I spent a weekend in Solvang, California, one of the best Christmas towns in the US, and it transported me to Europe

Solvang
Solvang feels like one big European Christmas market. Disco Flye Dai/Getty Images
  • I went to Solvang, a small California town known as the "Danish Capital of America."
  • With traditional architecture and replicas of monuments in Denmark, I felt transported to Europe.
  • Solvang is full of holiday spirit and feels like one big European Christmas market.
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Known as the "Danish Capital of America," Solvang's cuisine and architecture have turned it into a popular tourist destination.

And while the temperature in December rarely dips below 70 degrees in central California, Solvang has continued to earn spots on lists like "The Most Magical Christmas Towns in the US."

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With Christmas just around the corner, I decided to plan a weekend in Solvang — and was transported to Europe.

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Solvang is a small California town nicknamed "Little Denmark."

Solvang welcome sign
Solvang is located in central California. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Founded in 1911 by three Danish immigrants, Solvang was christened with the Danish word for "sunny field" (very appropriate for the Golden State) and attracted Danish settlers from the US and abroad, according to Elverhøj, the town's history museum.

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One of the first things I spotted while walking around Solvang was one of its famous windmills.

Solvang windmill
Solvang pays tribute to Denmark's windmills. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Denmark has long been a leading force in wind power and renewable energy, and at one point there were thousands of windmills scattered across the country.

Solvang pays tribute to that history with its own windmills. You'll find four within four blocks of each other, and they make for popular photo opportunities for tourists.

There are gift shops under some of them, while another makes a picturesque backdrop for the town's brewery.

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When the sun went down, their lights began to sparkle.

Solvang windmill
The windmills are lit up at night. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Solvang is all about "hygge," which is not so much a Danish word as it is a national mood. Hygge is about embracing coziness and warmth, like a cup of hot chocolate with your family or cuddling on the couch while watching "The Holiday."

Walking around Solvang at night and seeing its windmills light up the little town, I couldn't help but think of that word and feel its spirit — even in my sundress and flip-flops.

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But there's more than windmills. The entire town embraces Danish architecture.

Solvang Trip: The Town
Solvang looks like it's from a different era. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The charming inns and small boutique hotels are named after the likes of Hamlet and King Frederik or Danish towns like Copenhagen.

Everything from the restaurants and shops to the public restrooms and bus stops has Denmark's distinct bindingsvaerk architecture, making you feel like you're in a different era — or at least outside of the US.

You likely won't see a chain restaurant, though I did spot a Subway and Domino's with very subtle signage.

My parents, who came along on my trip after Thanksgiving, said the town reminded them of Disneyland.

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One of the best parts about Solvang was the chance to sample traditional Danish cuisine.

Solvang Bit O' Denmark food
Our dinner at Bit O' Denmark. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I have yet to visit Denmark, so I loved spending the weekend trying the Danish food in Solvang.

After reading several travel blogs, I decided to have lunch at Solvang Restaurant, where my family tried the ham and Tilsit cheese sandwich, Danish-style meatballs, and a sausage platter.

For dinner, we went to Bit O'Denmark, which also came highly reviewed, and ate the Flaeskesteg (roast pork stuffed with prunes) and Frikadeller (pan-fried Danish pork meatballs) — two words I'd never heard of before this trip — along with the Wienerschnitzel.

Our plates often came packed with red cabbage and potatoes and were always loaded with gravy. The food at Bit O'Denmark was especially delicious, with each dish packed with tons of flavor. The mashed potatoes were stellar, and the gravy was so good I want it at every Thanksgiving dinner.

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The pastries were the best things I tasted in Solvang.

Solvang Olsen's Bakery
Inside Olsen's Danish Village Bakery. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Five authentic Danish bakeries are within five blocks of each other, making it extremely easy (and tempting) to indulge in the many incredible pastries on offer.

My family and I tried Olsen's Danish Village Bakery, one of the most famous bakeries in town, and were wowed by every pastry we ordered.

Solvang Olsen's Bakery
My pastries from Olsen's Bakery. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The Kringle Slice was so perfectly flaky that it instantly melted on my tongue. The Apple Danish was lush and fresh, while the Princess Mocha had a crunchy and sweet stroopwafel base with a deliciously light mocha cream stuffed inside.

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Other Danish specialties in Solvang include aebleskiver, ring cake, butter cookies, and loaves of cardamom bread.

Dessert at Solvang Restaurant
Aebleskivers from Solvang Restaurant. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Aebleskivers are small, fluffy Danish desserts often topped with raspberry jam and powdered sugar. They're a lot like doughnut holes but better.

Solvang Restaurant is well-known for its version of aebleskivers, and there's almost always a line of people waiting to grab some from its to-go window. Believe me, the wait is worth it.

