Perhaps this opinion of mine will surprise some people.
Most people associate canals and a beautiful historic city center with Amsterdam in the Netherlands. And the truth is that Amsterdam’s historic center is beautiful. For me, Amsterdam is at its best during Christmas. The combination of Amsterdam’s culture, architecture, Christmas decorations, and people creates a genuinely magical Christmas atmosphere. In my opinion, Amsterdam at Christmas is easily among the most beautiful cities in Europe.
However, I also have to mention Strasbourg in France. Strasbourg can compete with Amsterdam in many ways.
Strasbourg has a beautiful historic center, with numerous picturesque canals running through the city, much like Amsterdam. It is also particularly beautiful during the Christmas season. Cycling is also very common in Strasbourg.
What makes Strasbourg stand out for me is also its Christmas decoration. Much of it is unique and, in some cases, even has a historic or non-commercial character. The decorations are everywhere, creating a distinctive Christmas atmosphere that is difficult to find elsewhere.
For me, Strasbourg is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. I sometimes find myself comparing it with Amsterdam, particularly when it comes to their historic centers. Strasbourg’s historic center shares surprisingly similar characteristics with Amsterdam’s, especially its combination of historic architecture, canals, and a strong sense of place.
Strasbourg may even be a safer city than Amsterdam—at least when it comes to homicides. There do not appear to be official homicide statistics specifically for Strasbourg; the French Ministry of the Interior’s statistical office mainly publishes figures for France as a whole. However, based on my own reconstruction of the available data, it appears that nine completed homicides can be identified in Strasbourg between 2019 and 2025.
And the nights in Strasbourg are quiet. During the night, you hardly see anyone in the city center.