The most radiant time of the year has finally arrived! Wishes began to be made with the belief that the new would heal. While the cold face of winter is sweeping the streets, the spirit of Christmas, the colours and the smell of chestnuts are all around.
When we start to feel the Christmas spirit, this period is also the time to go to Europe. The sparkling Christmas markets in many European cities are an invitation to this trip.
We have selected the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, where you can experience a special atmosphere and observe different cultures on the spot.
Let’s start our journey to the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe!
Budapest, Hungary: The Favorite of Christmas Markets
We wanted to start with Advent Basilica, named Europe’s Best Christmas Market in 2023 and 2024 by European Best Destinations. Advent Basilica is one of the most popular Christmas markets in Budapest. It is located opposite St. Stephen’s Basilica and attracts thousands of visitors annually. Traditional Hungarian food and spectacular light shows await you from November 2, 2024, to January 1, 2025. The giant Christmas tree in front of the Basilica is also very Instagrammable. The ice skating rink is the most fun stop in this atmosphere. If you want to go to a lovely Christmas market, you can give it a chance as Budapest was voted the best this year.
Brussels, Belgium: The Christmas Dream in the Heart of Europe
Brussels, the de facto capital of European unity, is home to a giant Christmas market called Plaisirs d’Hiver. It’s not only full of souvenirs, delicious food, and entertainment, such as a giant Ferris wheel and light shows. The Grand Place Square takes on an enchanting atmosphere at the end of November with its huge Christmas tree and light shows. If you come here between November 22, 2024, and January 7, 2025, you can make a cultural trip and experience this fantastic atmosphere.
Krakow, Poland: Christmas Joy in the Charming Square
Krakow, Poland’s historical and cultural capital, welcomes thousands of visitors every year with its Christmas market in Rynek Glowny Square. From November 24, 2024 to January 7, 2025, you can taste traditional Polish delicacies, buy handmade ornaments and souvenirs at this Christmas market. Set amidst majestic buildings, this market offers visitors an unforgettable experience with its charming atmosphere and many details about the local culture. If you want to try local Polish delicacies and get into the Christmas spirit, try Krakow this winter.
Berlin, Germany: A Fair in the Streets
Germany was the first country to establish Christmas markets. Known as “weihnachtsmarkt” in German, these markets date back to the Middle Ages.
Gendarmenmarkt, one of Berlin’s markets, is a must-see. It is one of the best markets in the city, with handcrafted souvenirs, wooden toys, and different food and drink alternatives. Gendarmenmarkt can be visited until New Year’s Eve.
The Christmas market at Alexanderplatz has the atmosphere of a fair. You can ice skate all night long in this amusement park-like place and wander around the glittering market accompanied by the scent of gingerbread cookies. There are also places where you can dance the night away. You can visit this market from November 25 to December 26, 2024.
If you want to see many Christmas markets and experience something completely different at each one, Berlin is for you!
Prague, Czech Republic: Fascinating Architecture and Sparkling Marketplaces
Prague is a fascinating city, and at Christmas time, it has an entirely different atmosphere. It is impossible not to be mesmerized by the Charles Bridge at this time of the year. Christmas markets are set up in many parts of the medieval city. Handicrafts, giant Christmas trees and local delicacies at the Christmas markets, called “vánoční try” in Czech, are enough to create a colourful festive atmosphere. From November 30, 2024, to January 6, 2025, you can visit all Christmas markets for free.
When travelling in another country, there are some moments when you stop being a tourist and get closer to the local culture. Listen to Czech songs, try local products at the Christmas markets in Prague, mingle with the locals and travel like a local!
Prague is a great place to visit if you plan a pleasant trip during the most sparkling time of the year.
Tallinn, Estonia: The Fairytale Land of Christmas
Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, was named the best Christmas market in Europe by European Best Destinations in 2019. The lights shine, local delicacies are prepared, and everyone comes together to have fun at the most sparkling time of the year. No wonder this choice was made, as the front of the town hall is a fairytale land at this time of the year. You can visit all the Christmas markets from December 1, 2023, to January 7, 2024.
You will find products to warm up the winter months here. Since it is an icy country, they are very good at this. Wool sweaters, goat wool mittens, and felt booties will save your life and be a lovely gift alternative for your friends and family. Take advantage of the delicious food in this fairytale environment.
