Christmas is one of the most beautiful times to fly to Europe and enjoy the beautiful and colorful Christmas markets in the different cities. Having trouble deciding where to travel to? Which Christmas market is the most beautiful one? This article will try to organize for you the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe.
When do Christmas markets in Europe start?
First of all, important information to know, Christmas markets take place between the end of November and the end of December, and so most markets close on the holiday itself and the day before, meaning that from December 24-25, it is less advisable to fly. Entrance to most markets is free, you can enjoy a festive and warm atmosphere in the streets and pay for the foods sold in the markets, drinks and nearby attractions if any.
Where are the most beautiful markets in Europe?
Let’s start with the fact that the Christmas market is a beautiful thing no matter where it is and how big or vibrant it is. Any Christmas market is always accompanied by a festive atmosphere, warm lights, decorations, romance and good food.
Christmas markets in London: London’s Market
London is mesmerizing even on ordinary days, but in December it becomes especially bright and beautiful. London has many markets, but in this article, we will talk about the most famous one called Winter Wonderland. The market is spread over a huge area, and what’s so special about it? Along with the abundance of wooden cabins selling local delicacies, mulled wine and desserts, the place offers an amusement park with many rides such as roller coasters and extreme sports – A recommended experience for the whole family.
The market takes place between 19.11 and 3.1.
Recommended hotel in the city center – Montcalm Royal London House, a 5-star hotel with a spa center and a charming rooftop bar.
Christmas Markets in Vienna
Vienna is one of the most famous cities for its Christmas markets in the world. It has a history of over 700 years. The Christmas period is the most special and beautiful time to visit Vienna. The streets of the city become colorful and ornate and the city becomes even more romantic than usual.
Of the Christmas markets in Vienna, the largest and most luxurious market is located opposite the town hall and is called the Vienna Christmas Dream. This is the market you will see in all the pictures of Vienna from winter. In the market, you will find about 154 beautiful and colorful wooden stalls, with local dishes and aromas of mulled wine.
The market takes place between the dates: 19.11-26.12.
Recommended hotel in the city center – Hotel Sans Souci is a 5-star hotel located a 10-minute walk from the Christmas market. It offers a luxurious spa complex including a heated indoor pool.
Prague Christmas Market
Beautiful Prague attracts many tourists during the Christmas period, when it is decorated and becomes beautiful and romantic for its visitors. The city has many markets scattered, but the most famous and largest one is located in Wenceslas Square. At the Prague Christmas Market, you can experience the beautiful illuminated wooden huts selling jewelry, scented candles, traditional clothes and local dishes such as sweet dumplings, sugar-coated pancakes, local beers, hot wine, local honey and more.
In the center of the square, there is a large and beautiful Christmas tree that lights up every evening at 17:30 and is an impressive attraction in the heart of the city.
The market takes place between 27.11 – 06.01
Recommended hotel in the city center – The Mozart Prague, the 5-star Hotel, located a 5-minute walk from Wenceslas Square. The hotel is tastefully decorated and features famous works of art. Furthermore, also features a complex of treatments and a spa.
For more recommendations about the Czech Republic, check out the article we prepared about Prague – the capital of the Czech Republic.
Christmas in Budapest
Christmas is a great time to spend in Budapest which becomes bright and stunningly beautiful. The city is festive and colorful and full of markets serving local and delicious food such as the kurtosh, langosh, local desserts, goulash soup, hot wine and delicious hot chestnuts. Apart from the excellent food at the Christmas markets, you can enjoy a lively atmosphere, audiovisual shows, music and live performances.
Budapest’s main Christmas market takes place on Vörösmarty Square. The market has about 100 stalls.
The market takes place between 18.11 – 31.12.
Recommended hotel in the city center – Kempinski Hotel, a 5-star hotel with a luxurious spa complex. It is located a 2 minutes walk from the Christmas market. The hotel rooms are spacious and cozy.
