The Universal Studios Japan Express Pass allows you to skip lines for certain rides at Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka.

This is the busiest theme park we’ve ever visited, with queues for almost every ride at 1-3 hours throughout the day.

The only way to guarantee you’ll get on all the top rides is to pay extra for the Express Pass. I wouldn’t visit USJ without one, as standing in line all day is not my idea of fun.

Express Passes are confusing because there are many options that include different rides.

They also sell out, but it’s not always clear when they go on sale—frustrating for planners like me!

In this post, I explain everything you need to know about the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass to make your visit more fun and less stressful.

Contents

• How Does Universal Express Pass Work?
• Do You Really Need an Express Pass at Universal Japan?
• How Much Time Does an Express Pass Save?
• Which Rides are Best with a USJ Express Pass?
• Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Price
• How to Buy a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
• Types of USJ Express Pass
• Best Express Pass Times to Choose
• Is Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?
• Other Japan Tips

How Does Universal Express Pass Work?

A USJ Express Pass gives you fast-track access to certain rides. There are lots of passes available (see below), so you can choose one that includes the rides most important to you.

For the most popular attractions, you’ll be assigned a specific time to ride. A few rides can be ridden at any time.

At your allocated ride time, you can use a separate Express queue—show your pass to the crew to enter. You will use a different line with only a minimal wait.

We usually wait 5-15 minutes in the Express line. The exception is Mario Kart, which usually takes us 25 minutes, but the queue through Bowser’s Castle is so cool that we don’t mind.

Your time slot is a 30-minute window, such as 12:30-13:00. You can usually arrive 10 minutes early or a little late (but try to be on time, as flexibility is not guaranteed).

Some Express Passes also include a Timed Area Entry to Super Nintendo World, which is a major perk (more on that below).

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Do You Really Need an Express Pass at Universal Japan?

If you are unsure whether an Express Pass is really necessary, these were the average wait times at Universal Japan in 2025, taken from Queue Times.

• Mine Cart Madness – 140 minutes
• Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge – 97 minutes
• Flight of the Hippogriff – 73 minutes
• Hollywood Dream Backdrop – 70 minutes
• Yoshi’s Adventure – 65 minutes
• Hollywood Dream – 60 minutes
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – 59 minutes
• The Flying Dinosaur – 52 minutes
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem – 47 minutes
• Jurassic Park – 38 minutes
• JAWS – 37 minutes

These are average times, so during busy times of the year, they can be much higher. The average maximum queue time for Mine Cart Madness in 2025 was 201 minutes!

Many of these rides do have single-rider lines, but they generally don’t save much (with the exception of JAWS). For example, Simon waited 60 minutes in the single-rider line for The Flying Dinosaur, while the regular line was 70 minutes.

You can also probably get on one or two rides at the beginning of the day with shorter waits, but you’ll need to arrive at least an hour before park opening and join the long lines to enter.

With an Express Pass, we usually stroll into the park in late morning and stay until park closing (you can’t leave and reenter, unfortunately).

If the park is open late, the last hour of the day is another chance to find some lower waits, but not for the top attractions.

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How Much Time Does an Express Pass Save?

Express Pass 7

On one trip, a 7-ride Express Pass saved us an incredible 565 minutes (over 9 hours) of waiting in lines!

Express Pass 4

On our latest trip, we went for an Express Pass 4. Even with just four rides included (Mine Cart, Mario Kart, Flying Dinosaur, and Jurassic Park), it saved us 286 minutes (4 hours 46 minutes) of queuing.

Most importantly for us, we got to ride attractions like Mine Cart Madness that we would never have waited 140 minutes for.

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Which Rides are Best with a USJ Express Pass?

The two rides with the longest lines are Mine Cart Madness and Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge.

Both these rides are inside Super Nintendo World, so if that area is important to you, definitely choose a pass that includes them.

The other must-do ride for us is The Flying Dinosaur (an intense rollercoaster), so we try to include that if we can.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is also a great option.

The Hollywood Dream rollercoasters are nice to have, but they are rarely included in the best passes these days.

It really comes down to your priorities.

Express Pass is less necessary for Despicable Me, JAWS, and Jurassic Park, as wait times usually come down in the evenings. Most Express Passes usually include one of these, though.

Super Nintendo World Entry with an Express Pass

Another major bonus of the Express Pass is that many of them include Timed Area Entry to Super Nintendo World.

This is the best way to guarantee entry to the area. Otherwise, you’ll need to arrive at the park very early—you can usually get in first thing without Timed Area Entry.

Or, for the rest of the day, entry to the area is run by lottery. You can select a time slot for free in the app (once you’ve entered the park), but you might not win.

If you have an Express Pass, you can still enter the lottery for Super Nintendo World, which is useful if you want to visit again later in the day (Simon got lucky with an evening spot).

The area is amazing, but it’s very loud and overstimulating, so being able to take a break is a nice bonus of the Express Pass.

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Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Price

Unfortunately, Universal Express Passes are expensive—they cost considerably more than the park ticket, which is reasonable in Japan at around 8,900 yen ($56).

You have to pay for a Studio Pass (park ticket) plus an Express Pass.

Pass prices vary widely depending on the type of pass and when you are visiting—busier times cost more. Check on Klook for prices for the next two months.

As an example, my current top recommended pass for first-timers, Universal Express Pass 7 – Minecart & Selection, costs 24,000 yen ($151) in May (a moderately busy time to visit).

The pass we used last time, Universal Express Pass 4 – Minecart & JAWS, costs from 20,000 yen ($125) in May or 17,000 yen ($107) in June.

On some days, it’s actually the same price as the Express Pass 7, so it’s worth checking the different options.

If you don’t care about Super Nintendo World, the cheapest pass currently is Universal Express Pass 4 – Flying Dinosaur & Jurassic Park, which costs from 12,000 yen ($75).

Weekdays are cheaper than weekends and holidays.

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How to Buy a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass

You used to be able to buy Express Passes in the park, but it’s very unlikely there will be any available these days.

I highly recommend buying yours online around two months in advance.

Note that passes or tickets can not be cancelled.

Klook

The easiest way to buy USJ Express Passes for international visitors is on Klook. They are an official authorised reseller and have a user-friendly website and app.

You can choose the currency and pay in your local currency if you want (and they don’t rip you off with exchange rates). International cards work without issue, or you can use Apple Pay or Google Pay.

To buy a pass, go to the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass page on Klook.

Choose a date from the calendar, scroll through the various passes, and select one. Click Package Details to see which rides are included.

Or, if you aren’t sure of your dates, select a pass and check the calendar to see prices for different dates.

Once you have clicked Book Now, you are taken to a page where you can “Select Session”, which means choose ride times (more on that below). You’ll need to create a Klook account to get to this page.

On this page, you can also choose to add on a Studio Pass (entrance ticket) to buy everything in one transaction. Or wait until closer to the time to buy your ticket separately (they don’t sell out as quickly as Express Passes).

Once you’ve paid, you’ll receive an email with a PDF pass that includes a QR code and your ride times. This is what you need to show to enter each ride. We print it out to make it easier, but you could show it on your phone.

USJ Official Website

Booking Express Passes on the official Universal Studios Japan website is more complicated.

The main USJ site is in Japanese. You can use a translation service to read it (I use Google Translate in the Chrome desktop browser), but it does feel harder than Klook.

Even if you make it through the booking process, many people have trouble using international cards (apparently, Amex works best).

You’ll need to create a Club Universal account to use the site, and enter your name in Japanese characters. Use your Japanese hotel as the address.

On this site, you have to add a Studio Pass to your cart before you can add on an Express Pass.

The main advantage of the Japanese site is that they often have more availability than Klook, and passes may be released a little earlier.

However, when I tried using it, I had trouble getting the website to work, and I actually found more availability on Klook (at the same prices), so I just booked with them and saved myself the hassle.

There’s also an English version of the USJ website, but it’s run by an authorised ticket reseller and has more limited availability than the Japanese site.

If you are struggling to find availability for your dates, it’s worth checking all three sites, but otherwise, Klook is the easiest option.

When Do USJ Express Passes Go on Sale?

I wish this question had a simple answer!

The short answer is that USJ Express Passes usually go on sale about two months in advance.

Express Passes do sell out, and you’ll have the most ride-time options if you book on the day they are released.

As of 10 April, you can buy passes until 11 June. So currently, you can buy passes 62 days in advance.

That can and will change, though.

When I was booking for November, the release was delayed by a few days. And then Express Pass 4 passes were available a few days before 7 Passes. This may have been because the pass types were changing.

There seems to be no way of knowing what’s going on for sure, so the best thing is to keep checking. I would start looking around 65 days before your visit and see when the previous days are being released.

What time of day are Express Passes released?

I haven’t found a consistent answer about what time passes are released.

Often, they appear on the USJ site at midnight Japan time. Resellers like Klook might get them a few hours later.

If you have any more information on the release schedule, leave a comment below!

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Types of USJ Express Pass

Choosing a USJ Express Pass is confusing, as there are many passes that include different rides.

To make matters worse, the available passes change fairly regularly.

Here are the main types of passes and the ones I currently recommend. Although the best Universal Studios Express Pass really depends on which rides are a priority for you.

Express Pass 7

The Express Pass 7 includes seven rides. This is what I recommend for first-time visitors if you can afford it. You’ll be able to ride many of the best USJ rides without queuing.

All of these passes include Area Timed Entry to Super Nintendo World.

Currently, my top pick is the Universal Express Pass 7 – Minecart & Selection.

It includes:

1. Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
2. Yoshi’s Adventure
3. Mine Cart Madness
4. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
5. Flight of the Hippogriff
6. The Flying Dinosaur OR Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (I’d choose Flying Dinosaur)
7. JAWS OR Jurassic Park – The Ride (I’d choose Jurassic Park)

You get specific times for the three Nintendo rides plus Flight of the Hippogriff. The others can be ridden at any time.

The major rides missing are Hollywood Dream and Backdrop.

This is similar to the pass we had that saved us over 9 hours of queuing!

Buy the Express Pass 7 on Klook here.

Express Pass 4

Express Pass 4 includes four rides, but it’s not always significantly cheaper than the 7 pass, especially if you want to include Minecart Madness.

My current top pick is Universal Express Pass 4 – Minecart & JAWS.

This is the pass we used last November that saved us nearly 5 hours of queuing.

It includes:

1. Mine Cart Madness
2. Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
3. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey OR The Flying Dinosaur (we chose Dinosaur)
4. JAWS OR Jurassic Park – The Ride (we chose Jurassic Park)

Timed Entry to Super Nintendo World is included, and you choose a time for the two rides in that area. The other two can be ridden at any time.

Buy the Express Pass 4 on Klook here.

Premium Pass

You could also purchase a Premium Pass, which includes 13 rides, each valid for one use at any time.

When I looked for April, it was 50,400 yen ($317) vs 29,000 yen ($182) for the Express Pass 7.

I don’t think it’s worth it, unless money is no object, but it would mean you could get on absolutely everything.

VIP Tour

An alternative to buying an Express Pass is taking a group VIP Tour.

You can buy these in the Studio Pass section on Klook, where you buy tickets.

When I looked for April, there were only a few slots available, and they cost 38,000 yen ($239) in addition to a park ticket. More expensive than an Express Pass 7 but not ridiculously so.

The 3-hour tour includes a special entrance to the park (no waiting in the usual long line), priority access to Super Nintendo World and visiting these rides with a guide:

1. Mine Cart Madness
2. Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
3. Yoshi’s Adventure
4. JAWS

You don’t even have to wait in the Express line for these rides—you skip straight to the front.

You are also given Express Passes for four additional attractions of your choice to use after your tour ends.

Private VIP Tours are also available, but these are very expensive.

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Best Express Pass Times to Choose

The biggest consideration will be your Super Nintendo World Area Entry time (which will be the same time as your first ride in the area). Earlier times book up fastest.

Last time we chose 12.30pm, so we didn’t have to arrive at the park too early, but we still had plenty of time to explore Nintendo World (we stayed for over 3 hours).

We’ve had an evening entry before (7.40pm when the park closed at 10pm), which was also pretty cool (the world looks great in the dark), but we didn’t have time to do all the games or go to the restaurant.

Bear in mind that when the park closes late (9pm or 10pm), the last hour is quietest, so we like to stay for that. But you can’t take a break and reenter (I really hate this policy as I find USJ overstimulating).

We don’t choose a morning ride time, so that we have the stamina to stay until park closing.

Also, the advantage of paying for a pass is not having to join the morning rush at opening.

Ultimately, don’t stress too much about times, as you’ll always find a way to make it work.

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Is Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?

The Universal Studios Japan Express Pass is expensive, but I absolutely think it’s worth it to avoid frustration and make your park day more enjoyable.

If Super Nintendo World is a priority, the pass is even more worthwhile, as it guarantees entry to this fun area.

I wouldn’t visit USJ without an Express Pass as I don’t want to spend my day standing in lines.

If you can afford it, I highly recommend purchasing an Express Pass.

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Other Japan Tips

Explore our many articles about Japan for more tips for your visit.

Japan Theme Parks

• 13 Best Universal Studios Japan Rides (and Top Tips)
• 13 Best Tokyo Disneyland Rides for Adults
• 14 Best Tokyo DisneySea Rides for Adults
• Ghibli Park Review: Ultimate Guide to Tickets and Attractions

Japan Travel

• Planning a Trip to Japan: Dos and Don’ts
• 17 Unmissable Places to Visit in Japan
• Two Weeks in Japan: A Detailed Itinerary
• 32 Unforgettable Things to Do in Kyoto

La Gomera is one of the smallest and quietest Canary Islands in Spain. The lack of coastal road or international airport on this mountainous island has kept mass tourism away.

It’s a fantastic, diverse hiking destination with marked trails, stunning views, and mild weather year-round—perfect for some winter sun.

A highlight is the Parque Nacional de Garajonay, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the centre of the island, featuring an ancient, lush laurel forest.

We spent a week on the island in March. Hiking in La Gomera often features steep trails, but we focused on finding the best easy walks and have included our favourites below.

I’ve also shared where we stayed, how to get there, and a map of everywhere we visited.

Contents

• How Does Universal Express Pass Work?
• Do You Really Need an Express Pass at Universal Japan?
• How Much Time Does an Express Pass Save?
• Which Rides are Best with a USJ Express Pass?
• Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Price
• How to Buy a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
• Types of USJ Express Pass
• Best Express Pass Times to Choose
• Is Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?
• Other Japan Tips
• What to Expect Hiking La Gomera
• Hiking in La Gomera Resources
• Easy Walks in La Gomera
• Other Hiking Areas in La Gomera
• What to Eat in La Gomera
• Where to Stay in La Gomera
• Getting to La Gomera
• La Gomera Map
• Is La Gomera Worth Visiting?
• More Hiking Posts

What to Expect Hiking La Gomera

Terrain

La Gomera is a mountainous island with no coastal road. The towns are located in valleys, and to get anywhere, you have to drive up steep, winding roads and then back down again.

It’s a small island and nowhere is more than 90 minutes away, but the driving does feel arduous, especially if you get carsick like me. The views are often spectacular, though!

There are buses, and you could do some one-way hikes that way. We rented a car, which gave us a lot more flexibility. See below for more transport details.

Due to its terrain, walks in La Gomera usually have steep ascents and descents, but the ones we did had more moderate elevation gain.

Weather

La Gomera has mild winters, so it’s a popular time for Germans and Brits to visit.

In mid-March, we had temperatures of 18-20ºC on the coast during the day, but it was often windy so it could feel cooler.

In the mountains in the centre of the island, it was much colder (6-12ºC) and almost always cloudy. When the sun did come out, it was perfect hiking weather.

Facilities

We didn’t come across any public toilets on La Gomera, so bear that in mind when heading out. Buying an inexpensive espresso is a good way to use cafe facilities before you start a walk.

There were also toilets at the visitor centre, Centro de Visitantes Juego de Bolas, near Agulo. But we didn’t hike near there—just drove through.

We found service in restaurants was often very slow, so be prepared for that if you are starving after a walk. Take snacks and water on your hikes.

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Hiking in La Gomera Resources

We used the book, La Gomera Rother Walking Guide, which includes 73 walks on the island with detailed instructions.

You can also download the GPX files for each walk, which we imported into AllTrails (or Rother has an app).

Most of the hikes are pretty challenging, so the book is most worthwhile for serious hikers. It does have some easy walks, though.

AllTrails is our go-to app for finding hiking trails all over the world, and we used it a lot in La Gomera. We have a Plus account, which allows us to download maps for offline use.

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Easy Walks in La Gomera

1) Las Creces in Parque Nacional de Garajonay

Walking in the Parque Nacional de Garajonay is a must on La Gomera, and it’s the best place for easy walks.

It’s located at the higher elevations of the centre and covers 10% of the island in rare laurel forest.

This misty, mossy forest is an atmospheric place for a walk, with many trails crisscrossing the park.

It’s much colder in the park than on the coast—for us it was 6-7ºC at the higher parts vs 19ºC on the coast.

It was also very cloudy there our entire week, so we never bothered with the walk to Alto de Garajonay, the island’s highest peak at 1487m, as we wouldn’t have been able to see a thing.

Instead, we did an easy walk through the forest in Las Creces picnic area (a 30-minute drive from Valle Gran Rey, where we were staying).

On AllTrails it’s called Las Creces – Ruta 5 – GR131. The 4.4km walk took us about an hour from the parking (by the road nearest to La Creces—see AllTrails, as it’s not marked on Google Maps).

It was mostly flat with only a few gentle hills. The trail was muddy and uneven, though, so good shoes are a must.

We then added on a bit by walking across the road and through more forest to Mirador Risquillos de Corgo, with its view down to Vallehermoso. There are plenty of options for longer walks.

After our walk, we had a traditional lunch in Las Hayas (see below). You could also walk there from Las Creces for a longer route.

2) Valle Gran Rey Coastal Walk

Walking along the coast in Valle Gran Rey is more of a stroll than a hike as it’s paved. It’s a good option if you just want to stretch your legs and explore the different beaches.

We stayed in Valle Gran Rey for most of our trip. It’s the closest thing to a beach resort on the island, with sunnier and much warmer weather than the centre of the island.

It’s in the southwest, a 1 hour and 20 minute drive from the capital, San Sebastian de La Gomera, via the mountainous interior.

You approach the town by driving down a winding road through a dramatic barranco (river gorge) towards the sea, past terraces lush with green palms and villages of colourful houses.

It’s one of the most beautiful parts of the island. There are a few viewpoints where you can stop to enjoy the view, such as Mirador de la Curva del Queso.

The town is more touristy than the others we visited, but tourism is very lowkey here, and it has a relaxed feel.

The beaches are some of the best on the island (although La Gomera is not really a beach destination), especially if you want to swim.

I loved swimming in the sea after a morning walk. The sea temperature was 20ºC in March—chilly for Simon, fine for me.

Walking the coast road is a good way to see all of Valle Gran Rey’s beaches. From one end to another takes about 40 minutes each way.

You can start in the middle, as we did, but here are the beaches you’ll pass from north to south:

• Playa del Ingles – The most dramatic, wild beach with black sand and pebbles under cliffs. It’s too rough to swim, but it’s fun to watch the waves and the many red crabs sunning on the rocks. It was a 20-minute walk from our hotel, Hotel Gran Rey.
• Playa de la Calera/ Playa de Valle Gran Rey – The main beach is the longest. It’s more pebbly than sandy in the winter, but there’s a patch of sand near the beach bars (we enjoyed a coffee with a view at La Machanga). Swimming is generally safe here, but check the flags.
• La Puntilla – This is the other end of the main beach. It’s rockier, and the swimming is slightly rougher, but I swam here as it was opposite our hotel. There are a few good restaurants nearby. We liked Il Grillo Parlante for pizza. Mahalo has delicious, healthy food like a tempeh bowl, but you need to book, and the service was incredibly slow on our visit.
• Playa del Charco del Conde – This little sandy beach has a calm, natural pool. It’s good for kids and dips, but it’s too small for real swimming. You can get good ice cream at Heladeria La Crema opposite.
• Playa De Vueltas – This small sandy beach at the port is often protected from the wind. The sea is calm, but the many moored boats make longer swims tricky. The nearby Heladería El Sueño de Yanini is good, and it’s next to a little vegetarian cafe (too busy for us to get in).

3) Roque de Agando to Casa del Manco

Roque de Agando is a volcanic rock formation in the centre of the island, surrounded by other peaks called Los Roques.

You can drive up for a look at Mirador de los Roques, but manage your expectations. When we first drove past, the rocks were totally obscured by clouds.

On our last day, we tried again and took a beautiful hike on a sunny morning, but clouds were already quickly gathering as we left.

We parked at the viewpoint just before Mirador de los Roques, right next to Roque de Agando. It was a 30-minute drive from San Sebastian La Gomera (where we stayed at the end of our trip).

It’s not marked on Google Maps, but it is on the AllTrails hike we did—Agando – La Laja – Agando.

The name is a bit misleading as you don’t go all the way to La Laja. I really wanted to do the much harder loop that goes to the village (Mirador de la Laja – Casa del Manco on AllTrails), but I wasn’t feeling well enough for the 667m elevation gain.

Instead, our short section of the trail took us down the hill to Casa del Manco (an old ruin of a house) and back up the same way.

