Lapland lethargy? Global Money app reveals the best Christmas holiday destinations off the beaten track

With Google searches for ‘holiday to Lapland’ peaking every year the week before Christmas,¹ global money app Zing has released its hit list of hidden gem destinations for a festive getaway. Promising a less crowded holiday, and lower prices, these secret spots will offer festive magic without having to jostle other tourists to get that perfect picture. 

Best for Christmas magic - Tromsø, Norway

Known as the gateway to the Northern Lights, Tromsø turns into a magical festive wonderland in December, offering streets decked in lights, Christmas concerts at the Arctic Cathedral, and reindeer rides. 

While a trip to Lapland might set you back £2,182, a week in Tromsø in December could cost closer to £1,218 for flights and accommodation.²

Budget-friendly ski spot - Borovets, Bulgaria

Set in the stunning Rila Mountains, this ski area is known for its more reasonable prices and package deals. You get just as much of the beautiful winter scenery and sports activities without the eye-watering prices of resorts such as Val D’Isere or Val Thorens. 

The cost of a trip to Borovets (£625) is less than a fifth of the price of a trip to Val D’Isere (£3,599)! It’s also difficult to beat £2 beer…

Another view of the Northern Lights - Northern Scotland

Many of the popular destinations for Northern Lights spotting such as Iceland and Finland become more crowded and expensive around the Christmas period but this natural marvel can still be seen from the UK.

Quaint little cottages and beautiful highland walks around the Isle of Skye, for example, are available at about a third of the price (£542) of a trip to Iceland (£1715).

Most authentic Christmas markets - Dresden, Germany

Vienna, Prague and Copenhagen are becoming increasingly popular locations for a Christmas market trip, each year getting bigger and better. If you want somewhere less crowded but just as magical there are many smaller German and Austrian towns that host the original Christmas markets. 

Dresden in Germany is in fact one of the oldest European Christmas markets, dating back to the 1400s. With both old and new markets, beautiful churches and wineries, there is much to pack in, for just a fraction of the cost. 

Santa spotting alternatives - Drøbak, Norway

If you’re still focused on Lapland for the chance to see Santa himself, there are other villages that are said to be home to the man of the hour. Drobka, Norway, has strong ties to Saint Nick as the council announced in 1989 that it is in fact ‘the proven home of Santa Claus’. With stunning scenery and plenty for all the family to do, this alternative to Lapland still draws in many Christmas-lovers every year for a fraction of the price.

A trip (including flights and hotel) to Lapland can cost more than twice the price of a trip to Drobka. That leaves more room for mulled wine and present shopping!

Alternative Christmas city break - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

New York at Christmas is an iconic holiday destination, known for its beautifully lit streets, bustling atmosphere and the endless shopping opportunities. It’s also known for being overwhelmingly busy and far too pricey around the holiday season so why not consider a European alternative like Amsterdam. 

While you might not get to see the ball drop on NYE, climb hundreds of floors above central park or hang out at the iconic destinations from Friends, you can expect an equally high quality of atmosphere and entertainment. Amsterdam is also one of the best European shopping destinations with plenty of department stores, malls and designer boutiques. Yet, it costs a fraction of the price. (See chart below).

Alternative Christmas traditions - Roller Skating in Venezuela 

There are many well-known Christmas traditions that attract many visitors each year such as the Krampus parade in Austria, a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. But if you’re looking for something even more quirky you may want to check out what takes place in Venezuela between the 16th and 24th of December. 

Each sunrise, roads are closed off to allow whole communities of people in the capital of Caracas to roller skate safely to Christmas Mass. The tradition began in the 1950s and has become an increasingly popular phenomenon. While the flight time is a little longer than heading to Austria, it is still a budget friendly location with return flights to Caracas coming in at under £1000.

Best Christmas Beach Holiday - Key West

Want to ditch the cold altogether but without losing the Christmas buzz? One of the best Christmas celebrations takes place in the beautifully sunny Key West, Florida. It hosts a range of festive activities including illuminated boat parades, Harborwalk of Lights and historic inn tours. You can switch it up with a range of watersports and beach-lounging as it stays around 26ºC during December. 

Zing’s CEO and founder, James Allan, shares his top tips on how to secure your Christmas getaway on a budget…

1. Holiday money can be confusing at the best of time, but trying to organise it at Christmas for a family trip can make it even harder. Planning ahead of time, or converting through a pre-paid card or app, can help relieve the stress of ordering physical cash online or in store. Plus, cash often comes with higher fees.

2. Think ahead to next Christmas. If you are still set on the busier locations, the earlier you start planning your getaway, the better in order to get the best deals on flights and accommodation. 

3. Consider off-peak periods. Lapland in the summertime has been an increasingly popular travel trend. With its beautiful mountainous scenery and lakes, there are many reasons to visit all year round and capture the stunning Scandinavian landscape for a fraction of the price.

Footnotes

1. Based on Google Trends data as of 26/11/24 - Google Trends 

2. All based on ‘Price: High to Low’ filter with same dates, no. of travellers and ‘direct flights’ according to Expedia.com on 21/11/24 and 28/11/24.

Comparison table

Notes to Editor

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For more information contact us at press@zing.me

About Zing

Zing is a free international money app and multi-currency card, both physical and digital, designed to make international money worry-free. Members can hold 20+ currencies, send 30+ currencies, spend in 200+ countries and territories, and exchange money around the world easily, with competitive exchange rates and no hidden fees. 

Zing is not a bank. We are an e-money institution (EMI) authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Find out more, including what this means to you, at http://www.zing.me