Europe Christmas Markets: 5 Festive Trips Worth Booking This Year
Is it even Christmas if you’re not eyeing up the mulled wine at a European market?
Christmas is such a wonderful time of year and one of the most exciting parts about the build up to Christmas is deciding which of the wonderful Christmas markets to go to in Europe.
There is so much choice when it comes to this that it can be difficult to narrow down options on where to spend the festive season.
Below you will find 5 of the best Christmas markets in Europe, what makes them so special and the best places to stay for a few days!
No matter which of these Christmas markets you decide to go to, they are all excellent options and filled with plenty of festive fun.
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5 Of The Best Places In Europe For Christmas Markets
If you’re wondering where to get your festive fix this year, here are five Europe Christmas markets I’d happily visit again (and again).
1) Cologne, Germany
If you’ve been to a few Christmas markets before then it will come as no surprise that Germany appears on this list twice.
It is a well-known fact that Cologne is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. One of the reasons for this is that there are multiple markets around Cologne so you will have the benefit of exploring not just one Christmas market, but seven markets in Cologne.
Each different market has a range of themes and additional special features to make your Christmas shopping experience extra-special and festive!
They all have different starting and ending dates, but it is one of the Christmas markets in Europe that open early, so the fun can start sooner than expected!
This makes visiting Cologne a great way to avoid paying the heightened prices of visiting Europe over Christmas. You can see the schedule here.
When you’re wandering around the markets, you can expect plenty of sweet festive treats, mulled wine, hot chocolate and lots of different stalls filled with souvenirs, Christmas decorations and mementos from your trip.
So that you can make the most of the Christmas markets, you will want to try and spend between 2-4 days in Cologne.
Below we’ve shared some of the best hotels for you to stay in near the Christmas markets in Cologne so that you can be as close as possible to the festive atmosphere.
Hotels We Recommend In Cologne
2) Bruges, Belgium
Even though it is quite small, the Christmas markets in Bruges are one of our favourite markets to visit in Europe.
Part of the appeal is that it is so small, making it even more cosy and traditional.
You will get to wander around the cute little stalls, purchasing different souvenirs and festive ornaments to make your home even more Christmassy.
Of course, visiting Belgium, you can’t forget about one of the best parts… Belgian chocolate!
Throughout Bruges, you will find plenty of small chocolate shops to marvel at and buy some presents for your loved ones or maybe even a little treat for yourself.
If you really want to try more chocolate throughout Bruges and find the best places to purchase your chocolate gifts, then there is also a chocolate food tour that runs during the festive season too.
Once you’ve done that, head on a horse carriage ride around the small city and get to see Bruges from a different perspective. This is perfect for anyone that has limited time in Bruges and wants to make the most of their time away.
When night falls, follow the Winter Glow light installation to admire Bruges all lit up and explore some of the stunning artwork along the way.
This is easily one of the most popular things to do in Bruges during the Christmas period and something you should not miss!
Don’t miss ice skating on Minnewater Lake and admiring the beautiful views as you glide around the ice.
This is a perfect activity for any couples travelling to Bruges because Lake Minnewater also has a romantic history behind it and is supposed to give couples good luck.
If you’re planning to visit the Christmas markets in Bruges, we recommend spending around 2-3 days at least to make the most of your time there. Below you will find some great hotels to make the most of your stay no matter how long you’re staying in Bruges.
Hotels We Recommend In Bruges
3) Krakow, Poland
Krakow is a great place to visit for a city break at the best of times but even more so during the Christmas period when the markets are open and the city is festive and lit up.
The Christmas markets are held in the main square in Krakow Old Town and it is massive! Like many Christmas markets, you will find lots of market stalls lining the street with a large selection of gifts and souvenirs on offer.
One of the best parts about the Christmas markets in Krakow is the food! If you’re a meat lover then you will be in your absolute element during the Christmas markets in Krakow. All the meat is grilled to perfection especially the sausages so this is something you definitely can’t miss out on.
It may come as no surprise but the alcoholic drinks in the Krakow Christmas markets are out of this world too. If you’re feeling up to it, make sure that you try some different Polish Vodka and liqueurs.
Very similar to a lot of other Christmas markets, you should try some ice skating on the Krakow skating rink.
There are a few different places that you can go ice skating in Krakow but there is also a skating rink that is open all year round which is definitely worth walking to if you’re looking for a proper skating rink instead of a pop-up ice skating rink too.
If you’ve never been to Krakow before and are planning to visit the Christmas markets, we recommend spending at least 5 days in the city.
