Ah, the magical season is approaching. Christmas Markets open as soon as November in many European cities. Chances are that no matter where you travel to in December you’d find at least one Christmas Market open.

Over the years, however, some Christmas Markets have gained so much popularity that tourists are always flocking there for various reasons.

Personally, I had to get to Vienna to visit the Markets only because I’ve read so much about them. Did they live up to the hype? Find out in my article about traveling in Vienna during winter . But after this experience, I’ve given Prague a pass.

This article is not about my travels. Inquiring minds need to know andI’ve asked fellow travel bloggers to talk about their favorite European Christmas Markets.

Old Town Square Market in Prague, The Czech Republic

Open: Nov 30, 2024 – Jan 6, 2025

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Prague has many Christmas markets. The main one, and the largest one at the same time, is the Old Town Square Christmas market. You’ll find it right in the heart of Prague’s Old Town, guarded on one side by the Old Town Tower with the Astronomical clock, on another by Jan Hus statue and on the other by the majestic Church of Our Lady before Týn.

The market is large, yet it’s usually quite crowded as well. You can find the Czech staples such as mulled wine or hot mead, the popular (but Transylvanian) chimney cake, called Trdlo or Trdelník, crepes and pancakes, roasted chestnuts, as well as a lot of meat-based quick meals.

If you’re vegan, your only options are the roasted chestnuts or fried potato swirls on a stick. Sometimes you can find corn on the cob. Mulled wine and hot mead are your safe bets too.

There’s a giant Christmas tree at the Christmas market and a stage for all sorts of Christmassy performances, be it folk dances or concerts.

Veronika from Travel Geekery. Follow her on Facebook

>> Recommended tour: Tour 4 Magical Prague Markets with Locals

Munich Christmas Market in Munich, Germany

Open: Nov 25 – Dec 24, 2024

>>book your accommodation in Munich

When it comes to Christmas Markets in Europe, they are all amazing and you cannot say that if you have seen one you have seen all, but the one in Munich is surely worth seeing.

Bavaria’s Capital knows how to dress up for the holidays and will lure you with its colorful vibes, delicious scents and cool toys for the young and the old.

Anywhere from Odeonsplaz up to Karlsplaz, you will find hundreds of houses filled with toys, ornaments, handmade gifts, sweets, mulled wine or the always present German wurst. Stop by in Marienplaz’s Kaufhof Gallery to see one of the most amazing window ornaments in action, or on Thursdays attend the Bavarian and German Christmas carols concert in Neuhauser Strasse, next to the Manger Market, on the square in front of Michaelskirche church.

Ingrid from Ingrid Zen Moments. Follow her on Instagram

>> Recommended tour: Original Munich Christmas Market Food Tour

Vienna Christmas Market in Vienna, Austria

Open: Nov 16- Dec 23, 2024

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The Viennese Christmas Market, held in front of the Vienna Rathaus, was my favorite out of the Christmas Markets we visited on our holiday trip. The setting is picture-perfect, with the gorgeous architecture of the Town Hall framing the giant Christmas tree, and there is plenty of gluhwein to go around. I sampled a few of the punch flavors but found that traditional gluhwein was still my favorite. It paired perfectly with the delicious sweets and gigantic baked potatoes we snacked on while browsing the booths. Between the gluhwein and the amazing food, we were toasty warm all night. In addition to shopping and eating, visitors can also ride small carnival rides and go ice skating on frozen pathways. It’s more than just your usual open skate taking slow circles around an ice rink – these ice pathways twist and turn and make your skating experience way more fun than normal. You can rent skates at the market or bring your own.

Kris from Nomad by Trade. Follow her on Facebook

>>Recommended tour: Private Christmas Markets Walking Tour Vienna

Wroclaw Christmas Market in Wrocław, Poland

Open: Nov 29, 2024 – Jan 7, 2025

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Wroclaw, Poland is a magical city for a Christmas market. Formerly known as Breslau, the area that became Wrocław was the 6th largest city in the German Empire in the 19th century. This historical German influence means that Wroclaw has the perfect mix of ingredients for an awesome Christmas market. You’ll find everything you might expect in Germany at the Wrocław Christmas Market including hot mulled wine, hearty sausages, decadent treats and local crafts with a few extras. Keep an eye (and your nose!) out for sinfully delicious chimney cakes that radiate a fresh-baked smell throughout the market. The chimney cakes are handmade by rolling dough around a central core and then coating the concoction in chocolate and nuts before serving them hot out of the oven. For an alternative to hot wine, try hot beer with plums at one of the nearby restaurants or pubs lining the Wrocław Market Square.

