Lapland Leads, London Fights Back: Brits’ Top Christmas Getaways for 2025

There’s a certain British tradition as dependable as a Queen’s Speech used to be: the moment December arrives, the country collectively pretends it’s “festive” while trudging through damp socks, cancelled trains and the sort of daylight that lasts as long as a polite handshake. So it’s no surprise that Christmas destinations are suddenly looking less like “Mum’s living room” and more like “somewhere with actual atmosphere, or at least a working sun.”

Holidu, the holiday rental platform, has done the nosy neighbour work for us, creating a ranking of the top 30 most-searched destinations on holidu.co.uk during December 2025. The analysis reveals which cities Brits are searching for most this winter, and includes the median price per night for each location. In other words: where the nation’s head goes when the UK starts feeling like one long queue at a post office.

And the big takeaway? Six cities in the top ten are located abroad, with France, Spain, and Finland being popular choices. Translation: we’re not just dreaming of a change of scenery—we’re actively trying to escape the annual British Christmas triathlon of shopping stress, family politics and weather that looks like it’s been lightly sprayed on with a hose.

Lapland wins the crown, and it’s not even close

Right at the top sits Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland—the Christmas equivalent of turning up to a fancy dress party as Santa’s entire workshop and saying, “Yes, I commit to a theme.” It leads the ranking of the most searched destinations for the December Price Index 2025, with a median price of €696 per night. Costly? Absolutely. But you’re not buying a bed for the night—you’re buying bragging rights, a snow-dusted fantasy, and the ability to say “we did Christmas properly” for the next ten years.

Holidu’s data captures the mood perfectly: Brits are increasingly searching for Christmas magic abroad rather than at home – even if this makes things more expensive overall. That’s the point. A British Christmas at home is comforting, but it can also feel like a spreadsheet with tinsel. Abroad, at least the chaos comes with scenery.

Or… you can do Christmas in shorts

Now, not everyone wants to spend Christmas looking like a well-wrapped burrito in thermals. Some Brits have taken one look at Lapland prices, one look at British drizzle, and thought: “How about a beach and a cold drink instead?”

Spain follows closely with three warm contenders: Barcelona in 4th at €272, Adeje in 5th at €230, and Palma in 11th at €279, showing that Christmas on the beach is also a tempting prospect for many. It’s hard to argue with the logic: if you’re going to eat too much, why not do it somewhere you can walk it off without fogging up your glasses?

Holidays abroad: Brits choose major European cities

Out of all the foreign destinations that British tourists considered, France was the most represented country, with seven destinations in the ranking. These are Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (7th), Morzine (8th), Paris (9th), Les Gets (28th), Tignes (29th), and Colmar (30th), positioning France as a top pick for Brits seeking colourful Christmas markets & alpine escapes on the slopes.

France is basically offering a full Christmas menu:

• Alpine resorts if you want snow, slopes and the satisfaction of earning your festive calories.
• Paris if you want twinkly lights, big-city theatre and the sort of shop windows that make you question your life choices.
• Colmar if you want your Christmas to look like a postcard someone’s been editing since 1998.

Elsewhere, Germany cedes the spotlight this year, while destinations in Austria (Vienna, Mayrhofen and Innsbruck), Poland (Zakopane), Belgium (Bruges), Czech Republic (Prague), and Iceland (Reykjavík) also feature in the list. From alpine resorts to vibrant capitals, Brits are embracing a diverse range of international cityscapes this winter. Which is a polite way of saying: the nation’s Christmas spirit currently has a boarding pass.

What’s driving this great British festive getaway?

The Holidu ranking doesn’t come with a national therapy session attached, but it doesn’t take a detective to see what’s going on.

1) People want Christmas to feel “special” again.
At home, December can turn into a blur of obligations. Abroad, the smallest things—different streets, different smells, a market that isn’t next to a vape shop—suddenly feel like an occasion.

2) Weather certainty is the new luxury.
Lapland offers a guaranteed winter wonderland. Spain offers guaranteed relief from the UK’s grey parade. Either way, people are choosing the climate like they’re ordering a takeaway: “I’ll have one festive atmosphere, hold the sleet.”

3) Travel is the ultimate opt-out button.
No hosting, no endless cooking, no “who’s sitting next to Uncle Colin this year?” politics. You still do Christmas—you just do it without the admin.

What is the most expensive destination?

Here’s where the romance meets the receipt.

The most expensive location of all is Rovaniemi: the iconic winter wonderland dominates with a median price of €696 per night ahead of Zermatt with €539 and Grindelwald with €351 per night. Following are Paris, fourth most expensive with €342, and Mayrhofen with €335. These top-tier destinations offer winter magic – but at a premium.

That’s not “a little festive break.” That’s “we’re making memories and we’re paying for them.”

And the cheaper end isn’t exactly grim

On the opposite end, the most accessible locations are Adeje and Rome, both with a median price per night of €230. Following these are Braemar (€231) and Zakopane (€234). These cities prove that unforgettable winter holidays don’t need to break the bank.

Which matters because it suggests this isn’t only about splashing out. Brits aren’t just searching Christmas destinations for the Instagram photo—they’re also looking for smart exits that don’t leave January looking like a financial hangover.

The bottom line

Whether it’s Lapland’s fairytale frost or Spain’s “Christmas but make it warm,” the message from Holidu’s data is clear: plenty of Brits are trying to buy back a sense of wonder—or at the very least, dodge the soggy bits of a UK December.

And honestly, can you blame them? Christmas is supposed to be magical. If you can’t find that at home, you can always find it at an airport.