Copenhagen, Denmark: Christmas Time Disneyland
Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is among the cities that increase their sparkle at Christmas time. “Julemarked” means Christmas market in Danish. The most famous and beautiful landmark is set up in Tivoli Gardens.
This magical setting has traditional wooden huts and brightly coloured shops full of sweets and decorations. Inspired by Disneyland, having fun and being enchanted by Tivoli is inevitable. It’s a place where you’ll feel festive like a child! You can experience it at its best under the colourful lights when it gets dark. You can visit the Christmas market in Tivoli between November 17 and December 31, 2024. You can see the page if you want to buy an entrance ticket for Tivoli.
Christmas markets are also places to get acquainted with the country’s culture. The best place to taste Nordic culture and delicious food is the Christmas markets in Copenhagen.
If you say, “I want to walk among the Christmas trees sparkling!” Copenhagen is for you!
Zagreb, Croatia: A favourite of Christmas Markets
Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, was voted the most beautiful Christmas market in 2016, 2017 and 2018. They attach great importance to their Christmas markets, called “Advent”. So much so that they even have a separate website. On the Zagreb Advent website, you can get information about the Christmas markets, Christmas traditions, local food, and detailed information about the city. Zagreb Christmas Market is open from November 30, 2024, to January 7, 2025.
People ice skating, children singing Christmas carols, local food, wooden toys, cozy coffees and drinks. Moreover, this year, unlike other countries, they bring augmented reality to the streets and promise a completely different atmosphere.
If you want to observe the Christmas spirit, consider Zagreb.
Vienna, Austria: Diverse Christmas Market
There are many Christmas markets in Vienna. If you ask, “Which is the most famous Christmas market in Vienna?” we would say the one in the square called Rathausplatz, where the Vienna city hall is located. Known as the “Christkindlmarkt,” this market is one of the most crowded places where Christmas enthusiasm is experienced.
As we said, there are many options here. If you go to the Medieval Advent Market, you can participate in medieval entertainment with music, juggling and fire shows (November 30 – December 1, 2024). If you want to taste delicious Austrian food under a giant illuminated Ferris wheel, head to Riesenradplatz (November 16, 2024 – January 6, 2025). If you want to go to the biggest Christmas market in Austria this year, you can mingle with the crowds in the narrow streets of Spittelberg (November 16 – December 23, 2024).
In short, if you want to visit various Christmas markets, Vienna Christmas markets are for you!
Basel, Switzerland: One of the Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Basel, one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland, was named Europe’s best Christmas market by European Best Destinations in 2021. The city’s Christmas markets are set up at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz squares (November 28 – December 23, 2024). There are many delicious things to eat, but don’t forget to try the Basel läckerli (a type of gingerbread), a local delicacy. Wooden toys, sparkling squares and fun activities await you at Basel’s Christmas markets.
Barcelona, Spain: Hundreds of Years Old Christmas Market
Barcelona, the beautiful city of Spain, is also home to four different Christmas markets. The oldest of these, La Fira de Santa Llucia, has invited visitors to its sparkle every year since the 18th century (November 24 – December 23, 2024). Set up in front of Barcelona Cathedral, you can find various food and gift options.
The Fira de Nadal de la Sagrada Família Christmas market is slightly smaller than La Fira de Santa Llucia (November 24 – December 23, 2024). Here, you can find traditional delicacies such as baked sweet potatoes and churros.
Bruges, Belgium: The Spirit of Bruges at Christmas Time
Brugge lovers gather around. Bruges city centre turns into a giant Christmas market at Christmas time. The Christmas markets at Markt and Simon Stevinplein are equipped with homemade hot chocolate and various Belgian cheeses (November 22, 2024 – January 7, 2025). Of course, you can also have fun on the ice rink.
Strasbourg, France: Journey to the Christmas Capital of France
Known as the Christmas capital of France, Strasbourg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has about 300 different Christmas stalls. If you want to visit a Christmas market in France, we strongly recommend choosing Strasbourg. Place Kléber Christmas Market is the primary Christmas market of the city. You can go to Kleben Square to visit this beautiful market (November 27 – December 27, 2024).