The 3km out-and-back route took us 65 minutes, with 229m of elevation gain. The climb back up is steep, but it only took about 30 minutes and is manageable if you take breaks.

I’m sure the full loop is stunning, but if you are short on time or energy, this section is worth doing for stunning views of Los Roques.

It’s partly through the forest at the very edge of the national park, but it looks quite different from the Las Creces area and is also warmer (about 13ºC for us, but that felt hot in the sun).

4) Vallehermoso to Presa de la Encantadora

Vallehermoso is a village in the northwest of La Gomera. As always, it’s reached by a dramatic winding drive down a terraced valley. It’s one of the most stunning parts of the island.

It usually takes about 50 minutes from Valle Gran Rey, but the outward journey took us longer as we got stuck in roadworks several times.

Although it’s not quite as cold as the centre of the island, it was still cooler (15ºC) and cloudier than the coast. But at least we could see something—it was a full whiteout when we drove through the national park.

There are lots of hikes from the village, but they are all steep. We did the only moderate one listed on AllTrails—Vallehermoso – Presa de la Encantadora – Los Chapines.

It was my favourite hike on the island, even with grey, drizzly weather.

We started in the main square, Plaza de la Constitución, with a coffee at one of the bars. There’s a free parking lot nearby, or we had to find street parking.

The 4.7km hike took us 1 hour and 20 minutes with 266m elevation gain.

It starts with a steep climb for about 30 minutes as you leave the village with views of terraced gardens, palm trees, colourful houses below, and the rugged mountains beyond.

At the top, there’s an impressive view of the dam, Presa de la Encantadora.

The trail down is rocky and steep, but not too bad when it’s dry (good shoes are a must, poles might help).

You then cross the dam and walk back to the village for 20 minutes along a quiet road with more lovely views.

Back in the village, we had an excellent lunch at Tasca El Carraca. The papas arrugadas with mojo and grilled aubergine (an unusual veggie option) were especially good.

5) Arure to Mirador Los Barranquillos

This walk from Arure isn’t a must-do, but it was pleasant and easy.

We chose it when we wanted an easy walk near Valle Gran Rey (it’s a 20-minute drive up the mountain) with clearer weather than the national park (which was very cloudy).

The walk is #32 in the Rother book and is 6.9km with 220 metres of elevation gain. They estimate 2 hours, but it took us a little less than that, even with a few wrong turns.

It starts at Casa Conchita restaurant in the village of Arure. The route is a mix of green valley and forest, leading up to two viewpoints in the national park (you can also drive to these) before looping back down a different way.

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Other Hiking Areas in La Gomera

The main hiking area we missed was Hermigua and Agulo, two neighbouring villages in the northeast of the island.

We drove to Agulo on our way back from Valle Gran Rey to San Sebastian, but we only stopped for a short stroll.

Agulo is known as the prettiest village in Spain, with its cobbled streets and 18th-century Canarian architecture (which reminded us of Latin America).

I think that’s overselling things, but it does have a beautiful location between the mountains and the sea.

The drive here was quite arduous, but it would have been more worthwhile if we had hiked in the area.

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What to Eat in La Gomera

If you have worked up an appetite while walking, here are some local dishes to look out for on La Gomera.

• Almogrote – A spicy dip made from goat’s cheese, peppers, tomatoes and garlic. Often served with bread as a starter.
• Mojo – These spicy sauces come in green or red versions and are often served with bread or potatoes. Delicious!
• Papas Arrugadas – Small wrinkly potatoes boiled with their skins on and served with mojo.
• Queso Gomero – Local cheeses are made from sheep or goat’s milk and are often served grilled with miel de palma.
• Miel de Palma – Palm honey is sap from the Canarian palm trees you see all over the island. It’s used in desserts or drizzled on cheese and vegetables.
• Potaje de Berros – This soup is made from watercress and gofio, a Canarian flour. The stock is unlikely to be vegetarian.

You’ll also find plenty of fish and meat dishes, but as vegetarians, we skipped those. Valle Gran Rey has the most restaurant options if you have dietary needs.

Our favourite restaurant was Tasca El Carraca in Vallehermoso. The mojo was the most flavourful we had, and they had a few vegetarian dishes beyond the usual cheese and potatoes.

For the most vegetarian options, try Casa Efigenia La Montaña in Las Hayas up in the mountains near the national park.

It’s entirely vegetarian with a focus on traditional local dishes. The set lunch for €12 is good value, including almogrote, a gofio hummus, salad, a main of watercress soup or vegetable stew, and dessert.

The food was simple and hearty but not quite to our tastes.

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Where to Stay in La Gomera

When considering the best place to stay for hiking in La Gomera, Vallehermoso and Hermigua are most often recommended, as they are close to many hiking trails and not too far (about 30 minutes) from the national park.

The downside of these towns is that they are at a higher elevation and are colder and often cloudier than the coast.

As I wanted some sun and to swim in the sea, I chose Valle Gran Rey as our main base. I have no regrets as it’s a beautiful area.

We spent 5 nights there and then the last 2 nights in the capital, San Sebastian La Gomera, so that we were close by for our 7am ferry on departure.

Here’s where we stayed:

Hotel Gran Rey

Hotel Gran Rey is probably the nicest hotel in Valle Gran Rey, but it’s still a midrange option.

We didn’t get the best first impression, as they gave us a room next to one undergoing noisy building works. The hotel was full, so they couldn’t give us another room. The worst thing was that they were unapologetic about this, so it wasn’t a great start.

After a few days, when the work had stopped, we ended up enjoying our stay.

The positives are the sea view rooms with balconies, the rooftop pool with lovely views, and the location across the road from a beach (pebbly, but I enjoyed swimming here).

Breakfast is served at the rooftop restaurant and had a good selection (including freshly squeezed orange juice), although it was a little crowded.

Rooms are simple but fine, and we appreciated details like a drying rack on the balcony. There’s a fridge, but no kettle (you might be able to request one).

The cleaning station for hiking shoes outside was also very handy.

Parador De La Gomera

Parador De La Gomera is one of the nicest hotels on La Gomera. The historic building has a beautiful location on a cliff above San Sebastian La Gomera, with lovely gardens and a pool with sea view.

While the building itself feels grand, our room (with twin beds, like everywhere on the island) felt rather austere. It had a kettle and a minibar.

We didn’t like that you had to book a time for breakfast, but at least the food was good.

We skipped dinner at the upscale restaurant and just grabbed a pricey pizza at the bar (which took forever to arrive, but that’s common on the island).

The hotel is a 15-minute walk into town (up steep steps on the way back). A taxi cost €10, which we took to the ferry port (after dropping off our car the previous day).

While I’m glad we didn’t spend our whole trip here, we enjoyed it for a few nights, and it was convenient being close to the ferry.

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Getting to La Gomera

Flying

La Gomera does not have an international airport, and the nearest one is on neighbouring Tenerife.

We flew from London Gatwick to Tenerife South (TFS) with British Airways. Many low-cost carriers fly here from across Europe as it’s a popular holiday destination.

At the airport, we joined the long taxi queue (which only took 20 minutes in the end) and took a taxi to the port, Puerto Los Cristianos, a 20-30-minute ride depending on traffic.

The driver used the meter, and the fare was €32. There are a few Ubers, but they were twice the price.

You can also take a bus to the port.

Ferry

From Puerto Los Cristianos on Tenerife, it’s a 50-minute ferry ride to San Sebastian de La Gomera.

Two companies operate on the route—Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen. Both have similar large ferries with plenty of seating and a cafe, so just choose whichever one is next.

We bought tickets at the port (we needed passports to do this) for €46 each one way.

The crossing was pretty rough on the way out but calmer on the way back.

Getting Around La Gomera

On the island, it’s best to rent a car, but it is possible to get around by bus (limited schedules) and taxi. San Sebastian has the most bus options.

As usual, we booked our car via Booking.com and ended up with Avis at the port in San Sebastian.

Collection was easy, and we dropped the keys in the box on departure.

Our Polo was a bit beaten up, but at least it had CarPlay.

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La Gomera Map

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Is La Gomera Worth Visiting?

La Gomera is definitely worth visiting if you are looking for quiet trails, diverse scenery from desert to forest, and spectacular views.

It did give us the winter sun we were looking for, although not in the centre of the island, where it was usually cloudy and chilly.

As La Gomera is remote, you have to expect a more rustic experience than on the neighbouring Canary Islands. Service was slow, the hotels aren’t fancy, and there’s not much variety in restaurants.

But if nature and peace are your priority, La Gomera is a fantastic choice.

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More Hiking Posts

Here are our guides to some of our other favourite hiking destinations:

• Hiking Corniglia to Manarola (via Volastra) in Cinque Terre (Italy)
• Hiking the Path of the Gods (and Amalfi Coast on a Budget) (Italy)
• Hiking from Camogli to San Fruttuoso: Everything You Need to Know (Italy)
• 8 Easy Hikes in Sedona with Stunning Views (and What to Skip) (USA)
• 14 Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park, California (USA)
• 7 Beautiful Walks in Noosa National Park (For All Abilities) (Australia)

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Our Iceland winter road trip took us to glaciers, black sand beaches, and endless waterfalls.

We rode adorably fluffy Icelandic horses, soaked in hot springs, and attempted to see the northern lights.

For our 8-day self-drive trip, we focused on the Golden Circle and South Iceland, as these are most accessible in winter.

In this Iceland winter itinerary, I share our route (including famous sights and off-the-beaten-track gems), where we stayed, and tips for visiting Iceland in winter.

Contents

• How Does Universal Express Pass Work?
• Do You Really Need an Express Pass at Universal Japan?
• How Much Time Does an Express Pass Save?
• Which Rides are Best with a USJ Express Pass?
• Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Price
• How to Buy a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
• Types of USJ Express Pass
• Best Express Pass Times to Choose
• Is Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?
• Other Japan Tips
• What to Expect Hiking La Gomera
• Hiking in La Gomera Resources
• Easy Walks in La Gomera
• Other Hiking Areas in La Gomera
• What to Eat in La Gomera
• Where to Stay in La Gomera
• Getting to La Gomera
• La Gomera Map
• Is La Gomera Worth Visiting?
• More Hiking Posts
• Iceland in Winter: What to Expect
• Our Iceland Winter Itinerary at a Glance
• Map of Our Iceland Winter Road Trip
• Our Iceland Winter Road Trip in Detail
• Is Iceland Worth Visiting in Winter?
• More Iceland Posts

Iceland in Winter: What to Expect

Here are some tips specific to Iceland winter travel. For more advice, see my guide to Planning a Trip to Iceland: Dos and Don’ts.

Weather

Iceland doesn’t get as cold as you might think in winter. During our late January trip, temperatures ranged from -3ºC to 4ºC (27ºF to 39ºF), which is about average.

The wind chill factor can make it much colder, though, so do pack plenty of warm layers as you’ll be spending most of your time outside.

We packed similar clothes as for our trip to Norway—see our Tromso winter packing list.

Rain or snow is always a possibility, but we didn’t have much rain and no snow (it was an unusually unsnowy winter). I highly recommend a waterproof jacket and shoes or boots.

We brought our microspikes with us, but didn’t need them. I do recommend them in winter in Iceland, though, as trails can get icy and they help you avoid slipping.

Daylight Hours

At the beginning of January, there are 4.5 hours of daylight in Reykjavik.

That increases rapidly, and by the end of January, we had 7 hours of daylight with sunrise at 10.10am and sunset at 5.10pm.

I’m glad we visited later in the month to have more hours to explore.

You can check sunrise and sunset times on Time and Date.

You should also look at the Civil Twilight times. This means the time before sunrise or after sunset when there’s enough light to see. This gave us about an hour extra at each end of the day.

The advantage of visiting Iceland in winter is the gorgeous golden light all day (at least when the sun shines). You also don’t have to get up early to enjoy the sunrise!

Driving Conditions

Driving conditions vary during winter, which is why we stuck to the south, where roads are more likely to be clear. Driving the full Ring Road (Route 1 all the way around the island) in winter is risky, as roads can close.

You should be prepared to drive on snow and ice. If you aren’t confident with that, it’s safer to base yourself in Reykjavik and take bus tours.

As Iceland had minimal snow before our trip, all the roads were clear for us. We had a little bit of ice on some mornings, but nothing of concern.

Before you head out each day, it’s essential to check the road conditions. We used the Faerd & Vedur app, or you can check the Umferdin website.

A regular car should be fine for this route. We rented a compact SUV just in case, though. We rented from Europcar at Keflavik Airport and had no problems. I usually compare the best deals and book through Booking.com.

Another essential app for this trip is Parka, which allows you to pay for parking at many attractions (some don’t have machines).

Expect to pay around 1000 ISK ($8/ £6) for parking almost everywhere. There were no entrance fees on this route, though, except for hot springs.

Make sure you have an affordable international data plan or buy an eSim from Airalo—it worked well for us and we had good signal everywhere.

Northern Lights

There’s a chance of seeing the northern lights throughout the winter in Iceland.

Sadly, we didn’t get lucky on this trip (we did see them on our Westfjords trip in late September).

To check the chances of seeing them and if the skies will be clear, use the Aurora app.

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Our Iceland Winter Itinerary at a Glance

We had 8 nights in Iceland at the end of January and beginning of February.

This was our route—we mostly avoided towns to focus on nature and increase our chances of seeing the northern lights from rural accommodation.

We self-catered everywhere except for our last night in the capital.

• Near Selfoss (Golden Circle) – Akurgerði Guesthouse for 3 nights.
• Near Skaftafell (South Coast) – The Potato Storage for 2 nights.
• Near Vik (South Coast) – Black Beach Suites for 1 night.
• Hvammsvik Nature Resort for 1 night.
• Reykjavik – Guesthouse Galtafell for 1 night.

We loved everywhere we stayed (except the guesthouse in Reykjavik, which was fine for the price).

We used Booking.com to book everywhere about five months in advance.

Booking so far in advance isn’t always necessary in winter, but it gave us more options. The owner of Akurgerði said she is almost always booked up year-round. Winter isn’t as quiet a time as it used to be.

Airbnb is also worth checking if you want self-catering accommodation.

If You Have Less Time

7 Day Iceland Winter Itinerary

If you have 7 nights, I would reduce the Golden Circle by one night or skip either Hvammsvik (if you’re not interested in hot springs or it’s over budget) or Reykjavik.

Personally, I wished we’d skipped Reykjavik as I prefer spending time in the countryside. Being close to the airport on your last night is a good idea in winter, though, even if you have a later flight. And for your first trip, you’ll likely want to experience the capital.

5 Day Iceland Winter Itinerary

With just 5 days in winter, I think it’s sensible to skip the Skaftafell area and Hvammsvik (even though they were our favourite areas). I would suggest 2 nights Golden Circle, 2 nights in Vik, and 1 night in Reykjavik.

That said, our friends at Bridges and Balloons did this 5 day Iceland itinerary to Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, and South Coast (including a glacier ice cave tour), so it is possible to follow most of our route in a shorter period.

Some of their travel days were longer than we wanted, though, and involved driving in the dark. You definitely don’t want to try this if you aren’t experienced driving in winter conditions.

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Map of Our Iceland Winter Road Trip

This map shows all the places we visited on our Iceland winter trip.

I have added pins to the parking areas of each attraction where possible, so you get more accurate driving directions/times.

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Our Iceland Winter Road Trip in Detail

Day 1: Airport to Golden Circle (3 Nights)

Drive from Keflavik Airport to Akurgerdi: 1 hour 20 minutes / 96km (60 miles).

Our flight arrived at Keflavik Airport (KEF) at 5.15pm, so we had to drive in the dark, which was fine, but it would be better to arrive earlier.

It took us about 45 minutes to get through immigration, collect our suitcase, and pick up our rental car.

We then stopped at the supermarket, Krónan Reykjanesbæ, 10 minutes away, which had a good selection (including vegan options).

We arrived at our cabin at 7.30pm and had an easy frozen pizza dinner.

Where We Stayed: Akurgerði Guesthouse

We absolutely loved our little one-room cabin, Akurgerði Guesthouse 8, which is one of four on a horse farm between Hveragerði and Selfoss.

The decor is so unique—ours had lots of horse-themed details, using old wood and farm equipment.

The highlight was the hot tub on the terrace.

While this area doesn’t feel as remote as later in the trip (we could see a road and town lights in the far distance), the views were still good.

It’s a handy base for the Golden Circle and not too far from the airport.

Day 2: Golden Circle Waterfalls and Geysers

Drive from Akurgerdi to Gulfoss and Back: 2 hours 20 minutes / 160km (99 miles).

Today we visited two of the three main attractions on the Golden Circle. This popular sightseeing route is the most popular day tour from Reykjavik. We much preferred exploring at our own pace.

We were out from 10.30am to 5.30pm.

Gulfoss Falls

We started with the farthest-away attraction, then made stops on our way back.

Gulfoss is a huge, iconic waterfall with multiple gushing cascades in a river.

There’s free parking (rare in Iceland!), and it’s an easy 5-minute paved walk to the upper viewpoint.

We spent about 30 minutes braving the wind and walking to various viewpoints to see it from different angles. The lower trail can be icy, so microspikes are often needed (but not for us).

Gulfoss is truly spectacular, and the most epic of the 12 waterfalls we visited on this trip (it ended up #3 in our personal rankings).

Afterwards, we had a nice lunch (panini, apple pie, hot chocolate) in the cafe, which wasn’t too busy. There’s also a gift shop and toilets.

Geysir

10 minutes back down the road is another extremely popular stop. The Geysir area is a steaming geothermal landscape of hot streams and bubbling pools.

It’s an easy walk (although it can be icy) to see the main attraction, Strokkur Geyser, which erupts every 10 minutes or so.

We waited to see three eruptions, and they varied in size. It’s a fun and easy stop.

Parking was 1086 ISK in the Parka app. There’s a shop, a busy restaurant, and toilets.

Faxafoss

We were ready for a less crowded attraction, and Faxafoss was perfect—we had it to ourselves!

Parking is 900 ISK—unusually, you pay an attendant at the entrance (card payments are fine—we didn’t use cash our whole trip).

It’s a few minutes’ walk to the upper viewpoint and maybe 5 minutes down to the water.

We loved that we could get right up to the wide and powerful falls. It was also sheltered from the wind.

There are no toilets here, and the cafe was closed.

Laugarás Lagoon

Our final stop was for a relaxing soak in one of the many geothermal hot pools in the area.

We chose Laugarás Lagoon, which opened in 2025, and were able to get in without a booking at 2.45pm.

The facilities are modern, and it wasn’t too busy.

There are large pools on two levels with a swim-up bar and waterfall. It’s more of a place to wander around or sit and enjoy the river views than to actually swim.

I really enjoyed alternating between the sauna and cold plunge pool, which you don’t find at all hot springs in Iceland.

It was the perfect end to the day. Their restaurant is supposed to be excellent, but we went back to our cabin to cook.

Day 3: Horse Riding and Thingvellir National Park

Drive from Akurgerdi to Thingvellir and Back: 1 hour 40 minutes / 105km (65 miles).

Horse Riding

As we were staying on a horse farm, we couldn’t miss out on a ride on the Icelandic horses, extra cute and fluffy in winter.

The friendly owner of Akurgerdi Farm, Sabine, took us out for a private hour-long ride (20,000 ISK per person).

The horses were lovely, the scenery beautiful, and we appreciated that Sabine was happy for us to tolt (the unique Icelandic pace) and gallop. This is not a nose-to-tail riding place, although she can cater to all levels.

Thingvellir National Park

After lunch at our cabin, we drove to the third major attraction on the Golden Circle—Thingvellir National Park.

This is a UNESCO World Heritage site where the first parliament was held in 930AD.

It’s also where North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, and a pretty place for an easy walk.

We parked at Þingvellir Parking P1, which is a short walk from the visitor centre. Parking is 1000 ISK and you pay at a machine in the visitor centre.

There are toilets, a small shop, and a basic cafe with baked goods and sandwiches (I enjoyed some Icelandic Happy Marriage Cake after our walk).

This is a tour bus stop, so it was a little busy at first. You don’t have to walk far from the first viewing platform to leave the crowds behind. By the time we left at 3pm, it was much quieter.

We did this 5km loop trail to Oxararfoss Waterfall, which took us to most of the major sights in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Day 4: Drive South Coast to Skaftafell (2 Nights)

Drive from Akurgerdi to The Potato Storage: 4 hours / 289km (180 miles).

Today we moved on to the south coast with a full day’s driving and stops at some stunning waterfalls. We were lucky to have a glorious, sunny day.

Allow plenty of time for this drive, as all the amazing stops take longer than you’d think. We were out from 9.30am to 5pm.

First, we restocked with groceries at Kronan supermarket in Selfoss and filled up with petrol.

The landscape was fairly flat until we hit the coast, and then the views were spectacular.

Seljalandsfoss

The downside of driving in Iceland in winter is the limited light and the inability to get an early start to avoid the tour buses.

We really felt this when we arrived at Seljalandsfoss at 11.15am, as it was so crowded that it was hard to enjoy.

It’s a dramatic waterfall with a large drop. In winter, the path behind the falls was closed.

We also walked 10 minutes on a rather icy trail to Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall inside a cave. The entrance is narrow, and there are only a few rocks to stand on inside, so it seemed too stressful to try to go in with the large crowds.