If Paris is romantic every day, then just imagine it on Christmas. Boulevard des Champs-Élysées are decorated with pleasant decorations and lights. The two Christmas markets in Paris are considered to be the largest and most central ones, and are located at Champ de Mars and Jardin des Tuileries. There you will find stalls offering pastries, sausages, fondue, French cheeses, mulled wine with spices and traditional handicrafts. In addition to the stalls, you can enjoy ice skating.
The market takes place from 24/11 to 6/1
Recommended city center hotel – Victoria Palace Hotel, a 4-star hotel located in central Paris not far from the Christmas market. Very good breakfast and beautiful new rooms.
One of the most famous markets in the world - Christmas in Italy
When talking about Christmas markets in Italy, it is impossible not to mention the market of Bolzano, the “Christmas capital”.
The market takes place almost a month in Piazza Walther. During this time, festive aromas fill the picturesque streets and alleys of the regional capital of South Tyrol. Twinkling lights and romantic lighting make the city the perfect destination this time of year. In the market, you can enjoy delicious liqueurs, cinnamon aromas, Christmas cakes and local biscuits, all of which make the experience in Bolzano warm and delicious.
The market takes place between 26/11 – 06/01
Recommended in the city center – Hotel Castel Hortenberg, a 5-star hotel located 800 meters from the Bolzano Christmas Market. It features a heated outdoor pool and an excellent breakfast is included.
Nuremberg Christmas Market
Nuremberg Christmas Market is known as the most luxurious and beautiful holiday fair in Germany. The decorated stalls are located in the central market square – Hauptmarkt in the old quarter of the city. This year, out of a desire to maintain distances as well as crowds of people, the market – considered one of the largest in the world – is divided into several locations close to each other in the Old City. On the Main Market Square, you can stroll among the picturesque pavilions with red and white roofs.
The market takes place between the dates: 26.11–24.12.
Recommended hotel in the city center – Karl August – a Neighborhood Hotel, a 4-star hotel in the city center, within walking distance of Nuremberg Christmas Market. At the hotel, you can enjoy a heated indoor pool.
Christmas in Berlin
Christmas markets in Berlin are spectacular. In the center of Berlin, on the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt square, one of the city’s famous markets offers many stalls selling food, drinks and live performances into the night. If you come to Berlin with children you can visit the market at Alexanderplatz in which there is an amusement park and a children’s playground.
The market takes place between 27/11 – 31/12.
Recommended hotel in the city center – TITANIC Gendarmenmarkt Berlin, it is located just 200 meters from Berlin’s famous Christmas Market. Here you can enjoy a Turkish bath and spacious and beautiful rooms.
New Year celebrations in Barcelona
The beautiful city of Barcelona offers locals and tourists a great experience during the Christmas season. Colorful markets are spread throughout the city and make it especially attractive and interesting during this period.
The famous old market is “Fira de Santa Llucia”, which takes place in the main square Plaza de la Catedral. There are over 300 stalls in the market with local dishes, hot drinks and gifts.
The market takes place between 27/11 – 23/12
Recommended hotel in the city center – Ohla Barcelona, this boutique hotel is just a few minutes walk from the Christmas market, and has 3 chef restaurants as well as a rooftop cocktail bar with a pool for summer days.
Beautiful Strasbourg wears a holiday
The markets in Strasbourg are among the oldest in the world, they began to take place as early as 1,570! They are located in the city center within walking distance from each other and are filled with hundreds of wooden pavilions offering mulled wine, excellent street food, wooden and glass gifts and more. During this period, Strasbourg becomes beautiful and its houses are decorated with warm and pleasant lights – a breathtaking sight.
The market takes place from 25/11 – 26/12
Recommended hotel in the city center –Maison Rouge Strasbourg Hotel , a 5-star spa hotel, is located in the center of Strasbourg, next to the Christmas markets and the lively “Place Kléber”.
If you are unsure where to travel during this time, you are welcome to comment on us in a post or send an email.
