Prague ranks third among the world’s most desired Christmas destinations

Prague continues to grow in popularity as a Christmas destination for travelers worldwide. The Czech capital has ranked third among the most desired Christmas destinations across the globe, according to a new 2024 report from software and cybersecurity company Cloudwards.

Renowned for its traditional Christmas markets and festive atmosphere, Prague was the most popular destination for travelers in six countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan, and Lebanon, according to the report.

The findings, which analyzed global search data and social media trends from 69 countries across the globe, reveal a growing preference for destinations offering a mix of festive spirit and affordability.

Prague's rise is notable, as the Czech capital was tied for sixth place in 2023 rankings. This year, it overtakes New York City, Budapest, and Madrid to place third in the latest report. Only Vienna and London, which retain their top two positions from last year, rank higher than Prague.

Cloudwards' data was gathered through an analysis of keywords like “Christmas in [city],” “Christmas markets in [city],” and “Christmas lights in [city],” using Google’s keyword tool, combined with trends from social media platforms like TikTok.

Ultimately, Prague was the most popular Christmas destination for six countries, including neighboring Germany and Austria, as well as the United Kingdom. But countries as far away as Lebanon, Jordan, and Japan also favored the Czech capital.

The report also highlights regional preferences, such as Europeans favoring nearby locations like Prague and Vienna, while travelers from the Middle East and Asia are increasingly interested in European cities.

Some unique choices in Europe include Brussels, which was favored by French travelers, Copenhagen, favored by Swedes, and Edinburgh, which was the most popular Christmas destination for those in Iceland and Ireland.

For U.S. travelers, Vienna continues to ranks as the top international destination, but Quebec City is rapidly gaining ground, especially among those in the Northeast. Meanwhile, London and Paris have both seen declining search interest from American travelers.

What's the most popular international Christmas destination for Czechs? No surprises, with nearby Vienna taking the top spot.

See the full rankings for top Christmas destinations across the globe, along with detailed methodology and sources, from the Cloudwards report.