Parking is 1000 ISK, and you pay at a machine. There are also toilets and a small stand with coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches.

Skógafoss

It’s a stunning 30-minute drive further along the coast to another major waterfall.

While Skógafoss was also busy, we found it so spectacular that we didn’t mind as much.

You can get right up to the bottom of the powerful falls. The golden midday light was stunning in winter, and we even had a perfectly arched rainbow!

You can also walk up many stairs to see the waterfall from above, but we were concerned about time and skipped it.

Parking is 1000 ISK with the Parka app. There are also toilets and a hotel with a restaurant.

Kvernufoss

Kvernufoss is only 5 minutes from Skogafoss, but there were only a few other people around. It ended up being our favourite waterfall.

We parked at Kvernufoss parking lot just past the Skogar Museum. There are no facilities, and the museum cafe is closed in winter. Parking is 750 ISK in the Parka app.

The walk to Kvernufoss takes about 15 minutes through a field, then into a gorge beside a pretty river. It feels very peaceful.

The waterfall has a dramatic setting inside the gorge. You can get up close and even walk behind it (without getting wet).

Vik

Back on Route 1, we continued along the coast with a beautiful glacier view.

30 minutes later, the drive into the small town of Vik was also lovely with its red-roofed wooden church perched on a hill overlooking the sea.

We didn’t stay long in Vik as we’d be returning in a few days. We grabbed a coffee and a cake at Lava Bakery in a big tourist centre (nothing special but convenient).

We also had a quick walk on the dramatic Víkurfjara Black Sand Beach across the road.

We still had two hours to go, so we moved on, passing more craggy mountains in even golder light, a strangely flat area, a lava field, and then back to the mountains.

There are a few good stops on this stretch, but we saved them for the way back in two days.

The only brief stop we made was at Fossalar, a free parking area by a river with stunning views.

The final stretch as we approached Skaftafell Glacier was just incredible—snowy mountains glowing orange as the sun set with a full moon above.

Where We Stayed: The Potato Storage

We stayed at The Potato Storage, a family-run guesthouse with five apartments in an old potato shed.

The location was ideal, just 10 minutes past Skaftafell, where we wanted to hike, and 40 minutes before the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

We chose the bigger one-bedroom apartment at the front with beautiful mountain views.

It was clean, comfortable and well-equipped.

This peaceful spot would be ideal to see the aurora, but we didn’t get lucky.

Day 5: Glaciers and Svartifoss Hike

Drive from Potato Storage to Jökulsárlón and Skaftafell and Back: 1 hour 45 minutes / 118km (73 miles).

Today was all about glaciers. This area is home to the massive Vatnajökull National Park, which includes Iceland’s largest glacier.

We chose not to take a tour onto the glacier to see ice caves, as we had done that on a previous trip (on a different glacier).

These tours are a highlight for many, so you might consider one such as the Skaftafell: Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull with Arctic Adventures, which starts just 10 minutes from The Potato Storage.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is one of the most famous attractions in Iceland, with icebergs floating in a lake at the edge of a glacier.

In winter, you can’t kayak or take a boat trip on the lake, but there are more icebergs to see.

We arrived around sunrise at 9.50am on a rainy morning. There were already a few tour buses, but it didn’t feel too crowded. I imagine it gets a lot busier later in the day.

Parking is 1126 ISK in the Parka app and covers the parking area across the road at Diamond Beach, too, but we just walked over.

There are toilets, a basic shop/cafe with coffee, baked goods and soup, and some food trucks (closed in the morning).

From the large car park, it’s a quick walk to the edge of the lagoon. It’s so impressive! The water is full of ice chunks in all shapes and shades of blue and white.

You can walk along the lagoon and up to a viewpoint, but it looks amazing from anywhere.

We then walked along the lagoon under a bridge and over the road to Diamond Beach.

The icebergs wash up on this black sand beach, and it’s an incredible sight, like nowhere else we’ve visited. You can get up close to endless chunks of ice, some huge. Some are crystal clear, while others glow blue.

We spent ages exploring and even saw a seal swimming in the sea.

This is an example of a popular tourist attraction that very much lives up to the hype.

Fjallsárlón Glacier

But things got even better! We drove 10 minutes back along Route 1 and stopped at Fjallsárlón Glacier Parking.

Parking is free. Frost Restaurant is based here and has toilets that are free for customers or 200 ISK.

There’s a path to the right of the restaurant that takes you to Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon in about five minutes.

Incredibly, we had the lagoon entirely to ourselves! The lagoon is smaller than Jökulsárlón, which meant we could see the glacier more clearly.

Even on a rainy day, it was magical!

Hike from Skaftafell to Svartifoss

It was just 30 minutes back to our apartment, leaving the rain behind for sunny skies. Skaftafell is known for its microclimate and is sunnier than most of South Iceland.

After a lunch break, we drove the 10 minutes to Skaftafell Visitor Centre. This area is a nature reserve (part of the larger National Park) and the starting point for many hikes and glacier tours.

Parking is 1040 ISK (Parka app or a machine). There are toilets, but the cafe is closed in winter.

We did one of the shorter hikes—3.8km (2.4 miles) out and back to Svartifoss waterfall, which took us 70 minutes total with 178 metres (584ft) elevation gain.

It’s a steepish ascent to the waterfall, but not too challenging. We were boiling in our big jackets in the sun, though.

Svartifoss is unique because it’s surrounded by basalt columns, formed from lava.

It’s a beautiful waterfall, but the downside of this hike is the lack of glacier views.

Some longer routes include the glaciers, but conditions can be challenging in winter (spikes likely needed).

Day 6: Drive Skaftafell to Vik (1 Night)

Drive from The Potato Storage to Black Beach Suites: 2 hours 20 minutes/ 169km (105 miles).

It was time to start making our way back along Route 1. Although we covered the same ground as on Day 4, we made different stops.

The Skaftafell to Vik drive is only 2 hours, but we were out for about 6 hours with stops.

Svínafellsjökull Glacier

Our first stop was just 7 minutes from our apartment, and it was a highlight!

Svínafellsjökull is an easily accessible glacier, just a short drive down a gravel road off Route 1.

We parked at Svínafellsjökull Parking, which was free but had no facilities.

The walk to the glacier takes about 10 minutes on an obvious path with fantastic snowy mountain views.

This was another quiet spot that we had to ourselves until we were leaving.

You can walk right up to the glacier, which is stunning with carved blue ice backed by mountains.

Fossalar

We stopped at Fossalar again to eat our packed lunch in the car, with a view of the river and mountains.

Stjórnarfoss

In our quest to find quieter waterfalls, we stopped at Stjórnarfoss, a few minutes off Route 1.

Parking was free (no toilets), and we were alone.

You can see the waterfall from the road or walk a few minutes to get up close. While it’s not huge, it has a dramatic location in a gorge and is a peaceful spot.

Vatnajökulsþjóðgarðs Visitor Centre

The previous stops lacked toilets, so that was our main reason for stopping at the newish Vatnajökulsþjóðgarðs Visitor Centre in a cool grass-roofed building.

We used the facilities, bought a cake and hot chocolate (in winter, there was no other food), and had a quick look around their information on the glaciers and national park.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Fjaðrárgljúfur is a stunning canyon reached by a paved road just five minutes off Route 1.

Parking is 1086 ISK on the Parka app. There are a couple of toilets, but no other facilities.

While you can see the canyon from near the car park, the best views are a 20-minute walk up a hill, where you can also see the beautiful waterfall, Mögárfoss.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

We passed through Vik and picked up supplies at the Kronan supermarket (not as large as the others on this route, but still fine).

On the other side of Vik is Reynisfjara, a hugely popular black sand beach.

Parking is 1086 ISK in the Parka app, and there’s a restaurant.

The beach is right next to the car park. It’s wild and scenic with waves crashing into the cliffs. But it’s also immensely busy, so we didn’t spend long here.

You need to be extremely careful—don’t get anywhere close to the water. Tourists have been killed here by giant sneaker waves that come out of nowhere. Coastal erosion has recently made the beach smaller, making it even harder to walk on.

Honestly, this was one famous sight we could have happily skipped.

Where We Stayed: Black Beach Suites

We stayed just 5 minutes from Reynisfjara at Black Beach Suites, which has multiple apartments with fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and coast.

We stayed in a modern, comfortable studio apartment. The kitchen wasn’t as well-equipped as the others we’d had, but it was fine for an easy pasta dinner.

The hostel next door also has a bar with snacks, and it’s a 10-minute drive back to Vik.

Day 7: Drive Vik to Hvammsvik (1 Night)

Drive from Black Beach Suites to Hvammsvik Nature Resort: 3 hours 20 minutes/ 229km (142 miles).

We could have made our way back to Reykjavik from Vik (2.5 hours), but I decided to take a detour an hour north of the capital to visit Hvammsvik Hot Springs.

On the way, we made some South Coast stops that we’d missed on Day 4 and drove through part of the Golden Circle again.

We were out driving (with stops) for about 5.5 hours today.

Solheimajökull Glacier Tongue

It was a 25-minute drive to Solheimajökull Glacier Tongue.

Parking is 750 ISK on Parka. There was a closed coffee truck. I believe there are toilets for a fee.

This is the base camp for many glacier tours, and at 10am several groups were walking up to the glacier.

It’s a 10-minute walk to a viewpoint, but you can’t get up close to the glacier without special gear and a guide.

While it was nice to see, our other glacier experiences were much better, so I would skip this one.

Gluggafoss

Our next stop was our second favourite waterfall of the trip (after Kvernufoss).

Gluggafoss is a 15-minute detour off Route 1 (just past Seljalandsfoss) on a bumpy gravel road.

Parking is 1000 ISK in Parka. There are no facilities except some picnic tables.

You can see the waterfall from the car park, but it’s worth the short walk along the river to get up close.

The waterfall has three tiers. You can walk behind the water on the first tier and walk right up to the middle tier.

It’s a stunning waterfall, and we were the only people there.

We had a one-hour drive to Selfoss from here—this route didn’t take us back on the gravel road.

Selfoss for Lunch

As we wouldn’t have a proper kitchen this evening, we stopped in Selfoss for a big lunch.

We had an enjoyable pizza in The Old Dairy Food Hall. Other options were burgers, Thai, pasta, dim sum, and tacos.

Þórufoss

Although we were back on the Golden Circle, we took a different route than previously (you could also go via Thingvellir). It was a scenic 50-minute drive on the 350 and 360 past lava fields and a frozen lake to Þórufoss.

This is known as a quieter stop on the Golden Circle, and there were only two other cars in the free car park (no facilities).

Þórufoss didn’t live up to our expectations, partly because the waterfall was in shadow, and also because to reach it, you had to scramble down some rocks, which didn’t feel appealing in the extremely strong winds we had. The path down isn’t obvious.

One to try another time.

Hvammsvik Hot Springs

Hvammsvik Hot Springs is 20 minutes from Þórufoss.

The location is stunning on Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord), and there are cottages to rent, as well as hot springs open to the public.

We splurged on one of the beautiful cottages (see below) and, after checking in, went to relax in the hot springs.

Hvammsvik has a more natural setting than many of Iceland’s paid geothermal baths. There are 8 smallish pools of varying temperatures on a beach overlooking the fjord.

The big appeal for me was being able to cold plunge in the sea (a chilly 3ºC/37ºF!) before warming up in the pools and steam room.

Definitely take or rent water shoes if you want to go in the sea, as the beach is rocky.

Even if (like Simon) you don’t fancy braving the cold, this is a lovely place to relax, especially at sunset when the mountains glowed orange.

Hvammsvik was definitely our favourite of the three hot spring resorts we visited on this trip.

Where We Stayed: Artist Lodge at Hvammsvik

Hvammsvik Nature Resort has a few larger houses to rent, but we went with the one-bedroom chalet called an Artist Lodge (they feature real artwork).

It was pricey but worth it, and we wished we’d had more than one night.

The setting of the resort is beautiful with fjord and mountain views. It feels far away from it all.

We loved the views from our cabin, the modern, stylish design, and comfy double bed (in a country where twins are the rule).

The only downside was the lack of a proper kitchen (the bigger houses do have them). We did have a toaster, kettle, coffee pod machine, and plates/cutlery, etc.

We made toast for dinner and breakfast. You could also order a snack or breakfast basket, or eat in the bistro at the hot springs (limited menu).

Guests get a 25% discount off the entrance to the hot springs, which are a 15-minute walk (or short drive) away.

There’s also a free natural hot spring (no facilities) on the fjord, a 20-minute walk away (we didn’t have time to try it).

Of all the places we stayed, Hvammsvik is where we most want to return.

Day 8: Drive to Reykjavik (1 Night)

Drive from Hvammsvik Nature Resort to Reykjavik: 50 minutes/ 54km (34 miles).

After a morning session at the hot springs (so nice!), we had lunch at the bistro (the coconutty vegan soup was pretty good), then drove the 50 minutes south to Reykjavik.

Reykjavik

We spent the afternoon wandering past sights like Hallgrimskirkja Church, Rainbow Street, and Harpa Concert Hall, and grabbed an AeroPress coffee in Reykjavík Roasters.

Dinner was a veggie poke bowl from Pósthús Food Hall, which has a good range of options in a stylish space.

Where We Stayed: Guesthouse Galtafell

I chose Guesthouse Galtafell because it was the cheapest double ensuite room in the centre with free parking (on the street though).

Unsurprisingly, it was our least favourite accommodation. Our room was simple (and there was noisy plumbing above us), but it was fine for one night, and we could walk everywhere.

Day 9: Blue Lagoon and Departure

Drive from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport via Blue Lagoon: 1 hour 10 minutes/ 72km (45 miles).

On our final morning, we had breakfast at Sandholt Cafe. My advice—skip the cinnamon buns; the poppyseed bun was better, and other pastries looked good. They also have hot breakfasts.

The cinnamon buns at Braud & Co are much nicer, so we got a takeout for later.

Blue Lagoon

As our flight wasn’t until 6pm, we spent our last afternoon at the Blue Lagoon, which is just 20 minutes from the airport (50 minutes from Reykjavik). An 11am booking gave us more than enough time.

Our expectations were fairly low for Iceland’s most popular attraction, as we don’t love very busy places.

And yes, it was busy, but I still enjoyed it. The lagoon is so huge that you can easily find quiet spots, and the steam obscures other people to a certain extent.

The man-made lagoon is a surreal place, with vibrant blue water set amid a moon-like lava landscape and a geothermal power plant steaming next door.

As well as the massive main pool, there are two steam rooms, an attractive sauna (not hot enough for me), a swim-up bar (one drink is included in the basic plan), and a face mask bar (silica mask included).

I spent about 2.5 hours in the lagoon (including getting changed). Afterwards, we had lunch in the casual cafe. Food was prepackaged, but the vegan chickpea and salad wrap was pretty good and big enough to share.

There’s also an expensive restaurant.

While it was not my favourite hot spring, the Blue Lagoon is worth visiting if you’re trying a few, especially if you have time to kill before or after a flight.

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Is Iceland Worth Visiting in Winter?

Iceland is definitely worth visiting in winter! I would happily visit Iceland at any time of year.

The upsides of winter are lower crowds (although tour buses were still out in force at popular spots), slightly lower prices, the chance to see northern lights, gorgeous golden light all day, and, potentially, beautiful snowy landscapes.

You also really appreciate the hot springs, and it’s the best time to visit the glaciers.

The downsides are limited daylight (visiting later in the winter helps), browner landscapes, and the chance of road closures (and tour cancellations) due to snow and ice.

While we got lucky and had no problems, you do need to be flexible, as the weather could delay your plans or make some areas inaccessible.

Also, if you are not confident driving on snow, I would skip a winter trip.

The weather is unpredictable year-round in Iceland, so I think it’s a magical place to visit in any season; it just depends what you are looking for.

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More Iceland Posts

Read more of our Iceland travel tips in our other posts:

• Planning a Trip to Iceland: DOs and DON’Ts
• Visiting Iceland in September: What to Expect and Things to Do
• Iceland Itinerary: Off The Beaten Path on a Snæfellsnes and Westfjords Road Trip
• The Ultimate Iceland Packing List for Men and Women (Carry-On Only)
• 14 Places Not to Miss on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
• 10 Best Books About Iceland to Read Before You Visit 

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Snow at Disneyland Paris is rare, so we were delighted when it began to fall on our early January trip.

Soon the park was blanketed in white, and it felt like a whole new world.

Main Street and Sleeping Beauty Castle looked even more beautiful than usual, and we discovered hidden corners of the park where we felt like we were deep in the countryside.

Some rides and restaurants closed, but we didn’t mind because it was such a unique experience just wandering around.

In this post, I share my photos of this magical trip, as well as tips on what to expect if you end up visiting Disneyland Paris in the snow.

Contents

• How Does Universal Express Pass Work?
• Do You Really Need an Express Pass at Universal Japan?
• How Much Time Does an Express Pass Save?
• Which Rides are Best with a USJ Express Pass?
• Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Price
• How to Buy a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
• Types of USJ Express Pass
• Best Express Pass Times to Choose
• Is Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?
• Other Japan Tips
• What to Expect Hiking La Gomera
• Hiking in La Gomera Resources
• Easy Walks in La Gomera
• Other Hiking Areas in La Gomera
• What to Eat in La Gomera
• Where to Stay in La Gomera
• Getting to La Gomera
• La Gomera Map
• Is La Gomera Worth Visiting?
• More Hiking Posts
• Iceland in Winter: What to Expect
• Our Iceland Winter Itinerary at a Glance
• Map of Our Iceland Winter Road Trip
• Our Iceland Winter Road Trip in Detail
• Is Iceland Worth Visiting in Winter?
• More Iceland Posts
• What to Expect When it Snows at Disneyland Paris
• A Tour of Snowy Disneyland Paris
• Final Thoughts
• More Disneyland Paris Posts

What to Expect When it Snows at Disneyland Paris

We were lucky with two snowy days at Disneyland Paris, and on the day in between, it was so cold that the snow didn’t melt.

Even luckier, we had no snow on the morning we arrived, and it melted on our departure day, so we didn’t have any travel chaos.

Some flights and hotel shuttle buses were cancelled on the snowiest day, so travel delays are the biggest downside if it snows.

We were glad we stayed at Disneyland Hotel, just two minutes from the gates, so we didn’t have to worry about getting to the parks.

It was also possible to walk from all the on-site hotels.

When it snows, not everything runs smoothly in the parks. Openings may be delayed, parades cancelled, and some rides will close.

Outdoor rides are most likely to be closed, and Fantasyland was most affected, with Dumbo, Casey Junior, and Le Pays de Contes de Fées closed. Rides like It’s a Small World were running on and off.

Autopia and Indiana Jones also closed (although I’m not sure snow was the issue with Indiana, as it never reopened).

We were impressed when they opened Big Thunder Mountain. Riding it in the snow was like being on a snowmobile—so fun!

A few restaurants also closed. This may have been because of staff shortages (many were unable to get to work). Toad Hall was closed in the snow, as were all the outdoor stands like Old Mill and Cool Post.

There were still plenty of places to eat, though.

The parade was cancelled when it was snowing heavily, but it ran the next day once it had stopped, despite snow on the ground (they cleared the streets).

Unfortunately, we found the app unreliable for keeping us up to date with restaurant, parade and show closures, but it’s more accurate when it comes to rides.

Of course, if it’s snowing, it’s going to be cold. We had temperatures down to -5ºC (23ºF), but we stayed warm enough with lots of layers.

See my Disneyland Paris Christmas guide for exactly what we wore.

Waterproof shoes (preferably boots) and thick socks are a must if there’s a chance of snow. Wet feet would have been miserable.

You’ll also want shoes with a good grip as the paths do get slippery. While they clear some paths, many remain covered in snow.

I also recommend two pairs of gloves (they will get wet) and a big scarf to protect your face.

You can always warm up with a mulled wine or hot chocolate!

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A Tour of Snowy Disneyland Paris

Let me take you on a tour of Disneyland Park in the snow.

Our favourite areas to wander in the snow were Phantom Manor, Adventure Isle, and towards Indiana Jones.

The snow stays more pristine in less-trafficked areas, so if you do get snow, wrap up warm and head off to explore.

Main Street USA

Main Street is beautiful in the snow, but it doesn’t last as long as elsewhere in the park. As it’s a high-trafficked area, it gets slushy quickly. Plus, it gets cleared to make the parade safe.

When the snow was first falling, though, and the Christmas lights were on, it was magical!

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Sleeping Beauty Castle looks absolutely stunning covered in snow, and we felt so lucky to see it.

Fantasyland

Fantasyland looks lovely with a fresh batch as it resembles a quaint European village.

The canal outside the Peter Pan ride is especially scenic.

And the topiary reindeer outside It’s a Small World was very cute.

The problem with Fantasyland is that it’s a busy area, so once the snow stops, it quickly gets slushy and unattractive.

Adventureland

Adventureland is amazing in the snow. Many parts are quiet, so the snow stays fresh, and all the trees and water make you feel like you’re in the wilderness.

Wandering Adventure Isle (although parts were closed), seeing Pirate Galleon and Skull Rock in the snow, and walking the quiet snowy path down to Indiana Jones were highlights.

