[Hidden Travel Pitfalls] Should You Avoid Traveling to Europe at Christmas? Crucial Facts Travelers Often Overlook

Planning a trip to Europe during the Christmas season is a dream for many travelers. Romantic Christmas markets, beautiful illuminations, and historic townscapes all seem appealing. However, there are several issues with visiting Europe during this time, and to be honest, it’s not something I can highly recommend. Let me explain the reasons in detail below.

※Note that although we’re generalizing about “Europe,” trends actually vary by country and region. Please understand that the content covered in this article is just one example!

It’s Not Just That Flight Tickets Are Relatively Expensive…

As you probably already know, the end-of-year season is a time when flight tickets become very expensive. Since many people take vacations and plan overseas trips, demand increases, and flight ticket prices rise accordingly. Prices often peak especially from late December to early January. For budget-conscious travelers, it would be wise to avoid European travel during the Christmas season. Not only do flight tickets increase in price, but accommodation rates also surge, significantly increasing overall travel costs.

…But this actually isn’t the main reason I want to explain today. There’s another major reason why you shouldn’t travel to Europe during the Christmas season.

Cultural Differences in How Christmas Is Celebrated

CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES | Fancy a spot of shopping on your festive break? You’re in luck! Our Knightsbridge store is open Christmas Eve 10am–5pm, Boxing Day 10am–9pm, New Years Eve 10am–7pm and New Years Day 12pm–9pm. #Harrods pic.twitter.com/j6F70vmT9k

— Harrods (@Harrods) December 23, 2019

Even the famous “Harrods” is closed on Christmas Day

In fact, the way Christmas is celebrated differs greatly between many Asian countries and Europe. In countries like Japan, Christmas is positioned as a commercial event and widely recognized especially as an occasion to spend with a romantic partner. Cities are decorated with illuminations, shopping malls are bustling, and restaurants offer special menus.

In contrast, in Europe, especially among Christians, Christmas is still strongly perceived as a traditional holiday spent quietly with family. As a result, many people spend time at home with their families, and commercial activities in cities are significantly reduced.

Typical Ways to Spend December 24th and 25th

December 24th and Christmas Day, the 25th, are spent as special days in many European countries.

The 24th is known as Christmas Eve, and during the daytime, many people go out for Christmas shopping or parties, making it relatively lively. Commercial facilities close somewhat earlier due to shortened business hours, but the streets during the day are vibrant, and travelers might feel they can fully enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, not too differently from what they’re used to back home.

However, on the 25th, the situation changes completely. Among locals, it’s common to spend time watching movies at home with family or going to church, and many commercial facilities are closed. As a result, options for tourists become very limited. It’s particularly challenging to find places to eat, as restaurants and cafes are closed.

Streets That Are Unbelievably Quiet

Particularly in European regions with many immigrants, international students, and migrant workers, people often return to their home countries or go on trips from Christmas to the New Year due to winter breaks. As a result, urban areas become unimaginably quiet. City centers turn into ghost towns, making them less attractive places for tourists.

Streets that are usually full of life become deserted during this time, creating a very lonely atmosphere. Christmas markets often end on Christmas Eve, further reducing their appeal.

My Personal Experience

I myself lived in the UK for a period. The year I was going to experience Christmas in London for the first time, I was looking forward to going out on the streets on Christmas Day, but when the actual day came, almost all shops and restaurants were closed, and the streets were like a ghost town. Even in a big city like London, I was surprised at how eerily quiet it was. This experience vividly taught me the importance of planning ahead when visiting Europe during the Christmas season.

Countermeasures If You’ve Already Bought Tickets to Europe

After all this negative talk, let me reassure you that there are countermeasures even if you’ve already purchased tickets to Europe. Try these methods:

Explore the Quiet Streets

Although shops and tourist facilities may be closed during the Christmas period, the streets themselves aren’t closed. It’s an excellent opportunity to explore the quiet streets with fewer people around. You can leisurely enjoy the charming townscapes and historical buildings, which is also ideal for photography. The attraction at popular tourist spots is that you can tour them slowly without crowds.

Visit Neighboring Countries

Another option is to deliberately visit neighboring countries during your European trip. North African countries like Morocco and Algeria operate on the Islamic calendar, so Christmas and New Year are business as usual. LCC flight tickets to these countries are relatively inexpensive during the year-end season and are perfect for short trips. You can enjoy the differences in culture and scenery, and might make new discoveries.

Summary

When planning a European trip during the Christmas season, prior research and planning are extremely important. Consider the business schedules of commercial facilities in each region, and if necessary, consider other travel destinations. Although you can enjoy the unique European Christmas atmosphere, you might not get the liveliness or abundance of tourist spots you were expecting. Nevertheless, with thoughtful planning, you can have a wonderful trip exploring quiet streets and discovering new attractions.

Also, it’s good to remember that not all regions in Europe are the same. Depending on the area, there are places that might still be bustling even during Christmas, so I recommend gathering information in advance.