A real fairy tale in real life: the towns in Europe that every tourist should visit

Christmas in Europe brings a special atmosphere of anticipation of a miracle. Cities start preparing for the holiday in advance, shining with incredible festive decorations in early December.

The rating of the best destinations to visit on Christmas Eve has been published online. In winter, a real fairy tale atmosphere reigns here.

Hallstatt, Austria

Hallstatt is a small town in Upper Austria, part of the district of Gmunden. The town is located in a hard-to-reach alpine area on the Hallstatt Lake. Despite this, Hallstatt attracts tourists with its picturesque nature, regardless of the season.

Hallstatt is considered to be the most beautiful village in Austria, and the observation deck on Gosaumühlstrasse is one of the most popular places for photography in Europe. On the lakeside are old houses with wooden balconies and the famous church tower.

Colmar, France

Colmar is a city and municipality in France, in the Grand Est region, the administrative center of the Haute-Rhin department, located 380 km east of Paris, and 65 km southwest of Strasbourg.

Colmar is considered the real capital of Christmas markets. The city is also known for its climate – it is considered the driest in France. That is why the viticulture and wine industry is widespread here, and Colmar is famous for its wines.

The city is a center of festivals. It hosts the Alsatian Wine Festival, the Jazz Festival, the Colmar Film Festival, etc.

Idstein, Germany

Idstein is a city in Germany, located in the federal state of Hesse and subordinated to the administrative district of Darmstadt. The city will give you the feeling of a Christmas fairy tale thanks to the medieval Idstein Castle. The festive period embodies a combination of history and modernity, ancient traditions and modern illuminations.

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France

Saint-Paul-de-Vence is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in the Maritime Alps department. This winter vacation option is best suited for those who want to move away from the traditional Christmas celebration and want to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of creativity. Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a haven for artists and creatives who seek inspiration in history, quiet cozy streets, and harmony with nature.

Rastoke, Croatia

Rastoke is a small settlement in Croatia, in the Karlovac County, part of the city of Slunj. The unique landscape was created by the river, which, although only 6.5 kilometers long, has formed one of the most impressive landscapes in Croatia. There are 23 waterfalls and many rapids.

Rastoke is located 30 kilometers from the world-famous national park. The geological composition of the waterfalls is identical to that of the famous Plitvice Lakes – this also applies to the vegetation and typical karst phenomena such as tuff deposits or groundwater.

Rastoke has cute wooden houses and incredible waterfalls all over the town. Christmas decorations make this place really look like a fairy tale.

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