Pirates of the Caribbean was our favourite ride to warm up. Lines aren’t usually long, the queue is mostly inside (don’t ride it if the line is outside), and the inside boat ride is fairly long. (It’s also possibly the best version of Pirates).

Frontierland

Frontierland was another highlight in the snow.

Riding Big Thunder Mountain during a heavy snowstorm was incredible—everyone was in a great mood, and it was so fun despite the snow in our faces. It’s nice to see the park from a higher perspective.

Phantom Manor is the best-looking ride covered in snow.

The view from outside the house (just before you enter to ride) is excellent looking down to Big Thunder and the river.

Be sure to walk down to Boot Hill Cemetery on the other side of the Manor. This is always a hidden gem, and it makes an excellent snowy walk.

Thunder Mesa Riverboat didn’t sail when it was actually snowing, but it did on the day in between the showers (although the top deck was closed). It’s a great way to take in all the snowy beauty of the area.

Finally, when we went to see the excellent Lion King show, we discovered that this area of the park had plenty of trees and snow.

Frontierland Station closed during the heaviest snow, but it looked fantastic.

Discoveryland

Discoveryland doesn’t look quite as impressive in the snow as the other areas, but it was still cool seeing Hyperspace Mountain looking wintery.

The pond that houses the walk-through, Les Mystères du Nautilus, was even frozen.

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Final Thoughts

We could not have been happier to experience so much snow on our Disneyland Paris trip, especially at the end of the Christmas festivities.

Yes, there are some inconveniences in the park when it snows, and you might not be able to do everything you planned.

But we thought they did a good job keeping the park running as normally as possible. For us, it was worth it to see the park turn into a winter wonderland.

Unfortunately, you can’t plan for snow at Disneyland Paris. It only happens a few times a year, but your best chances are in January or February.

If you do get lucky with snow, throw your plans out the window, dress in all your layers, and enjoy the magic!

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More Disneyland Paris Posts

• Christmas at Disneyland Paris: Our Review and Tips
• Disneyland Paris Tips and Tricks for First Timers
• Disneyland Paris Itinerary: 2 Parks in 1 Day
• Disneyland Hotel Paris Review: Is It Worth It?

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Disney Enchanted Christmas is the most magical celebration at Disneyland Paris, with gorgeous decorations, a special parade and shows, and the opportunity to meet Santa (or Santa Stitch if you prefer).

The seasonal event runs from early November to early January and is included in the park ticket.

We loved our trip there in January. It still feels Christmassy after Christmas, and we even got lucky with snow—just magical!

In this post, I share what to expect at Disneyland Paris at Christmas, and my top tips for making the most of your trip.

Contents

• How Does Universal Express Pass Work?
• Do You Really Need an Express Pass at Universal Japan?
• How Much Time Does an Express Pass Save?
• Which Rides are Best with a USJ Express Pass?
• Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Price
• How to Buy a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
• Types of USJ Express Pass
• Best Express Pass Times to Choose
• Is Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?
• Other Japan Tips
• What to Expect Hiking La Gomera
• Hiking in La Gomera Resources
• Easy Walks in La Gomera
• Other Hiking Areas in La Gomera
• What to Eat in La Gomera
• Where to Stay in La Gomera
• Getting to La Gomera
• La Gomera Map
• Is La Gomera Worth Visiting?
• More Hiking Posts
• Iceland in Winter: What to Expect
• Our Iceland Winter Itinerary at a Glance
• Map of Our Iceland Winter Road Trip
• Our Iceland Winter Road Trip in Detail
• Is Iceland Worth Visiting in Winter?
• More Iceland Posts
• What to Expect When it Snows at Disneyland Paris
• A Tour of Snowy Disneyland Paris
• Final Thoughts
• More Disneyland Paris Posts
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Dates in 2026
• Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris at Christmas
• Christmas Decorations at Disneyland Paris
• Christmas Parade and Entertainment
• Character Meet and Greets
• Christmas Merchandise
• Food and Drink
• Christmas at Disney Adventure World
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Hotels
• What to Wear
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Compared to Other Disney Parks
• Is Christmas at Disneyland Paris Worth it?
• More Disneyland Paris Posts

Christmas at Disneyland Paris Dates in 2026

The next Disney Enchanted Christmas at Disneyland Paris will run from 7 November 2026 to 6 January 2027.

This is the typical time frame for the Christmas festivities.

Note that not all the events run for the whole season, although the decorations, parade and main show do.

Last year, the Princess shows didn’t start until 15 November, the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony started on 21 November, and the Advent Calendar show ran from 1-25 December.

You can also only meet Santa until Christmas Eve—although Santa Stitch makes a great replacement if you visit at the end of the festivities, as we did.

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Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris at Christmas

• Expect crowds – This is a popular time to visit the park. Avoid weekends and the school holidays if you can. The quietest times to visit are weekdays in November and early January (although it wasn’t as quiet as we expected in January).
• Allow at least 2 days – If you want to do it all. It’s hard to see all the entertainment in one day, and more time gives flexibility in case of weather cancellations.
• Check the Disneyland Paris app – Show and parade times vary, so check the app when the schedule is released 1-2 months in advance. Decide your priorities and add them to your calendar, and set reminders on your phone.
• Dress warmly – Bring more layers than you think you’ll need as it gets cold. See below for what we wore.

See my Disneyland Paris Tips and Tricks post for lots more advice on planning your trip.

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Christmas Decorations at Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is even more beautiful than usual at Christmas with festive trees, garlands, light projections, and other decorations.

At the entrance, you are greeted with a Mickey ears Happy Holidays sign.

The first area you come to is Town Square at the top of Main Street. This is the heart of the festive decor, with a 24-metre-high Christmas tree, plus smaller trees and characters.

Continuing on, Main Street USA is a highlight. Garlands are strung across the street, shops are decorated, and festive music plays (they even had Muppet Christmas Carol music!).

At night, it becomes even more magical with colourful projections on the buildings (this was new in 2025, and I hope it stays)—you can see silhouettes of people dancing inside.

There’s also realistic-feeling fake snow a couple of times a day (for us, during the evening parade).

Happily, we didn’t need it on our first day, as we had loads of real snow, which was just incredible! We could not have asked for a more festive scene. Read my Snow at Disneyland Paris post for more photos of its snowy beauty.

There weren’t any decorations in Central Plaza (in front of the castle) or on Sleeping Beauty Castle itself.

We did find a cute sleigh near Plaza Gardens Restaurant, and the nearby fountain froze on our visit, which added to the festive vibes!

The Castle Stage to the right of the castle looked Christmassy too. This is where an Advent countdown happens in December, but we could still see the decorations in January.

There aren’t decorations in other areas of the park (my one complaint), except for inside restaurants—most of them have trees and garlands.

When Do Christmas Decorations Come Down at Disneyland Paris?

We visited for the last two days of the Christmas season (5 and 6 January) and stayed into the non-Christmas period. We were worried the decorations would disappear overnight.

This did not happen, and almost all the decorations (except the Advent scene and sign at the front) were still up two days later. This was also true in the Disneyland Hotel.

The takedown could have been delayed by the snow we had, though. I believe the tree is usually taken down a day after the season ends.

Of course, the parade, shows, Main Street projections, and Christmas menus are not available after the official end date.

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Christmas Parade and Entertainment

These are all the shows and entertainment you can expect during the Disneyland Paris Christmas season.

Things may change in 2026 (and I’ll update this post when details are announced), but the parade and Let’s Sing Christmas show are regulars.

Disneyland Paris does not have Christmas attraction overlays, and the evening show, Disney Tales of Magic, remains the same. There are special fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade

Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade is a seasonal parade that replaces the usual afternoon parade (Disney Stars on Parade).

There are two parades a day—one in late afternoon (3.55pm on our visit) and one after dark (5.45pm for us).

We watched both on the same day and didn’t regret it. Although they have the same floats, the night parade is extra magical as it’s all lit up and syncs with the tree lights. We also had fake snow on Main Street.

The afternoon parade is quieter, though, and it’s easier to get a good spot.

The parade route is from It’s a Small World, past the castle, up Main Street, and around Town Square (where the Christmas Tree is) and out by the big gates here (on the left as you face the park entrance).

The afternoon parade comes in this direction, and the evening parade does it in reverse. Bear that in mind when choosing a spot.

The parade features five huge floats with many characters, including Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Clarabelle, various Disney Princesses, Chip & Dale, Winnie the Pooh, and more. Dancers are on the ground between the floats.

There was even a subtle, surprise appearance of Duffy the Bear for Tokyo DisneySea fans.

The final float is Santa Claus and Tinker Bell.

If you want a front-row spot for the parade, you’ll probably need to turn up 45 minutes early.

My plan was to watch the afternoon parade in Central Plaza, where characters stop to perform on the podiums, and the evening parade opposite the Christmas Tree.

In the end, we were too cold, so we just turned up 5-10 minutes in advance. We got a front-row spot outside Main Street Station in the afternoon and a second-row spot (not ideal for photos, but we could see okay) on Main Street for the evening show.

I definitely recommend Main Street for the evening show to see the projections, tree and (hopefully) snow.

Let’s Sing Christmas Show

The Let’s Sing Christmas musical show has been a highlight of the festive season for years.

It features characters, including Mickey and Minnie, in festive outfits singing Christmas songs. Most of the songs are in English, but they sang Jingle Bells in French, which was fun. Words appear on the screen if you want to sing along.

On some weekends, a community choir joins the characters.

It’s a really cute show that’s sure to get you into the Christmas spirit, so do prioritise it.

It’s also the only indoor, seated Christmas show (in Videopolis in Discoveryland), so it’s a good break.

Although to guarantee entry, you’ll need to turn up 30 minutes ahead (45 minutes for a better seat or during the holidays) and wait outside until about 10 minutes before.

The show usually runs 3-4 times a day. For us, it was on at 2.45pm, 3.45pm, and 6.20pm, but times will vary, so check the app.

Holiday Gathering

The Holiday Gathering is a 10-minute outdoor show and mini parade featuring Mickey and friends. It’s not a must-see, but it’s cute and worth doing if you can.

It takes place once a day (for us, at 1pm) in Town Square (near the park entrance at the top of Main Street).

It starts with Mickie, Minnie, and Santa appearing on the Railroad Station balcony to greet everyone.

Then open-top cars emerge from the gates near the entrance to the Discovery Arcade, carrying characters such as Max, Clarice, Stitch, and Donald and Daisy.

More characters walk and dance between the cars—Goofy and Pluto, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Pinocchio, Clarabelle, and some festive Gingerbread men and other dancers, who also perform in the Christmas Parade.

The vehicles loop around Town Square, and then some characters perform a show in front of the station, and others are in the pavilion.

It’s difficult to find a spot that lets you see everything. I would suggest standing in front of the station so you can see the Mickey and Minnie greeting and the street show.

Other Character Shows

There are several other 10-minute outdoor shows throughout the park. We didn’t get to see these as they were cancelled due to snow.

• Disney Princess Holiday Season Celebration – See an array of princesses (Rapunzel, Belle, Cinderella, Snow White and more) in their winter finery. They arrive in carriages and then sing and dance on the podiums in front of the castle. It happens once a day (1.15pm on our visit).
• Princess Aurora Magical Wishes – Princess Aurora, Prince Phillip, and the fairy godmothers appear in the courtyard and on the balcony at the back of the castle in Fantasyland. It takes place once a day (2.25pm for us).
• A Sweet Moment with Mrs Claus – This opportunity to see Mrs Claus was new in 2025. It takes place at various times from 9.05am to 1.50pm in the Town Square pavilion.

Note that the princess shows started later than other events in 2025, on 15 November, and then had a few days without running before adopting a more reliable schedule from 27 November.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Magical Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place once each evening (at 7.35pm for us) at the big Christmas Tree in Town Square.

The tree lights up in different colours. It usually includes Christmas carol singers in the Pavilion (so stand somewhere with a view of that) and Mickey, Minnie, Santa Goofy, and other characters on the station balcony. It’s like a mini version of Let’s Sing Christmas.

Unfortunately, we had a scaled-down version without any performers due to the snow.

In 2025, the lighting ceremony started late on 21 November.

Tinker Bell’s Enchanted Calendar

Tinker Bell’s Enchanted Calendar is a real-life advent calendar experience that takes place each evening from 1 to 25 December (so we missed it).

There’s a large calendar on the Castle Stage, and Tinker Bell opens a window each night to reveal surprises.

The time isn’t announced in advance, but it’s usually just after the second Christmas Parade.

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Character Meet and Greets

You can meet several characters wearing festive outfits, including Stitch, Goofy, Chip ‘n’ Dale, and Winnie the Pooh.

Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws also makes a special appearance at this time of year.

Meeting Santa Claus is a highlight for kids, but it’s only possible until Christmas Eve.

Check the app for meet-and-greet times and expect long queues.

Some popular characters are only available with a virtual queue in the app. These are usually released at 9.45am and 2pm and sell out in under a minute, so be ready ahead of time.

On our visit (and this will vary), Stitch and Jack Skellington required a virtual queue.

We managed to get one for Santa Stitch at exactly 9.45am. We were given an estimated time in the app (ours was 62 minutes), and then we were warned about 25 minutes in advance to go over to the area.

It takes place at an arcade in Videopolis—Santa is here before Christmas, and Stitch moves in afterwards.

Once our time was called, we waited in line for about 20 minutes. There’s a PhotoPass photographer (you can choose later whether to buy—one photo costs €17), but we also gave them our phone.

It was our first-ever character meeting, so we were a little nervous, but Stitch made it fun and easy.

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Christmas Merchandise

You can expect an array of Christmas merchandise, including tree decorations, ears and hats, sweaters and capes, bags, cushions, plushies, mugs, glasses, and more.

Emporium on Main Street has the biggest array of Christmas merch. The hotels also have a decent selection, but we found limited stuff in other stores (this may be because it was January).

In January, we weren’t sure how much would still be available. I’m sure they sold out of some things, but there was still plenty to buy. A few items were discounted up to 50% (the sale began on 17 December).

La Boutique du Château, inside the castle, is another excellent spot at this time of year.

It’s a dedicated Christmas shop where you can buy ornaments all year, but there’s even more on offer during the festive period. It has some different items from the Emporium.

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Food and Drink

Chalets Gourmet Stalls

The Chalets Gourmet stalls appear at Disney Paris at various times throughout the year. At Christmas, they feature some seasonal treats.

The stalls are always a highlight, and the food is usually better than the rest of the park (which we find average).

You can find them in Fantasyland, as well as in Place de Rémy (outside the Ratatouille Ride) in the second park.

We really enjoyed the mulled wine (it will be at the stall with the longest line!)—perfect for warming up as you wander or wait for the parade.

The same stall also does excellent cheese pretzels, hot chocolate (similar to what you find everywhere in the park, which is pretty good), and gingerbread (I wasn’t a fan, but Simon thought it was ok).

Other stalls have similar offerings as other times of year—crepes and galettes (the goats cheese one is delicious), waffles, tartiflette, and sweets.

Sweet Treats

The festive sweet treat designs vary each year, but you’ll usually find similar offerings—gingerbread, cookies, cupcakes, cake pops, etc.

Gingerbread

The highlight for us was undoubtedly the Gingerbread Biscuits (cutely called Jinglebread) shaped like Mickie and Minnie faces.

These come plastic-wrapped so you could take them home, although ours didn’t survive the journey in one piece.

Our struggle was finding them. They are available at various outdoor stands—Old Mill and L’Arbre Enchante in Fantasyland, and Cool Post and Café de la Brousse in Adventureland.

All these stands closed in the snow and only reopened after the Christmas celebration had ended. Luckily, L’Arbre Enchante still had a few left on our final morning.

These spots also offer festive treats like cupcakes, cake pops, and shortbread, but they were long gone by January. Even in the heart of the season, they can be available sporadically.

Sleigh Delight

Disneyland Paris offers a seasonal dessert available at many restaurants across both parks. It’s included in festive set menus, or you can buy it separately.

In 2025, it was Sleigh Delight, a red, dome-shaped vanilla mousse on a shortbread base with raspberry and white chocolate. It was delicious, not too large, and not overly sweet.

Main Street Treats

Main Street is the other place to go for Christmassy sweet treats.

• Market House Deli has a Stitch Brookie, which we found just ok (their treats always disappoint us, to be honest).
• Cookie Kitchen, accessible inside or outside Cable Car Bake Shop, usually has an array of Christmas donuts, but by January, only the star-shaped Christmas Wish Donut remained. With a white chocolate filling, it was pretty good.
• Boardwalk Candy Palace has some festive biscuits, but they didn’t get the best reviews, so we skipped them.
• Victoria’s Home-Style Restaurant is a table service restaurant (without reservations so you’ll have to queue) with seasonal sweet treats and hot drinks. We didn’t visit because they’d sold out of the Jack Skellington pastry we wanted to try.

Savoury Winter Dishes

There are a few seasonal savoury dishes in various restaurants, although they aren’t particularly Christmassy (burger, venison cassolette), and none are vegetarian, so we didn’t try them.

On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, many table-service restaurants offer special menus. You’ll need to book these months in advance.

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Christmas at Disney Adventure World

The second Disney Paris park is called Disney Adventure World since 29 March 2026 when World of Frozen opened (it was previously called Walt Disney Studios Park).

Details of the 2026 Christmas season haven’t been announced yet, but I really hope they do more in the park this year.

When we visited, it had barely any Christmas decorations and no entertainment. The best area was Place de Rémy (near Ratatouille), which had a few decorations and the Chalets Gourmet food stalls.

The main Disneyland Paris park is definitely the most Christmassy of the two parks.

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Christmas at Disneyland Paris Hotels

All the on-site Disney Paris hotels are decorated for Christmas, but these two hotels are considered the most festive.

Disneyland Hotel

Disneyland Hotel is outrageously expensive, but we couldn’t resist a second stay here at Christmas.

It’s magical at any time, but the lobby at Christmas is just stunning! Garlands decorate the grand staircase, and there’s a huge, beautiful tree and a roaring fire.

You also can’t beat the location (under two minutes from our room to the park gates), so we always had a place to warm up.

At Christmas, the usual La Troupe Royal show was replaced with The Keeper of Time and The Light of Winter. It’s aimed at kids, but we enjoyed seeing various princesses as we walked through the lobby when it was on.

Note that non-guests can’t access the hotel anymore (unless you have a restaurant reservation).

Read my Disneyland Hotel Paris review for more details on this lovely hotel.

Sequoia Lodge

Sequoia Lodge is a 15-minute walk from the park gates.

The rustic, American wilderness lodge vibe, with wooden buildings surrounded by trees, is considered the most Christmassy by many.

We walked over to enjoy the snow and see the common areas. We didn’t find the lobby as impressive as the Disneyland Hotel (no big tree), but the Redwood Bar has couches around a large fire that would be lovely. We mistimed it as the bar doesn’t open until 4pm.

The shop had a good array of Christmas merch.

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What to Wear

Paris is cold during the festive season with average highs of 11ºC (52ºF) in November, 8ºC (46ºF) in December, and 7ºC (45ºF) in January.

It can get colder than that, though, especially in the mornings and at night. We visited during a cold snap in January with temperatures as low as -5ºC (23ºF).

Snow is rare at Disneyland Paris, appearing only a few days a year, and it doesn’t usually last long.

We got lucky with lots of snow on two days in early January, and it was absolutely magical! I’m glad we had warm clothes so we could really enjoy it.

Unfortunately, rain is more likely, so waterproof shoes are a must either way.

Layers are the way to go when packing for winter at Disneyland Paris. You will spend a lot of time outdoors, and being cold will make your trip miserable.

I was worried I’d overheat in all my layers when we went inside shops and ride queues, but that was not the case. I only took my coat off in restaurants.

Here’s what I wore on the coldest days:

Tops

• Merino wool t-shirt
• Merino wool long-sleeve base layer (Icebreaker 200 Oasis)
• Cashmere sweater
• Thick wool jumper
• Coat

On the warmer days (4ºC) I didn’t need the t-shirt, and if it had been any warmer than that, I would have left off the cashmere mid layer.

Bottoms

• Thermal leggings (a must!)
• Jeans

Accessories

• Scarf (the bigger the better)
• Fleece headband under a Disney Christmas hat (we got ours in Tokyo)
• Gloves (bring two pairs)
• Thick merino socks (Icebreaker Mountaineer)
• Chelsea Boots

As you can see, we’re big fans of merino wool as it’s warm, wicks moisture, and resists odour, so you can wear it multiple times.

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Christmas at Disneyland Paris Compared to Other Disney Parks

We’ve visited Tokyo Disneyland and Walt Disney World in Orlando during the Christmas seasons and Disneyland Paris compares favourably.

Tokyo Disneyland is still my favourite. There’s more entertainment (including two brilliant parades), two seasonal ride overlays, some unique (and affordable) merchandise, and the decorations feel more extensive beyond Main Street.

See my Tokyo Disneyland Christmas guide for full details.

That said, Disneyland Paris is much more accessible for Europeans, and we will never be able to top our snowy Christmas trip!

As much as I love Walt Disney World, I prefer Paris for Christmas. Its seasonal offerings are free (in Orlando, you have to pay a lot for after-hours Christmas parties), and the weather just feels more festive (although 25ºC in November may be what you’re looking for).

