[Updated December 2024]
South Africans dreaming of a white Christmas should add these white Christmas destinations to their winter bucket lists. This season turns the world’s soaring mountains and summer destinations into perfect natural playgrounds for travellers seeking an unforgettable Christmas experience.
Whether hurtling down a mountain on a snowboard, sharing romantic moments while the Northern Lights dance above you, or having a cuppa with the real Santa Claus is your thing – we have the best white Christmas destinations satisfy just about every Christmas holiday lover.
1. Northern Lights spotting at Sommarøy Islands – Norway
The small island of Sommarøy, a one-hour drive from Tromsø, is Northern Norway’s best-kept secret. It is the most northern tip of Europe and the perfect place to spot the Northern Lights away from all the crowds.
While its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear bays draw summer visitors, winter transforms this charming fishing village into a magical wonderland. Picture this: the northern lights painting the sky in vibrant green and pink hues as they dance over the islands scattered along the coastline. It’s a breathtaking display of nature’s beauty, making this destination feel like a surreal winter paradise perfect for a White Christmas you’ll never forget.
The best part is it is not only the Northern Lights that make an appearance here. Humpback whales and orcas can be seen gracing the icy bays in mid-November to late January.
Best time to visit
November to March
Visa Requirements
South Africans are required to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Norway. You can apply through the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria. Allow over 15 working days for the visa application.
Getting there
Book your cheap flights to Tromso. It is advisable to rent a car as the Sommarøy Islands are an hour away from the main city centre. An international driving permit is required and can be obtained through any of the AA centres.
By the way, you can get there a R1000 cheaper with Travelstart+.
2. Ski Whiteface Mountain – United States of America
While there are so many excellent skiing destinations in the world, Whiteface Mountain in America offers something a little more daring and worth adding to your winter bucket list of white Christmas destinations.
Known as the Winter Sports Capital of the World, New York State’s fifth-highest mountain offers a thrilling Christmas escape. With 87 slopes across three Adirondack peaks, snowboarders and skiers can tackle the East’s steepest vertical drop. Trails cater to all skill levels—20% beginner, 43% intermediate, and 37% expert—though some intermediates rival expert runs elsewhere.
For the daring – ski the double-black-diamond natural terrain, at an elevation above the height of three Empire State Buildings! On a clear day, experience views of the mountains of Vermont, the skyscrapers of Montreal and the white mountains of New Hampshire from the summit. There is no lodging or commercial development at the base of the mountain, ensuring a tranquil visit.
Close by you will find Lake Placid – a vibrant postcard-perfect village famed for hosting the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980. It’s certainly one of the best white Christmas destinations you should check out!
For the non-skiers, a range of other fantastic winter activities are on offer: snowshoeing, bobsledding, ice climbing and ice skating on the gorgeous mirror lake.
Best time to visit
November – April
Visa requirements
South African’s would need to apply for a B-2 visitors visa to enter into the United States. This visa is valid from 1 to 10 years and will allow you to visit for up to 6 months. Visit our step by step US visa application guide with all the information needed to apply.
Getting there:
Book your cheap flights to New York. Once you arrive, you will have the option to rent a car, travel via train or via bus.
By train: Amtrak has routes between New York City and Montreal.
By bus: Adirondack Trailways has a bus service between New York and Lake Placid.
3. Chasing waterfalls – Iceland
While countries that are 80 percent uninhabited might not seem like obvious travel choices, they’re home to some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery. Take Iceland, for example—a truly magical white Christmas destination. Known as the land of the Vikings, it boasts snow-capped glaciers, geysers shooting 125-degree Celsius water 70 metres high, Europe’s largest glacier, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and even Europe’s first parliament. Its dramatic landscapes and unique charm make it a bucket-list spot for an unforgettable festive season.
The frequent rain and snow make Iceland a sanctuary for the world’s most breathtaking waterfalls. There are over 10,000 waterfalls here, they are as varied and beautiful as they are many. Dettifoss is Europe’s most powerful waterfall, reaching a height of 100 metres. Gullfoss is the country’s most famous one, while Skógafoss is the largest one. This is a country that will keep you busy exploring the outdoors indefinitely. If you want adventure to feature in your winter holidays, this is one of the best white Christmas destinations!
Also read: Discover the Breath-Taking Game of Thrones Sets Across the World!
