There’s something magical about Christmas movies, with their twinkling lights, snowy landscapes and feel-good moments. If you’ve always dreamed of stepping inside your favourite festive film to experience its real-life magic for yourself, we’ve got you covered. From the extravagant illuminations of New York City to the home of Santa Claus himself, these are our favourite Christmas movie locations that you can visit in real life.
When Kevin McAllister found himself in New York at Christmas, he settled into the festive splendour of the iconic Plaza Hotel, then set about experiencing the Big Apple’s most magical spots, from ice-skating at the Rockeller Center to browsing the famous shop windows of Fifth Avenue.
Your Christmas in New York should include:
The film might break your heart, but the festive charm of its fairytale setting in London’s West End will have it mended in no time. From the towering Norwegian spruce that serves as Trafalgar Square’s centrepiece, to the glittering splendour of Regent Street’s holiday light display, the British capital really knows how to put on a Christmas show.
Your Christmas in London should include:
Although half the movie takes place in Los Angeles, the star of The Holiday is undoubtedly the pristine, snow-clad English countryside. Iris’ idyllic Rose Cottage was purpose-built for the movie and dismantled after filming wrapped, but the storybook villages of the Surrey Hills and the elegant manor houses of the Cotswold region are very real.
Your Christmas in rural England should include:
Set on Christmas Eve, this animated classic tells the story of a boy whose belief in all things Christmas is restored after riding a magical train to the North Pole. The film has inspired several real-life rail experiences around the world, including Finland’s Santa Claus Express. After travelling from Helsinki to Rovaniemi in northern Finland, you can visit the big man himself at Santa Claus Village.
Your Christmas in Finland should include:
There’s plenty of debate about whether this should be considered a Christmas movie, but you don’t need to be a die-hard fan of the film to enjoy a Christmas break in Los Angeles. The Nakatomi Plaza building, where John McLean and Hans Gruber face off on Christmas Eve, is actually the 34-storey Fox Plaza in Century City, which is located just a stone’s throw from the magic of Beverly Hills.
Your Christmas in Beverly Hills should include:
We’re struggling to think of a more idyllic winter destination to live out our ultimate Christmas fantasies than the postcard-perfect town of Karlovy Vary. Set on the banks of the Ohře and Teplá rivers in the heart of west Bohemia, this UNESCO World Heritage listed spa resort is the real-life location of the oh-so-elegant Grandhotel Pupp.
Your Christmas in Karlovy Vary should include:
Even the grinchiest visitors can’t help but fall in love with Zermatt, which feels like the real-life inspiration for Whoville. Nestled in a beautiful valley in the Swiss Alps, and overlooked by the distinctive shape of the Matterhorn, this lovely village of chocolate box houses is typically blanketed in soft white snow at Christmastime.
Your Christmas in Zermatt should include:
If your idea of a cosy Christmas holiday involves snow-dusted landscapes, crackling fireplaces, romantic castles and living like royalty, even if it’s just for a night or two, then maybe you should be asking Santa for a festive Highland fling.
Your Christmas in the Highlands should include:
The pretty Austrian ski resort town of Lech am Arlberg was the snowy setting for Bridget’s romantic ski holiday with her beloved Mark Darcy. Don’t be put off by her misadventures on skis – in reality, Lech feels like a perfect snow-globe brought to life in the heart of the Austrian Alps.
Your Christmas in the Austrian Alps should include:
Ready to step into your favourite Christmas film?
Whether you’re dreaming of a white Christmas in a cosy mountain resort or a fun-filled, festive city break, our favourite movie-inspired locations are designed to make you the star of your own special Christmas escape. To start bringing your festive travel plans to life, contact your nearest Personal Travel Manager and let us help you to direct a Christmas getaway that’s worthy of the big screen.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