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Is Christmas at Disneyland Paris Worth it?

Christmas at Disneyland Paris is the most magical time of the year.

It’s worth braving the colder weather for the joy of strolling Main Street at night with its decorations and lights, a hot chocolate in hand, and a soundtrack of Christmas carols.

The parade, shows, and decorations are wonderful and visiting the park is a great way to get into the spirit of the season, or as we did, prolong it.

It’s a busy time to visit (especially Christmas week and New Year’s), but I think it’s worth it.

I hope my Christmas at Disneyland Paris review has given you a good idea of what to expect. Leave a comment below if you have any questions.

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More Disneyland Paris Posts

• Disneyland Paris Tips and Tricks for First Timers
• Disneyland Paris Itinerary: 2 Parks in 1 Day
• Disneyland Hotel Paris Review: Is It Worth It?
• Snow at Disneyland Paris: Our Magical Experience

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TeamLab Biovortex is the newest and largest digital art museum in Japan by art collective TeamLab.

It features stunning installations that use lights, projections, objects, and sounds in creative ways. Many of them are interactive, and your presence changes the art.

There’s also a large play area with fun activities for kids and adults.

The museum opened in October 2025, and we visited a few weeks later.

In this TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto review, I share what to expect, practical details like how to get tickets (they do sell out), and tips such as when to visit and what to wear.

Contents

• How Does Universal Express Pass Work?
• Do You Really Need an Express Pass at Universal Japan?
• How Much Time Does an Express Pass Save?
• Which Rides are Best with a USJ Express Pass?
• Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Price
• How to Buy a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
• Types of USJ Express Pass
• Best Express Pass Times to Choose
• Is Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?
• Other Japan Tips
• What to Expect Hiking La Gomera
• Hiking in La Gomera Resources
• Easy Walks in La Gomera
• Other Hiking Areas in La Gomera
• What to Eat in La Gomera
• Where to Stay in La Gomera
• Getting to La Gomera
• La Gomera Map
• Is La Gomera Worth Visiting?
• More Hiking Posts
• Iceland in Winter: What to Expect
• Our Iceland Winter Itinerary at a Glance
• Map of Our Iceland Winter Road Trip
• Our Iceland Winter Road Trip in Detail
• Is Iceland Worth Visiting in Winter?
• More Iceland Posts
• What to Expect When it Snows at Disneyland Paris
• A Tour of Snowy Disneyland Paris
• Final Thoughts
• More Disneyland Paris Posts
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Dates in 2026
• Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris at Christmas
• Christmas Decorations at Disneyland Paris
• Christmas Parade and Entertainment
• Character Meet and Greets
• Christmas Merchandise
• Food and Drink
• Christmas at Disney Adventure World
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Hotels
• What to Wear
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Compared to Other Disney Parks
• Is Christmas at Disneyland Paris Worth it?
• More Disneyland Paris Posts
• TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto Location
• TeamLab Biovortex Hours
• Best Time to Visit TeamLab Biovortex
• TeamLab Biovortex Price and Tickets
• How Long to Visit TeamLab Biovortex
• What to Wear
• Is there Food or Drink at TeamLab Biovortex?
• What to Expect at TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto
• Is TeamLab Biovortex Worth it?
• More Japan Posts

TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto Location

TeamLab Biovortex is located a 10-minute walk from the Hachijo East Gate of the main Kyoto Station.

The address is 21-5 Higashikujo Higashi-Iwamotocho, Minami-ku, Kyoto. You can see the location on Google Maps.

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TeamLab Biovortex Hours

TeamLab Biovortex opening hours and closing days vary, so it’s best to check the Biovortex website.

It is usually open from 9am – 9pm.

Sketch Factory (where you can buy souvenirs featuring art you created) is open from 11am – 9pm.

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Best Time to Visit TeamLab Biovortex

The best time to visit TeamLab Biovortex is at opening on a weekday.

TeamLab is very popular, so we like to book the earliest slot to experience it at its quietest.

If you can’t get the first slot, I would choose an evening time around 5 or 6pm or 3-4 hours before closing.

Ideally, avoid weekends and public holidays.

That said, we visited on a sold-out Saturday on a holiday weekend, and we didn’t find the crowds too bad. So if a weekend is your only option, it’s still worth visiting.

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TeamLab Biovortex Price and Tickets

TeamLab Biovortex ticket costs vary depending on the date and time. It ranges from 3600 yen (US $23) to 5200 yen ($34) for adults. Weekends and holidays are more expensive.

You must book in advance for a specific date and time.

They do offer a Flexible Pass where you can enter at any time (on a specified date), but it costs three times the price, so I don’t recommend it.

Tickets go on sale 2-3 months in advance. You might be able to get an afternoon or evening time if you book at the last minute, but if you want the first slot, I recommend booking 1-2 months ahead.

You can book on the TeamLab website or on the authorised reseller Klook.

We’ve used both at different TeamLabs with no problems. Sometimes they have different availability, so it’s worth checking both.

The official website allows you to change dates and times three times (until 2 hours before your booking), whereas Klook doesn’t allow changes.

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How Long to Visit TeamLab Biovortex

I would allow around 3 hours to visit TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto.

We were there from 9am – 12pm and didn’t do everything in Athletics Forest.

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What to Wear

Don’t wear sandals or heels; you can’t enter Athletics Forest in them. If necessary, they have sneakers you can rent at the entrance to that area.

There are mirrored floors, so avoid skirts or wear shorts underneath.

It’s best to wear comfy shoes and clothes that you will be happy wandering around in for a few hours.

While you can take bags into the museum, I like to leave jackets and backpacks in the free lockers and walk around unencumbered.

If you want to stand out amongst the projections in photos, I would wear plain clothes, perhaps in black.

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Is there Food or Drink at TeamLab Biovortex?

Unfortunately, unlike at TeamLab Planets and Borderless in Tokyo, there is no cafe at TeamLab Biovortex for drinks or food.

Since we didn’t bring a bag with our own bottle, we stopped for a brief water break at a vending machine that had cans of water. You need 150 yen cash (no Suica or credit cards). 1000 yen notes and coins are accepted.

When you are in the museum, you can check the TeamLab app for locations of toilets and vending machines.

If, like us, you love the vegan ramen at TeamLab Planets, you can find a branch of Uzu Ramen in Kyoto, which features TeamLab artwork.

It’s about 4km north of TeamLab Biovortex, and the easiest way to get there would be by taxi or Uber in about 10 minutes. You need to book a table in advance.

It’s one of our picks for the best vegan restaurants in Kyoto.

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What to Expect at TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto

On Arrival

TeamLab Biovortex is located in a large building in a quiet residential area near Kyoto Station.

When you arrive, follow the attractive walkway around the building to the entrance.

We arrived 10 minutes early for the first 9am slot, and they were already letting people in ahead of us.

I recommend arriving 20-30 minutes early if you want to be one of the first inside.

There are toilets and free lockers just inside the building before the ticket gates. You can also lock strollers and suitcases to a rail in the locker room.

We stored jackets and backpacks in the lockers.

Umbrellas, bags larger than 50cm, food, and drinks without lids are not allowed into the museum.

You can then approach the ticket gates to scan in your tickets.

Entrance is managed differently here than at the Tokyo TeamLabs—people were let in in small groups starting before 9am opening (I don’t know how early they started). This helped spread out the crowds.

You start with a video with information about the museum. You are encouraged to download the TeamLab app (they have free WiFi), but I recommend doing that before your visit.

Then you can enter the space, which consists of five floors.

Underground

Underground is the first area you’ll explore at TeamLab Biovortex.

Although we weren’t among the first inside, it didn’t feel crowded. The first room features flowers projected onto massive walls with lots of side rooms, so everyone heads off in different directions.

We started with Forest of Resonating Lamps, where lamps dangle from the ceiling in a mirrored room, changing colour frequently. It’s a magical space.

At TeamLab, the visitor affects the space, and in this room, if you stand close to a lamp, it shines more brightly. This light then transfers to its neighbouring lamps.

Morphing Continuum, or as we called it, the Ball Room, was our favourite and unlike anything we’ve experienced at other TeamLabs.

You are guided to a spot in a small room before hundreds of lightweight balls descend. They are blown around, hitting you gently until you are enveloped in balls. It’s a wild experience!

Then you are moved to a different position, and the balls change location, like a typhoon swirling around you.

As this is a dark, constantly moving exhibit, taking photos is a challenge.

In Infinite Crystal World, you walk through strings of LED lights that change colour.

This is one of the few rooms that’s also at TeamLab Planets and Borderless, but it felt a little smaller here. It’s always a beautiful one.

Traces of Life is a trippy experience that made me feel a bit sick, but I still loved it.

You stand on a slope at one end of the room and watch swirling projections on the large screens that feel like they are coming towards you.

Silent Radiance Within is a good opportunity to have a seat on the block in the middle of the room and watch the flowers bloom and wither on the walls.

The final room in Underground is The Eternal Universe of Words. You sit on the floor in the middle of the room, watching the immense projections, accompanied by eerie chanting. It feels like the floor is moving.

It’s another brilliant, surreal, and slightly nausea-inducing experience.

Sculpting and Painting

We moved upstairs next to the Sculpting and Painting floor. There are toilets at the start.

Transient Abstract Life and Return was the first room we visited. We had a short wait as only one party is allowed inside the small room for 2 minutes at a time.

While you wait, you can see the others through the mirrored walls walking around the room, full of a swirling mercury-like substance.

When it’s your turn, you put on boots, but the liquid can stain clothes, so move carefully.

It’s a somewhat random experience. Not one of our favourites, but still worth doing.

Massless Amorphous Sculpture, aka the Bubble Room, is next, and this is a TeamLab Biovortex highlight.

You walk through a room full of masses of bubbles that get blown around and immerse you.

Kids had great fun diving into the bubbles.

You have to wear a free mask, and you can buy a poncho for 300 yen ($2). We didn’t wear one and didn’t get too wet. They vacuum the bubbles off everyone as you leave.

Megaliths

Upstairs again is Megaliths in the Eternal Existence of the Open Universe.

I really loved this room with large pillars amongst the mossy surface. The projections on the blocks change, and if you wait long enough, it starts to rain—so cool!

There are several small rooms off from here.

In Living Crystallised Light, you walk through a shallow puddle of shimmering light.

Sea of Solidified Light is a room of crystals in changing colours.

You walk among reflective globes in Resonating Microcosms – Solidified Light.

The Massless Suns and Dark Suns room features small spheres of light dangling from the ceiling.

Strata of Traces is an impressive-looking mess of thin wires in changing colours.

At this point, we’d been in the building for 1 hour and 40 minutes, so we took a water break at the vending machines by the toilets.

Athletics Forest

You go downstairs to reach Athletics Forest, the last area, which is all about interactivity and play. It’s very kid-friendly, but it’s fun for adults too.

We had a short wait to get in and then watched a video explaining the area. You can rent sneakers if you are wearing sandals or heels.

You enter into Graffiti Nature, a large, undulating room with projections of snakes, frogs, lizards and other creatures.

Visitors created these, and I recommend heading to the drawing room to make your own. It’s a relaxing break from the museum, which we needed at this point.

You choose from outlines of various amphibians and reptiles, and then take a seat to colour them in however you like.

Give your finished drawing to the staff member for scanning, and then watch your creature appear on the floor and head off around the room—my frog was so fast!

You’ll find similar colouring experiences at the Tokyo museums, TeamLab Borderless and TeamLab Planets, featuring different animals.

The rest of the floor is dedicated to play. Most of these activities have short waits, so we didn’t do them all. We skipped the slide and the bouncing spheres room (which had the longest line).

At Aerial Climbing through a Flock of Colored Birds, you walk on swinging steps—it’s harder than it looks.

We did Multi Jumping Universe together—two people bounce on an illuminated planet down a route through a star-filled space.

Sketch Ocean is another colouring room, but with a fish theme. We’d done this at TeamLab Borderless, so skipped it.

There’s also a room where you can draw on walls and play games.

Sketch Factory

Before exiting the building, you pass through Sketch Factory, a shop where you can buy products featuring your drawings.

You scan the QR code on your phone or use their tablet. To find your drawing, choose from Sketch Ocean (fish) or Graffiti Nature (reptiles) and then select the type of drawing you did. Scroll through to find yours.

We got a badge for 600 yen ($4), and it only took 5 minutes to make.

You can also buy magnets, hand towels, tote bags, t-shirts, puzzles, and paper art.

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Is TeamLab Biovortex Worth it?

TeamLab Biovortex is definitely worth visiting. As the largest TeamLab, there is so much to explore, from beautiful art installations to fun play areas with many unique rooms.

My only complaint is that there’s no cafe—I’d love to see a tea house here like at TeamLab Borderless. It’s so large that we would have appreciated the break.

It’s difficult to choose between the various TeamLab museums in Japan, but I don’t think you can go wrong choosing Biovortex if you are visiting Kyoto.

It makes a great chance of pace from the many temples you’ll likely be visiting in the city.

We were really impressed by Biovortex and feel like TeamLab has taken their museums to the next level here.

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More Japan Posts

TeamLab Reviews

• TeamLab Planets Review: Is it Worth it?
• TeamLab Borderless Review and Tips

Kyoto Travel Guides

• 31 Unforgettable Things to Do in Kyoto
• Where to Stay in Kyoto: Recommended Hotels and Areas
• 14 Stunning Places to See the Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto
• Kyoto in Autumn: 10 Stunning Fall Foliage Spots
• 20 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Kyoto
• The Ultimate Guide to Kyoto Temples and Shrines
• 14 Best Day Trips from Kyoto
• Visiting Saihoji, the Stunning Kyoto Moss Temple
• Monk Kyoto Restaurant Review and How to Get a Reservation

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TeamLab is an art collective that creates immersive digital art installations worldwide, many of them in Japan.

In Tokyo, there are two Teamlab museums—Borderless and Planets.

We’d visited a previous version of TeamLab Borderless before, but in 2024, they moved to a new permanent location in Azabudai Hills and added some new rooms.

On our latest trip, we visited the new Borderless. In this post, I share my TeamLab Borderless review and tips to make the most of your visit.

Contents

• How Does Universal Express Pass Work?
• Do You Really Need an Express Pass at Universal Japan?
• How Much Time Does an Express Pass Save?
• Which Rides are Best with a USJ Express Pass?
• Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Price
• How to Buy a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
• Types of USJ Express Pass
• Best Express Pass Times to Choose
• Is Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?
• Other Japan Tips
• What to Expect Hiking La Gomera
• Hiking in La Gomera Resources
• Easy Walks in La Gomera
• Other Hiking Areas in La Gomera
• What to Eat in La Gomera
• Where to Stay in La Gomera
• Getting to La Gomera
• La Gomera Map
• Is La Gomera Worth Visiting?
• More Hiking Posts
• Iceland in Winter: What to Expect
• Our Iceland Winter Itinerary at a Glance
• Map of Our Iceland Winter Road Trip
• Our Iceland Winter Road Trip in Detail
• Is Iceland Worth Visiting in Winter?
• More Iceland Posts
• What to Expect When it Snows at Disneyland Paris
• A Tour of Snowy Disneyland Paris
• Final Thoughts
• More Disneyland Paris Posts
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Dates in 2026
• Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris at Christmas
• Christmas Decorations at Disneyland Paris
• Christmas Parade and Entertainment
• Character Meet and Greets
• Christmas Merchandise
• Food and Drink
• Christmas at Disney Adventure World
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Hotels
• What to Wear
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Compared to Other Disney Parks
• Is Christmas at Disneyland Paris Worth it?
• More Disneyland Paris Posts
• TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto Location
• TeamLab Biovortex Hours
• Best Time to Visit TeamLab Biovortex
• TeamLab Biovortex Price and Tickets
• How Long to Visit TeamLab Biovortex
• What to Wear
• Is there Food or Drink at TeamLab Biovortex?
• What to Expect at TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto
• Is TeamLab Biovortex Worth it?
• More Japan Posts
• TeamLab Borderless Location
• TeamLab Borderless Hours
• Best Time to Visit TeamLab Borderless
• TeamLab Borderless Price and Tickets
• How Long to Visit TeamLab Borderless
• What to Wear
• What to Expect at TeamLab Borderless
• En Tea House
• How to Get to TeamLab Borderless
• Where to Visit Near TeamLab Borderless
• Is TeamLab Borderless Worth It?
• More Tokyo Posts

TeamLab Borderless Location

TeamLab Borderless is the most central of the two Tokyo TeamLabs. It’s located in the MORI building in Azabudai Hills, a shopping and office complex.

You can see the TeamLab Borderless location on Google Maps.

See below for how to get there.

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TeamLab Borderless Hours

TeamLab Borderless opening hours and closing days vary, so it’s best to check the Borderless website.

It is currently open from 8.30am – 9pm, but in October, when we visited, it opened at 8am.

En Tea House opens 30 minutes after the museum and has its last orders an hour before closing.

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Best Time to Visit TeamLab Borderless

The best time to visit TeamLab Borderless is at opening on a weekday.

TeamLab is very popular, so we like to book the earliest slot and arrive 20 minutes early to be one of the first in.

This worked well for us at TeamLab Borderless at 8am. We were amongst the first five people inside the museum, so the first 30 minutes were really quiet.

If you can’t get the first slot, I would choose an evening time around 6pm or 2-3 hours before closing.

Avoid weekends and public holidays if you can.

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TeamLab Borderless Price and Tickets

TeamLab Borderless ticket prices vary by date and time. For adults, it costs from 3600 yen (US $23) to 5600 yen ($36). Weekends and holidays are more expensive.

You must book in advance for a specific date and time.

They do offer a Flexible Pass where you can enter at any time (on a specified date), but it costs three times the usual price, so I don’t recommend it.

Tickets go on sale 2-3 months in advance. You might be able to get an afternoon or evening time if you book last minute, but if you want the first slot, I recommend booking 1-2 months ahead.

You can book on the TeamLab website or on the authorised reseller Klook. We’ve used both with no problems. Sometimes they have different availability, so it’s worth checking both.

The official website allows you to change dates 3 times (until 2 hours before your booking), whereas Klook doesn’t allow changes.

You can add an En Tea House tea ticket to your booking on the official website. We did this, but there’s no real advantage (other than paying for everything at once) as you still have to queue at En to order.

If tea house tickets are sold out online, they will still be available at the museum.

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How Long to Visit TeamLab Borderless

I would allow 2-3 hours for a visit to TeamLab Borderless.

We spent 2 hours at TeamLab Borderless, including colouring a picture in Sketch Ocean and drinking tea at En Tea House.

We were lucky at the beginning of the day with low crowds and no waits to get into rooms. Later in the day, expect more queues.

We were also tired with jet lag, so we didn’t repeat any rooms, which you might like to do (the artwork does change).

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What to Wear

Unlike at TeamLab Planets (where you have to take off your shoes), there are no rules on what to wear at TeamLab Borderless.

There are mirrored floors, so avoid skirts or wear shorts underneath.

It’s best to wear comfortable shoes and clothes that you will be happy wandering around in for a few hours.

While you can take small bags into the museum, we like to leave jackets and backpacks in the free lockers and walk around unencumbered.

If you want to stand out amongst the projections in photos, I would wear plain clothes, perhaps in black.

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What to Expect at TeamLab Borderless

On Arrival

TeamLab Borderless is located in a building that feels like a shopping mall. When you reach the building, follow the signs for the entrance.

Once inside, take the escalators down into the basement where the museum is located.

We arrived 20 minutes early for our 8am slot and were the first in the queue. It did fill up fast behind us, so it’s worth arriving before opening.

If you have a later time slot, there’s no need to arrive early.

We were let in a few minutes early to use the lockers, then held at the ticket gates until 8am, when you can scan your tickets to enter.

There are free lockers on the right as you enter (before the ticket gates), so I recommend dropping off your stuff quickly.

Umbrellas, large bags, food, and drinks without lids are not allowed into the museum.

The locker room has space to lock up umbrellas, strollers, and suitcases.

There are no toilets at the entrance, so make sure you find some elsewhere in the building before you join the queue.

Once we scanned through the ticket gates, we were shown a short video explaining how the museum works and that there’s no set route.

Then we were free to enter.

The No-Route Experience

There is no set route, map, or room signs in TeamLab Borderless. The idea is that you immerse yourself in the art without borders and explore.

The only signs you’ll see are for En Tea House, toilets, and the exit.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d like this and thought it might be confusing. But it was really fun wandering down corridors and looking into doorways, not knowing what you’d get.

Some people advise rushing to the busier rooms first, but I don’t recommend that. You won’t know where they are anyway, and it’s best not to stress about it.

If you enter first as we did, you’ll naturally end up ahead of the crowd.

Once we’d visited everywhere, we did a second loop to check we’d been in all the rooms, and we hadn’t missed anything.

You might want to revisit some rooms, as the artwork is constantly changing.

Below is the route that we followed. Yours may be different, but don’t worry about it.

There are signs at the entrance to each room with their names, and you can use the TeamLab app for more information.

Flowers and People

The first room you enter is Flowers and People, Cannot be Controlled but Live Together – A Whole Year per Hour.

It’s typical TeamLab—bold and colourful with changing projections of flowers on massive walls.

