Planning a Christmas holiday can be a challenge, especially when it comes to finding the perfect accommodation. With so many options to choose from, such as luxury hotels, budget-friendly hostels, and everything in between, it can be difficult to know where to start.
To make the process easier, it’s important to read reviews, compare prices, assess the location, and ensure that all your needs are met before making a final decision.
The Best Hotels for Christmas
With these comprehensive guides, I have simplified your search for the perfect hotel for your Christmas getaway.
The options I’ve listed cater to various budgets and have received positive reviews for their quality features, and prime locations near the Christmas markets and popular attractions.
I’ve created detailed guides for the most sought-after Christmas destinations in Europe. Check out my suggestions by clicking below.
Austria
- Graz – The biggest Christmas market in Graz is located in Hauptplatz, the city’s historic main square.
- Hallstatt – Even though the village of Hallstatt holds a one-day Christmas market, it’s well worth visiting for more than the day. Stay on Marktplatz or on the lake.
- Innsbruck – Find a hotel close to the Golden Roof, the River Inn and one of the 7 Christmas markets in Innsbruck.
- Klagenfurt – The historic centre of Klagenfurt is located inland from Lake Wörthersee and is known as Innere Stadt. This is where you’ll find the city’s two main Christmas markets.
- Salzburg – Salzburg has many Christmas markets and in this post, we explain where to stay to be near these markets.
- Vienna – Find a place to stay near the Museum Quarter, a convenient location close to Vienna’s Christmas markets.
Belgium
- Bruges – There are many hotels near Market Square (Grote Markt) but the city centre is very walkable, meaning you can easily get around, even if you are staying in one of the neighbouring quarters.
- Brussels – The Christmas market in Brussels is held in Grand Place, the beautiful market square in Brussels. We highly recommend staying near here for a historic stay at Christmas.
- Ghent – Ghent Christmas Market is located at Sint-Baafsplein, the square in front of Saint Bavo’s Cathedral. Any hotel near here would be conveniently located.
Denmark
- Copenhagen – Copenhagen is a wonderful winter destination with many excellent Christmas markets in the city centre and elsewhere around the city.
Estonia
- Tallinn – Tallinn Christmas Market is held at the Town Hall Square, the large, open main square in the centre of Tallinn’s medieval old town.
France
- Colmar – Anywhere in what is known as Vieux Colmar (old Colmar) is a convenient area to stay, but you might also like to stay in La Petite Venise, the beautiful canal district.
- Lille – Place Rihour and Grand Place are the locations of Lille’s small Christmas festivities. We have listed some of the best hotels near these squares.
- Strasbourg – The most popular Christmas markets in Strasbourg are located on Place Kleber and in front of Strasbourg Cathedral.
Germany
- Bamberg – Bamberg’s cosy Christmas market is located at Maximiliansplatz, the large central square in the historic old town.
- Bremen – Bremen is a Hanseatic city towards the north of Germany. The main Christmas market is held in Market Square and several other markets are within walking distance.
- Dresden – Even though Dresden’s Christmas markets are spread around the city, we recommend staying in the Altstadt, the city’s historic old town.
- Dusseldorf – Stay in the Altstadt near Flinger Straße, Marktstraße or Rathaus Marktplatz.
- Munster – Munster is home to six popular Christmas markets. The main event is located at the Historic Town Hall and Prinzipalmarkt.
Hungary
- Budapest – Budapest Christmas Market at Vorosmarty Square is located in the 5th District, as are the markets in front of St Stephen’s Basilica and Elizabeth Square.
Ireland
- Dublin – Dublin Christmas Market is located at the indoor market on St Michan’s Street.
Italy
- Bologna – If you’re visiting Bologna this Christmas, I suggest staying in the historic city centre near Piazza Maggiore.
- Milan – Piazza Duomo, the main square in front of the stunning cathedral, is the location of the biggest Christmas market in the city.
Latvia
- Riga – Riga’s three main Christmas markets are all located within the historic old town. By staying at a hotel near the Christmas markets, you can save time walking around in what can be a very cold city in winter.
Lithuania
- Vilnius – Vilnius Christmas Market is held on Cathedral Square in Vilnius Old Town, in front of Vilnius Cathedral.
Netherlands
- Amsterdam – There are a number of popular Christmas markets in Amsterdam and not all of them are easily accessible or in areas where you might want to stay in Amsterdam. Stay at one of these conveniently located hotels with good value for money.
