Whether it's a Christmas break in the German Harz Mountains or in Rovaniemi, Finland - it can be beautiful anywhere. However, according to the new index of the vacation home portal "Holidu", prices for vacation accommodation differed almost sevenfold in December.
Traveling in the (pre-) Christmas period to escape the usual stress of gift shopping, family visits and festive preparations is what many people wish for in December. It can be a break in a vacation home that promises a wintry landscape and a muggle-like temporary abode.
The vacation home portal "Holidu" has analyzed which destinations are particularly popular and affordable during the cold season. The analysis is based on search queries from the last twelve months and the average prices per night for vacation apartments and houses between December 1, 2025 and January 3, 2026. Holidu directly manages more than 50,000 vacation homes and apartments in Europe and also lists millions of vacation rentals worldwide.
If you want to stay overnight cheaply in December, there are many options in Germany. The city of Goslar in Lower Saxony tops the list with an average of 105 euros per night. Also affordable: Heiligenhafen in Schleswig-Holstein (106 euros), Bad Harzburg (108 euros), Sankt Englmar (108 euros) and Braunlage (111 euros). These resorts combine moderate prices with wintry scenery and a wide range of leisure activities.
Those who prefer more luxury will have to dig deeper into their pockets. Rovaniemi in Finland, famous for Santa Claus Village, tops the list of the most expensive vacation accommodation. An overnight stay there costs an average of 696 euros - almost seven times as much as in Goslar.
Particularly popular ski resorts in Austria follow in the next places: Lech (614 euros), Obergurgl (489 euros), Sankt Anton am Arlberg (445 euros) and Kitzbühel (441 euros) are among the frontrunners for high-priced winter accommodation. Italian and Swiss Alpine resorts such as Livigno (380 euros) and Grindelwald (351 euros) complete the ranking.
So if you are looking for a winter break, you can choose between premium ski vacations with a mountain backdrop and quiet, inexpensive retreats. In Germany in particular, there are numerous charming places that remain affordable despite the Christmas season - ideal for anyone who wants to escape the December hustle and bustle.
1st place: Goslar, Germany (€105 accommodation per night)
2nd place: Heiligenhafen, Germany (€106)
3rd place: Bad Harzburg, Germany (€108)
4th place: Sankt Englmar, Germany (€108)
5th place: Braunlage, Germany (111 €)
6th place: Butjadingen, Germany (€115)
7th place: Świnoujście, Poland (€115)
8th place: Büsum, Germany (€118)
9th place: Nerja, Spain (€118)
Place 10: Cuxhaven, Germany (119 €)
1st place: Rovaniemi, Finland (696 € accommodation per night)
2nd place: Lech, Austria (€ 614)
3rd place: Obergurgl, Austria (€ 489)
4th place: Sankt Anton am Arlberg, Austria (€ 445)
5th place: Kitzbühel, Austria (€441)
6th place: Ischgl, Austria (€413)
7th place: Livigno, Italy (380 €)
8th place: Schladming, Austria (€374)
9th place: Sölden, Austria (€ 354)
10th place: Grindelwald, Switzerland (€351)