The flowers grow, blossom, and wither. The images are constantly changing, but it’s not pre-recorded—the interaction between people and the installation causes the changes, so it will never be replicated exactly.

We didn’t linger in this room at first because we wanted to get ahead of the crowd, but we came back at the end, and it looked very different.

Universe of Water Particles

We entered the large waterfall room next, officially called Universe of Water Particles on a Rock where People Gather.

It’s a beautiful space where projections look like a waterfall hitting a rock.

You can walk up on the rock, and we managed to have it to ourselves for a moment, which is rare!

At the end of our visit, the room was much busier.

From here, you can venture down the dark corridors and choose a room to enter.

The art continues into the corridors, with walls lit by projections, such as animals walking alongside you.

Sometimes the art even enters neighbouring rooms, changing the installation.

Infinite Crystal World

Infinite Crystal World is TeamLab’s most iconic room. It’s one of the few repeating rooms with similar spaces at TeamLab Planets and TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto, although this one felt bigger.

Strings of LED lights hang from the ceiling, frequently changing colour.

With mirrors on the floors and walls, you are reflected behind and below, creating a trippy, infinite feeling.

Amazingly, there were only two other people in there when we arrived.

Memory of Topography

In Memory of Topography, the room has varying elevations to evoke a mountain landscape.

You walk up and through discs illuminated like plants and flowers, changing with the seasons. Your presence, immersed in the space, also creates change.

Dissolving Light and Other Rooms

The Dissolving Light space features a few art installations at different times.

It’s a small smoky room with flower projections. We had it to ourselves, and it felt very immersive.

We visited a few small rooms after that, which I don’t have names for.

Bubble Universe

Bubble Universe was one of our favourite rooms. You’re only allowed to stay inside for 5 minutes (I imagine there’s a queue at busier times).

Spheres of light hang from the ceiling, changing colour, and reflecting in the mirrored floor and walls, so it feels like there are an infinite number of them.

As always in TeamLab, people affect the space. When a person stands still, the sphere closest to them shines brightly, and its light continues to the next nearest sphere.

Cosmic Void

Cosmic Void is a really cool experience, though it did give me a slight case of motion sickness.

In a large room, you are guided to stand in place close to the entrance, and expansive projections appear on the walls, continually moving.

You almost feel like you are flying as the boundary between the wall and floor disappears and you yourself become part of the artwork.

There are a few different versions.

As it’s fast-moving, it’s challenging to take photos of this one.

Sketch Ocean

Sketch Ocean is an interactive experience for kids and adults. We loved it!

In the drawing room, there are various outlines of sea creatures you can choose from. Take a seat at one of the desks and use the crayons to colour them in however you like.

It’s a lovely, relaxing break from the museum.

Once you are done, hand it to the staff who will scan it in for you.

You can then watch your creation appear on the wall and swim off with all the other fish that visitors have drawn.

It’s really well done, and the creatures come alive and move in unique ways. My squid winked as it swam, and Simon’s swordfish whizzed fast around the room.

You can even buy souvenirs featuring your drawing at Sketch Factory. You can put in your order at Sketch Ocean or as you leave the museum. The shop where you pick stuff up is a short walk from the museum exit.

We bought a badge with both our drawings on it for 600 yen ($4). It only took 5 minutes to be ready for collection.

You could also get a t-shirt, tote bag, and more. Some of these might take a little longer.

After Sketch Ocean, we visited En Tea House (see below). There are toilets located between the two.

Block Room

I don’t know what it’s called, but in this room, we walked amongst large blocks with swirling lights projected on them.

Microcosmoses

Microcosmoses is another TeamLab Borderless highlight—shiny balls of light roll around on tracks with changing colours.

It’s another room where things feel infinite, and you’re not quite sure what’s real and what’s a reflection.

This was our final room, but we did another loop around the museum to make sure we hadn’t missed anywhere.

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En Tea House

The only place for refreshments at TeamLab Borderless (except water vending machines) is En Tea House, and we enjoyed having a short break here.

You go up to the counter outside the tea room to order and pay. At 9.20am, it wasn’t busy, but 30 minutes later, a queue had formed.

There’s a small menu of hot and cold teas for 600 yen ($4).

We liked both our drinks. I had the hot Green Tea with Yuzu. Simon had a hot Roasted Green Tea Lemongrass Rice Milk Latte, which was sweeter and a good option if you don’t like green tea.

You could also order a matcha ice cream set (including a tea) for 1300 yen ($8.30).

Everything at En Tea House is vegan.

Once you’ve ordered, you’re shown to a large shared table in the dark space.

When your drink arrives, the tea is poured into your glass bowl, and a flower blooms inside, while petals radiate from under the bowl on the table.

When you’ve finished, the flowers disappear. Magic!

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How to Get to TeamLab Borderless

TeamLab Borderless is located at Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B B1.

We walked there in 25 minutes from our hotel (the excellent Blossom Hibiya) in Shinbashi near Ginza.

If you are coming by public transport, it’s a 2-minute walk from Exit 5 of Kamiyacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. After exiting at Exit 5, do not go up to ground level; continue through the underground passage.

It’s a 6-minute walk from Exit 4 of Roppongi-Itchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line.

Use Google Maps to search for the best route from your hotel.

From Shibuya, it takes about 20 minutes with a train change. There are a few options, such as taking the Yamanote Line to Ebisu and changing to the Hibiya Line metro to Kamiyacho. You could also walk there in about an hour.

From Shinjuku, it takes 20-30 minutes by train with a change. One route is to take the Marunouchi Line to Kasumigaseki Station, then change to the Hibiya Line to Kamiyacho.

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Where to Visit Near TeamLab Borderless

Inside the building

TeamLab Borderless is located in an upscale shopping mall, so there are various shops and cafes close by.

There’s not much open before 11am, though. Arabica has coffee from 8am, but they had sold out of pastries.

For food, we ventured farther into the market area, where more was open at 10am, including a supermarket and a bakery.

Nearby

The Mori Art Museum (with city views from the observation deck) is a 30-minute walk away (15 minutes by metro).

Tokyo Tower is a 10-minute walk. You can pay to go up and see the view, but we prefer to see this iconic Eiffel Tower-like red building from outside.

The views of Tokyo Tower from nearby Prince Shiba Park and Zojo-ji Temple are excellent, and both are relatively quiet spots.

Or it’s only 15 minutes direct on the Hibiya metro to Ginza for shopping, kabuki theatre, and the nearby Imperial Palace.

As TeamLab Borderless is pretty central, you could take public transport anywhere for the rest of your day. See our favourite cool things to do in Tokyo for ideas.

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Is TeamLab Borderless Worth It?

TeamLab Borderless is absolutely worth visiting! We find all the TeamLab museums to be immersive, magical experiences that create a sense of wonder and play you don’t find elsewhere.

A more difficult choice is deciding which TeamLab to visit. We visited three on our latest trip and loved them all, so you can’t go too wrong.

I’ll be writing a comparison of Borderless with TeamLab Planets and TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto soon.

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More Tokyo Posts

TeamLab Reviews

• TeamLab Planets Review: Is it Worth it?
• TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto Review and Tips

Tokyo Guides

• 26 Cool Things to Do in Tokyo
• 18 Best Things to Do in Shinjuku, Tokyo
• 18 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Tokyo
• Robot Restaurant: The Most Insane Show in Tokyo
• 14 Best Tokyo DisneySea Rides for Adults
• 13 Best Tokyo Disneyland Rides for Adults
• Planning a Trip to Japan: Dos and Don’ts

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Christmas at Tokyo DisneySea features beautiful decorations, a short harbor show, street performers, and festive merchandise and treats.

The Christmas offerings are less extensive than at Tokyo Disneyland, but it’s still a lovely time to visit this always wonderful park.

In this post, I share what to expect at Tokyo DisneySea Christmas in 2025 after we visited the parks for the first five days of the season.

Contents

• How Does Universal Express Pass Work?
• Do You Really Need an Express Pass at Universal Japan?
• How Much Time Does an Express Pass Save?
• Which Rides are Best with a USJ Express Pass?
• Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Price
• How to Buy a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
• Types of USJ Express Pass
• Best Express Pass Times to Choose
• Is Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?
• Other Japan Tips
• What to Expect Hiking La Gomera
• Hiking in La Gomera Resources
• Easy Walks in La Gomera
• Other Hiking Areas in La Gomera
• What to Eat in La Gomera
• Where to Stay in La Gomera
• Getting to La Gomera
• La Gomera Map
• Is La Gomera Worth Visiting?
• More Hiking Posts
• Iceland in Winter: What to Expect
• Our Iceland Winter Itinerary at a Glance
• Map of Our Iceland Winter Road Trip
• Our Iceland Winter Road Trip in Detail
• Is Iceland Worth Visiting in Winter?
• More Iceland Posts
• What to Expect When it Snows at Disneyland Paris
• A Tour of Snowy Disneyland Paris
• Final Thoughts
• More Disneyland Paris Posts
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Dates in 2026
• Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris at Christmas
• Christmas Decorations at Disneyland Paris
• Christmas Parade and Entertainment
• Character Meet and Greets
• Christmas Merchandise
• Food and Drink
• Christmas at Disney Adventure World
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Hotels
• What to Wear
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Compared to Other Disney Parks
• Is Christmas at Disneyland Paris Worth it?
• More Disneyland Paris Posts
• TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto Location
• TeamLab Biovortex Hours
• Best Time to Visit TeamLab Biovortex
• TeamLab Biovortex Price and Tickets
• How Long to Visit TeamLab Biovortex
• What to Wear
• Is there Food or Drink at TeamLab Biovortex?
• What to Expect at TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto
• Is TeamLab Biovortex Worth it?
• More Japan Posts
• TeamLab Borderless Location
• TeamLab Borderless Hours
• Best Time to Visit TeamLab Borderless
• TeamLab Borderless Price and Tickets
• How Long to Visit TeamLab Borderless
• What to Wear
• What to Expect at TeamLab Borderless
• En Tea House
• How to Get to TeamLab Borderless
• Where to Visit Near TeamLab Borderless
• Is TeamLab Borderless Worth It?
• More Tokyo Posts
• When is Tokyo DisneySea Christmas in 2025?
• When is Tokyo DisneySea Christmas in 2026?
• Christmas at Tokyo DisneySea Tips
• Decorations
• Entertainment
• Christmas Merchandise at DisneySea
• Food and Drink
• Is Christmas at DisneySea Worth It?
• More Tokyo Posts

When is Tokyo DisneySea Christmas in 2025?

The Tokyo DisneySea Christmas celebration runs from 11 November to 25 December 2025.

Merchandise went on sale a day early on 10 November.

Seasonal food and the Christmas popcorn bucket went on sale on 1 November.

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When is Tokyo DisneySea Christmas in 2026?

Next year, Tokyo DisneySea Christmas runs from 11 November to 25 December 2026.

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Christmas at Tokyo DisneySea Tips

Christmas at DisneySea is lowkey compared to Tokyo Disneyland. You don’t need to get a place far in advance for the parade, and there are no Christmas rides or shows that require a wait.

Tickets can sell out. If you can’t find availability in the app, or have problems with international cards, check out authorised reseller Klook. We’ve often bought tickets from them and it’s very easy (prices are the same or occasionally discounted).

As at Disneyland, you’ll want to make reservations for table-service restaurants a month in advance (and even then, I couldn’t get Canaletto).

Use mobile ordering in the app for counter-service restaurants to avoid long lines.

You’ll likely only need standby passes for the shops if you visit at the beginning of the season.

See my guide to Tokyo Disneyland Christmas for more tips that apply to both parks.

And my best DisneySea rides post has general advice for exploring the non-Christmas attractions.

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Decorations

Tokyo DisneySea is decorated at Christmas with trees, banners, and garlands.

Most of the decorations are at the park entrance, in Mediterranean Harbor, and in American Waterfront.

The rest of the park doesn’t feel Christmassy, which is a shame. The Frozen area of Fantasy Springs seems an obvious choice for festive decor (but perhaps they don’t want to encourage even greater crowds).

After entering the Main Entrance, you are greeted by a Disney Christmas 2025 banner and beautifully decorated trees in red and gold on either side of the passageway that leads into the park.

The passageway features smaller trees under the archways, wreaths, and Christmas banners with Disney characters.

In Piazza Topolino, the main piazza overlooking the harbor, the shops are decorated with small trees and garlands, and banners hang from lampposts.

Facing the volcano in the harbor, if you go right, you’ll pass more shops and Zambini Brothers’ Ristorante, decorated for the season.

On the way to Soaring is another row of Christmas trees.

Turning left from Pizza Topolino takes you past the Venice canals and into American Waterfront. The two main streets here are beautifully decorated with garlands.

McDuck’s Department Store (featuring Duffy merch) looks particularly stunning, like a real New York department store.

The biggest Christmas tree (15 metres tall), alongside two smaller ones, is found in the square outside the SS Columbia ocean liner. This feels like the heart of the Christmas celebrations at DisneySea with various street performers.

Crossing the red bridge leads you to Cape Cod (officially part of the American Waterfront port), one of our favourite areas for atmosphere.

It’s always decorated excellently at Halloween, and Christmas is lovely too, with several trees. The Duffy shop here has long queues.

Continuing to the rest of the park (Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Fantasy Springs, etc), there are no more signs of Christmas, except in some shops.

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Entertainment

There is much less Christmas entertainment at DisneySea compared to Disneyland, and no attraction overlays or major shows.

Disney Christmas Greeting Harbour Show

Each season brings a different Harbor Greeting to DisneySea. These days, sadly, this consists of only one boat/float looping around Mediterranean Harbor for 15 minutes, with characters and a catchy tune.

Disney Christmas Greeting is the Christmas version and takes place twice a day at 11.40am and 2.15pm (but check the app to be sure).

It features Santa along with characters in festive outfits—Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, and Duffy the Bear and ShellieMay.

It’s cute, and the Christmas songs add to the vibe, but it’s not overly impressive.

I recommend trying to see it, but you don’t need to turn up very early to get a good spot—10 minutes was fine.

Dazzling Christmas in New York Street Performers

Dazzling Christmas in New York is DisneySea’s name for the Christmas street entertainment in the American Waterfront area.

There are three groups performing Christmas songs, but there are no set times or locations to see them, so just hang out in the area as much as you can.

• Holiday Wonder Band – We loved this band of four horn players and a drummer in colourful, vintage suits. We saw them playing at 11.30am outside the Broadway Music Theatre (which previously hosted Big Band Beat).
• Holly Jolly Trio – This cute trio consists of two clarinettists and an accordionist who serenade people with Christmas songs. We caught them one afternoon around 2pm.
• Christmas Carolers – Sadly, we missed seeing this a capella group in their Victorian-style outfits.

Tokyo DisneySea Maritime Band

The excellent DisneySea maritime band perform Christmas songs at this time of year.

We saw them in front of the Christmas trees at the park entrance at 12pm, but there are no scheduled times.

They also perform at the official park opening time in Piazza Topolino to welcome guests.

Starbright Christmas Fireworks

During the holiday season, there’s a different version of the nightly fireworks display set to classic Christmas songs.

Starbright Christmas is at 8.30pm (30 minutes before park closing) and lasts five minutes.

It can be seen anywhere from both Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, and is not something you need to go out of your way to see.

We caught the show from the Arabian Coast (one of our favourite areas at night).

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Christmas Merchandise at DisneySea

Christmas merchandise is hugely popular at Tokyo Disney.

In 2025, there are two main collections—Lil Ring Ring (a cute Christmas fairy) and Mickey and Friends (the more classic characters)—available at both parks.

For more details, including prices and our favourite items, see our guide to Christmas at Tokyo Disneyland.

In addition, DisneySea sells a winter Duffy collection (see below).

Are Standby Passes Needed?

For the first few days or week of the Christmas event, standby passes may be needed to enter the main shops that sell Christmas merch.

This includes Emporio at the entrance and all the Duffy stores.

Check the standby pass page for which stores require it. It’s best to check the app when you enter the park and get a pass as soon as possible.

Where to Find Christmas Merch at DisneySea

This is where to find the Lil Ring Ring and Mickey and Friends Christmas collections:

• Emporio – This is the largest store and has the full Christmas range (not including Duffy). It’s on the right as you enter the park. No standby pass was required on day 4, but it was busy.
• The Sleepy Whale Shoppe – This store inside a whale’s mouth in Mermaid Lagoon has the full Christmas range. Go at night for a quiet shopping experience.
• Agrabah Marketplace – In Arabian Coast, this store has the Lil Ring Ring collection plus some unique glass ornaments you won’t find in other DisneySea shops. You can get them engraved.
• Fantasy Springs Gifts – If you are staying at the Fantasy Springs Hotel or Toy Story Hotel, you can do your shopping here before exiting the park at this end. They don’t have the whole collection, though.

Duffy Merchandise

DisneySea also has a winter range of Duffy merchandise called “Duffy and Friends’ Secret of a Snowy Day”.

We’re not super into Duffy, but we did have a look inside McDuck’s Department Store in American Waterfront (after a long queue had died down), and the bears do look cute in their cosy winter attire.

You can also buy Duffy merch from Aunt Peg’s Village Store in Cape Cod (expect a queue to get in) and Galleria Disney at the park entrance.

Check out the Duffy Christmas range here (you’ll need to translate from Japanese).

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Food and Drink

Some restaurants offer special set menus or cute, decorated desserts, but the food isn’t Christmassy as we think of it.

Most of the offerings are the same in both parks, so see my Tokyo Disneyland Christmas guide for details on all the sweet treats and drinks we tried.

Zambini Brothers’ Ristorante is a counter service restaurant in DisneySea that’s a good place to try many of the Christmas desserts and the strawberry milk drink.

It also offers souvenir plates and mugs you can add to your order for a reasonable price.

The strawberry cake cup was our favourite dessert, but we preferred the souvenir plate that comes with the chocolate cake (which is decent).

Make sure to do a mobile order in advance for Zambinis as it’s very popular.

Another of our favourites is the Hot Apple Ginger Drink. A good spot to buy it is Hudson River Harvest, a stand in American Waterfront.

You can skip the line by making a mobile order. Enjoy your warm drink sitting under the Christmas tree opposite or while watching festive entertainment in the area.

See the list of Christmas menus at DisneySea and the Christmas food souvenirs to see where everything is available.

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Is Christmas at DisneySea Worth It?

If you are looking for the most Christmassy vibes, I would choose Tokyo Disneyland over DisneySea as it has more entertainment, decorations, and attraction overlays.

Tokyo DisneySea is our favourite theme park in the world, though, so I would not miss it.

Just manage your expectations about how festive the whole park is and focus on Mediterranean Harbor and American Waterfront for the Christmas spirit.

Holiday activities won’t take up too much of your day, but there is plenty more to enjoy at this beautiful park.

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More Tokyo Posts

Read our other guides to Tokyo Disney and beyond.

Tokyo Disney

• Christmas at Tokyo Disneyland: Our Experience and Tips
• 14 Best Tokyo DisneySea Rides
• 13 Best Tokyo Disneyland Rides for Adults

Tokyo

• 26 Cool Things to Do in Tokyo
• 18 Best Things to Do in Shinjuku, Tokyo
• Why Shinjuku is the Best Area to Stay in Tokyo
• Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Tokyo
• TeamLab Planets Review
• Planning a Trip to Japan: Dos and Don’ts

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Christmas is the most magical time at Tokyo Disney Resort with beautiful decorations, special parades, and festive entertainment. Plus, the all-important seasonal merch.

The celebration is included in park tickets and runs from mid-November until Christmas Day.

We love Tokyo Disney at any time, but the festive season really is next level. It’s a busy time, but for us it was worth it.

Tokyo Disneyland is the most Christmassy of the two parks, with more festive entertainment and attractions. DisneySea is worth visiting too and I cover it in another post.

We visited in 2025 for the first five days of the celebrations. In this post, I share what to expect at Tokyo Disneyland at Christmas, and my top tips for making the most of your trip.

