The holiday season only comes around once a year, so it’s always fun to share photos of your special moments and winter traditions. But have you ever tried going somewhere new?
Heepsy analyzed cities worldwide using 2024 data, factoring in social media popularity, hotel availability and prices, special season events, and measuring snowfall. Cities with the most Instagram hashtags earned the highest ranks.
Browse this list to plan ahead and get details on each destination.
1. Bolzano, Italy
Bozano, Italy, tops the list with 886 million hashtags on Instagram. That many hashtags means that it’s by far the most visually appealing winter destination.
With 23 Christmas markets and 100 winter festivals to choose from, you’ll definitely feel the festive atmosphere in this northern Italian city. On top of that, the “Christmas capital of Italy” is accessible by train from well-known cities like Verona, Milan, and Florence.
2. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands, is the second-best Instagrammable destination. With 37 million social media hashtags, it’s clearly a popular place to celebrate the season.
It also hosts 300 winter festivals you can join. And when it’s time to call it a day, you’ll be delighted to know that 549 hotels are available at rates of $950 per week (on average).
3. New York City, U.S.A.
New York City is another excellent place to spend your winter holiday. With 36.9 million hashtags, it’s a popular winter destination. The Big Apple’s glowing decorations look even more beautiful, covered in snow, which can go up to 2.5 feet deep.
In third place on our list, it has 2,400 winter festivals, which is the highest number by far. Besides this, there are also 31 Christmas markets for you to enjoy.
4. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic, takes fourth place with 19.2 million Instagram hashtags. It offers a ton of hotel options (1,129) for the holiday week.
You can fully appreciate the winter magic as you walk through half a foot of snow, leaving a trail behind you. Plus, there are 20 festivals where you can experience local year-end traditions.
5. Venice, Italy
With 17.7 million hashtags, Venice, Italy, is ranked fifth on our list. Visitors can enjoy the gondola rides around the city center while they feel the winter chill in the air.
What makes this destination special is how luxurious it is — hotels cost $5,000 around this time of year (for an entire week). The steep price is worth it, though, with an 8.7 average review score and 100 wintertime festivals.
6. Vienna, Austria
Vienna, Austria, holds the sixth-highest spot with 16.9 million hashtags. Its grand scenery, like the Schönbrunn Palace blanketed in snow, is perfect for Instagram posts.
To add to that, you get to select among 1,391 hotels for a reasonable price of $1,007 a week (on average). It’s also one of the most buzzworthy winter destinations, with up to 7.9 million hits on Google annually.
7. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden, is another Instagram-worthy location that comes alive during the holidays.
As one of the 15 million users posting about their trip to Stockholm, you’ll be impressed by how affordable the accommodations are. Hotels cost about $612/week during the winter months, so you can enjoy the cozy vibes on a budget.
8. Copenhagen, Denmark
In the eighth position, Copenhagen, Denmark, offers 17 lively festivals to explore. The city’s twinkling lights, wine, and pastries make for a memorable winter getaway.
However, Copenhagen is more than just a Christmas wonderland. It’s an ideal location to book a hotel for the week, with rates as low as $970.
9. Budapest, Hungary
If you want to get into the holiday spirit, why not consider staying in Budapest, Hungary?
The city offers 1,787 highly-rated hotels ready to welcome you, as well as an outdoor ice rink that looks straight out of a Wes Anderson film. Social media users are constantly raving about it, with 6.6 million Instagram hashtags and 3.6 million hits on Google every year.
10. Granada, Spain
Granada, Spain, closes the top ten with 7 million hashtags and one of the cheapest hotel options. For as low as $606 per week, you can see everything the city has to offer.
Another perk of staying in Granada is its snowy landscape, with about 1.9 feet of snowfall on average. With 40 winter attractions just around the corner, you can have the white Christmas of your dreams.
11. Sapporo, Japan
Sapporo, Japan, is nothing short of photogenic, especially when it’s covered in snow. In fact, it receives up to 15 feet of snow, which adds a magical allure to the shrines.
Apart from being an Instagrammable destination, it’s also great for skiing and snowboarding. After a day of exploring, check into a hotel worth $618 per week.
12. Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg, France, is a destination that attracts 4.5 million hashtags online. Its busiest time is during the winter season, with 140 unique events drawing visitors in.
Stroll through its cobblestone streets lined with ornaments to get into the holiday spirit. But don’t stop there; a beautifully designed cathedral and timber-framed houses are free to admire.
13. Levi, Finland
With 4.2 million hashtags, Levi, Finland, takes the phrase “eye candy” to the next level. Hotels are on the pricier side ($6,352 per week), but this Arctic destination is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
Every cold season brings almost two feet of powder-white snow, so bring boots and suitable attire. If you’re lucky, you may even witness the Northern Lights.
14. Riga, Latvia
Riga, Latvia, is a great place to take pictures, especially if you love icy terrain. The best thing about this destination is the cost of its accommodations. For only $450 a week, you get access to one of 418 hotels in the area. These rates are incredibly low for a destination with amazing scenery.
And when you need to fill up, check out the market stalls serving smoked sausages and warm beverages.
15. Vilnius, Lithuania
The charming views of Vilnius, Lithuania, will make you want to snap photos. The ground typically gets covered in 2 feet of snow, which is a plus if you want to build snowmen and make ice sculptures.
There are 429 hotels to choose from, and a week’s stay costs around $675. It’s a great value, with an average rating of 8.9 out of 10 for the properties in the city.
16. Bergen, Norway
The frozen scenery of Bergen, Norway, will surely find a home on your Instagram feed.
Its 3.9 million hashtags and 1.3 million Google searches highlight its popularity. The distant mountains topped with thick layers of snow look like a Christmas card coming to life.
17. Salzburg, Austria
A trip to Salzburg, Austria, allows you to experience the festive season in a more traditional way. The city is well-known for its Christmas markets, with about 6 to explore. The markets feature handmade crafts and choir performances that let you embrace the holiday cheer.
With almost 8 feet of snow falling there, simple joys like staying by a fireplace or bundling up in soft mittens become doubly satisfying.
18. Munich, Germany
Munich, Germany, racks up an impressive 10.4 million hits on Google and 3.7 million Instagram hashtags. With 120 winter festivals and 42 Christmas markets, it’s a destination that shines with the yuletide season.
In the mornings, you’ll wake up to over 2 feet of snow outside. Moreover, finding a hotel won’t be a problem, as 430 hotels are available for as low as $656 a week.
19. Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia, is another perfect wintertime destination, with 3.2 million hashtags on Instagram. It hosts 10 festivals that will make you want to bring out your camera and snap away. What’s more, the city’s shorter daylight hours let you enjoy the glow of street lamps and outdoor stalls earlier in the day.
You can check out accommodations and will pay an average of $539 per week. It’s an ideal location to celebrate the season without breaking the bank.
20. Lake Tahoe, California, U.S.A.
At Lake Tahoe in California, you’re sure to feel the Christmas magic with 460 winter festivals and 31 markets.
With a whopping 9 feet of snow piled up amidst tall trees, the photos you’ll take here can’t be replicated anywhere else. It’s no surprise that this destination attracts 3.1 million hashtags on Instagram.
Featured Image: xerox123.mail.ua/depositphotos
Marjolein Dilven is a journalist and founder of Spark Nomad, a travel platform, and Radical FIRE, a personal finance platform. Marjolein has a finance and economics background with a master’s in Finance. She has quit her job to travel the world, documenting her travels on Spark Nomad to help people plan their travels. Marjolein Dilven has written for publications like MSN, Associated Press, CNBC, Town News syndicate, and more.
