Dreaming of where to spend Christmas this year? Whether it’s sipping mulled wine at a fairy-tale market in Tallinn, carving down snowy slopes in Zermatt, or maybe you want to swap the sleigh bells for a sunny beach in Cabo armed with a page-turner and a frosty margarita, the world offers no shortage of unforgettable holiday escapes. Food lovers in particular have reason to celebrate: Europe’s historic markets brim with spiced treats and roasted delicacies, Tokyo serves up a modern, umami-fueled feast, and Mexico’s coastal resorts pair festive cheer with sun-drenched flavors.
Whichever direction your wanderlust inspires you to travel, we have nine delicious ideas for Christmas holidays around the globe.
Click below to jump to each destination:
1. Gdańsk, Poland: For Romantic Christmas Markets by the Sea
2. Cancún and Cabo, Mexico: For Sun-Drenched Beaches and Festive Escapes
3. Alsace, France: For Storybook Charm and a Feast of MICHELIN Stars
4. Valkenburg, Netherlands: For Santa’s Village and Farm-to-Table Fine Dining
5. Zermatt, Switzerland: For Alpine Slopes and a Snowy Wonderland
6. Tokyo, Japan: For an Umami-Fueled Christmas Holiday in the City
7. Nuremberg, Germany: For the World-Famous Market and Bratwurst Traditions
8. Tallinn, Estonia: For Fairy-Tale Christmas Markets and Wild Island Adventures
9. Helsinki, Finland: For Wintry Nordic Crafts and Cutting-Edge Design
1. Gdańsk, Poland: For Romantic Christmas Markets by the Sea
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On the Baltic Coast of northern Poland, Gdańsk brims with history and Gothic architecture. While summer is prime for water activities like kayaking and yachting, winter has its own charm, including a Christmas market straight out of a fairy tale. Voted Europe’s Best Christmas Market in 2024, it draws travelers from around the globe with dazzling lights, a Venetian carousel and even Santa’s corner. It runs from Nov. 21 until Dec. 23.
Our favorite local eats at The MICHELIN Guide include the One-Starred Arco by Paco Pérez, perched on the 33rd floor with sweeping views of the Baltic, where Pérez prepares top Polish ingredients with Spanish inspiration; Hewelke, a trendy Bib Gourmand spot inside a former brewery serving globally influenced dishes; and Fino, an Inspector favorite in the Old Town, where luxurious ingredients like Ossetra caviar mingle on the menu with seasonal products like venison and fresh truffles.
2. Cancún and Cabo, Mexico: For Sun-Drenched Beaches and Festive Escapes
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As the jewel of the Mexican Caribbean, it’s understandable why Cancún has become so de moda for winter travel. The white-sand beaches and turquoise waters are just part of the appeal. Here you’ll also find the vestiges of Mayan culture, a robust gastronomic heritage and a pulsating nightlife.
For dining, MICHELIN favorites include María Dolores, where diners can expect contemporary Mexican cuisine from renowned Chef Edgar Nuñez. Just south of the city, inside Azul Beach Resort, Le Chique is a One-Starred restaurant with a tasting menu spanning Mexico’s regions and showcasing Chef Jonatán Gómez Luna’s distinct personality and style. For recommended stays, check out One Key Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya, which combines sleek, breezy Caribbean style with the hotel group’s signature luxurious feel.
On the Baja California Peninsula along the Pacific Ocean, Cabo San Lucas is a quaint fishing village that has become a jet-setter destination. Between the golden beaches and the rusty El Arco rock formations, the landscape is breathtaking. For MICHELIN-vetted eats, book a table at One-Starred Cocina de Autor Los Cabos or Bib Gourmand holder Metate. MICHELIN One Key hotel Nobu Los Cabos is an excellent option for getting some R & R after a long and busy (or slow and lazy) day.
December is the start of the high season in Cancún and Cabo, so book early.
3. Alsace, France: For Storybook Charm and a Feast of MICHELIN Stars
Did you know that Alsace, the unassuming region in eastern France, boasts one of the highest concentrations of MICHELIN Stars in the country? With miles of farmland, a robust heritage of artisan producers and a proximity to Germany and Luxembourg that ensures a steady stream of international diners, it’s no surprise that this corner of France shines on the culinary map.