Contents

• How Does Universal Express Pass Work?
• Do You Really Need an Express Pass at Universal Japan?
• How Much Time Does an Express Pass Save?
• Which Rides are Best with a USJ Express Pass?
• Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Price
• How to Buy a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
• Types of USJ Express Pass
• Best Express Pass Times to Choose
• Is Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?
• Other Japan Tips
• What to Expect Hiking La Gomera
• Hiking in La Gomera Resources
• Easy Walks in La Gomera
• Other Hiking Areas in La Gomera
• What to Eat in La Gomera
• Where to Stay in La Gomera
• Getting to La Gomera
• La Gomera Map
• Is La Gomera Worth Visiting?
• More Hiking Posts
• Iceland in Winter: What to Expect
• Our Iceland Winter Itinerary at a Glance
• Map of Our Iceland Winter Road Trip
• Our Iceland Winter Road Trip in Detail
• Is Iceland Worth Visiting in Winter?
• More Iceland Posts
• What to Expect When it Snows at Disneyland Paris
• A Tour of Snowy Disneyland Paris
• Final Thoughts
• More Disneyland Paris Posts
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Dates in 2026
• Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris at Christmas
• Christmas Decorations at Disneyland Paris
• Christmas Parade and Entertainment
• Character Meet and Greets
• Christmas Merchandise
• Food and Drink
• Christmas at Disney Adventure World
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Hotels
• What to Wear
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Compared to Other Disney Parks
• Is Christmas at Disneyland Paris Worth it?
• More Disneyland Paris Posts
• TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto Location
• TeamLab Biovortex Hours
• Best Time to Visit TeamLab Biovortex
• TeamLab Biovortex Price and Tickets
• How Long to Visit TeamLab Biovortex
• What to Wear
• Is there Food or Drink at TeamLab Biovortex?
• What to Expect at TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto
• Is TeamLab Biovortex Worth it?
• More Japan Posts
• TeamLab Borderless Location
• TeamLab Borderless Hours
• Best Time to Visit TeamLab Borderless
• TeamLab Borderless Price and Tickets
• How Long to Visit TeamLab Borderless
• What to Wear
• What to Expect at TeamLab Borderless
• En Tea House
• How to Get to TeamLab Borderless
• Where to Visit Near TeamLab Borderless
• Is TeamLab Borderless Worth It?
• More Tokyo Posts
• When is Tokyo DisneySea Christmas in 2025?
• When is Tokyo DisneySea Christmas in 2026?
• Christmas at Tokyo DisneySea Tips
• Decorations
• Entertainment
• Christmas Merchandise at DisneySea
• Food and Drink
• Is Christmas at DisneySea Worth It?
• More Tokyo Posts
• When Is Tokyo Disney Christmas in 2025?
• When Is Tokyo Disney Christmas in 2026?
• Top Tips for Visiting Tokyo Disneyland at Christmas
• Christmas at Tokyo Disneyland: Decorations
• Parades and Fireworks
• Attractions with Christmas Overlays
• Street Entertainment
• Christmas Merchandise
• Food and Drink
• Christmas at Tokyo Disney Hotels
• Christmassy Monorail
• Is Christmas at Tokyo Disneyland Worth It?
• More Tokyo Posts

When Is Tokyo Disney Christmas in 2025?

Tokyo Disney Christmas runs from 11 November to 25 December 2025.

During this time, you can expect all the decorations and entertainment at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, as well as decorations in the Disney hotels and on the monorail.

Merchandise went on sale a day early on 10 November. There was also a preview of the Christmas parade that day.

Seasonal food and the Christmas popcorn bucket went on sale earlier on 1 November.

You can start seeing decorations go up from 1 November, once the Halloween celebration is over.

Christmas decorations come down on the night of 25 December, in preparation for the New Year celebrations, so don’t expect to see any after Christmas Day.

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When Is Tokyo Disney Christmas in 2026?

Next year, Tokyo Disney Christmas runs from 11 November to 25 December 2026.

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Top Tips for Visiting Tokyo Disneyland at Christmas

• Avoid weekends – Tokyo Disney is very busy throughout the year, but Christmas is especially popular. We were there in the first week and found it much busier on Friday and Saturday than during the week.
• Book tickets in advance – Tickets sold out on the Disney website for the first Saturday of Christmas when we tried to book in the morning. Luckily, we found availability on Klook, an authorised reseller that often works better with international cards.
• Visit early in the season for merchandise – Merch is a big deal at Tokyo Disney, and some items sell out by December.
• Store reservations may be required – For the first few days, you may need a reservation or a standby pass to get into the main stores selling the Christmas range. More on that below.
• Consider Premier Access for the Christmas Parade – 2025 is the first year of a new parade and demand is incredibly high. Paying a fee for a reserved spot was worth it for us.
• Make mobile food orders – We learnt the hard way that at this busy time of year, you’ll want to place a mobile order for lunch and dinner in the morning (you can always cancel if your plans change). Otherwise, expect waits of 30-60 minutes even for a snack.
• Dress in layers – The weather in November and December varies. We had chilly 10ºC (50ºF) days where I wore two jumpers, followed by sunny 18ºC (64ºF) t-shirt weather. December will be colder with an average maximum temperature of 12ºC (54ºF).
• Be prepared for short days – The sun sets around 4.30pm. It gets chillier at night, so bring an extra layer.

My usual Tokyo Disney tips also apply. You’ll need to book Disney hotels 4 months in advance and table-service restaurants 1 month in advance. Utilise free Priority Passes to skip some ride queues.

The Tokyo Disney app is essential for so many things. Download it, scan your tickets in, and get familiar with it before you go.

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Christmas at Tokyo Disneyland: Decorations

Tokyo Disneyland is even more beautiful at Christmas with festive trees, garlands, banners and lights.

At the Park Entrance, the amazing floral display features Mickey with a Santa hat (seriously, so impressive how they do this) and plenty of decorations to welcome you.

World Bazaar (the Tokyo equivalent of Main Street) is even more stunning, with a huge 15-metre Christmas tree and garlands spanning the large, covered space.

With Christmas songs playing and the shops displaying their festive wares, you can’t help but get into the spirit of the season.

It’s even more magical at night when the lights come on.

In front of Cinderella Castle, there’s a display featuring Mickey and Minnie in their festive outfits from the new Toys Wondrous Christmas parade.

While not all of the park is dressed up for the season, there are decorations in many areas.

The New Orleans part of Adventureland (near Pirates of the Caribbean) looks especially lovely, and there are festive touches in Westernland and Fantasyland.

The Village Shoppes area near the Beauty and the Beast ride is another highlight, with a festive French village feel.

The back of Cinderella Castle in Fantasyland is beautiful and is quieter than the front. Perfect in the morning light.

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Parades and Fireworks

Parades are hugely popular at Tokyo Disneyland, and there are two festive parades (in addition to the regular Harmony in Color afternoon parade).

People claim their spots for the parade as soon as the park opens. If you want a good view, I recommend finding a place on the parade route at least an hour in advance.

Or, you could pay 2500 yen (US$16) for Premier Access, which gives you a numbered space in a prime spot near the castle. We did that this year and loved turning up at the last minute and having a wonderful view.

The earlier you book, the better spot you get, so buy Premier Access as soon as you enter the park.

You have to sit on the floor, but it improves the view for everyone. Do what the locals do, and buy a leisure sheet in the shops to sit on (the Christmas-themed one costs 1000 yen/$6).

One sheet is the right size for the space allocated to two people (it is a little tight).

Toys Wondrous Christmas Parade (Day)

Toys Wondrous Christmas is the most popular parade as it debuted in 2025 and is the first new Christmas parade in 10 years.

It takes place once a day at 12.45pm (but check the app to be sure) and lasts 45 minutes, covering the route from Westernland, through Plaza Garden in front of the Castle, and ending in Toontown.

The parade is Christmassy to the max with six colourful floats, a catchy festive song, dancers in extravagant costumes, and even some snow.

Santa leads the parade, and his elves and the toys from their factory join Mickey Mouse and his friends for the celebration.

Characters featured include Pluto, Judy and Nick from Zootopia, Goofy and Max, Stitch and Angel, Mickey and Minnie, Pete, Chip and Dale, Donald and Daisy Duck, Jose and Panchito from The Three Caballeros, and the kittens from The Aristocats.

It’s over the top and fun, with some nice touches like the toys flying around on a seesaw on the back of the Chip and Dale float.

The on-ground dancers are always amazing in the Tokyo Disney parades.

I highly recommend Toys Wondrous Christmas—it’s guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit!

We’re so glad we bought Premier Access for a stress-free viewing experience. Although we purchased three minutes after the park opened for Happy Entry, we were in the third row of the Plaza Garden area, so definitely book early if you decide on Premier.

Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights (Night)

The nighttime parade is a Christmas overlay of the regular Electrical Parade Dreamlights.

It takes place at 7pm and follows the same route as the other parades.

Dreamlights is a stunning parade featuring over a million LED lights, so the floats glow in a rainbow of colours.

The holiday version isn’t hugely different from usual, but there are some festive touches like Mickey and Minnie in their Christmas outfits, Santa Goofy, and some Christmas music mixed in.

Although not as Christmassy as the daytime parade, I still recommend it.

Again, we purchased Premier Access as soon as we entered for Happy Entry (on a different day from the day parade) and got a front-row spot. Magical!

Starbright Christmas Fireworks

During the holiday season, there’s a different version of the nightly fireworks display set to classic Christmas songs.

Starbright Christmas is at 8.30pm (30 minutes before park closing) and lasts five minutes.

It’s not focused around the castle, so it can be seen anywhere from both Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. We saw them at DisneySea.

Fireworks here aren’t spectacular displays like in the US parks, so it’s not something you need to go out of your way to see. Just look up from wherever you happen to be.

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Attractions with Christmas Overlays

Tokyo Disneyland has two rides that get festive at this time of year.

Haunted Mansion “Holiday Nightmare”

Haunted Mansion is one of the best classic attractions at Tokyo Disneyland, and it’s even better during the holiday season, with a major overlay inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.

The overlay takes place during the Halloween festivities too, and this year you can enjoy it from 16 September 2025 to 12 January 2026.

It’s really a completely different ride at this time of year, with so many amazing details to enjoy, including Jack Skellington dressed as Sandy Claws.

Haunted Mansion is extra popular during the holiday season, so either ride it early, or, as we did, get a free Priority Pass early in the day, which allows you to skip most of the line.

Country Bear Theater “Jingle Bell Jamboree”

Ah, how we love Country Bears! This show featuring bears performing country music is quirky, hilarious, and a little bit racy.

While Magic Kingdom in Florida has Disneyfied the show now (still fun but less weird), Tokyo still has the original.

Jingle Bell Jamboree is absolutely the best version to see because a) who doesn’t love Christmas songs? and b) some songs are in English, and even the Japanese ones are recognisable (“Jingle Bells” in Japanese is fun!).

There’s an Elvis Rock and Roll Santa Bear, Trixie singing a mournful “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with drink in hand, and more hijinks.

I challenge you not to come out grinning—it’s pure Christmas joy!

Even better, you never have to wait more than 15 minutes for the next show, and the seats are comfy, so the 15-minute show makes a great break.

I recommend sitting about two-thirds of the way back for the best view of the full show.

The waiting area also has a lovely Christmas Tree display and unique posters of the bears.

Jingle Bell Jamboree runs from 1 November 2025 to 12 January 2026.

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Street Entertainment

Tokyo Disneyland Band

The Tokyo Disneyland marching band switches to Christmas songs during the holiday season, and it is wonderful.

You can catch the band at Plaza Terrace (at the end of World Bazaar with the Castle behind) at park opening (8.45am on our visit) or in front of the Christmas tree in World Bazaar at unscheduled times throughout the day (we saw them at 12.25pm).

Bicycle Piano

This pianist on wheels is another World Bazaar street performer who plays festive songs.

Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to catch them. It’s another one you have to keep an eye (or ear) out for.

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Christmas Merchandise

Tokyo Disney Christmas merch is a big deal in Japan.

Expect the stores to be very busy, and some items sell out, so plan your trip earlier in the season if you have your heart set on something.

You can see the full Tokyo Disney Christmas 2025 collection on the Tokyo Disney website, but you’ll need to translate from Japanese.

Note that DisneySea has the same Christmas collection, plus some extra Duffy items—see my Tokyo DisneySea Christmas guide for details.

Do You Need a Store Reservation?

In 2025, the Christmas collection went on sale on 10 November, a day before the season officially began.

If you are visiting in the first few days or the first week of the Christmas season, you may need a reservation to access the main stores.

Bon Voyage

From 10 – 12 November, you needed a free reservation to visit the Christmas section of Bon Voyage, a large store outside the parks near Maihama Train Station.

Reservations went on sale on 5 November and were sold out by the time I found out about it three days later.

Check the Bon Voyage page to see if reservations are needed. The reservation site is in Japanese, so you’ll need to use a translation service.

We were disappointed as we arrived on the 10th and didn’t have park tickets, but we wanted to purchase some festive gear before we went to the park the next day.

The Disney Store in the Ikspiari mall had some Christmas jumpers plus other festive merch, but it’s different from the park collection, so we decided to wait.

Park Shops

Inside Tokyo Disneyland, Disney & Co (on the left of World Bazaar facing the castle) usually requires a free standby pass for the first few days of the merch drop.

It was also required on the first weekend after a few days without needing one.

Check the Disney standby pass page to see which shops require them. They aren’t always necessary, so check the app when you enter the park.

Standby passes are available in the app. Get one as soon as you enter the park, as time slots book up fast. We managed to get one for 9.30am after entering for Happy Entry at 8.30am.

We didn’t need to wait to enter the store once our time slot arrived.

The store was busy, but not as bad as some, and I didn’t have to wait long at the counter to make my purchases. They check your park ticket, and you can only shop in there once per day, so get everything you want.

We put our haul in a locker near the entrance (400 yen—100 yen coins needed), so we didn’t need to carry it around all day.

Of course, we asked them to cut off the tags of our hats and sweaters so we could wear them right away!

Capsule Toys and Carnival Games

You also need a standby pass if you want to access the seasonal capsule toys from a few gachapon machines in the park.

In 2025, the toy is a small plastic Lil Ring Ring on a strap in a few different colours.

Carnival games, including the log toss and ball roll at Jungle Carnival in Adventureland, also require a standby pass.

You pay a 700 yen ($4.50) fee to play, and if you win, you get a seasonal prize, which is currently one of two Lil Ring Ring cushions. Even if you don’t win, it looks like you can buy it.

Even with a standby pass, the lines were always long.

We didn’t do these, but if you are interested, check the standby section of the app to see what’s available. They book up fast.

Stores Without Reservations

If you don’t manage to get a reservation or standby pass, don’t worry, you can still find Christmas merch in other shops in the park. You might need to search a bit to find what you want, since not all of them have the full collection.

Here are some places to try:

• Grand Emporium – This large store on the right of World Bazaar has the Lil Ring Ring collection plus festive headwear. There was a queue to get in on the first day.
• World Bazaar Confectionery – I’m pretty sure this huge sweet shop near the entrance has the Christmas biscuit and chocolate tins.
• Town Center Fashions – This clothing shop is on a side street off World Bazaar. They don’t have the official Christmas collection, but Simon found a cute Olaf jumper.
• Kingdom Treasures – At the back of the castle in Fantasyland, this shop was quiet and had the Lil Ring Ring collection.
• La Belle Librairie – In the Beauty and the Beast area of Fantasyland, they also had the Lil Ring Ring merch.

Let us know if you find any other stores with Christmas merch.

What to Buy: The Lil Ring Ring Collection

Lil Ring Ring is a Christmas fairy who is extremely popular at Tokyo Disney.

He is adorable, with an oversized scarf, sticking-out ears, and a pointed hat adorned with a bell (hence the name). We soon became just as obsessed with this kawaii character as the Japanese.

Each year, there’s a whole line of Lil Ring Ring merch, including a festive sweater, headband, mittens, plushies, bags, towels, water bottles, biscuit tins, and much more.

This year, the character is featured in pale red or pale blue.

The Lil Ring Ring sweater (7000 yen/$45) is the only sweater in the official Christmas collection, so it’s highly desirable and usually sells out (it was still available after 6 days on our visit).

It’s a women’s fit in one size (M-L). I happily joined the masses of people wearing it in the park—it feels like you’re in a Christmas club.

We also purchased a mini Ring Ring plush badge (2500 yen/$16), which you can either pin to or hang from your bag. These are very popular in Japan. We figured it would work as a Christmas tree ornament, too.

We couldn’t resist the large Ring Ring stuffed toy (4500 yen/$29) either. So cute! We also bought the long face towel (2000 yen/$13), which works great as a festive kitchen hand towel.

In addition, there are Lil Ring Ring capsule toys and a cushion as a carnival game prize, but these require a standby pass (see above).

Mickey Mouse & Friends Collection

The other Christmas merch collection is themed to Mickey Mouse and Friends, or as we call it, the Holly Jolly Collection.

We love this festive design and bought mugs (2200 yen/$14), a pin (1400 yen/$9), a small wreath (2000 yen/$13) for our tree, an advent calendar (listed as assorted chocolates, 2200 yen/$14), a cookie tin (2000 yen/$13), and a cute tin bauble filled with strawberry sweets (listed as candy, 900 yen/$6).

We also wore the Mickey and Minnie festive hats (3200 yen/$20), which were comfy and warm.

As foreigners dressed for the season, we received many “Happy Holidays” from cast members.

Other items include Mickey and Minnie plushies, smaller plush badges in their parade outfits, headbands, towels, bags, Mickey waffle hair clips, and lots of snacks.

You can also buy a large, zipped Christmas shopping bag (1200 yen/$8) for carrying it all. Ask for this at checkout.

Christmas Ornaments

Christmas trees aren’t a big thing in Japan, so you won’t find the same range of Christmas ornaments as you do in the US parks.

You can repurpose plush badges, charms, or keychains as decorations, or you can find a few shops with traditional glass ornaments.

In Tokyo Disneyland, the biggest selection is at The Glass Slipper store inside Cinderella Castle. They had a few baubles, including Lil Ring Ring (4600 yen/ $29) and Mickey ears.

Plus there’s a glass Christmas tree (4900 yen / $31 for a small) that you can choose from a selection of tiny character baubles to decorate.

You can get ornaments engraved at the store for an extra 700 yen ($4.50).

You can also find some of these ornaments at Cristal Arts in the New Orleans area of Adventureland. This store has a smaller range, but it’s not as busy, and you can also get engravings.

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Food and Drink

The festive food and drinks at Tokyo Disneyland went on sale before the rest of the celebration on 1 November 2025.

Don’t expect traditional Christmas food. In Japan, it’s more about chocolate and strawberries (because of the colour?) with some cute festive dessert designs.

Restaurants and hotels offer special set meals, but none are vegetarian, so we didn’t try them. You can check out the Tokyo Disney Christmas food here.

Note that Christmas Eve is a major date night in Japan, so be sure to book table service restaurants exactly a month in advance. I’d recommend doing this throughout the season.

Sweet Treats

These are the festive sweet treats we tried:

Hot Apple Ginger Drink

This warm, sweet and spicy beverage with chunks of apple was our favourite—perfect on chilly days.

It’s available at a few places, but we found The Gazebo in Adventureland has the shortest waits and always has outdoor tables free.

Mickey Waffle with Strawberry Cream

The Great American Waffle Company changes the topping each season. Christmas is strawberry cream with freeze-fried strawberries and a holly-shaped chocolate.

A waffle here is always a tasty treat, and they have now switched to mobile order only, so you don’t have to queue. Make your order early.

If you can’t find a table, take your waffle to The Gazebo nearby.

Strawberry Cake Cup

Christmas cake in Japan is a light sponge with whipped cream and strawberries, and this Strawberry Cake Cup is a small deconstructed version with a holly decoration.

It’s cute, delicious, and not too heavy.

This is one of the festive treats with an optional souvenir you can buy. These are great deals as it only costs 750 yen ($5) extra to include, and they are real ceramic.

You can buy the cake cup at many restaurants in both parks. Some have Lil’ Ring Ring souvenirs, and some have a Holly Jolly Christmas version, so check the menu or see this list of Disney Christmas Food Souvenirs.

Since we wanted the Holly Jolly mug, we chose to get it from Huey, Dewey and Louie’s Good Time Cafe, as they offer mobile ordering, which saved us a long wait.

Unfortunately, while the souvenir cup is cute and good quality, it’s too small to use for a proper hot drink.

Chocolate Cake with Nuts

This chocolate cake with nuts and a holly decoration is pretty good, but nothing special.

We do love the Holly Jolly ceramic souvenir plate it comes with, though—it’s small but big enough for a couple of mince pies.

You can buy this dessert in various spots. As of 25 November, you can no longer get it at Huey, Dewey and Louie’s. You can get the souvenir Christmas plate there with a new strawberry mousse cake, though.

Or find the chocolate cake with the Holly Jolly plate at Hungry Bear. It comes with a Ring Ring plate at Tomorrowland Terrace, Pan Galactic Pizza Port, or Plasma Ray’s.

Chocolate Soft Serve and Churro Sundae

Churros change with the seasons at Tokyo Disney, and at Christmas, they are chocolate flavoured.

You can find the chocolate churro at lots of places, and the lines are almost always long. I think it’s a pretty bad churro (too dry), but Simon quite likes it.

I much prefer it when it’s part of the Christmas sundae, with chocolate soft-serve ice cream, chocolate-coated popcorn, and a Lil Ring Ring decoration.

It was a refreshing treat on one of the warm days we had.

The sundae is available at Ice Cream Cones on World Bazaar (Simon managed to get one without a wait in the evening), or my pick is the cute stand Racketty’s Raccoon Saloon behind Splash Mountain.

We had to wait 30 minutes, though, as there’s no mobile order. The stand has limited hours (11am – 4pm on our trip).

Strawberry Milk Drink

Simon enjoyed this thick strawberry milkshake with strawberry chunks at Zambini Brothers in DisneySea, but it’s also available at a few places in Disneyland.

Christmas Popcorn Bucket

Another super popular item at Tokyo Disney is the popcorn bucket, which comes in lots of lovely designs.

We find these an absolute pain to carry around (although it is nice to have a snack on hand for parades), but we couldn’t resist the Christmas tree design this year, which will work as a decoration (and sweet container) in our house.

It’s available in both parks. At Tokyo Disneyland, you can buy it with caramel popcorn outside Sweetheart Cafe or It’s a Small World, or with soy sauce butter popcorn (which I recommend) near The Gazebo.

