Condé Nast Traveller has named Dublin as one of its top spots in the world to celebrate Christmas.
Whether you're a pure Santa's little helper or total grinch at Christmas, you can't deny that the festive spirit lights up a city like nothing else.
From glittering window displays, Christmas markets, twinkling lights and the smell of mince pies and mulled wine pouring from cafes and restaurants, our cities become especially pretty at this time of year.
Of course, some cities stand out from the crowd, and to honour that Condé Nast Traveller – the go-to publication for travel fanatics looking for something off the beaten path – has rounded up their pick of the 32 best places to spend Christmas around the world.
From quaint towns with thriving Christmas markets, to balmy beaches where you can escape the cold and stress of late December, the magazine truly spanned the globe in its selection.
When it comes to Dublin, however, they highlighted our legendary nightlife and bustling shopping streets.
"If your idea of Christmas merriment includes an authentic Irish pub crawl (we get it), then Dublin is your place", the editors write. "There's no better way to warm up on a cold Christmas night than with some black pudding and a few pints—and trust us, this city has enough cozy bars to last you through New Year’s.
"But the Irish capital isn’t just about drinking, of course. Holiday offerings include Christmas markets, decked-out shops on Grafton Street, and tree-lighting ceremonies galore."
They suggest checking out the Moving Crib in St. Martin's Apostolate's basement, which "has been charming families with its mechanical figures depicting scenes like Noah’s Ark" for the past 66 years. They also give a shout out to glamorous The Westbury as an ideal hub to base your travels from.
Elsewhere on the list are such charming spots as Inari in Finland, a remote region beyond the famed Lapland where you can watch the Northern Lights, and South Africa's Cape Town, where you can swap Santa's grotto for spotting penguins.
Read the full list here.
