10 best European Christmas markets to visit
The winter season sees Europe’s most picturesque towns and cities transformed into winter villages with twinkling lights and wooden chalets selling handcrafted goods, the air filled with the scents of cinnamon and mulled wine spices. European Christmas markets are unmatched in history and authenticity, with some of the oldest Christmas markets in the world still upholding centuries-old festive traditions.
France and Germany, with their fairytale villages and Medieval squares, may be places that immediately spring to mind, but look further afield to Denmark, Belgium and Estonia, and you’ll see the unique ways the festive season is marked across the continent. If snow-peaked hills and sledging are part of your winter wonderland vision, look to Nordic destinations for your European Christmas market break. For those seeking a milder climate, Malta’s festive celebrations in the historic capital, Valetta, are well worth a look. These are our favourite Christmas markets across Europe, including what’s new for 2024 and where to stay.
The winter season sees Europe’s most picturesque towns and cities transformed into winter villages with twinkling lights and wooden chalets selling handcrafted goods, and the air filled with the scents of cinnamon and mulled wine spices.
European Christmas markets are unmatched in history and authenticity, with some of the oldest in the world still upholding centuries-old festive traditions.
France and Germany, with their fairytale villages and Medieval squares, may be places that immediately spring to mind, but look further afield to Denmark, Belgium and Estonia, and you’ll see the unique ways the festive season is marked across the continent.
If snow-peaked hills and sledging are part of your winter wonderland vision, look to Nordic destinations for your European Christmas market break. For those seeking a milder climate, Malta’s festive celebrations in the historic capital, Valetta, are well worth a look.
These are our favourite Christmas markets across Europe, including what’s new for 2024 and where to stay.
10 European Christmas Markets To Visit
Geneva, Switzerland
Where? Quai du Mont-Blanc, Lake Geneva
When? 21st November - 24 December 2024
Why visit? Geneva’s Christmas markets offer a fairytale-like setting with their lakeside location and the enchanting backdrop of Quai du Mont-Blanc. The biggest market is Noël au Quay, situated on the Quay Mont Blanc and the Jardin Anglais, with traditional wooden stalls selling artisan goods, warming local cuisine and cinnamon-spiced mulled wine. Travellers can indulge in local dishes of the Alps like fondue and raclette — comfort food synonymous with Christmas time. For 2024, the market offers a fondue experience where travellers can sample the dish during a horse-drawn carriage ride through the cobbled streets of Geneva’s Old Town, for an unforgettable festive experience at one of the most magical Christmas markets in the world.
Where to stay: Fraser Suites Geneva is in the heart of the city, within easy reach of Lake Geneva, Geneva Old Town, and St Peter’s Cathedral.
Dresden, Germany
Where? Altmarket Square, Dresden
When? 27th November - 24th December 2024
Why go? The Dresden Striezelmarkt is widely considered one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets, dating back to the 15th Century. Germany’s most traditional Christmas market champions local craftsmanship, with stallholders sharing their passion for woodworking and pottery with handcrafted products that will make truly unique gifts. The focal point is a vintage Ferris wheel where travellers can observe the twinkling lights of the Striezelmarkt from above while enjoying a slice of Christollen, Dresden’s signature fruit cake, dusted with sugar.
Where to stay: Hotel Indigo is an affordable option in the centre of Dresden, with the Dresden Mitte S-Bahn train station only a few minutes walk away.
Vilnius, Lithuania
Where? Cathedral Square, Vilnius
When? 29th November – 29th December 2024
Why go? While Germany, Belgium, and France have long been associated with the festive season, lesser-known destinations such as Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, is becoming a contender for most magical Christmas market thanks to its incredible displays. This year, Vilnius’ winter village will surround the city’s vibrant Christmas tree in Cathedral Square, illuminated by fairy lights and intricate patterns. Vilnius’ spectacular tree has received worldwide attention for its bold designs in previous years. In the Old Town, local businesses put up impressive window and storefront displays, creating a vibrant festive wonderland to wander through with a hot chocolate in hand. The Christmas Town in the heart of the city is the most famous market to visit, but the month-long celebrations also extend to quieter corners of the capital, with the Nordika Christmas Fair (25 November to 31 December) and Europa Christmas Fair (9 to 15 December) other notable options for a visit during the festive season.
Where to stay: The luxurious NARUTIS Hotel is located on the main street of Vilnius’s Old Town and is within easy reach of famous sights such as Gediminas Tower and the Presidential Palace.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Where? Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen
When? 15th November 2024 - 5th January 2025
Why go? The glittering Tivoli Gardens — said to be the inspiration behind Disneyland — is magical at any time of year. But during the festive season, the amusement park is filled with fairy lights and the scent of freshly baked sweet treats, transforming it into one of Europe’s most magical winter wonderlands. The 2024 celebrations will see the return of an impressive Christmas tree set up in front of the Tivoli Concert Hall, as well as festive projections over Tivoli Lake. The gardens will be decorated with over 70,000 Christmas baubles and smaller trees adorned with fairy lights — perhaps the sparkliest Christmas market in Europe.