December travelers can explore the charming Christmas markets throughout the storybook towns of Alsace, sampling mulled white Alsatian wine, nibbling bredele Christmas biscuits and perusing craft stalls. Strasbourg is home to the most famous market, dating back to 1570, as well as plenty of MICHELIN Guide picks, like Au Crocodile, a One-Starred local institution, and Chez Yvonne - S'Burjerstuewel, a beloved Alsatian winstub (wine tavern) and Bib Gourmand restaurant.
For a quieter experience, Kaysersberg is home to a smaller market featuring a careful selection of local artisans. When hunger strikes, Chef Olivier Nasti’s restaurants La Table d’Olivier Nasti (Two Stars) and Winstub du Chambard (Bib Gourmand) are MICHELIN favorites with a hotel to have on your radar. For a sweet treat afterward, pop around the corner to the chef’s bakery Levain to sample still-warm kougelhopf and pistachio puff rolls.
Head to Ribeauvillé to experience a medieval Christmas market, replete with dancers, street entertainers, acrobats, jugglers and even fire-eaters. Our MICHELIN Inspectors recommend saving your appetite for One-Starred La Table du Gourmet in nearby Riquewihr (also home to a lovely Christmas market), which has both a Green Star and a top-notch wine list.
4. Valkenburg, Netherlands: For Santa’s Village and Farm-to-Table Fine Dining
Voted the best Christmas market in the Netherlands, Valkenburg’s Christmas Town is for anyone who can’t get enough holiday cheer: If Elf and White Christmas are on your annual watch list, this destination is for you. Think Santa’s Village, an underground market with enchanting light shows, a festive parade and more. For foodies, there’s the Route d’Amuse, a culinary walk that passes through four local restaurants, offering guests a delicious bite at each.
When you’re ready to sit down for a proper meal, our MICHELIN Guide Inspectors recommend Ambrozijn, inside a former church, where Chef Sven Nijenhuis taps into French cooking styles and boundary-pushing techniques. Les Salons, set in a palatial Belle Époque estate, combines contemporary French cooking and a farm-to-table ethos in dishes like braised halibut fillet with a light mushroom emulsion and crispy parsnips.
Recommended hotels include Château St. Gerlach, a 15th-century monastery transformed into a Dutch countryside luxury hotel, plus plenty of stylish options in nearby Maastricht. Van Oys Maastricht Retreat, for instance, is a new addition to our selection — a quietly luxurious stay.
5. Zermatt, Switzerland: For Alpine Slopes and a Snowy Wonderland
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, head to Zermatt, an Alpine village at the foot of the Matterhorn where snow is guaranteed every year. By day, skiers can tear down the slopes of one of Europe’s top ski destinations. By night, stroll the cobblestone streets and take in the festive lights of the village.
Zermatt has some great dining options beyond Swiss classics like fondue, including Bazaar, a Bib Gourmand cocktail lounge with delicious Asian-inspired snacks that’s located in the chic CERVO Mountain Resort. On the slopes, a stone’s throw from the gondola station, you’ll find Marmo, an Inspector-recommended restaurant whipping up sophisticated Alpine fare like cured char with beet tartare, horu cheese fondue and black angus burgers. Other standouts include the Peruvian spot La Muña and The Omnia, a seasonal, mostly plant-based restaurant inside the hotel of the same name.
The Omnia, with One MICHELIN Key, is a great hotel option, as is the One-Key Backstage Hotel Vernissage.
6. Tokyo, Japan: For an Umami-Fueled Christmas Holiday in the City
Between its historic teahouses, ancient temples, busy markets and neon-lit streets, Tokyo is an ideal December destination for hungry travelers — hungry for fashion, art, culture and, of course, delicious food.
