A new index from holiday rental service Holidu lists the most festive European places for a beautiful Christmas, with Prague coming in third place. Neighboring capitals Berlin and Vienna finished first and second, respectively, ahead of Prague.
The index included four major factors: the number of Christmas markets in each location, the average number of snowy days in December, the quantity of Instagram hashtags, and the monthly global search volume.
Prague did not place better than sixth in any individual category, but did well enough in all of them to place third overall. The Czech capital, for example, has fewer Christmas markets than London but more average snowfall in December.
Central European and Scandinavian cities dominated the top ten most merry Christmas destinations, with Munich ranking fourth, Copenhagen fifth, Stockholm sixth, Salzburg eighth, and Oslo tenth. London came in seventh, with Paris coming in ninth.
“While having fewer in numbers of Christmas markets, Prague still packs a punch with its searches and Instagram hashtags for the winter season,” the Holidu description of the Czech capital reads.
The Christmas season officially begins this weekend in Prague, with the city’s Christmas markets in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square opening last night with tree lighting ceremonies.
CNN recently named Prague’s Christmas markets as one of the greatest in the world to visit over the holiday season.
Prague’s seasonal tram fleet, decked out in Christmas lights and festive motifs, also took to the streets for the first time this holiday season.
These are Holidu’s top ten most festive destinations in Europe to spend a magical Christmas:
1. Berlin, Germany
2. Vienna, Austria
3. Prague, Czech Republic
4. Munich, Germany
5. Copenhagen, Denmark
6. Stockholm, Sweden
7. London, United Kingdom
8. Salzburg, Austria
9. Paris, France
10. Oslo, Norway