Where to stay: Nimb Hotel, a luxury five-star period property, shares the same owners as Tivoli Gardens, meaning guests can organise their visit through the hotel and have VIP access.
Paris, France
Where? Jardin des Tuileries, Paris
When? 16th November 2024 - 1st January 2025
Why go? Paris’ allure is no greater than in winter, when its lavish department stores are decked out with decorations and the streets are lined with fairy lights. The Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market is set in a peaceful garden between the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées and offers guests an exceptional culinary offering with local French delicacies and a champagne bar. There’s plenty of opportunity to explore Paris’ other markets via a short Metro ride, with the picturesque Marché de Noël at Notre Dame overlooking the River Seine and the Village de Noël at the foot of the Eiffel Tower within easy reach — easily some of the most magical Christmas markets in Europe, if not the world.
Where to stay: Hotel Dauphine Saint-Germain is an affordable option near the Louvre. The rooms feature classic Parisian styling, art deco accents and flower-filled balconies.
Strasbourg, France
Where? Strasbourg Cathedral, Strasbourg
When? 27th November to 27th December 2024
Why go? The Christkindelsmärik, located around the cathedral at Place de la Cathédrale in Strasbourg, is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, dating back to 1507. Strasbourg is a quaint French town in the Alsace region of France, and its medieval architecture offers a fairy-tale charm even before the decorations arrive. The market is famed for its traditional fragrant mulled wine, called vin chaud in France, and bredle, little Christmas biscuits, which you can sample while wandering through the 300 festive stalls set up for the winter season. This year will see the return of a thirty-meter Christmas Tree at Place Kléber, adorned with handmade decorations and illuminations, providing a focal point for the festivities.
Where to stay: LÉONOR Hôtel offers a cosy and luxurious bolthole in Strasbourg, and the Strasbourg Cathedral is easily reachable on foot.
Tallinn, Estonia
Where? Town Hall Square in Tallinn
When? 22nd November to 27th December 2024
Why go? Tallinn's Christmas markets are steeped in history, with the charming Estonian city displaying its Christmas tree in front of its town hall since 1441. This year, stallholders again will flock from across the country to set up beside Tallinn’s famous tree, selling homemade gifts, trinkets, and delicious food. Visitors can feast on sweet treats like gingerbread biscuits and cinnamon-spiced mulled wine, but local dishes like sauerkraut, black pudding with pickled pumpkin, and lingonberry jam are also worth sampling.
Where to stay: Hotel Telegraaf is a luxurious property in Tallinn’s mediaeval Old Town, within walking distance from the festive markets.
Brno, Czechia
Where? Liberty Square, Moravian Square, and Radnická Street in Brno
When? 22nd November - 23rd December 2024
Why go? While capital Prague may be famous for its extensive Christmas markets, the picturesque Brno in the South Moravian Region, with its impressive Roman churches and pretty cobbled streets, is much quieter and offers a more authentic festive experience. Illuminated markets will take over Liberty Square, Moravian Square, and Radnická Street this year, offering a vibrant atmosphere with live music alongside culinary treats and gifts.
Where to stay: Hotel Barceló Brno Palace is one of the area's top-rated hotels and incredibly reasonable for a five-star hotel.
Valetta, Malta
Where? Pjazza Tritoni in Valetta
When? 8th December 2024 - 7th January 2025
Why go? See the sights of historical Valetta from a new perspective during the capital’s festive season. Valletta's Fairyland/Santa's City returns this year throughout December, transforming the city's heart into a winter utopia with a sprawling artisan market, rides, and an ice skating rink. This is a particularly family-friendly European Christmas market, and children will delight in the spectacle of Valetta’s fairyland-inspired winter wonderland, with plenty of traditional Christmas nods to Father Christmas and his reindeer. Pay a visit to Santa’s grotto or ride on Rudolph’s Wheel - awe and wonder guaranteed.
Where to stay: The Phoenicia Malta is a family-friendly hotel opposite Valetta’s Christmas markets.
Brussels, Belgium
Where? Grand-Place in Brussels
When? 29th November 2024 - Sunday 5th January 2025
Why go? Their signature chocolate alone is enough to visit this beautiful part of Europe, but the Christmas markets in Belgium are also spectacular. Capital city Brussels is celebrating the 24th edition of Winter Wonders in 2024 when a traditional Christmas market —called Plaisirs d'Hiver — will take over the city with wooden chalets selling artisan goods, rides and attractions, as well as a dazzling light show across its central square, the Grand Place.
Where to stay: Aparthotel Adagio Brussels Grand Place is right in the thick of the action, offering comfortable amenities and easy access to the attractions.
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