‘Tis The Season: The Best European Christmas Markets

Twinkling lights, giant Christmas trees and stalls selling handmade gifts and mulled wine… What’s not to love about a festive market? Well, some of the finest are just a short plane or train ride away. Whether you prefer your winter wonderland with a side of history, wellness or romance, we’ve unwrapped the top European markets to explore this Christmas…

There’s a good reason why the enchanting seasonal festivities of Strasbourg have earned the title: Capital of Christmas’. The northern French city, with its charming half-timbered houses, is illuminated with thousands of lights, while over 300 wooden chalets, selling traditional crafts and ornaments line the canals and cobblestone streets. There’s also a chance to sample traditional Christmas food with local delicacies such as pretzels, knack sausages, and cinnamon bredle biscuits on offer. Much of the market is centered around the Gothic Strasbourg Cathedral and the impressive 30-ft Christmas Tree in Place Kléberm, believed to be the highest decorated tree in Europe. The origins of the Christkindelsmärik date back to 1570, making it France’s earliest Christmas market and one of the oldest on the continent.

For something more modern, head to the famous La Petite France district for OFF Market to rummage around vintage thrift stalls, attend workshops and enjoy a craft beer from one of the many breweries. Whilst in Strasbourg, a visit to the stunning Palais Rohan is a must. The former episcopal palace is now home to the Archaeological museum, Decorative Arts museum, and the Fine Arts museum.

The Czech capital’s multitude of pretty winter markets makes it one of the world’s most popular destinations for festive visits. The Old Town Square is home to the largest and most iconic of all the markets. The breathtaking Christmas tree towers over streets crammed festive activities including theatre and music stages and stalls selling embroidery, ceramics and glassworks. Foods such as Trdelník and gingerbread will get your tastebuds tingling and you can wash it all down with hot cider or hot honey wine. Stay in the square a little longer to appreciate the medieval astronomical clock (the oldest operating one in the world) and the Gothic Tyn Church.

The second major Christmas market is a short walk away on Wenceslas Square, where another impressive tree, ice rink, and a lively atmosphere awaits. The markets around Prague Castle, Peace Square and Republic Square are also worth a visit. Take a romantic stroll across the iconic Charles Bridge, lined with statues of saints for breathtaking views of the castle and river.

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Wrap up warm and head to Spikersuppa, located in the centre of Oslo for the Jul i Vinterland Christmas market. Thousands of sparkling lights hang off landmarks, and there are beautifully decorated wooden booths selling ornaments, candles, clothes and more. Expect traditional dishes like smoked salmon and caramel apples as well as more contemporary options such as burgers, currywurst and Mexican street food. Ready for some fun? The Vinterland has a surprising amount of ways to feel unsteady on your feet. Choose from the giant, free-to-use, tree-lined ice rink at the centre of the market, the illuminated ferris wheel or the towering helter skelter.

Away from the festivities, explore Oslofjord on boat for views of the city, mountains and islands before warming up at one of the city’s urban saunas, which line the fjordside along the harbour promenade. Leave time to soak up Oslo’s rich culture at MUNCH, a 13-floor museum of contemporary art, featuring the world’s largest collection of paintings by their most famous artist Edvard Munch.

Whether you’re in Berlin, Frankfurt, Dresden or Cologne, you’re never too far away from an impressive Christmas market in Germany. One of the country’s finest is the Christkindlesmarkt in the historic city of Nuremberg. The Market Square in the Old Town is neatly lined with rows of festive stalls selling traditional trinkets and gifts. And if you’re hungry, feast on bratwurst, gingerbread and Spekulatius almond cookies, all washed down with a warming glühwein. Walk north out of the main square to the Sister Cities Market at Rathausplatz and shop for international goods and foods from Nuremberg’s partner cities including Nice, Venice, Atlanta and Glasgow.

The Winter Village and Grant Wheel at Jakobsmarkt, nestled between the historic churches of St. Jakob and St. Elisabeth, is also worth exploring. Take a ride on the wheel to get a bird’s eye view of the city’s illuminations and traditional rooftops.

Much of the festivities in the Danish capital centre around the historic Tivoli Gardens, home to one of the world’s oldest amusement parks (which opened in 1843) and is famously the inspiration for Disneyland. The site is transformed into a magical Christmas market with over 1,000 Christmas trees, around 100,000 lights, real-life reindeer, and the majestic Nimb Hotel as the illuminated backdrop. Adorable market stores selling knitted goods, handmade chocolates, gifts, Danish hotdogs and Æbleskiver pancake puffs with a side of hot jam are tucked around the ice rink and there are stages showing holiday-themed plays and ballets. Other festive markets worth visiting include the food-focused Kongens Nytorv in the city’s central square, the Hans Christian Andersen Market in Nytorv Square and the Nyhavn at the picturesque harbour, worth a canal-side stroll any time of year.

If you have time to spare, visit the beautiful Royal Palace, the iconic mermaid statue, and the trendy Refshaleøen area. This was once one of the world’s largest shipyards but is now filled with cool bars and restaurants.

For a breathtaking winter wonderland that’s kind on the wallet, head to Lithuania’s Vilnius, which is crowned ’European Christmas Capital 2025’. The market here is held on two separate sites, a 10-minute walk apart, in the cobbled streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town. The market is famed for the two spectacularly decorated trees which showcase bold and creative designs each year, with the bigger of the two lighting up the main market in Cathedral Square. Shop for handmade jewellery, tableware and decorations and feast on pretzels, bratwurst and cheese noodles washed down with hot chocolate or punch! The second site in Town Hall Square is more modern with igloo-shaped stalls perfect for the ’Gram. Vilnius has some wonderful architecture, so leave time to climb to the top of Gediminas’ Castle Tower for panoramic views of the city.