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If all you want for Christmas is festive fun, and to fill your belly with good food, you’ll love our Christmas Markets holidays…
‘Tis the season
The perfect picture of Christmas is crisp white snow, a roaring fire and streets lit with festive lights. So, give yourself an early present and pick a European spot to start the season right. Christmas Markets holidays are a sensory experience – the smell of churros frying, the sound of people singing and the sight of fairy lights and shopping stalls. They are THE place to get into the festive spirit, with some putting on ice rinks, light displays and local concerts, too.
Trying new traditions
Everyone’s got their own take on Christmas. In Norway, Christmas Eve’s spent hiding broomsticks around the house, and the table is full of pork belly and meatballs. Sweden celebrates with giant straw goats and in Finland, you have a Joulusauna, AKA a Christmas sauna. Festive trips abroad are the perfect way to embrace a new Christmas culture.
A win for last-min shopping
There are only so many hours one can handle the Oxford Street Christmas chaos… Forget fighting London’s Karens for the last giant panettone, they haven’t tasted the ones sold at the Milan Christmas markets… Market stalls here are loaded with everything from local food to handmade gifts, beating the high street any day for the most unique and thoughtful present ideas. Plus, you can bet no one else has bought the same thing, and you get an amazing holiday in the process – win-win.
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Popular Christmas market stays
BandB HOTEL Marne La vallee Torcy
London Gatwick - 2 Nights - Room Only
Based on 2 Adults - 1 May 2025
Kazimierz II
London Gatwick - 2 Nights - Room Only
Based on 2 Adults - 31 March 2025
Yarden Aparthotel by Artery Hotels
London Gatwick - 2 Nights - Room Only
Based on 2 Adults - 31 March 2025
70s Guest room
London Gatwick - 2 Nights - Room Only
Based on 2 Adults - 31 March 2025
Aparthotel Globus Krakow
London Gatwick - 2 Nights - Room Only
Based on 2 Adults - 31 March 2025
Armon Residence
London Gatwick - 2 Nights - Room Only
Based on 2 Adults - 31 March 2025
Leone Aparthotel
London Gatwick - 2 Nights - Room Only
Based on 2 Adults - 31 March 2025
Premier Krakow Hotel
London Gatwick - 2 Nights - Room Only
Based on 2 Adults - 31 March 2025
Essential by Dorint Koeln-Junkersdorf
London Heathrow - 2 Nights - Room Only
Based on 2 Adults - 29 March 2025
Why pick a Christmas market break
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
FLEXIBLE FLYING
HANDPICKED HOTELS
Your guide to Christmas markets in Europe
These places are legendary on the Christmas market scene…
- Berlin, Germany – Berlin’s Christmas markets are iconic. The Gendarmenmarkt one is a popular pick, with its big Christmas tree and traditional German crafts and food. Potsdamer Platz market is a close second, with its festive atmosphere and a huge toboggan run.
- Vienna, Austria – Near the historic Rathausplatz, Vienna’s Christmas market is known for its fancy look and feel. The city’s grand architecture is lit up with festive decorations and the streets are full of charming wooden stalls. Don’t miss the towering Christmas tree at Rathausplatz.
- Prague, Czech Republic – The Christmas market in Prague’s Old Town Square has amazing views of the Prague Castle. This historic setting comes alive with twinkling lights, festive music and delicious Czech food.
- Strasbourg, France – The Christmas market in Strasbourg’s Place Kléber is famous for its festive decorations. The city’s historic centre becomes a winter wonderland, with a towering Christmas tree at Place Kléber and lots of traditional Alsatian food stalls.
- Budapest, Hungary – Budapest’s Christmas markets are held throughout the city, including Vörösmarty Square and St. Stephen’s Basilica. They’re known for their yummy Hungarian food, so make sure you try the traditional mulled wine and chimney cakes.
For somewhere a little less obvious, these Christmas Market breaks are just as festive…
- Salzburg, Austria – Salzburg’s Christmas markets are arguably just as beautiful as Vienna but avoid the hype that comes with being a capital city. The one at Residenzplatz is particularly impressive, with stunning views of the Salzburg Cathedral.
- Amsterdam, the Netherlands – The most popular Christmas market in Amsterdam is the Winter Village at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. This market has loads of festive activities, including ice skating, a Christmas carousel and there’s a large Christmas tree. There are also other smaller Christmas markets throughout the city to explore, too.
