Christmassy destinations you can fly to from Bristol Airport

We all have an idea of what our dream Christmas getaways might look like - from skiing against a backdrop of snowy mountains, to spotting reindeer on a magical visit to Santa's home, shopping at a twinkling Christmas market or cosying up in a quaint cottage in the countryside.

Fortunately for us in Bristol, there's a vast array of direct flights from Bristol Airport to some stunning wintry, and rather festive, destinations abroad. Some of these flights begin in December, all the way through into March and April of next year, while others have non-direct flights that start even sooner, so you can embark on a Christmassy adventure before or after the big day itself.

We've compiled a list of 17 destinations available this winter - including the 'official home of Santa' - in our list below. We've included milder city breaks, and proper snowy retreats, so there should be something for everyone this Christmas.

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Grenoble

Flights from: December 2024-April 2025, up to three times a week

Grenoble, a city in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south eastern France, sits at the foot of mountains between the Drac and Isère rivers. It's known as a base for winter sports like skiing and for its museums, universities and research centres. Spherical cable cars called “Les Bulles” (Bubbles) connect the town to the summit of La Bastille hill, named for the 18th-century fortress on its slopes.

But the city also boasts a vibrant nightlife scene, and mountain dishes served up at some of the city's best restaurants. Imagine taking a stroll through the Old City here, while snacking on some fresh roasted chestnuts.

Sofia

Flights from: December 2024-March 2025, up to three times a week

Sofia is the capital of the Balkan nation of Bulgaria. It’s in the west of the country, below Vitosha Mountain. The city’s landmarks reflect more than 2,000 years of history and, with its cultural significance in Southeast Europe, Sofia is home to the National Opera and Ballet of Bulgaria, the National Palace of Culture, the Vasil Levski National Stadium, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, the National Archaeological Museum and the Serdica Amphitheatre.

In winter, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding among the mountain ranges in Bulgaria, a Christmas market and ice skating in the centre of Sofia, and food and drink to keep you cosy and warm in the colder weather.

Tromsø

Flights from: December 2024-March 2025, twice a week

Located some 350km north of the Arctic Circle (and 2200km south of the North Pole) Tromsø in Norway boasts an abundance of wintry and festive things to do. These include admiring the Northern Lights, whale watching, reindeer sledding, dog sledding, snowmobile safaris, skiing, a stay in the ice hotel, a visit to a number of Christmas markets, a tour of the famous Arctic Cathedral and more.

Winter is peak season here, and December sees the darkest month for Tromsø.

Kittilä

Flights from: December (winter only)

You can fly direct from Bristol Airport to Kittilä for Lapland breaks with Inghams and TUI, as well as ski breaks, and even day trips. Kittilä is located in northern Finland, north of the Arctic Circle and within the Lapland Region. Here you can embark on many a Christmas adventure - TUI itself boasts a 'Search for Santa' day trip.

This sees you partake in activities and visit landmarks, such as the Snow Village (home to an ice hotel, igloo-esque rooms and an ice bar, chapel and sculptures), a reindeer sleigh ride, meet Santa himself, go on a husky adventure, snowmobiling, Arctic storytelling, and plenty more fun in the snow.

Turin

Flights from: December 2024-March 2025, twice a week

Turin is the capital city of Piedmont in northern Italy, known for its refined architecture and cuisine. The Alps rise to the northwest of the city. Stately baroque buildings and old cafes line Turin's boulevards and grand squares such as Piazza Castello and Piazza San Carlo. Nearby is the soaring spire of the Mole Antonelliana, a 19th-century tower housing the interactive National Cinema Museum.

In the winter, Turin's Piazza Castello hosts a popular Christmas market, you can try a traditional bicerin - Turin's hot chocolate - and the nearby Piedmont Alps offer hundreds of miles of ski slopes (as well as sledding, snowboarding and more). There's even a winter wonderland located between the borders of Italy, France and Switzerland you can visit - Valle d'Aosta - which features medieval castles, Roman ruins and Alpine peaks.

Chambery

Flights from: December 2024-April 2025, up to twice a week

Chambery is an Alpine town in southeast France. In the old town is the medieval Castle of the Dukes of Savoy, with historical exhibits, and the town boasts a plethora of other historical monuments and architecture to explore. In winter, you can enjoy activities here such as parasailing, paragliding, cantoning, rappelling, sports camps, speed boat tours, bike tours, climbing or air tours.

You can also visit ski resorts in the area, and explore the nearby Alpine destinations of Annecy and Chamonix, where you're bound to enjoy plenty of snow.

Lyon

Flights from: December 2024-March 2025, up to three times a week

The capital city in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Lyon is full of history all through the year. But if you visit during the Christmas period, there's also a range of festive things you can experience.

The Fête des Lumières (festival of lights) transforms the city into a wonderland for three days around December 8. The traditional Christmas market also takes place between November 22 to December 24, and is located on Place Carnot. Or you could even enjoy a performance at the Opera National de Lyon - a cosy activity during the colder months.

