New survey shows that Budapest is one of the best cities in the world for Christmas tours

As the lights go up and the scent of mulled wine hangs in the winter air once more, travelers worldwide seek destinations that truly capture the magic of Christmas.

Christmas analysis

The comprehensive analysis reveals which destinations offer the most compelling Christmas tour experiences for 2025, combining accessibility, value and unforgettable festive atmosphere. Privacy Journal analyzed data from Tripadvisor and Kayak, examining four critical factors: the number of available Christmas tours, median tour price per hour, average number of languages offered and average hotel rates per night in December.

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A few highlights:

• London ranks first overall, combining a wide variety of Christmas tours with plenty of free festive attractions.
• Budapest makes the top 10 – it performs well in language accessibility (three languages on average) but ranks lower on median tour price due to a higher hourly rate (~$55, EUR 47). However, December accommodation is relatively affordable compared with other top-ten destinations, averaging around $227 (EUR 194) per night.

• European cities dominate the ranking, with nine of the top ten destinations located in Europe.
• Zagreb secures a top spot thanks to strong value, offering much lower December hotel prices than many Western European cities.
• Quebec City is the only North American destination in the top ten, standing out with a distinctly European-style Christmas tour experience.

Table notes:

• 1 = best
• The ranking considered 50+ destinations in total, but excluded those with no Christmas tours or just one tour. This left us with 33 destinations, scored across four key categories.
• Number of Christmas tours: The number of tours available for tourists to take
• Median price per hour: The median price of a tour per hour
• Average number of languages: The average number of languages tourists can choose to do a tour in
• Average December night: The average price of accommodation for one night over the Christmas period

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Budapest: snowfall from thermal pools

According to Privacy Journal, Budapest’s Christmas markets spread across both sides of the Danube, with tours offering diverse perspectives on Hungarian holiday traditions. Tours often combine Christmas market visits with experiences of Budapest’s unique thermal bath culture, offering the surreal experience of relaxing in outdoor thermal pools while snow falls around you.

While Budapest scores points for language accessibility (an average of three languages), it’s ranked much lower in the median tour price per hour category due to an average asking price of $55 (EUR 47).

On the bright side, you can stay in Budapest in December at a somewhat cheaper price than most top ten destinations. Their analysis revealed the average nightly fee to be approximately $227 (EUR 194).

Festive Fact: Budapest’s St. Stephen’s Basilica hosts “Advent Feast,” where stunning 3D light projection shows illuminate the church’s facade with Christmas stories and Hungarian folklore, synchronized to classical music. This free spectacle has become one of Europe’s most impressive Christmas attractions, drawing thousands of viewers nightly throughout December.

• You may view the full report by clicking on their official website.

Click to read more articles concerning Christmas in Hungary.

Featured image: Advent Bazilika, source: depositphotos.com.