a big pine Christmas tree covered in baubles, street lamps hung in fairy lights, shop windows decorated in festive displays, and small nativity scenes set up, some even with living animals.
Quite literally you’ll find photo opportunities around every corner. Amongst the most popular spots for photos is an “aerial” shot from the Town Hall Tower on the Old Town Square, the little bridge right in the middle of the main Christmas Market also in the Old Town Square and in the main courtyard of Prague Castle behind the mighty St Vitus Cathedral. Those who are looking to take photos with the least amount of crowds should aim to visit during the first weekend of the Christmas Markets, which typically start on the last weekend of November.
Recommended by: Samantha at The Wandering Wanderluster
Bratislava, Slovakia
If you are looking for the most beautiful Christmas spots in Europe, then you should definitely visit Bratislava in Winter! Here you will find a whole series of amazing Christmas sceneries, which are just perfect as unique photo spots! All the atmosphere is so special and actually, this city spoils visitors with a kind of fairy-tale scenery.
Don`t miss the most beautiful and largest Christmas market which is located on the main square Hlavné and Hviezdoslavovo námestie.
During a visit, you will enjoy regional specialties, delicious food, and sweet treats. Locals but also many tourists from all over the world meet here to drink mulled wine or tea together and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere to the fullest. Not only the drinks are delicious, but fantastic food is also provided! You should definitely try Loksa, a savory pancake with potatoes, and the traditional Strudl, a crispy cake with apple and raisin filling.
This Christmas market gets the most beautiful towards evening at sunset. For amazing Instagram pics, you have to climb the Old Town Hall. From the top, you will have the possibility to take amazing photos!
Recommended by: Places of Juma
London, England
One of the best destinations for Christmas Instagram photos is London for sure. There are many Instagrammable places in London (https://dymabroad.com/best-instagram-photo-spots-in-london/) and some of them are wonderful Christmas spots too! There are many stores and other venues in London with beautiful displays throughout the year that often change. These are always wonderful for taking photos.
For example, the cake shop Peggy Porschen has wonderful changing displays. What’s great is that these places change their displays depending on the time of the year. This means that during the Christmas season they have displays that focus on that. These displays often include snow, Christmas trees, and the colors gold, silver, white, and red. Besides that, there are some places that have special decorations only during the Christmas season. An example of this would be the club Annabel’s.
During the Christmas season, the front of this club changes into a huge Christmas tree. Besides that, you can find lots of festive decorations throughout the city. For example, Regent Street has amazing lights that are great to capture. The best time to visit these places is the month of December. During this month, most of the displays and decorations are visible and available for taking photos.
Recommended by: Dymphe at Dymabroad
Orlando, Florida
Christmas in Orlando is a special time. You get all of the festive holiday events and decorations without the freezing cold and snow. While some people might love a white Christmas, you can get some creative Instagram Christmas photos in Orlando thanks to the warmer weather. Orlando starts to get ready for the holidays in late November. Visiting anytime in December through the first weekend in January should allow you to see most of the Christmas decorations that go up each year.
The theme parks are a big part of most Orlando itineraries, and that should be the case at Christmas too. You have so many options for Instagrammable Christmas pictures between the Disney hotels, Disney parks, Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, and SeaWorld. One of the best places to visit is the Grand Floridian on Disney property. You can enjoy the massive gingerbread house and Christmas tree in the hotel lobby and enjoy a meal at one of the hotel restaurants. Both the Christmas tree and gingerbread house are popular Orlando Christmas photos.
Another great spot to enjoy Christmas in Orlando is the path that goes around Lake Eola. You’ll find plenty of photo ops as you stroll around the park and enjoy the perfect temperatures of Orlando in December. Besides these two spots, you can find lots of Christmas lights, Christmas festivals, and fake snow to get Instagram photos without having to bundle up and freeze in the cold if you visit Orlando at Christmas.
Recommended by: Christine at Live Love Run Travel
New York City, New York
New York City is easily one of the best holiday destinations to add to your bucket list. From extravagant holiday decorations, Christmas markets, the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree, endless photo opportunities, and the chance to see Manhattan under a blanket of snow makes NYC in December a perfect holiday vacation. Some of the most photo-worthy holiday places in New York include Rockefeller Center at night to see the tree lit up.