- Bruges, Belgium – Bruges is already a charming city, thanks to its medieval architecture, so it’s especially magical over the Christmas season. The main market is Grote Markt, where you can find traditional Belgian crafts, food and drinks. You have to sample the Belgian chocolates and waffles here.
- Copenhagen, Denmark – In Copenhagen, the Tivoli Gardens – one of the world’s oldest theme parks – is transformed into a winter wonderland for Christmas. The park’s decorated with thousands of lights and decorations, and there are activities for all ages. There are also several other Christmas markets throughout the city to check out, including the Nyhavn Christmas Market and the Christmas Market at Kongens Nytorv.
If you want to go a bit rogue, these destinations don’t always come to mind when you think of Christmas, so their market scene is seriously underrated…
- Lisbon, Portugal – While not typically associated with Christmas markets, Lisbon’s Time Out Market, which is usually a popular food hall, transforms into a festive market during the holiday season, with Portuguese delicacies, live music and festive decorations.
- Seville, Spain – Known for its hot, sunny summers, Seville might not be the first place you’d think of for a Christmas market, but the city has a traditional Spanish one in the Plaza Nueva.
- Athens, Greece – For a Mediterranean twist on the Christmas market experience, pick Athens. The Christmas market at Syntagma Square has traditional Greek food, live music and unreal views of the Acropolis.
- Valletta, Malta – This Mediterranean island holds a market in the historic city centre, where you can try traditional Maltese crafts, food and drinks.
- Riga, Latvia – This Baltic city offers a unique Christmas market experience, with a focus on traditional Latvian crafts and food. The Christmas market is held in the Old Town Square – don’t miss the chance to try traditional Latvian delicacies like savoury pies, known as piragas, and karstīti, which is breaded chicken.
Here are some top tips for planning your Christmas Market trip on a budget…
- Pick a free market – Loads of cities put on free Christmas markets, or at least have free entry so you can wander around to soak in the atmosphere. Generally, if they’re held outside on the streets or in a square, they should be free. But others that take over a venue space, like Tivoli Gardens, can charge.
- Book your trip early – Some popular markets can sell out really quickly, so try to book your tickets in advance online and you can usually get cheaper ones if you avoid the dates closer to Christmas itself. Even if the market is free, sometimes you can pre-book activities, like ice skating, too.
- Bring your own food and drinks – Many markets allow you to bring your own food and drinks, which can save you money when you’re inside. If you treat yourself to a mug of mulled wine, keep the mug. Sometimes you have to pay a small deposit for it, so you can return it for the cash or just keep it for a cute souvenir – it makes the drink even better value!
- Look for discounts – Some markets may offer discounts or promotions, so keep your eyes peeled and research online.
- Go local – Smaller, local markets are usually more affordable. Go for a lesser-known place or walk around the city to visit some of their other markets that can go under the radar while everyone else is at the main one.
Let’s be honest (apart from the presents) Christmas is all about food, so save some space for these famous treats.
- Bratwurst – A grilled sausage that’s a popular street food in Germany, typically served with sauerkraut or mustard. The sausage is made from either ground pork or beef and flavoured with herbs and spices.
- Roasted chestnuts – A delicious and seasonal snack sold from street vendors. Chestnuts are roasted over an open flame and can be served on their own or with a sprinkle of salt.
- Gingerbread – A traditional Christmas treat that makes for a great gift. These spiced biscuits can be made into gingerbread men or a house, decorated with icing and candy.
- Churros – A deep-fried pastry, dusted with sugar or cinnamon. They’re a popular street food in Spain and Portugal and are often served with a dipping sauce, like chocolate or dulce de leche.
- Raclette – This Swiss dish involves melting cheese and scraping it over bread or potatoes. It’s especially popular in Switzerland and France.
Get merry with a mulled wine and other festive drinks to keep you warm while you wander round the markets.
- Mulled wine – AKA Glühwein – it’s spiced red wine that’s served warm and is an absolute staple at markets across Europe. Places use different spices depending on the region but, usually, there’s cinnamon, cloves, star anise and nutmeg in there and a slice of orange or lemon.
- Hot chocolate – Hot choccy is a popular choice at many Christmas markets and for an extra treat, you can get it with whipped cream and marshmallows.
