European Christmas Traditions: Where to go to enjoy them

Starting from the Advent weeks and leading up to Epiphany, Christmas in Europe is celebrated with big festivities. All over the continent, lights brighten up some of the darkest days, Christmas markets become mini winter wonderlands and December air is filled with the fragrance of traditional food and the excitement of uniting with loved ones. 

In such a magical and warm atmosphere, it certainly pays to take a wonderful trip around European countries where you can spend your holidays in cosy homes and enjoy unique Christmas traditions! 

So, let’s go… 

Christmas traditions in Greece 

Life-size boats light up the Christmas cheer in Greece 

Throughout Greece towns are adorned with vibrant lights, festive decorations and traditional life-size decorated boats alongside Christmas trees during the festive season. These Christmas boats, known as “Karavaki”, are a particular feature of Greek Christmas decorations since they celebrate the safe homecoming of seamen and pay homage to the Greece’s seafaring days.  

For food, mouth-watering pastries, like the honey glazed Melomakarona and the sugared shortbread, Kourabiedes decorate the tables of households. Meanwhile, the traditional bread, Christopsomo, has been eaten on Christmas day for thousands of years: the leader of the family makes a cross over the bread, which they then proceed to slice and distribute to each person gathered around the dining table. 

After Christmas, traditions like cutting into the typical Greek bread, Vasilopita - with a coin baked into it, mark the new beginning and your luck for the year. Celebrated on beloved Basil's Day (January 1), whoever finds the coin in their slice of Vasilopita (literally sweet bread of Basil) is lucky for the rest of the year! The holiday season continues past New Year's, culminating in Theophany. During this celebration, waters are blessed, and a cross is tossed into the water. Brave Greeks plunge into cold waters to retrieve the cross, a symbolic act believed to bring good luck and blessings! 

Experience the age-old Christmas traditions of Greece, book your perfect accommodation and create a distinct festive memory to cherish forever! 

Christmas traditions in Slovenia  

Nativity Scene in the famous Postojna Caves 

In Slovenia, modern Christmas celebrations became a part of this solemn and religious festival only after World War II.  

Earlier, whole rooms were decorated with string beans and wheat ears to celebrate a good harvest. Now, Christmas is celebrated with loved ones and traditions like the burning of incense, eating special Christmas bread, Potica, and telling of fortunes. For special events, the historic town centre of Ljubljana with its Christmas markets and breathtaking decorations sway you into a festive vibe, while 5-km long live nativity scenes – the country’s largest – are set in the famous Postojna Caves (25th-30th December. But to complete your Slovenian Christmas holiday, it is essential to pay visit and soak up the charm of one of its enchanting castles. 

Dream away in the magic of Slovenia by booking your holiday homes for the festive season.  

Christmas traditions in Spain 

The fun and frolic around Los Reyes Magos parade in Seville 

The midnight mass, or “La Misa Del Gallo,” is one of the most important Christmas traditions of Spain. Usually, these masses take place on Christmas Eve, with people coming home late after the masses and continuing the festivities out on the street.  Presents are opened on Epiphany, when Los Reyes Magos (the three wise kings) sail down all over the country, and most famously in Seville!  

Plus, usually on the morning of Epiphany, a traditionally baked Roscón de Reyes is brought from the bakery, with fillings of cream, chocolate or other flavours. Inside, it packs a surprise such as tiny figurines of the Reyes Magos themselves, involving a humorous Christmas custom of hiding a "king" and a "bean" in the cake. If you find the bean, you're tasked with buying the "El Roscón de Reyes" cake the following year, while finding the king means you wear a crown! Additionally, enjoying churros and hot cocoa is a cherished and traditional part of the holiday celebration in some areas, combined with other sumptuous treats like Polvorones (that will melt on your tongue) or Turrones (delicious almond brittles). 

Enjoy cosy Mediterranean weather and Seville’s spectacular parades with these fabulous holiday homes in Costa del Sol!  

Christmas traditions in Croatia  

Advent wreath with four candles denoting love, peace, joy and hope 

Croatia starts its Christmas celebrations on St. Catherine’s Day (November 25), with most engaging in religious activities in the days leading up to the advent. Saint Nicholas Day or Nikolinje, observed on December 6th, is a special tradition, wherein children clean their shoes and place them around the windows. If they've been good, they wake up to find sweets and small gifts inside their shoes. However, for those who have been a little naughty during the year, they might discover a birch stick instead! 

It is also traditional to put up advent wreaths with evergreen twigs and four candles as well as the sowing of wheat on St. Lucia’s day (13th December). Christmas trees are put up with traditional decorations like fresh and candied fruits, nuts and sweets adorning the tree. Christmas Day in Croatia is a family-oriented occasion, so people either visit their extended family or are visited by them.  

Once again, the intimacy of the family brings real warmth to the entire festivities that culminate on New Year’s Day, with adults handing out presents and money to kids who wish them the season’s greetings. The delicious Christmas food that is whipped up during this time consists of Bakalar (a type of fish), rum or lemon flavoured Fritule and the main course is usually made up of turkey, goose or duck. 

Holiday at this surprising winter destination, check out some of the best accommodations for families and friends! 

Christmas traditions in Switzerland 

Dip in the festive atmosphere of the Christmas Markets in Lugano 

Big Christmas markets are one of the most loved traditions in Switzerland, along with keeping advent calendars.  Whether store-bought or homemade, these calendars are common in Swiss households and provide a fun way to mark the 24 days leading up to Christmas. In many villages, an advent calendar circulates amongst its houses so that when the calendar falls on your house, an advent window is put up house and a Christmas party is kept by the owner. 

At this party, the rest of the villagers dig in wine, music, food and sometimes even fondue. Also, save a kiss! As according to tradition, you might have to kiss the cheek of the person standing left to you, dipping their bread in hot fondue.  

In Switzerland, Santa Claus arrives on December 6th and brings a bag filled with nuts, mandarins, cookies, and chocolates and distributes these goodies to children based on their behaviour over the past year. On Christmas Eve, meals with ham, scalloped potatoes and Christmas cookies (Zimtsterne, Chräbbeli, Mailänderli, and Brunsli) are eaten, which are prepared with the family’s traditional cookie recipe treasures for the season. 

Ski down the magnificent Swiss Alps or retreat into the soothing beauty of the Swiss Lakes. Book your perfect Christmas stay in Switzerland!  

Planning longer winter vacations for Christmas and New year’s? check out our festive blogs. 

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!