Check out the Japanese capital’s glittering winter illuminations — we especially love the gold hues along Marunouchi Naka-dori Street, in Midtown Garden and at Roppongi Hills and Keyakizaka. After taking in the light show, MICHELIN has plenty of restaurant recommendations: The 2025 Guide featured 507 in Tokyo, including 170 Starred establishments and 110 Bib Gourmand selections. SÉZANNE is one of the latest Three-Star additions to the guide (and it’s located within the One MICHELIN Key Hotel Four Seasons Marunouchi Tokyo). There, Chef Daniel Calvert’s culinary journey, from London to New York to Paris to Hong Kong and beyond, interweaves on the plate. You can get your ramen fix at MICHELIN Guide-vetted spots like YAKUMO and Ginza HARU CHAN Ramen, or omakase at Mutsukari or Tenoshima both boasting One Star.
When it comes to exceptional hotels, we have you covered, from design-forward options like BnA_WALL to splurge-status stays like Aman Tokyo (Two Keys).
7. Nuremberg, Germany: For the World-Famous Market and Bratwurst Traditions
Steeped in history and holiday spirit, Nuremberg is a great option for December travelers. The Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s most famous Christmas markets, fills the Old Town with gingerbread, almond spekulatius cookies, mulled wine and handcrafted ornaments. Visitors can browse the wooden booths and snag the perfect souvenir.
Food lovers have a broad culinary spectrum to dive into, from the rustic charm of Bratwursthäusle — a must-visit for any first-time visitor eager to try the city’s legendary sausages, reportedly sold here since 1312 — to the elegance of Essigbrätlein, a Two-MICHELIN-Starred restaurant (with a Green Star for its sustainability efforts), where Chefs Andree Köthe and Yves Ollech craft truly innovative dishes and shine a light on seasonal veggies.
Imperial by Alexander Herrmann is a sleek restaurant set within a historic building featuring soaring ceilings and grand arched windows, where diners can watch Chef Michael Seitz work his culinary magic in an open kitchen. MICHELIN-vetted stays in Nuremberg include Karl August in the lively Augustinerhof district.
8. Tallinn, Estonia: For Fairy-Tale Christmas Markets and Wild Island Adventures
Framed by the snowy medieval walls and defensive towers that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old Town, Tallinn in December feels like a storybook come to life. The Town Hall Square hosts a traditional Christmas market with crafts, decorations, a magnificent tree and local delicacies from black pudding and sour cabbage to gingerbread and piping hot Christmas drinks. Though it leans a bit toward souvenirs, it will definitely get you into the holiday spirit.
For a more intimate culinary experience, NOA Chef’s Hall is a One-Starred restaurant with a creative seven-course tasting menu and views overlooking Tallinn Bay. Another MICHELIN Guide recommendation is Bib Gourmand-awarded Lore Bistroo, a modern Estonian bistro in a cool, offbeat setting — think violet velvet banquettes and rattan armchairs.
After exploring the city, unwind at The Three Sisters Hotel, a boutique stay combining medieval charm, like stone walls and exposed wood beams, with modern creature comforts like room service and clawfoot soaking tubs. For a change of pace, Maidla Nature Resort, just 45 minutes from Tallinn, is a serene retreat composed of three contemporary villas, each by a different Estonian architect, set on stilts above wetlands.
9. Helsinki, Finland: For Wintry Nordic Crafts and Cutting-Edge Design
A city where modernity meets Nordic tradition, Helsinki invites visitors to explore its edgy design scene, artisanal craft markets and plenty of excellent restaurants. The Christmas market in Senate Square hosts nearly 100 artisans and vendors, with a vintage carousel, cheery vibes, hot cups of glögi (Finnish mulled wine) and daily visits from Santa Claus. It’s no surprise it earned a spot on CNN’s coveted list of the world’s best holiday markets.
Foodie travelers have plenty to discover in Helsinki. Palace, a Two-Starred restaurant, sits on the 10th floor of a modernist building. Opened in 1952, Palace paved the way for modern Finnish gastronomy and became the country’s first MICHELIN-Starred restaurant in 1987. At Grön (One MICHELIN Star and a Green Star), Scandinavian ingredients and vegetables shine. A fully vegan menu is also available. Locals love Kuurna, a small family-run Finnish bistro where the menu changes every three weeks.
After a day of shopping and sightseeing, unwind in style at Hotel St. George, a hotel with a rich literary history, or Hotel Haven, occupying a distinguished building with disarmingly cozy interiors — Christmas-holiday perfection.
Hero Image: The Zermatt ski slopes. © VogelSP iStock
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