This is so that you can explore not just the Christmas markets but all of the other sights that Krakow has to offer.
However, if you’ve been to Krakow before and already visited Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine, and are solely visiting for the markets then you will want to spend around 2 days to visit Krakow.
If you haven’t visited these yet…do.
Hotels We Recommend In Krakow
4) Edinburgh, Scotland
When it comes to the festive season, Edinburgh is definitely one of the best places to be. If you have the time, it is worth trying to visit the Christmas markets after Christmas and tie this in with the Hogmanay season so that you can celebrate New Years the Scottish way as well as experience the Christmas markets too.
Edinburgh Christmas markets are quite large and span over a few different areas in the city. The main area for the Christmas markets is at Princes Gardens which is just down the road from the train station.
This is especially ideal if you’re coming from elsewhere within the UK, it can be quite easy to go to Edinburgh for the day.
With the Christmas markets in Edinburgh, generally speaking you will find a large funfair that is perfect for any families that want to visit the markets in Europe.
One of the main highlights is the huge Ferris wheel that takes you high up where you can overlook the city.
There are plenty of different stalls around the Christmas markets for food, drinks and Christmas ornaments. The one thing we always like to see are the small handmade tealight holders.
As you can expect with Scotland, there are plenty of different stalls to try different Scottish / British food and lots of alcohol choices to try!
Nothing quite beats a pint at the Edinburgh Christmas markets while taking in the atmosphere and watching everyone enjoy the festive spirit.
For families, you will find that there’s a Santa writing stall, a chance to meet Santa himself and an ice rink near St. Andrew’s Square. Every year, the markets get better and better and the Christmas markets in Edinburgh are set to be the best yet!
There are a lot of cheap & free things to do in Edinburgh even outside of the Christmas season so if you’ve never been before you would want to spend a minimum of 5 days exploring around the city.
However, if you’re just visiting Edinburgh for the Christmas markets then between 2-3 days will be the optimum amount of time to spend especially if you’re visiting for Hogmanay as well. Thankfully, it’s super easy to visit Scotland on a budget so you can have a great time for a good amount.
Hotels We Recommend In Edinburgh
5) Berlin, Germany
As we mentioned at the start of this blog post, no European Christmas market list would be complete without a few additions from Germany.
Berlin is another incredible Christmas market within Germany that you should definitely add onto your list. One of the best reasons for visiting Berlin Christmas markets is that it is like walking around a wonderland with the amount of lights, it’s like you stepped out of a fairytale!
Not to mention that there are multiple Christmas markets scattered around Berlin so you will have plenty of options to choose from.
As there are so many markets, it is best to do a lot of research in advance and plan which ones you would like to visit. If you plan your time just right, you will be able to visit quite a few different markets over the course of your stay.
Unlike other Christmas markets, there is a small fee to enter the Berlin Christmas markets but it is definitely worth the cost.
You will find that there is entertainment throughout the day and night as well as stalls, performers and so much more.
If you’re planning to visit the Berlin Christmas markets then you definitely need to try and pair this with a tasty German beer.
If you’ve ever been to Oktoberfest then you will know that this is something you should be taking advantage of.
Depending on how many Christmas markets you want to visit in Berlin, you will want to consider spending 4-5 days so that you can see as many different markets as possible.
Hotels We Recommend In Berlin
Europe’s Christmas Markets: FAQ’s
Which European country has the best Christmas markets?
Germany is the classic. Cologne, Munich, Nuremberg—take your pick. They’ve been doing Christmas markets for centuries, so they really know how to do it right (plus the mulled wine is extra strong).
What is the most Christmassy city in Europe?
Bruges looks like a snow globe once the lights go on. The market in the main square, ice skating, and cosy chocolate shops all add up to pure festive magic.
There are so many cities in Europe that offer a great Christmas atmosphere, with some others being Paris, Prague, York, and London.
Are the European Christmas markets worth it?
Definitely. Cities like Edinburgh, Krakow, and Cologne turn the season into a full celebration. Even if you only stop for mulled wine and street food, the atmosphere alone makes the trip worth it.
Which European Christmas Market Will You Choose?
These are just 5 of the best Europe Christmas Markets there are…but there are a ton more that are worth the trip.
You can see a full list in the Best European Countries to Visit in Winter post!
No matter which of these Christmas markets you choose from, you will have a phenomenal time and get to enjoy the magic of Christmas in a unique setting! This is a great way to start the Winter season off!
Whether you want to visit the Christmas markets for tasty food, sweet treats or just to explore a new destination during the festive period, you absolutely cannot go wrong with one of these amazing European Christmas markets.