When visiting Wroclaw at Christmas, you’ll also have the opportunity to go dwarf-hunting. Tiny statues that feel a bit like Santa’s elves are scattered all over town and make for a most excellent photowalk (just bundle up, Poland can be quite cold in the winter!)

Jennifer from Sidewalk Safari. Follow her on Twitter

Haarlem Christmas Market in Haarlem, Netherlands

Open: Dec 13-15, 2024

>>book your accommodation in Haarlem

Haarlem is a beautiful old city just 30 minutes away from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It hosts one of the best Christmas markets of the Netherlands. In 2017 Verkeersbureaus.info awarded Haarlem the best Dutch Christmas market award. 300 open-stalls make up one of the biggest Christmas markets in the Benelux. A day trip to Haarlem is easy if you’re visiting Amsterdam.

Combine a visit to the Haarlem Christmas market together with a cultural trip to the city. Visit the Saint Bravo Church, Frans Hals Museum, the old town square, and other historic sites. Some of them host special events like choirs and other musical performances. At the market there are plenty of food and drink stalls that sell typical Christmas food but also vegan dishes. The Haarlem Christmas market is one of the better ones in the Benelux.

Chris W from CTB Global. Follow him on Instagram.

Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market in Copenhagen, Denmark

Open: Nov 17 – Dec 31, 2024

>>book your accommodation in Copenhagen

Copenhagen’s Tivoli Christmas market is one of the best to be found in Europe. It is set in centrally located Tivoli Gardens, which is the second oldest amusement park in the world and inspiration for Walt Disney himself. This makes it the perfect backdrop for a Christmas market, with around 60 or so stalls grouped into a traditional ‘Winter Village’. Expect everything from beautiful Nordic Christmas decorations, to handmade gifts such as knitwear and crafts.

These traditional stalls are surrounded by snow-covered pine trees with glittering decorations, and twinkling fairy lights wherever you look. Aromas of roasting nuts float by whilst Christmas music plays in the background and you debate what to purchase. Rest at one of the many booths (or sleighs!), whilst you appreciate the delicious food on offer, such as homemade donuts and steaming cups of drinking chocolate.

Plus, the market is only the gateway into Tivoli’s winter wonderland. Yes, you have to pay an entry fee to visit, but as a result, light shows, a Santas Grotto, and plenty of rides await. So tick off one of Europe’s best Christmas markets and a top Copenhagen attraction, which is most magical at this time of year.

Emma from Travel Face. Follow her on Instagram.

Belfast Christmas Market in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Open: Nov 16 – Dec 22, 2024

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Belfast does share the same traditional Christkindlmarkt heritage of the more famous Christmas markets of central Europe, but it no doubt shares the same festivities and Christmas cheer as the rest. Not to mention the rather magnificent background where the Belfast Christmas Market is set beneath the prestigious city backdrop at Belfast’s City Hall (and tours are also available through this time). As this would also be the main landmark and city attraction of central Belfast, found in Donegall Square, meaning it can be easily found by foot from any central train or bus station. The market sells the favorite European treats through the day, from 10:00AM to late, including vin chaud (mulled wine) and heated beer tents to keep warm in the colder evenings of the year. Although I would suggest arriving early to grab seats in the tents for the later hours.

Allan and Fanfan from Live Less Ordinary. Follow them on Instagram.

The Innsbruck Christmas Market in front of the Golden Roof in Innsbruck, Austria

Open: Nov 15 – Dec 23, 2024 (Old Town & Advent at the Market Square)

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A mountain view Christmas market in the heart of the Alps – that’s what you get if you visit Innsbruck in Austria between mid-November and the end of December. The Innsbruck Christmas Market is actually made up of 6 smaller markets, all within walking distance of each other except for one which is on the mountain slopes.

In the heart of Innsbruck’s old town, the 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles of the famous Golden Roof provide the perfect backdrop for the most traditional Christmas market in the city. A giant Christmas tree, around 70 market stalls, and characters from fairytales make the cobbled streets around the Golden Roof come alive. This is where you would want to grab a Glühwein around 17:00 every day and wait for trumpeters to appear on the balcony just as the sunset. There is something magical about listening to traditional Austrian Christmas music from an elevated platform with one eye on the Alps and another on a quaint European Christmas market.

For some fun and action, and to peek inside a 14-meter tall Swarovski crystal Christmas tree, head to the Innsbruck market square. From here, you have the best mountain view over the rooftops of the row of colorful houses across the Inn River.

Linda from Travel Tyrol. Follow her on Facebook.

Bucharest Christmas Market, Bucharest, Romania

Open: Nov 29 – Dec 26, 2024

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I was truly excited, a few years ago, when I learned that my hometown will have a big Christmas market. We’d have small fairs – malls, parks, etc. – but not such a big market. While we still have the smaller Christmas fairs, Bucharest Christmas Market is a not-to-miss in December in Bucharest.