To avoid long queues, we made a mobile order hours in advance from Big Pop, a popcorn store with three unique flavours (we got cheddar cheese, which was pretty good). The filled bucket costs 3600 yen ($23).

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Christmas at Tokyo Disney Hotels

We always love staying on-site at a Tokyo Disney Hotel, but Christmas is especially a good time to do so.

Hotels are decorated for the season, and restaurants often have special menus (although not veggie-friendly).

The included 15-minute Happy Entry, which gives early access to Tokyo Disneyland, makes all the difference when trying to secure a standby pass for the shop and Premier Access for the parade. You also avoid the chaos of the main queue.

The gift shops have a limited selection of Christmas merchandise. We checked the Disneyland Hotel, Ambassador Hotel, and Toy Story Hotel, and they only had the Christmas chocolates and biscuits.

We have stayed at all the on-site hotels (except Celebration, which is a bus ride away), and while Miracosta in DisneySea is my favourite, the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel is perfect for easy access to the most festive park.

Be sure to book hotels four months in advance.

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Christmassy Monorail

Another fun festive touch is that the monorail that loops around the resort has one train decorated for Christmas. They’ve really gone all out—even the hand straps have Santa hats!

Only one in four of the trains is decorated, so we found we had a greater chance of being on it at off-peak times (like early evening after a park break) when they only run two trains, rather than at peak times like the beginning and end of the day when they run all four.

The monorail day passes also have a few festive designs. Each ticket machine has a different design.

While you can just tap your Suica card to pay for the monorail, day passes save money if you make 3 or more journeys.

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Is Christmas at Tokyo Disneyland Worth It?

Tokyo Disneyland is well worth visiting at Christmas. It’s a wonderful park at any time of year, but the holiday season amps up the magic with stunning decorations, festive music, fun parades, and lots of goodies to buy and eat.

Hearing the band perform carols while the lights twinkle on the massive tree in the beautiful World Bazaar is sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

Yes, the crowds can be intense (seriously, avoid the weekends!), but with some planning, you can still have a magical time.

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More Tokyo Posts

Read our other guides to Tokyo Disney and beyond.

Tokyo Disney

• Christmas at Tokyo DisneySea: What to Expect
• 13 Best Tokyo Disneyland Rides for Adults
• 14 Best Tokyo DisneySea Rides

Tokyo

• 26 Cool Things to Do in Tokyo
• 18 Best Things to Do in Shinjuku, Tokyo
• Why Shinjuku is the Best Area to Stay in Tokyo
• Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Tokyo
• TeamLab Planets Review
• Planning a Trip to Japan: Dos and Don’ts

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Lake Molveno has been called the most beautiful lake in Italy, and when we stepped onto our hotel balcony for the first time, we knew why.

The turquoise lake is backed by forested hills with craggy grey peaks beyond. On its shores, a village with Alpine buildings in pink and yellow is separated from the water by a long stretch of lush grass and white beach.

It felt like a screenshot come to life.

Despite its outstanding beauty, this small lake in the Brenta Dolomites isn’t well known to foreigners. We’ve been to Italy many times and only heard about it this year when searching for lakeside hotels.

Lake Molveno turned out to be perfect for what we wanted—a relaxing holiday in a scenic location with opportunities to get active in the water and surrounding mountains.

We visited for a week at the end of August and into early September. As Molveno is located at an altitude of 864 metres (2,835 feet) above sea level, it’s a pleasant retreat from the scorching summer temperatures found further south in Italy.

The weather is unpredictable in the mountains, though. We had a mix of sunny days at 21ºC (70ºF) and cloudy days with afternoon rain showers. Nights are cooler, so be sure to pack layers.

In this Lake Molveno travel guide, I share the best things to do in Molveno, a review of our lakeside hotel, food tips, and how to get there.

At the end, there is a map that includes everything mentioned.

Contents

• How Does Universal Express Pass Work?
• Do You Really Need an Express Pass at Universal Japan?
• How Much Time Does an Express Pass Save?
• Which Rides are Best with a USJ Express Pass?
• Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Price
• How to Buy a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass
• Types of USJ Express Pass
• Best Express Pass Times to Choose
• Is Universal Studios Japan Express Pass Worth It?
• Other Japan Tips
• What to Expect Hiking La Gomera
• Hiking in La Gomera Resources
• Easy Walks in La Gomera
• Other Hiking Areas in La Gomera
• What to Eat in La Gomera
• Where to Stay in La Gomera
• Getting to La Gomera
• La Gomera Map
• Is La Gomera Worth Visiting?
• More Hiking Posts
• Iceland in Winter: What to Expect
• Our Iceland Winter Itinerary at a Glance
• Map of Our Iceland Winter Road Trip
• Our Iceland Winter Road Trip in Detail
• Is Iceland Worth Visiting in Winter?
• More Iceland Posts
• What to Expect When it Snows at Disneyland Paris
• A Tour of Snowy Disneyland Paris
• Final Thoughts
• More Disneyland Paris Posts
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Dates in 2026
• Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris at Christmas
• Christmas Decorations at Disneyland Paris
• Christmas Parade and Entertainment
• Character Meet and Greets
• Christmas Merchandise
• Food and Drink
• Christmas at Disney Adventure World
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Hotels
• What to Wear
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris Compared to Other Disney Parks
• Is Christmas at Disneyland Paris Worth it?
• More Disneyland Paris Posts
• TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto Location
• TeamLab Biovortex Hours
• Best Time to Visit TeamLab Biovortex
• TeamLab Biovortex Price and Tickets
• How Long to Visit TeamLab Biovortex
• What to Wear
• Is there Food or Drink at TeamLab Biovortex?
• What to Expect at TeamLab Biovortex Kyoto
• Is TeamLab Biovortex Worth it?
• More Japan Posts
• TeamLab Borderless Location
• TeamLab Borderless Hours
• Best Time to Visit TeamLab Borderless
• TeamLab Borderless Price and Tickets
• How Long to Visit TeamLab Borderless
• What to Wear
• What to Expect at TeamLab Borderless
• En Tea House
• How to Get to TeamLab Borderless
• Where to Visit Near TeamLab Borderless
• Is TeamLab Borderless Worth It?
• More Tokyo Posts
• When is Tokyo DisneySea Christmas in 2025?
• When is Tokyo DisneySea Christmas in 2026?
• Christmas at Tokyo DisneySea Tips
• Decorations
• Entertainment
• Christmas Merchandise at DisneySea
• Food and Drink
• Is Christmas at DisneySea Worth It?
• More Tokyo Posts
• When Is Tokyo Disney Christmas in 2025?
• When Is Tokyo Disney Christmas in 2026?
• Top Tips for Visiting Tokyo Disneyland at Christmas
• Christmas at Tokyo Disneyland: Decorations
• Parades and Fireworks
• Attractions with Christmas Overlays
• Street Entertainment
• Christmas Merchandise
• Food and Drink
• Christmas at Tokyo Disney Hotels
• Christmassy Monorail
• Is Christmas at Tokyo Disneyland Worth It?
• More Tokyo Posts
• Where is Lake Molveno?
• Best Things to Do in Molveno
• Where We Stayed: Grand Hotel Molveno Review
• Where to Eat in Molveno
• How to Get to Lake Molveno, Italy
• Lake Molveno Map
• Is Lake Molveno Worth Visiting?
• More North Italy Posts

Where is Lake Molveno?

Lake Molveno is situated at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites, a part of the larger Dolomites mountain range in the Italian Alps, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It’s in the Trentino part of the Trentino-Alto Adige (Südtirol) autonomous region in northeast Italy.

The region is bordered by Switzerland and Austria and was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, so it has a very different feel from the more southern areas of Italy.

You’ll see signs in both German and Italian, and the food is influenced by the Germanic heritage, with apple strudel as common as pizza.

Molveno’s nearest international airport is Verona Airport (VRN), 130km (81 miles) away.

It’s about an hour north of the much more famous Lake Garda.

See below for more on how to get to Lake Molveno.

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Best Things to Do in Molveno

Lake Molveno would make a great base for exploring the Brenta Dolomites area, but since we wanted a relaxing trip, we stuck to things to do in Molveno itself.

In addition to the activities that we did, Molveno is popular with mountain bikers and paragliders.

1) Walk Around Lake Molveno

One of the best things to do in Molveno is to take a walk around the lake, which takes approximately three hours and offers fantastic views.

The 11.5km (7-mile) Lake Molveno hike is relatively easy, featuring flat sections, gentle ups and downs, and one significant hill on the western side. We had about 200 metres (656 feet) of elevation gain in total.

It’s well signposted—just follow the red and white signs marked Giro del Lago.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon in August, the trail was fairly busy with walkers, cyclists, and families, but we often had sections to ourselves.

You can start at the lido (beach) in town, but we started from our hotel, Grand Hotel Molveno, which is on the trail on the eastern side of the lake.

We started through the forest, with occasional glimpses of the lake, but it soon opens up, and the views are incredible looking back to town and the rugged mountains beyond.

At the southern tip of the lake, a beach area accessible by road makes it a popular spot for sunbathing and swimming.

Then the trail climbs uphill for great views of the lake from above on the western side, especially by the hydropower waterfall.

Some sections of the western side return to the forest, but there are still plenty of views to enjoy, as well as the Roman Bridge (which isn’t actually Roman).

You’ll end up back in town at the lido, Molveno’s beach area.

There are no facilities along the route, but there are many restaurants in town where you can enjoy lunch after the long walk.

This hike is the perfect introduction to Lake Molveno and an easier alternative to trails up in the mountains.

2) Take the Cable Car to Pradel

Another popular activity in Molveno is taking the cable car (funivia in Italian) up to Pradel, located at 1,367 metres (4,485 feet) above sea level.

In winter, there are a few ski slopes, and in summer, you can access many hiking and mountain bike trails.

Even if you don’t fancy a big trek, it’s worth coming up here for the stunning lake views.

If you have kids, there’s an easy educational trail, play areas, and a farm to visit.

You can also take a two-seater chairlift even higher up to 1530 metres (5020 feet), where there are a few mountain huts for lunch.

The journey up takes just six minutes in the enclosed car. There was no queue at 9am and we had a car to ourselves.

At the top, there’s a mountain hut next to the cable car station where you can grab a coffee, snack, or meal. Note the toilets are for customers only—Simon is always happy to grab an espresso at the bar so I can use the facilities.

If you want to head further into the mountains (as we did), there’s a map of hiking trails at the top of the cable car.

3) Hike to Three Mountain Huts

There are endless possibilities for hikes into the Brenta Dolomites above Molveno, whether you are an Alpine adventurer or casual walker.

If you start your hike from the top of the cable car in Pradel (as we did), you’ll save yourself a 1.5-hour uphill climb and have more time to get deeper into the mountains.

For hiking ideas, you can pick up the Visit Paganella Hiking and Trekking leaflet from town (our hotel gave it to us), although they are mostly shorter walks.

We wanted something a little challenging but not too extreme, and chose this hike on AllTrails to three mountain huts: Croz dell’Altissimo Refuge – Selvata Refuge – Andalo Refuge.

The hike was the highlight of our trip with jaw-dropping scenery amongst the immense Dolomite peaks.

We walked through forest, along narrow rock ledges, and across crystal-clear rivers.

Although it was a long walk, we didn’t find it too hard because of the three breaks we had at the rifugi, mountain huts that offer basic accommodation and meals (and toilets!).

We started at the top of the cable car in Pradel and followed Trail 340 to Rifugio Croz dell’Altissimo. There are plenty of signposts, and it was easy to find our way.

If you are looking for an easier hike (3.7km/2.3 miles one way), this is a great option before returning to the cable car. We had some tasty apple strudel outside the hut with mountain views.

The climb up to Rifugio Selvata at 1,630 metres (5,347 feet) was more challenging, but it only took 40 minutes, with more gorgeous views on the way.

This rifugio is simpler than the others, but it still offers a small lunch menu. It was my favourite due to its peaceful location in a clearing surrounded by mountains. We loved sitting in the deck chairs in the sun with a cold drink.

The next section was mostly downhill through forest for about an hour.

Technically, there are some via ferrata (climbing routes with fixed cables) on this section, but it’s very easy. The wires provide something to hold onto to get past some narrow, rocky sections.

Rifugio Malga Andalo at 1350 metres (4429 feet) was our next stop. There’s a road up there, so it was a lot busier, and it felt jarring to see cars.

The rifugio has another beautiful setting in an Alpine meadow and a more extensive menu than the others. We enjoyed some polenta gnocchi (they made us a vegetarian version with cheese sauce) and spätzle with butter and sage.

The final hour of the hike was the steep descent to Molveno, which was the least enjoyable part as it was tough on our legs. It’s also through the forest, so there are fewer views.

Hiking poles would have been helpful, but if you have knee issues, I would recommend avoiding this section. You could turn back at Rifugio Selvata and take the cable car down.

Or some people in the AllTrails review prefer to hike the loop in reverse, starting with the ascent and taking the cable car down. It would be a very steep climb of over two hours, though.

We still absolutely loved the hike. It was truly spectacular and not too challenging. Try to choose a clear day to make the most of the views.

4) Swim in the Lake

It is possible to swim in Lake Molveno, and I highly recommend it! Swimming in the clean, clear, turquoise water with the mountains soaring above was magical.

The water is pretty chilly, though. Even at the end of August, the water was 18ºC (64ºF), and it’ll be colder earlier in the summer. It was too cold for Simon, but I loved it.

I swam from the private beach at our hotel, the Grand Hotel Molveno, but Molveno village has a long white pebble beach where you can swim in the calm water. Water shoes are helpful on the pebbles, but are not essential.

Behind the beach is a large area of lush grass that’s a lovely spot to hang out. You can rent beach chairs from the boat rental place (see below).

In the lido area, there’s also an outdoor swimming pool, a kids’ playground, mini golf, and water sports rentals.

5) Rent an Electric Boat

Another excellent way to enjoy the lake is to rent an electric boat (motor boats are banned).

At the lake, there’s a rental hut where you can rent boats as well as kayaks, standup paddleboards, beach chairs, and book a round of mini golf.

We rented a Gogo boat because it looked the most comfortable, with six seats in a semi-reclining position.

The boats are easy to operate (no experience necessary), although they aren’t the most responsive. They are slow but quiet, and we found the experience really relaxing, and the views are, of course, stunning.

Two hours is just enough time to get to the other end of the lake and back.

6) Paddleboard on the Lake

I also loved paddleboarding on the lake. I brought my own inflatable SUP and was able to leave it inflated by the lake, as our hotel has a private beach and dock.

You can also rent a paddleboard from the boat place above.

The advantage of having my own board was being able to go out early in the morning and just before sunset, when the wind was calmer and I had the entire lake to myself.

Paddling beneath the mountain peaks, glowing orange and reflected in the water, was an incredible experience.

7) Wander Molveno Village

Molveno village, situated on the shores of the lake, is a picturesque place with pitched-roof Alpine buildings in pastel shades and flower boxes on its balconies.

Closer to the lake are the recreational facilities, as well as restaurants and hotels located on Via Lungolago, just a short distance back from the water.

The traffic-free historic centre is up the hill with a church, plus shops and restaurants.

The cable car is located in the upper part of town.

For one of the best views, go to Ponte sul Rio Massò, a bridge over the river close to the boat rental. The sight of the turquoise waterfalls with the village and jagged peaks behind is postcard-perfect.

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Where We Stayed: Grand Hotel Molveno Review

We stayed a little out of town at the Grand Hotel Molveno, which has been run by the Bettega family since 1906.

This 3-star hotel isn’t fancy, but it does have the perfect location on the banks of Lake Molveno with stunning views of the village and Brenta Dolomites.

The hotel is an easy 20-minute walk from town on the pleasant lakeside path that’s lit at night.

It felt more peaceful on this side of the lake, and the views were better than in town.

Facilities

We loved the extensive grounds that led down the hill to a heated pool by the lake, complete with loungers on the grass (ask for pool towels at reception).

It’s a great place to relax, although I preferred to swim in the lake itself from the tiny private beach or dock.

I was able to leave my paddleboard behind a shed down by the lake.

There’s also a games room with table tennis and kids play area, a bar with a wonderful terrace view, and a restaurant (more on food below).

There’s a tennis court a few minutes’ walk from the hotel in the woods, but it looked a little neglected.

Our Room

We made sure to book a lake-view room (and requested a balcony, as not all rooms have them) to take advantage of the amazing views. Sitting on our balcony was definitely a highlight.

Our room was simple, featuring two twin beds pushed together and a single pillow each (although they provided extras promptly when we requested them).

There’s an empty fridge and a basic small TV, but no kettle or glasses. There was no air conditioning, but opening the door to our balcony provided enough of a breeze (nights are cool anyway).

We had a desk and plenty of storage in the wardrobe.

The bathroom was a bit dated, with a poorly designed shower that allowed water to spill everywhere. At least it was hot and powerful.

Housekeeping did a good job, but they start by 9am. Be sure to put up a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign if you want to lie in.

The view more than made up for the minor annoyances, though.

Food

As the hotel is a bit further out and we wanted a relaxing trip where we didn’t have to think about where to eat each night, we opted for the half-board rate, which included breakfast and dinner.

We found the food to be decent, but not amazing. Partly, this is due to being a vegetarian in Trentino, which isn’t the most vegetarian-friendly region of Italy, and the Germanic influence in the food, which wasn’t always to our taste.

The night before, you choose your primo, secondo, and side (salad or vegetables) from the menu of three options (including one vegetarian choice). You choose your dessert at the end of the meal.

As this is a hiking destination, most people dress casually for dinner, so there’s no need to dress up.

The breakfast buffet was nothing special, but it offered a decent range, and the croissants were good. I recommend dressing warmly so you can sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the magical views.

As there’s no shop or casual eatery onsite (a bar is available for drinks), I recommend stocking up on drinks and snacks to have in your room.

Cost

At around €200 per night for both of us, including breakfast and a three-course dinner, we thought the hotel was good value.

While our room was simple and the food was nothing special, the peaceful location, incredible views, and private lake access more than made up for it.

A more luxurious hotel with this setting would likely cost double the price, so I’m glad it’s affordable. We would definitely return.

Check prices and availability of Grand Hotel Molveno on Booking.

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Where to Eat in Molveno

Although we had half board at our hotel, we did eat out in Molveno village for lunch.

We didn’t find the food remarkable compared to other parts of Italy, but here are a few places we enjoyed:

• Imperia – This casual bar and restaurant is ideal for lunch. There are sandwiches (including a tasty vegetarian one), pasta (the homemade tagliatelle was good), and salads. The highlight is the superb warm apple strudel—don’t miss it!
• L’Aquilone – Tasty gelato close to the lake. The cherry was especially good.
• Pizzico – A casual pizza spot opposite L’Aquilone. It felt a bit chaotic on a Sunday afternoon, but the huge pizza was just what we needed after a hike (you can also order just half).
• Taverna La Botte – Another decent pizza place that also specialises in beer.

Note that if you are looking for a supermarket, it’s best to stock up before you arrive. There are a couple of small ones in the village (including the Margherita Conad), but they close in the afternoons and on Sundays.

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How to Get to Lake Molveno, Italy

By Car

The easiest way to get to Lake Molveno is by car. We rented one at Verona Airport—we used Booking.com to search for the best deal and ended up with Alamo (run by Locauto).

The drive from Verona to Molveno varies in duration. On the way there, on a Saturday afternoon, it was quicker to avoid the toll road and take the route via the top of Lake Garda.

This is a pretty slow road, and it took us 2 hours and 20 minutes. Plus, we stopped at a supermarket for snacks and drinks.

On the way back, we drove the toll road (which cost €6.80) early in the morning, and it took 1 hour and 40 minutes. It was an easier, faster drive, if not quite as scenic as the other route.

By Public Transport

From Verona (or other cities in Italy), you could take the train to Trento or Mezzocorona and then catch a bus to Molveno.

From Verona airport, this would have taken us over three hours with multiple changes.

Getting Around Molveno

We walked everywhere once we were in Molveno. If you want to explore more of the region, having a car would be useful, but there are also buses available.

Parking is limited in Molveno village and must be booked in advance on the Park Molveno website.

Our hotel had plenty of free parking and we left our car there all week.

There’s a free bus in the lake area in summer, but it’s not that frequent, so the times never worked out for us.

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Lake Molveno Map

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Is Lake Molveno Worth Visiting?

Lake Molveno is absolutely worth visiting! Whether you are looking for a relaxing break, hanging out by the lake, or a more active adventure, it’s a fantastic spot.

We seriously could not get over how breathtaking the views are, both from the lake and higher up in the mountains. We loved enjoying it from our balcony, too.

Although it was fairly lively at the end of August, Molveno isn’t as crowded as some of the more famous Instagram spots in the Dolomites, so it never felt too busy.

We would definitely return to Molveno and want to do more hikes in the Brenta Dolomites.

If you have any tips, leave a comment below.

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More North Italy Posts

• Dos and Don’ts of Eating in Italy
• The Best Varenna Restaurants at Lake Como
• Hiking Corniglia to Manarola in Cinque Terre
• 11 Stunning Things to Do in the Italian Riviera
• Hiking Camogli to San Fruttuoso: The Perfect Day on the Italian Riviera
• 16 Unmissable Things to Do in Bologna, Italy

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