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There's even a bakery with gingerbread houses so famous the Kardashians have been repeat customers.

Solvang Bakery
Solvang Bakery is famous for its gingerbread houses. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

According to the bakery's website, members of the Kardashian clan are regulars, and Kylie, Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, and Kris have all posted their gingerbread houses on social media.

Solvang Bakery sells customized gingerbread houses, along with those you can decorate yourself.

You can also buy individual gingerbread men (I tried one, and it was delicious), traditional Danishes in a variety of flavors, and ring cake.

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What surprised me most about Solvang were all the shops. The entire town feels like one big European Christmas market.

Solvang shops
One of the many adorable shops in Solvang. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The only thing there might be more of in Solvang than pastries are the hundreds of stockings, ornaments, and Nutcrackers you can find for sale throughout the year.

It seemed like every other window I walked by had a display of smiling Santas, delicately hand-carved Nativity scenes, and plenty of Christmas trees.

And, without fail, every shop blasted either the "Frozen" soundtrack or Christmas carols.

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But the crown jewel is Jule Hus, where you can buy Christmas decorations any day of the year.

Solvang Trip: Jule Hus Christmas Store
Jule Hus has more than a dozen Christmas trees. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Walking into Jule Hus — which has been open for more than 50 years and celebrates Christmas every day — felt magical with over a dozen Christmas trees, plus sparkling lights and tinsel galore. The store was full of people happily debating which ornaments to buy for themselves or their loved ones.

"We're always in the spirit here," I heard one of the store's employees tell a customer.

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Solvang loves Christmas so much that it hosts a month of Danish-themed holiday events.

Solvang shops
Julefest is a monthlong celebration of Christmas in Solvang. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Santa's Village is held in the town's main park every Saturday in December, and there are holiday food tours every weekend.

When I walked around Solvang, there were already Christmas trees sprinkled throughout the town, and every night, the town sparkled with fairy lights strung through the trees and across storefronts.

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Throughout December, the town hides an adorable little nisse (the Danish word for gnome) and encourages tourists and locals to try to find him.

Solvang elf
Trying to find this little gnome is part of the Julefest experience. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

The "Nisse Adventure" is part of Julefest and is another feature of Solvang that gives the town some of that European Christmas magic (and lets you win special prizes).

I couldn't help but yelp with excitement when I spotted the nisse relaxing on this tree in the backyard of the Elverhøj museum.

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I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of holiday magic all year because Solvang fully embraces its fairy-tale spirit.

Solvang Hans Christian Andersen Park
The entrance to Hans Christian Andersen Park. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I loved how much Solvang is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen. Just look at this entrance to the park bearing his name.

There are also references to his fairy tales throughout town, from the Little Mermaid statue to beautiful murals of "The Princess and the Pea" and "Thumbelina" on the walls of Solvang Restaurant.

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After a long day of sightseeing, it was time to relax at my hotel — which was just as charming as the town.

Solvang Mirabelle Inn
The entrance of Mirabelle Inn. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I spent a night at Mirabelle Inn, which was mentioned in numerous travel blogs I read about Solvang.

The boutique hotel — which has only 12 guest rooms — felt like an intimate bed and breakfast.

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Filled with beautiful wallpaper and unique touches, my room was delightfully charming.

Solvang Trip: Mirabelle Inn bedroom
My room at Mirabelle Inn. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

According to the hotel's website, each room is decorated with a distinctive decor and ambiance.

Mine had lovely blue-and-white printed wallpaper that made the room feel light despite being on the first floor, as well as an antique dresser and mirror.

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Soon, it was time to say goodbye to "Little Denmark," but not before having a very big Danish pancake.

Solvang Trip: Paula's Pancakes
Paula's Pancake House lived up to the hype. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Paula's Pancake House seemed to be the most popular restaurant in Solvang, as there was always a huge crowd waiting to try the restaurant's famous Danish pancakes.

As an enormous pancake was set before me in the old-school diner-style restaurant, I could see it wasn't all hype.

My pancakes — topped with fresh strawberries and even fresher whipped cream — were thin and crispy, yet still somehow fluffy and flaky. Each bite immediately transported me back to a breakfast I'd had over 10 years ago in Amsterdam.

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After a weekend full of delicious food, good shopping, Christmas spirit, and plenty of photo opportunities, my magical time at Solvang came to an end.

Solvang food
Solvang is a lovely town that offers a charming taste of Europe. Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

So much about Solvang reminded me of trips to Europe, and I have no doubt it's one of the most Christmas-loving places you'll find in the US.

The affordable shops and free holiday activities are perfect for families, while the delicious food and 15 different wine-tasting rooms could definitely keep you occupied on a weekend away with friends.

Plus, who doesn't love a bit of Christmas magic?

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