The market opens on December 1st – Romania’s National Day – and closes on December 30. There are 100 small houses – Christmas cottages – with many products, holiday-related. From handmade traditional clothing – including the famous Romanian “ie” –, Christmas decorations, and paintings, to handmade traditional food (sausages, jams, sweets, and other), to various other Christmas-related items.

Each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday there are live concerts here with Romanian artists. There is also a Santa cottage open from December 1st to Christmas Eve, with fun activities and the chance to meet Santa (Santa arrives after December 10th.)

Bucharest Christmas Market means good food, fun activities – a skating rink, a train ride and a carousel for the children – lovely products (I actually bought a Christmas tree decoration and a painting from this fair) – and always a gorgeous tree and many lights! The special atmosphere makes this market one of the warmest ones I’ve seen. While Bucharest may be one of the unusual Christmas destinations in Europe for many, it’s definitely worth visiting!

Lori from Travel – Moments in Time. Follow her on Facebook

>> Recommended tour: Tour of Christmas Markets in Bucharest

Winter Wonderland in London, England

Open: Nov 14, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025

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Winter Wonderland is the most popular Christmas market in London and probably in the whole United Kingdom. The Christmas market is in a huge area in Hyde Park. It takes weeks to set up the place, as they build a lot of things specifically for this event. It is free to visit Winter Wonderland, however, you will need to pay for the attractions inside. There is something for everyone. You can ride a roller coaster, conquer your fears at the haunted house, have fun on the bumper cars, point out the famous landmarks from the Ferris Wheel or show off your skills on the ice-skating rink. Of course, the market has lots of stalls selling handmade products and delicious food. You should try the vegan Hungarian lángos, which is a fried bread usually simply rubbed with garlic. I suggest visiting Winter Wonderland at weekdays if you want to avoid standing in long queues, as the market is really popular.

Eniko from Travel Hacker Girl. Follow her on Instagram

Budapest Christmas Fair and Winter Festival, suggested by Looknwalk

Open: Nov 16, 2024 – Jan 1, 2025

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I wasn’t surprised not to find Budapest in the list bloggers suggested. After all, the Christmas markets are not as big or as popular as the ones in Vienna or Prague. And that’s exactly what I love about them! The first time we visited – back in 2011 – I absolutely loved the location: Vörösmarty Square , at the end of Vaci utca. Well, the stalls extend on Vaci utca as well so you have a large area with a lot of things to choose from: handicrafts, trinkets, homemade soap, and of course, food and drinks.

I love polenta with cheese and sour cream but I only managed to find this dish once! Gulyas (goulash), meat-filled cabbage rolls, and grilled sausages are everywhere, of course. Mulled wine, punch, and palinka keep you warm (and easily get you tipsy, as well). Gingerbread, chimney cakes, roasted chestnuts and glazed peanuts are excellent portable snacks.

Budapest looks great before and during the Holidays, but it can be bitterly cold. Wear layers and make sure to bring your mittens!

>>Recommended tour: Budapest Christmas Market Tour

Christmas Fair in Braşov, Romania, suggested by Olivia-Petra from Petra’s Chessboard

Open: Nov 30, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025

>>book your accommodation in Brasov

I love Decembers! You do, too. I love Decembers in Braşov, the heart of Romania. There is something about this month… and this place!

We’ve got piles of snow most of the time, thousands of lights around the Old Town, and the tallest Christmas Tree in the entire country, year after year. It all begins on St. Nicholas Day when the bulbs are lit and the stalls open in Council Square.

You start craving gingerbread, but realize that you’ve never tasted a caramel apple. Szilvás gombóc (plum dumplings) are not to be ruled out. Their cinnamon flavor lingers on. Are you ready to buy some handmade items and put big smiles on your loved ones’ faces?

Bags, jewelry, decorations, kitchen utensils – have your pick!

First, though, have some mulled wine. It might even tempt you to try out one of the open-air skating rinks overlooking the center and restating the magic of Christmas. Santa would.

Photo credit: © Marcel Băncilă

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

If none of the above destinations tickle your fancy for a frosty escape, here are some more tour suggestions to explore Europe’s delightful Christmas Markets:

• Slovakia: Bratislava Christmas Market Food Tour
• Italy: Naples in Christmas Time Tour with San Gregorio Armeno Market & City Highlights
• Germany: Experience the Christmas Markets in Berlin (Private tour)
• France: Private Christmas Market & Chocolate Tour in Paris
• Belgium: Christmas market in Brussels (Private tour)

Note: this article includes links that may qualify as affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission.

The article has been updated as of Oct 18, 2024