Europe's Best Christmas Markets
Freeby Sébastien Couix
20 Spots
Christkindelsmärik, Strasbourg
One of Europe's oldest Christmas markets (since 1570), with the main stalls on Place Broglie and a giant Christmas tree on Place Kléber. Drink vin chaud blanc (white mulled wine) and hunt for bredele biscuits; weekday mornings are far calmer.
Colmar Christmas Markets
Six small markets spread through a fairytale old town of half-timbered houses, with the Place des Dominicains market lit up under St Martin's church. Stay after dark when Petite Venise's canals glow.
Vienna Christmas Market, Rathausplatz
Vienna's biggest market fills the square in front of the neo-Gothic City Hall, with lights draped through the park trees and an ice-skating trail. Punsch comes in collectible mugs you can keep or return for a deposit.
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
Germany's most famous Christmas market on the Hauptmarkt, opened each year by the Christkind from the Frauenkirche balcony. Eat 'drei im Weggla' (three Nuremberg sausages in a roll) and buy real Lebkuchen gingerbread.
Prague Old Town Square Market
A towering Christmas tree framed by the Týn Church spires and the Astronomical Clock. Skip the tourist trdelník and go for grilled Prague ham, klobása sausages and svařák mulled wine.
Budapest Christmas Fair, Vörösmarty tér
Budapest's classic market with craft stalls and a nightly light show on the Gerbeaud building facade. Try kürtőskalács (chimney cake) and lángos, then walk 10 minutes to the St Stephen's Basilica market for its 3D projection show.
Tallinn Town Hall Square Market
A medieval Hanseatic square with a tall Christmas tree, a tradition the city claims dates back to 1441. Sip hõõgvein and try black pudding with lingonberry, and go at dusk (around 3:30PM in December) for the magic.
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market
Stalls under a canopy of fairy lights at the foot of the colossal Cologne Cathedral on Roncalliplatz. Pair it with the Heinzels Wintermärchen market in the Old Town, and try Reibekuchen potato pancakes with apple sauce.
Dresden Striezelmarkt
Germany's oldest documented Christmas market (1434) on the Altmarkt, home to a giant walk-through Erzgebirge Christmas pyramid. Buy the original Dresdner Christstollen and hand-carved wooden nutcrackers.
Christmas at Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen
The historic amusement park turns into a winter wonderland with thousands of lights, Nordic pine trees and Christmas stalls. Warm up with gløgg and æbleskiver (apple doughnut balls), and stay for the lake light show after dark.
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt
Set on Domplatz and Residenzplatz between the baroque cathedral and the fortress, with carol singers most evenings. Salzburg is the birthplace of 'Silent Night', so consider a day trip to Oberndorf's Silent Night Chapel.
Munich Christkindlmarkt, Marienplatz
Munich's main market sprawls around the New Town Hall, whose Glockenspiel plays at 11AM and noon. Duck into the nearby Kripperlmarkt for traditional nativity figures, and try Feuerzangenbowle, rum-flamed mulled wine.
Reiterlesmarkt, Rothenburg ob der Tauber
A tiny, storybook market in one of Germany's best-preserved medieval towns. Try the Schneeball (snowball) pastry, climb the Town Hall tower for the view, and visit the year-round Christmas museum.
Basel Christmas Market, Münsterplatz
Switzerland's largest Christmas market, split between Barfüsserplatz and the cathedral square Münsterplatz. The Münsterplatz side is calmer, with a fairytale forest for kids and Basler Läckerli spice biscuits.
Kraków Main Market Square
The largest medieval square in Europe hosts wooden stalls next to the Cloth Hall and St Mary's Basilica. Eat oscypek (smoked sheep cheese) with cranberry, and look for the famous szopki, glittering nativity cribs.
Advent in Zagreb, Ban Jelačić Square
Voted Europe's best Christmas market several times, with events spilling across the whole city. Start at the main square, then head to Zrinjevac park for its lit plane trees and Strossmayer promenade for fritule and kuhano vino.
Winter Wonders, Brussels
Brussels' market winds from the Bourse to Place Sainte-Catherine, with a Ferris wheel and a sound-and-light show on the Grand-Place. Try mulled Belgian beer, fresh waffles and oysters with white wine at the Sainte-Catherine fish stalls.
Bruges Christmas Market, Markt
A skating rink and wooden stalls in front of the Belfry tower in a perfectly preserved medieval square. Smaller and less hectic than Brussels; walk to Simon Stevinplein for a second, cozier market.
Riga Christmas Market, Dome Square
Riga claims the first decorated Christmas tree in 1510, and the Dome Square market is a cozy celebration of Latvian crafts. Try Riga Black Balsam in hot blackcurrant juice and warm pīrāgi bacon buns.
Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market
A classy market in front of the imperial palace, with a huge tree, high-quality crafts and baroque Christmas concerts. Less rowdy than Rathausplatz and it often stays open past Christmas for a New Year market.