You can even ice skate under the tree making for the perfect IG photo. Right next to Rockefeller Center, you can then witness the Saks 5th Ave. light show which is one of, if not the best light show in the city. Additionally, you can find fun Christmas displays by Radio City Music hall and in the Hudson Yards. If you’re up for an adventure, consider making your way over to Dyker Heights where you will find over-the-top homes decked in Christmas decorations!
The best time to visit New York during the holidays would be at the beginning of December. The closer you get to Christmas, the more busy the City will be. This does not by any means guarantee the city will be empty. The holidays are likely one of the busiest times in Manhattan. Even though the weather is cold and the crowds are vast, it is still one of the most magical places to be during the holidays and photo-worthy!
Recommended by: Sam at Find Love and Travel
Toronto, Canada
Having been ranked among the top Christmas markets in the world, the Toronto Christmas Market is a must-visit if you happen to be in Ontario this time of year. Whether you’re just looking for a cute souvenir or to go on a full shopping spree, there is something here for you.
This market is where hundreds of local craftspeople, musicians, and artisanal food-makers come together and put on a spectacular show. You can find numerous specialty shops that sell products you didn’t know existed. They have decorating ornaments, stocking stuffers, clothes, postcards, candles, potteries, spices, handmade jewelry, baked goods, and everything in between.
Even if shopping is not your jam, you will certainly enjoy the energetic and festive atmosphere. The market takes place in the Distillery Historic District, usually from November to December every year. It features festive light, cobblestone pathways, red-brick buildings, holiday-themed decorations, and a 50 foot high fully decked tree. This is the perfect place to take cute Instagram photos because there are so many backdrops to choose from.
Before you leave, be sure to check out some of the unique sweet shops here. I highly recommend Eva’s Chimney Cakes and Brick Street Bakery. You can enjoy a cup of warm mulled wine or hot chocolate too!
Recommended by: John at Your Destination Is Everywhere
Vancouver, Canada
When it comes to enjoying Christmas in Vancouver, Canada, few places are as iconic as the Capilano Suspension Bridge. This unique attraction is considered one of the best things to do in Vancouver and during Christmas they offer a really unique experience. Instead of visiting the bridge during the day, head there after dark to enjoy the beautiful lights and take a walk through the forest and across the famous rope bridge.
On the bridge itself, you can get the perfect Insta photo with all the lights and of course, yourself rugged up with a hot chocolate in hand. The best part is, visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge is much quieter at night allowing you to escape the crowds and get the perfect shot. During the Christmas season, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is open from 11 am to 9 pm, however, the lights don’t start until 4 pm with the best time to go after 6 pm.
Adult entry costs $54.95, however, there are rates for children, seniors, families, and more. Visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge is a must in Vancouver and the experience at night under Christmas lights is even more special. This really is one of the best places to capture that perfect Instagram photo to make your friends jealous!
Recommended by: Bailey at Destinationless Travel
Niagara Falls, Canada
The Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls, Canada is the perfect spot for Christmas Instagram photos. Over the years, it has become the largest light display in Canada. The area along Niagara Falls Parkway, Dufferin Islands, and throughout Niagara Falls is decked out in millions of lights for the holidays beginning in November and lasting throughout the holidays.
The displays are sparkly, festive, and picture-perfect. Niagara Falls is spectacular itself, but during the holiday season, the area is quite often blanketed with snowmaking it a magical winter wonderland! The best time to go is at night in order to get the full effect of all the lights, but there are still some daytime decorations that you can view in the daylight. Some of the most popular displays include Canadian wildlife, colorful Christmas trees, and huge light tunnels.
In order to see all the light displays, you can book a tour that will take you throughout the Niagara Falls parkway on a warm bus, or you can self-drive from the comfort of your own car. The best way to see the holiday displays at the Winter Festival of Lights is to walk at your own pace so that you can snap photos until you get the perfect Christmas Instagram shot. However, if you choose to walk, make sure you bundle up because it can get chilly in the Canadian wintertime weather. It is also usually snowy, so make sure to prepare with a good pair of winter boots or warm hiking shoes.
Recommended by: Michelle at Empty Nest Travel Adventures
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