- Local beers – German Christmas markets are known for their wide variety of local beers, including Kölsch, Altbier and Weizenbier. Belgian markets feature local Belgian beers, such as Trappist beers and Lambics, then Scandinavian ones tend to serve their own local craft beers.
If you’ve never done a Christmas Market trip before, listen up…
- Plan ahead – Make a plan for your visit, including what you want to see and do. This will help you make the most of your time and save you feeling stressed.
- Visit mid-week – Christmas markets can get crowded, especially during the peak season. So, if you prefer a more chilled-out experience, consider visiting during the week or earlier in the season, like November.
- Check the weather – The weather can be unpredictable over Christmas, so play it safe and bring lots of layers, including a hat, scarf and gloves.
- Go with friends or family – Having someone to share the experience with can help you feel more relaxed and enjoy yourself.
- Ask for help – If you’re feeling overwhelmed or lost, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a market staff member or another visitor.
To avoid overpacking or missing out on the essentials, check this handy list for what to bring…
- Warm clothing – Layers are a must. Definitely bring a warm coat, scarf, hat, gloves and maybe even some thermal underwear – you don’t want to have to leave early because you’re too cold.
- Comfy shoes – You’ll likely be doing a lot of walking, so wear comfy and supportive shoes.
- Waterproofs – Markets aren’t usually covered so make sure you have either a raincoat or umbrella in case it rains.
- Reusable water bottle – You don’t want to buy water while you’re out and can avoid queuing for the bar to ask for some if you bring your own bottle.
- Backpack/tote bag – To carry all the souvenirs and pressies you’ll probably buy.
- Camera or smartphone – To capture the moment.
- Portable charger – To stay charged up throughout the day.
- Hand warmers – Anyone with cold hands will find these are an absolute lifesaver.
- Cash – Many markets do accept cards but it’s always a risk to show up with no cash. A lot of stalls don’t have machines or might prefer cash for smaller purchases.
Depending on your budget and the vibe you’re after, find out when the best time to visit a Christmas market is.
- November – To avoid the crowds, visit during November and there are potential early-bird specials to take advantage of. But, as it’s before the start of the season, the market may not be fully open or at its peak, so you might have a limited selection of food, drinks and activities.
- December – For the full experience, December is at the peak of the festive season, with the widest selection of food, drinks and activities, and special events. But this also means large crowds and higher prices. The crowds are especially big on weekends, and you may have to wait in long lines for the bar and food stalls.
- January – The New Year has a much quieter atmosphere and there are also potential discounts, making it a great option for a cheaper trip – if you’re not fussed that Christmas is now technically over. A lot of markets may be closing or winding down at this time, so options are a bit more limited.
If you’re a seasoned Christmas-markets-goer, here’s how you could change things up…
- Explore lesser-known markets – While popular markets guarantee a festive atmosphere, think about visiting smaller, lesser-known markets for a more authentic feel. These markets are usually cheaper, too.
- Pick local specialities – Don’t be afraid to tuck into something other than classic mulled wine and gingerbread. If you’re going to a different destination, make sure you try their own national delicacies.
- Try unique experiences – Look for unique experiences other than just shopping and food stalls. Some markets put on live music, ice skating and festive parades.
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Christmas market FAQs
Many Christmas markets around the world tend to start in mid-November and carry on until at least Christmas day, but depending on where you head, some will stay open with mulled wine pouring until the new year. For the best market experience, plan a trip in early December when the action is in full flow.
We’ve rounded up our pick of the best spots and the best markets for you – head to our Inspire homepage and find the relevant destination blog to swat up on your festive destination knowledge.
Some of the most popular Christmas Markets holidays in Europe are Vienna in Austria, Berlin in Germany, Strasbourg and, of course, Paris in France, Budapest in Hungary and Prague in the Czech Republic. But popular doesn’t always mean the best! Some smaller markets are great to avoid the crowds – Krakow in Poland is a great shout. It’s completely up to you, but you can’t go wrong with a European capital city.
Yes, there are several Christmas markets that are ideal for families with children. Vienna has horse-drawn carriage rides and a petting zoo, while Cologne has a specific children’s area with games, and Strasbourg has a carousel and train ride for little ones.
That depends on where you go! But you can typically count on lots of smoked meat, cheeses and even traditional pies and pastries. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, chocolate, gingerbread and roasted nuts are practically a given, too. Don’t forget the drinks – think mulled wine, regional beers and hot chocolate. Extra marshmallows optional
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