Ellen Himelfarb

Plenty of us dread the cold temperatures and rainy days that linger for months when winter arrives, but as with every year, there are plenty of places adorned with twinkly lights, filled wholesome crafty goods and pouring cups of steaming glögg that’ll help us get us through it.  Christmas Markets are joy-filled places, there’s no denying that, and from the cobbled streets of Edinburgh to the mountainous backdrop of Lucerne, there are little squares all over Europe packed with stocking filler and cheerful vibes. Whether you’re dreaming of a white Christmas or looking to escape to the Mediterranean, there’s a market on this list for you – check out our favourite spots in Europe. RECOMMENDED:🛍️The best Christmas Markets in the world🌤️The best places in the world for winter sun🎄The best Christmas movies of all time💝The best Christmas songs of all time At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

When you think about it, beaches are actually pretty simple. All you need are some crystal-clear waters, long stretches of sun-kissed shoreline and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous, ‘gram-worthy patch to lie down and chill out (whilst, obvs, slathered in a healthy dose of sunscreen).  Though plenty have sun, sand and sea in common, no two beaches are truly alike – nature just doesn’t work that way. The glistening white shores of tropical, palm tree-lined bays are a million miles away from volcanic black pebbles along rugged Nordic coastlines. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t all magnificent, and the ones in this list are the very best this planet has to offer: take a look. RECOMMENDED: 🌍The best things to do in the world🏊‍♀️The most spectacular places to swim in the world 🤿The best places to go snorkelling in the world🧗‍♀️The best caves in the world to explore