Snow or sun? The 10 best places to spend Christmas alone
Who says Christmas is a holiday for those who stay at home? Spending Christmas alone in a big city is a great way to connect with people from all over the world for life. This has several advantages, such as not having to deal with nervous relatives or being able to save more money for your travels. And depending on where you’re travelling to, everything is likely to be cheaper and less crowded than in high season. We’ve got destinations to suit all tastes, from places to enjoy the sun and beach to places to experience a white Christmas. Here’s our list of the 10 best places to spend Christmas alone.
it’s time to pull out your Grinch face and cheer yourself up this festive season! 🌠
1. Bruges, Belgium
Let’s start with the obvious. Bruges is probably the Christmas capital of the world and therefore a good choice if you want to travel alone during the Christmas season. The Christmas lights and wooden huts will make you feel like you’re sitting in one of those crystal snow globes, but life-size. Don’t miss the historic centre and the Castle Square (dating back to the 2nd century), the Rozenhoedkaai, from where you have a great view, and the Grote Markt if you want to grab a bite to eat. Bruges is the perfect place to spend a whole day strolling around!
take the opportunity to buy gifts for your loved ones and enjoy a typical mulled wine or mulled cider!
How many days: 3
Our hostels in Bruges will get you in the festive spirit. Visit the St Christopher’s Inn Bauhaus to discover its convivial atmosphere and start the New Year in style in its bar.
Compare all youth hostels in Bruges
2. Byron Bay, Australia
if you want to escape the cold this Christmas, go to Australia! Byron Bay is the perfect place to spend Christmas sunbathing on the beach. Plus, the people there are super friendly and make you feel like one of them.
Grab your surfboard and enjoy the summer waves, or head to Cape Byron Lighthouse and admire the views of the coastline. Then party with your new hostel mates until the early hours. All you have to do is sign up for an Australian-style barbecue for Christmas dinner – and everything else will fall into place!
How many days: 4, just enough time to relax and surf
At Wake Up! Byron Bay you’ll get a real taste of Australian beach culture. Here you can hire bikes, surfboards and paddleboards, take yoga classes on the beach and enjoy a pancake breakfast – all for free! This is definitely the best time to succumb to the charms of Byron Bay.
Compare all youth hostels in Byron Bay
3. Siem Reap, Cambodia
Not the most traditional place to spend Christmas, but one of the most vibrant. Christmas is a great time to visit Cambodia because it’s in the middle of the dry season and the weather is much cooler.
cambodia is also a popular destination for solo backpackers! The hospitality of the people, the lively bars and the fascinating culture make everyone who comes here feel welcome and at home – how about spending Christmas with a bike ride to the temples of Angkor Wat or watching a traditional Apsara dance performance on Christmas Eve? And if you really want to indulge in a traditional feast, try tarantulas or fried crickets – you’ll feel like a local!
How many days: 3-4 days. Almost everything is open at Christmas, so you can make the most of your time.
The hostels inSiemReap are known for their party mood and sociable atmosphere. There’s always something going on at Lub D Siem Reap, no matter what day it is! Stay here if you want to experience an unforgettably wild Christmas (and while you’re at it, why not stay for New Year’s Eve too?)
Compare all youth hostels in Siem Reap
4. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is a backpacker’s paradise, and even more so at Christmas! The vibrant social and nightlife makes Budapest the perfect city to meet other solo travellers. Plus, the city is decorated with beautiful lights in winter and there are two Christmas markets.
Take time to stroll around Buda Castle and the Fisherman’s Bastion, and be sure to try traditional Hungarian dishes at the Central Market.
Experience a chic, alternative Christmas with a cocktail in one of the city’s many ruin bars. These cool bars are usually located in old warehouses and abandoned buildings. The most famous of them is Szimpla Kert, a place with lots of greenery, colourful lights and the most original themed rooms. It is also open on 23 December. Can you think of a better way to have a pre-Christmas drink with your new hostel mates?
How many days: 4
To get you in the Christmas spirit, every year Meander Hostel Budapest celebrates a twelve-day countdown (until Christmas Day) full of drinking games, decorative activities, parties and much more!
Compare all hostels in Budapest
5. Mexico City, Mexico
📸:@jezael
tacos and Santas! Can you think of a better plan?
In Mexico, Christmas is celebrated under the name Las Posadas and lasts from mid-December to February. During this time, the Zócalo (as the Plaza de la Constitución is known) is adorned with a large Christmas tree full of decorations and lights, and there’s an ice skating rink if you miss the wintry side of the festivities. Buildings throughout the city are also lit up for Christmas throughout the month, and there are fireworks, music and parades everywhere.
One of the signature dishes at this time of year is cod. You can also try the traditional Christmas Eve salad with lettuce, beetroot, jicama, oranges and carrots, which, as the name suggests, is usually served on Christmas Eve.
With its culture, food, great Christmas celebrations and a growing number of solo travellers, Mexico City is undoubtedly one of the best places to spend Christmas alone. h
How many days: 3-4
our hostels in Mexico City will brighten up your holidays! Stay at the trendy Casa Pepe or the stylish Selina Mexico City Downtown.
Compare all youth hostels in Mexico City
6. Cape Town, South Africa
why not take the plunge and travel to South Africa at the height of the festive season?
Every year, the city hosts a festival of lights on Adderley Street in the city centre that will delight any Instagrammer. The switch-on ceremony usually takes place in the first week of December, and on this day the street is transformed into a true celebration. There are many Christmas markets where you can buy unique gifts for your loved ones, such as the Fab Ideas Christmas Gift Fair in Kommetjie.