Toulouse

Flights from: Now, fly up to seven days a week

Toulouse, the capital of France’s southern Occitanie region, is bisected by the Garonne River and sits near the Spanish border. In the winter it boasts festive markets, hot chocolate, and nearby winter sports, in addition to its plethora of museums, delicious hot food and more to explore.

In November and December, Place du Capitole is transformed into a European winter festival with a Christmas village, ice rink, and stalls selling local produce, gifts and food. Here you can enjoy mulled wine and hot chestnuts, too. The Pyrenees offer winter sports like alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and tobogganing, if you're looking for a more action-packed break.

Innsbruck

Flights from: December 2024-April 2025, up to four times a week

Innsbruck, capital of Austria’s western state of Tyrol, is a city in the Alps that's long been a destination for winter sports. Here you can go skiing, cross-country skiing, and tobogganing, with many trails and runs for a wide range of skill levels.

Visiting during November and December, you can visit the very festive Christmas markets for mulled wine, and there's even a 'world' dedicated to Swarovski, and a cable car that will take you to the Nordkette mountains for views of Innsbruck and the snow-covered surroundings.

Rovaniemi

Flights from: November 2024-January 2025, up to two times a week

Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, in northern Finland. Almost totally destroyed during World War II, today it’s a modern city known for being the "official" home town of Santa Claus, and for viewing the Northern Lights. It’s home to Arktikum, a museum and science center exploring the Arctic region and the history of Finnish Lapland.

If you visit during the Christmas period you'll discover that Rovaniemi has two main Christmas events for locals and visitors - the first is the Christmas opening, and the second marks Santa Claus being 'on his way'. Meanwhile, throughout the winter months, you can experience the increasing possibility of snow, the Northern Lights, Polar Nights, only a few hours of daylight, peacefulness - and, of course, plenty of Christmassy activities.

Salzburg

Flights from: December 2024-March 2025, up to four times a week

An Austrian city on the border of Germany, Salzburg is a popular winter destination boasting a romantic atmosphere, Christmas markets, plenty of culture,, and even some snowy adventures. The city is known for its Christmas markets, including the Christkindlmarkt on Dom Square, the Residenz Square Market, the Alten Markt, and the Christmas Market on Mirabell Square.

The city receives on average around 255cm of snow annually, with many describing it as resembling a winter wonderland during the colder months. There's even horse-drawn sleigh rides to embark on, world-famous dishes to try, live music events to enjoy and Christmas tree decorations to buy.

Verona

Flights from: Now, up to twice a week

Famous as the setting for Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', and home to 'Juliet's House' and a huge amphitheatre, Verona is a city in northern Italy's Veneto region. In the winter, you can expect fewer crowds, mild temperatures and plenty of festive things to enjoy.

Verona hosts a traditional German-style Christmas market in Piazzi dei Signori, which features handmade decorations, local food and drink. You can even sample a Pandoro - Verona's special Christmas cake - and if you don't enjoy freezing temperatures, the winters here are relatively mild.

Milan

Flights from: Now, up to seven times a week

Described as a metropolis in Italy's northern Lombardy region, Milan is another on this list full of history and culture all year round. Visit during the winter months and you can enjoy plenty of festive events and activities.

December makes for a great time to visit the city's street markets and fairs, where you can buy Christmas decorations and souvenirs. A visit to Lake Como could see snow-covered mountains and far less crowds, while you can travel to nearby Lombardy for a spot of skiing, too.

Bucharest

Flights from: Now, up to three times a week

Located in southern Romania, Bucharest is the country's capital and, in the winter, temperatures here range from 0C to -5C - it snows most of the time here, and the cold weather can last from December through to March. During the festive season, you can visit the local Christmas markets where you can ice skate, ride carousels, and even watch live performances.

Heading to the nearby Carpathian Mountains, you can take on some winter sports, while a visit to the Therme Bucharest (a wellness centre with pools, waterslides, saunas and an indoor botanical garden) will allow you to enjoy 'Europe's largest urban beach', which sees less crowds in the winter months.

Barcelona

Flights from: Now, daily

The cosmopolitan capital of Spain's Catalonia region, Barcelona is known for its art and architecture and, during the winter months, boasts far milder weather than many spots on this list. During the festive season, you can enjoy festive lights, markets, and fewer crowds.

What's more, accommodation prices are usually lower - and yet you can still explore the medieval streets, masterpieces, parks and gardens, food, drink, and nightlife, that the city has to offer.

Geneva

Flights from: Now, daily

With views of Mont Blanc, Geneva is a city in Switzerland surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains. Along the shores of Lake Geneva, you can enjoy a Christmas market which "transforms the lakeside into a cosy, illuminated village".

Unique winter activities include winter swimming, saunas, watch-making workshops, fondue, theatre and other live performances, and winter sports, aplenty. There's even visits to chocolate makers, and some cosy cafes to warm up in.

Vienna

Flights from: November 2024-January 5, 2025, twice a week

The capital of Austria, Vienna has a history of famed residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud, and is also known for its imperial palaces. Winter is said to be a great time to visit the city, with a festive atmosphere and special wintry activities, including Christmas markets.

Temperatures here reach as low as -5C at times during December and January, however there are plenty of places to keep warm - palaces and museums, coffee houses, and shops aplenty.