Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. News

The most overcrowded Christmas destinations, according to new data

New holiday travel data uncovers the cities that will feel the most jam-packed this Christmas

Paris
f11photo / Shutterstock

A new report from Deluxe Holiday Homes reveals the world’s most crowded Christmas destinations, and Paris takes the top spot by a wide margin. With more than 8.3 million December tourists packed into just 105 square kilometers, the city becomes a holiday crush zone. Its nearly 50 Christmas events, including the famous Champs-Élysées market, only amplify the crowds.

Brussels ranks second, drawing 1.77 million visitors despite offering just 364 hotels during the season. The combination of heavy online interest and limited accommodations makes it one of the more stressful Christmas getaways. Strasbourg comes in third with roughly 3.4 million tourists and the highest online interest in the top five, thanks to more than 1.6 million people searching for its festive markets.

Recommended Videos

Zurich takes fourth place with about 2.3 million December visitors and the most Christmas events in the top ten. Its lower crime rate helps ease some of the crowd pressure, making it a safer option for travelers braving the rush. Dublin rounds out the top five with tourist numbers similar to Zurich and a remarkable 700,000 online searches for its holiday offerings. The city’s 13 Christmas events add to the vibrant, and often packed, seasonal atmosphere.

The top 10 most overcrowded Christmas destinations

  1. Paris, France
  2. Brussels, Belgium
  3. Strasbourg, France
  4. Zurich, Switzerland
  5. Dublin, Ireland
  6. Manchester, UK
  7. New York City, US
  8. Chicago, US
  9. London, UK
  10. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amanda Teague
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word…
I spent 72 hours in London with only a carry-on. Here’s how I did it in style
Luxury travel doesn't require a checked bag
London

Somewhere between the baggage claim carousel and the Elizabeth Line, I realized I'd already won. As passengers from my Norwegian flight to London crowded around the conveyor belt waiting for checked luggage to appear, I was already on my way into the city. Twenty minutes later, I was headed toward central London with nothing more than a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. I've become a bit of a carry-on evangelist over the past few years. Not because I'm trying to prove some minimalist point or because I enjoy seeing how few shirts I can survive with. I just genuinely think it's the better way to travel, especially for a long weekend in Europe.

My recent 72-hour trip from Copenhagen to London wasn't exactly a backpacker's itinerary. It included a stay at one of London's nicest luxury hotels, rooftop cocktails, dinners worth dressing up for, and plenty of walking through Soho, Covent Garden, and the rest of central London. Somehow, everything I needed fit inside my Travelpro Platinum Elite Slim Cabin Hardshell Spinner V2, with a backpack holding my flight essentials.

Read more
This New Montana Hotel Captures the Poetry of the Open Road
Helena's newest boutique hotel revives the spirit of the classic roadside motel.
Corner, Home Decor, Bed

In case you need another excuse for a Montana getaway this summer, a quirky new boutique hotel has opened in Helena, the Treasure State's capital. The Bell Hotel occupies the site of the former Bell Motel, a classic 1950s roadside lodge thoughtfully reimagined by CWG Architecture. Each of its 14 rooms features locally made chocolates, coffee, and artwork. While in town, ask the front desk about the Bell's Picnic in the Park package. The hotel supplies a basket of local treats and a blanket; Montana provides the sublime scenery and glorious weather. You're on your own for companionship.

Hannah honey was a peachy kind of girl /Her eyes were hazel and her nose was slightly curved /We spent a lonely night at the Memory Motel- The Rolling Stones

Read more
Want to feel like a lad watching England vs. Norway in New York City? The London is where it’s at
The quarterfinals are here. The London's where you should be.
Flag, Plant, City

The last quarterfinal games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup are here. England-Norway kicks things off in Miami before Argentina-Switzerland caps the day's action in Kansas City. One of the best things to come out of the World Cup has been the atmosphere these fans have provided at each city they've visited. We saw the amazing vibes out of Mexico City last week when England fans visited. Before the game, England fans partied and went toe-to-toe with Mexicans at bars everywhere. I know because I was there at The Dog House Pub.

After England beat Mexico in a classic Round of 16 game, fans flooded the streets and partied. We celebrated with England fans until the wee hours of the morning. If you have a serious case of FOMO, you need not worry. You can still catch good vibes and feel like a lad watching England-Norway at The London, A Luxury Collection Hotel, in New York City.

Read more