Two Weeks of Christmas Markets, New Year’s Eve, and Winter Cities
December in Europe is a different experience from any other time of year. The Christmas markets transform city centers into glowing, mulled-wine-scented wonderlands, the museums are quieter, and the shorter days make every lit-up building and bridge feel more atmospheric. We planned a two-week trip hitting four cities: Vienna for Christmas, Amsterdam for New Year’s Eve, then Brussels and Paris before flying home.
Vienna: Christmas the Way It Should Be
Vienna in December is magical. The city runs some of the oldest and best Christmas markets in Europe, the concert halls are in full holiday season mode, and the cafe culture feels even more appealing when it is cold outside.
We would spend four days here (December 23-26), which is enough to cover the highlights:
Christmas Markets: The Rathausplatz market in front of City Hall is the biggest and most famous — hundreds of stalls selling ornaments, crafts, roasted chestnuts, and Gluhwein (mulled wine). The Spittelberg market in the narrow cobblestone streets of the 7th district is smaller and more charming. The Belvedere Palace market has stunning views of the palace lit up at night.
Must-sees: Schonbrunn Palace is even more impressive in winter with the Christmas market in the forecourt. The Klimt Museum and Hundertwasserhaus are two of Vienna’s more unique cultural stops. MuseumsQuartier houses several excellent collections and has a relaxed courtyard atmosphere even in winter.
Music: Vienna is the classical music capital of the world, and December programming is exceptional. Check the Musikverein and Vienna State Opera schedules — tickets range from surprisingly affordable (standing room) to splurge-worthy.
Food: Schnitzel, Sachertorte, and Apfelstrudel are the classics. The Naschmarkt is open year-round and has excellent food stalls. Budget time for at least one long afternoon in a traditional Kaffeehaus — Cafe Central or Cafe Sperl are the iconic choices.
Amsterdam: New Year’s Eve on the Canals
A quick flight from Vienna to Amsterdam (about two hours, often under 50 euros on budget airlines) gets you there for the New Year transition. Amsterdam goes all out for NYE — fireworks over the canals, parties in every neighborhood, and a city-wide energy that is infectious.
We would spend three days (December 27-30) exploring the city before the big night:
The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are obvious but essential. The Anne Frank House requires advance tickets (book at least a month ahead — it sells out). The Jordaan neighborhood is the most charming area for wandering: narrow canals, independent shops, and cozy brown cafes (traditional Dutch pubs).
Amsterdam’s food scene has grown massively. Indonesian rijsttafel (a multi-dish feast) is the local specialty you will not find done better anywhere else. The Albert Cuyp Market has excellent street food. And the cheese shops are everywhere — rightfully so.
For NYE itself, Museumplein hosts the city’s main fireworks display. The canal-side neighborhoods fill up with locals setting off their own fireworks, creating a 360-degree display from any bridge. Dress warm — Amsterdam in December averages around 2-5 degrees Celsius.
Brussels: Beer, Chocolate, and Grand Place
The Thalys (now Eurostar) high-speed train from Amsterdam to Brussels takes under two hours. Brussels often gets overlooked between its flashier neighbors, but it has some of Europe’s best food and beer at very reasonable prices.
The Grand Place is legitimately one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, especially when lit up at night. The Belgian comic book museum is a fun detour (Tintin was born here). The Magritte Museum houses the world’s largest collection of the surrealist painter’s work.
But really, Brussels is about eating and drinking. Moules-frites (mussels and fries) from a restaurant on Rue des Bouchers is the classic meal. The Belgian waffle stands near the Grand Place serve both Liege (dense, sweet, caramelized) and Brussels (lighter, crispier) varieties. For beer, seek out a proper Belgian beer bar with hundreds of options — Delirium Cafe near the Grand Place has over 2,000 beers on its menu.
Paris: The Grand Finale
Another short Eurostar ride (about 90 minutes) brings you to Paris for the final days of the trip. Paris in early January is quieter than usual — the holiday tourists have left, but the city’s winter charm is still in full effect.
The Louvre and Musee d’Orsay are less crowded in early January than almost any other time of year. The Marais neighborhood is perfect for walking, vintage shopping, and falafel on Rue des Rosiers. The Christmas decorations along the Champs-Elysees usually stay up through early January.
For a splurge, the department stores (Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marche) have stunning holiday window displays and their January sales start around the 2nd — some of the best shopping deals in Paris all year.
Budget Estimate
- Flights: Round trip JFK to Paris (open jaw or round trip) — 50,000-65,000 miles or 600-900 USD. December is peak holiday pricing, so book early
- Intra-Europe flights/trains: Vienna-Amsterdam flight 50-100 EUR, Amsterdam-Brussels train 30-50 EUR, Brussels-Paris train 30-60 EUR
- Hotels: Vienna 120-180 EUR/night, Amsterdam 150-220 EUR/night (NYE prices surge), Brussels 80-130 EUR/night, Paris 140-200 EUR/night
- Food: 50-70 EUR per day for two across all cities
- Christmas markets: Budget 15-25 EUR per visit for Gluhwein, snacks, and small gifts
- Museums/activities: Most major museums 15-20 EUR per person
December Travel Tips
- Book Amsterdam NYE hotels early — prices triple in the final weeks and availability disappears
- Pack layers. December temperatures range from -2 to 8 degrees Celsius across these cities
- Christmas markets typically run late November through December 23-26 (varies by city). Vienna’s run the longest
- Train travel between these cities is faster and often cheaper than flying when you factor in airport time
- Museum passes (Vienna Pass, Museumkaart in Amsterdam, Paris Museum Pass) save money if you plan to visit multiple sites
- Many shops and restaurants close on December 25 and January 1. Plan meals accordingly