Poland
- Gdansk – Gdansk is one of the most festive cities in Poland, with multiple areas in the city decorated with Christmas lights, trees and baubles.
- Krakow – Krakow is home to Poland’s most popular Christmas market, held in the stunning Market Square. There are some outstanding hotels in this area and many of them are affordable for short stays.
- Poznan – Poznan Christmas Market is located at Old Market Square and Wolności Square in the historic centre of Poznan
- Warsaw – Excellent hotels close to the Old Market Square in the city centre of Warsaw.
- Wroclaw – All hotels in the historic city centre (Stare Miasto) are conveniently located but you could also consider staying in the area around Cathedral Island.
Portugal
- Lisbon – Lisbon Christmas Market is held at Park Edward VII and the city’s beautifully decorated Christmas tree is at Praça do Comércio, the large square by the water.
Romania
- Sibiu – Sibiu Christmas Market is located at Piața Mare, the main square in the centre of Sibiu’s old town.
Slovakia
- Bratislava – The Bratislava Christmas Market is located in Hlavné Námestie and spills into the surrounding streets.
Slovenia
- Ljubljana – Staying near Prešeren Square means you will be within walking distance to everywhere you’ll likely want to go, including the Christmas markets.
Sweden
- Stockholm – The main Stockholm Christmas Market is held at Stortorget (Grand Square in English), the centre square in Gamla Stan.
Switzerland
- Basel – Basel Christmas Market is held in two locations in Altstadt Grossbasel (the Old Town in Basel).
- Zurich – If you’re unsure of where to stay in Zurich, anywhere between the train station and the Opera House near Lake Zurich would be within walking distance of most places you will likely want to visit.
United Kingdom
- Bath – Stay near the Christmas markets, the famous Roman baths, the historic Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge while in Bath this year.
- Birmingham – Find a historic hotel near Victoria Square or a highly-rated apartment in the city centre.
- Bristol – Hotels within walking distance of Broadmead and the Christmas markets.
- Edinburgh – Find a hotel near the Mound district and East Princes Street Gardens.
- Exeter – Exeter Christmas Market is held on Cathedral Green, in front of Exeter Cathedral and just off the High Street.
- Manchester – The Christmas markets in Manchester take place in seven locations around the city, with the main Winter Gardens being located at Piccadilly Gardens.
- Nottingham – Stay in the historic Lace Market district or near the Old Market Square and Winter Wonderland.
- Winchester – Anywhere between the Cathedral, the Buttercross Monument, Winchester City Museum and the Guildhall would be an ideal location to stay in when visiting the city.
- York – Hotels in the heart of York, close to The Shambles and Parliament Street, where the Christmas market begins.
Sustainable Hotels
By choosing to stay in a sustainable hotel, you can reduce your carbon footprint and support environmentally conscious businesses during your travels.
This small yet significant decision allows you to limit your environmental impact on the planet while still enjoying your trip.
Here are a few key features to look for when choosing a sustainable hotel:
- Energy-efficient lighting and heating systems: This includes the use of LED lighting, motion sensors, and smart thermostats that conserve energy.
- Use of renewable energy sources: Look for hotels that have installed solar panels, invest in community wind turbines, or use green energy from the grid to power their operations.
- Water conservation efforts: This can include low-flow showerheads, toilets, and taps, rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation systems and landscaping using drought-tolerant plants.
- Waste reduction and recycling programs: A good sustainable hotel will have comprehensive waste management systems in place, including composting, recycling, and upcycling programs, as well as partnerships with local organisations to reduce their waste.
- Sustainable and locally sourced food options: These hotels prioritise locally grown and seasonal ingredients, reducing their carbon footprint and supporting local farmers and producers. But be aware that being locally grown doesn’t always mean lower emissions. What you eat is often more important than where it was grown.
- Food waste minimisation measures: Look for hotels that take steps to rxeduce food waste, such as implementing portion control, using food waste tracking software, and partnering with local organisations to donate surplus food.
- Support for local communities and conservation initiatives: This can include volunteering, community outreach, and funding for conservation projects, as well as promoting local culture and traditions.
- Certification from green organizations: Such as LEED, Green Key, or eco-labels, which recognise hotels for their sustainable practices and environmentally friendly operations.
- Clear communication and transparency about their sustainability efforts: A good sustainable hotel will be transparent about their practices and actively engage with their guests to educate and inspire them to adopt sustainable habits.
If you haven’t found what you’re looking for, click here to search directly for a hotel in your chosen destination.