Remember that Christmas in South Africa is in the middle of summer, so don’t forget to pack your swimsuit and sun cream, because it’s going to be a hot holiday!
How many days: 3
The youth hostels in Cape Town are literally a blast. ONCE Youth Hostel in Cape Town is within walking distance of the city’s best bars and pubs. It also has a small outdoor fire pit where you can meet up with other travellers under the stars, as well as a meditation garden where you can relax in private.
And if you want to treat yourself this Christmas, stay at MOY Accommodation & Backpackers, a luxury backpacker hostel at a great price.
Compare all youth hostels in Cape Town
7. Tokyo, Japan
📸:@jezael
earth is calling all city dwellers, Tokyo awaits you! If the lights of this city are already dazzling all year round, imagine what it’s like at Christmas when you add the stunning Christmas decorations – we can’t think of a better place than here to spend Christmas in peace!
Shop like there’s no tomorrow at the Tokyo Midtown shopping centre, where the nationwide end-of-year sale begins. Nearby is the famous Starlight Garden, where hundreds of colourful lights cover an entire lawn. And if you want to immerse yourself in an LED wonderland, be sure to stop by the Shiodome neighbourhood to admire the Christmas lights (you can even walk right through them!).
Here you can try many new things that will make your Christmas unique, such as taking part in a traditional tea ceremony, staying in a ryokan (a traditional accommodation where dinner is also served) or bathing in an onsen (an open-air hot spring).
And if it’s too cold outside, why not cuddle up with a furry friend in one of Tokyo’s many cat cafés? Tokyo is an ideal place for solo travellers, as the city offers a wealth of activities to do individually without having to join a group – so enjoy at your own pace!
How many days: 4-5
If you don’t know where to stay in Tokyo, the centrally located Kaisu Hostel is a great place to socialise while taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The hostel offers free breakfast and even has its own coffee bar.
Compare all youth hostels in Tokyo
8. New York, United States
Rockerfeller Plaza, 📸:@eliasandres
There’s so much to do inNewYork City, it’s one of the best places to spend Christmas alone. This tarmac jungle has it all: Art galleries, shops, parks, historical monuments… and everything else you can imagine! During the day you can explore the city’s main attractions, such as the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the MET and Times Square, and at night you can enjoy the glow of the city.
Christmas in New York is particularly magical. A visit to Rockefeller Center with its iconic Christmas tree, ice skating on the famous ice rink or a look in the artistic Christmas windows of New York’s most famous department stores, such as Barney’s, Bloomingdales, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, are a must at this time of year.
How many days: 5
why not stay at the Freehand New York during your winter adventure? Located in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, this chic hostel is the epitome of sophistication – and watch out when you’re walking under the mistletoe – you never know where you’ll find love at first sight!
Compare all youth hostels in New York
9. Jerusalem, Israel
Western Wall, 📸:@heftiba
Personalise and spiritualise your Christmas by visiting Jerusalem. For Christians, the Holy City and the surrounding villages are very important, as they are the setting of the Nativity story. However, as a predominantly Jewish country, the holidays are much less commercialised than in Western countries, so you’ll have much more time for personal reflection and exploring the city’s culture and history.
Jerusalem is a fascinating and popular place to visit at Christmas time, with pilgrims travelling from all over the world. Some can even be seen carrying their cross on the Via Dolorosa through the Old City. Almost everything is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so it’s well worth exploring the city. Don’t miss the impressive Old City, the Wailing Wall and the Tower of David.
How many days: 3-4
Abaraham Hostel organises a tour of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve and a big party with live music and cheap drinks on Christmas Day, so you won’t have time to feel lonely!
Compare all hostels in Jerusalem
10. Amsterdam
Can you think of a better place than Amsterdam if you’re looking for a Christmas holiday? You won’t be the only backpacker staying in the city over the festive period, so you’re sure to be in good company. And if you prefer travelling alone, you can also take a bike and explore the beautiful canals and houses at your leisure (they’re even more beautiful at Christmas with the Christmas lights).
Important sights such as the Van Gogh Museum (open on Christmas Eve), the Anne Frank House (open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) and the Rijksmuseum (open daily) are all worth a visit. Amsterdam also has many excellent bars and clubs where you can get into the Christmas spirit. Visit the Waterkant bar in Marnixstraat if you’re looking for a cool place for a good craft beer.
Or even better: forget about making plans and just watch life pass you by in this wonderfully relaxed city.
How many days: 3-4
The Flying Pig Downtown hosts a pub quiz on Christmas Eve, a dinner on Christmas Day and an open mic night on 26 December – the perfect ingredients for unforgettable memories!
Compare all youth hostels in Amsterdam
🎄 Tips for solo travellers at Christmas 🎄
- Remember that you don’t have to be doing something 24/7 – if you feel like being alone, that’s great! Especially if you’re travelling, you can do whatever you feel like doing.
- Enquire what activities your hostel offers over Christmas – it could make all the difference! Anyone up for a midnight karaoke session?
- Think about where you wouldn’t normally go at Christmas and go. You might be surprised.
- Spend more than two days seeing the city of your choice. Remember that depending on customs, attractions may be closed on Christmas Day.
Spending Christmas alone can be a very enriching experience that you should do at least once in your life. It’s easier to make friends in the Christmas atmosphere and the big cities are full of magic, whether it’s raining, snowing or sunny.
be happy and trust your Christmas spirit!
Read more:
🌟 Guide to surviving Christmas while travelling the world
🌟 Where to stay in Amsterdam: the ultimate list of youth hostels
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