Best time to visit
November – January
Visa Requirements
South Africans are required to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Iceland. Visa applications can be made online through VFS Global. Allow over 15 working days for the visa application.
Getting there
Book your cheap flights to Keflavík, Akureyri or Egilsstaðir.
4. Christmas at the Santa Claus Village – Finland
Embrace the magic of Christmas by heading to the Arctic Circle to spend time with Santa Claus in his family-friendly resort.
For the last 30 years, The Santa Clause village in Rovaniemi in the Finnish Lapland draws more than 500,000 visitors each year. A month before Christmas the world turns an eye to Rovaniemi as Santa Clause declares the Christmas season open. Nothing makes the planet’s most iconic figure happier. This is definitely one of the most festive white Christmas destinations to add to your winter bucket list!
Have a Christmas wishlist? Why not give it to Santa Clause directly or post it at the Santa’s main post office operated by his elves. He receives millions of letters each year from over 198 countries. I am sure your loved ones would enjoy receiving a letter with the arctic circle postmark stamp from here.
Ever wanted to cross over the arctic circle line? This is the place to experience it and to prove your accomplishment – you even get a signed certificate. Make sure to find out exactly where the arctic circle is because it actually moves! That’s due to the earth’s shifting axial tilt. The arctic circle drifts north around 15 kilometres per year.
Looking for another reason to visit? Husky, reindeer and snowmobile rides under the Northern Lights are a real speciality here. Or spend a few nights in the holiday village or in a real igloo.
Best time to visit
November – February
Visa Requirements
South Africans are required to apply for a Schengen visa which, once received, it will not only allow you to travel to Finland but to many other European destinations as well. The Finland Visa Application Centre in South Africa accepts applications for short stay visas only. Allow over 15 working days for the visa application.
Getting there
Book your cheap flights to Rovaniemi. When you arrive, take a local bus number 8 to the Santa Claus Village. It is only eight kilometres from the city centre.
5. Romantic Escapes in Andorra
Rewrite the book of love in Europe’s smallest country. Sandwiched between France and Spain, Andorra excels at just about anything that involves snow. Nestled in the Pyrenees mountains, it’s a country that is known for its 5-star hotels, ski resorts and tax haven status.
Also read: Your Ultimate Guide to Skiing in Andorra
The Sport Hermitage in Soldeu is a favourite with mountain view rooms combining luxury and comfort. If you’re seeking to escape for some unforgettable romance during Christmas, this is a locale you must not miss. The hotel spa is a haven for serenity in which to enjoy a remineralising, hydrating or energising treatment. Guests here can enjoy a private helicopter transfer to a nearby ski station, or take a private guided snowmobile tour. There are two dining restaurants and guests can enjoy a drink in a glass bar.
Vallnord offers some great snow-filled activities. Amongst Andorra’s glacial landscapes, steep valleys and open pastures, one can find 300 kilometres of endless ski slopes for nearly every level. Skiing is not the only activity you can do here – thrilling buggy trail rides are a must. Yet another one of those white Christmas destinations offering adventure to add to your bucket list!
The UNESCO world heritage site of Madriu-Perafita-Claror covers 10 percent of the whole country and is a well worth attraction to visit. Its two high streets is a shopper paradise seeing people flock here each year for tax-free shopping. There are over 2,000 stores packed into a country that you can drive through in an hour.
Best time to visit
November – March
Visa Requirements
South Africans do not require a visa for Andorra. However, since you can only access the country via Spain or France you will be required to apply for a Schengen visa.
Visa applications can be done through BLS International. Allow over 15 working days for the visa application.
Getting there
Like all great places in the world, travelling to Andorra requires a bit of effort. Book your cheap flights to either Barcelona or Toulouse, Carcassonne and Perpignan. Travel by car rental for three hours before reaching Andorra’s city centre. An international driving permit is required and can be obtained through any of the AA’s centres.
Now that you’re ready to add more white Christmas destinations to your winter bucket list! Where will you go first?
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Once your plans are set, book your cheap flights ,and you could be off faster than you can say, ‘ho ho ho!’
Are there other places you think should be listed among the best white Christmas destinations? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
*Disclaimer!
All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice from the original source. Travelstart is not affiliated with immigration authorities or their application centres and will not be liable for loss or inconvenience arising from the use of information from this website.