Europe's Christmas Markets Are Legendary
Christmas transforms Europe's cities into storybook wonderlands.
It's the perfect time to book a plane ticket, dig out your favourite Christmas jumper and make space for glühwein and bratwurst.
But with so many markets, it's hard to know which is the best fit for your trip.
To help you deal with the overwhelm, I put together this guide to the best European Christmas markets.
You'll find them ordered by family-friendliness, food, festive beauty and affordability.
Pick your ideal Christmas market and confidently plan your perfect winter escape - let's go.
Note: All flight times are approximate and based on flying from London.
The Most Beautiful Christmas Markets in Europe 2025
Vienna, Austria
Adobe Free Stock / Iraklis Milas
2025 dates: 14 November - 26 December.
Flight time: 2 hours 15 minutes.
Fly from: Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin.
Vienna's Rathausplatz Christmas Market is pure winter theatre. The neo-Gothic City Hall provides a stunning backdrop while over 150 wooden stalls create a festive village beneath twinkling fairy lights.
The market's centrepiece is a towering Christmas tree that dominates the square, complete with an ice rink.
Nearby Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market is also well worth a visit.
Strasbourg, France
2025 dates: 26 November - 24 December.
Flight time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Fly from: London Gatwick, Manchester, Dublin, Cork.
Known as France's 'Capital of Christmas', Strasbourg has hosted Christmas markets since 1570.
With medieval surroundings enhancing the atmosphere, Strasbourg's Christkindelsmärik spreads across 11 different squares throughout the old town.
Browse authentic Alsatian crafts and local specialities against a backdrop of Gothic spires and Alsatian half-timbered houses.
Its star attraction is the towering 30-metre Christmas tree in Place Kléber, while Cathedral Square hosts the main market.
Tallinn, Estonia
2025 dates: 21 November - 27 December.
Flight time: 2 hours 45 minutes.
Fly from: London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Dublin.
Tallinn's Christmas Market sits in one of Europe's best-preserved medieval old towns.
It's also home to Europe's first public Christmas tree, which dates back to 1441.
Old Town Tallinn's cobblestones, Gothic architecture and fortress walls create an authentic Christmassy setting, while snow often blankets the square.
Traditional Estonian crafts and warming drinks make this market uniquely Baltic.
Prague, Czech Republic
Adobe Free Stock / Kavalenkava
2025 dates: 29 November - 6 January.
Flight time: 2 hours.
Fly from: Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin.
Prague's Christmas Market hits the city's Old Town Square, sitting beneath its world-famous astronomical clock and Gothic churches.
The setting is idyllic; baroque buildings create an intimate courtyard atmosphere amid wooden chalets selling Czech crystal, traditional toys and local delicacies.
Its location in the heart of Prague means visitors can combine Christmas shopping with sightseeing.
Get stuck into Czech food and sample the local mulled wine and trdelník pastries.
For a little extra Christmas magic, the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle are close by and open year-round.
Family-Friendly Christmas Markets in Europe 2025
Basel, Switzerland
2025 dates: 27 November - 23 December.
Flight time: 1 hour 45 minutes.
Fly from: Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Dublin, Cork.
Basel Christmas Market on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz is ideal for families and children.
Home to a dedicated fairytale forest decorated with festive fir trees, it hosts an impressive schedule of children's workshops.
Let the little ones loose to create their own Christmas decorations, dip candles and decorate gingerbread, among lots of other activities.
The market also has a children's carousel and storytelling sessions in multiple languages.
Basel Christmas Market's compact size makes the market easy for families to explore.
Don't forget to plunder the Swiss chocolate stalls for extra winter energy during those cold December days.
Cologne, Germany
2025 dates: 17 November - 23 December.
Flight time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Fly from: Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Dublin
Cologne hosts multiple Christmas markets, but the Heinzels Winter Märchen market is particularly great for families.
It's set around the theme of Heinzel's Winter Fairy Tale, an 18th-century Cologne story about house elves.
Get ready for fairytale ice shows, puppet theatres and special workshops for children. They can also watch craftsmen at work and visit the Christmas Post Office in Toys Alley.
The main Cathedral market features carousels and ice-skating rinks, perfect for families with small children.
Cologne has seven Christmas markets, so families can explore different themes and activities to keep everyone happy.
Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark
Adobe Free Stock / StellaSalander
2025 dates: 14 November - 4 January.
Flight time: 1 hour 50 minutes-
Fly from: Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Dublin.
Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens basically looks like a Christmas card during December.
This isn't just a Christmas market; it's a whole theme park designed especially for winter visitors.
With over ten different rides and rollercoasters on site, there's plenty to keep families occupied for hours on end.
The market boasts a giant Ferris wheel and Santaland, where children can meet Father Christmas and share their Christmas wishes.
Its unique combination of amusement park rides, Christmas stalls and seasonal decorations makes Tivoli unlike any other Christmas market in Europe.
Cork, Ireland
2025 dates: 22 November - 23 December.
Flight time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Fly from: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh.
Cork's brand-new immersive Christmas experience transforms Marina Market into a Scandinavian-inspired winter wonderland.
'Santa's Magical Market; The Big Freeze at Marina Market' features icy forests, twinkling lights and festive magic for the whole family.
New interactive features include a frozen forest, an illuminated ice cave, a snow valley with an animatronic polar bear, and a visit to Santa in his cosy log cabin.
It's fully accessible, dog-friendly and even includes designated sensory-friendly hours.
Montreux, Switzerland
2025 dates: 20 November - 24 December.
Flight time: 1 hour 40 minutes.
Fly from: Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin, Cork.
Montreux Christmas Market stretches along Lake Geneva's shores with the Alps providing a spectacular backdrop.
The market's most famous attraction is a flying Santa, who soars over the lake each evening, creating unforgettable moments for children and adults alike.
Santa's House, accessible via Santa's very own cogwheel train, offers a unique alpine Christmas experience.
Children can meet Father Christmas in an authentic mountain setting while parents enjoy mulled wine with lake views.
The lakeside location and mountain setting make Montreux one of Europe's most scenic Christmas markets.
Best Christmas Markets in Europe for Food
Lyon, France
2025 dates: 26 November - 24 December.
Flight time: 1 hour 40 minutes.
Fly from: Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Cork.
Lyon's reputation as France's culinary capital extends to its Christmas market.
So if you like your Christmas markets with a side of fine food, this is the city to hit.
Place Carnot and Place de la République host stalls selling local specialities alongside traditional Christmas fare.
The market reflects Lyon's UNESCO World Heritage status, with food stalls occupying Renaissance buildings.
Local chefs demonstrate cooking techniques, while visitors sample everything from Lyonnaise sausages and regional cheeses to Rhône Valley wines.
The city's famous bouchons (traditional restaurants) extend their menus into the market streets.
Lyon also hosts its world-renowned Festival of Lights between 5 and 8 December; the perfect Christmas markets pairing.
Budapest, Hungary
2025 dates: 15 November - 1 January.
Flight time: 2 hours 30 minutes.
Fly from: Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, Shannon.
Budapest's Christmas markets on Vörösmarty Square and by St. Stephen's Basilica offer authentic Central European flavours.
Lángos (fried flatbread with sour cream and cheese), and kürtőskalács (chimney cake) topped with cinnamon and sugar, were made for cold evenings.
Don't leave without trying pálinka, the fiesty local fruit brandy, as a warming mulled wine alternative.
Combine the Christmas markets, local food and a dip in the thermal baths for a uniquely Budapest winter experience.
Hamburg, Germany
2025 dates: 24 November - 23 December.
Flight time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Fly from: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Belfast, Dublin.
Hamburg loves Christmas - so much so that there are Christmas markets all over the city centre and beyond.
You'll find the main action at City Hall Market in the city's beautiful town hall square.
Here, you can see Santa fly over the crowds and dig into the incredible bratwurst, mulled cider, and traditional German Lebkuchenherzen, or gingerbread hearts.
Nearby in the harbour city area, the Fleet Christmas Market fuses Hamburg's seafaring background with festive food.
Maritime-themed decorations adorn stalls selling everything from smoked fish to rum-laced hot chocolate.
This Christmas/seafood mash-up is very unique, very Hamburg and a surefire win for food connoisseurs.
Nuremberg, Germany
Adobe Free Stock / pusteflower9024
2025 dates: 28 November - 24 December.
Flight time: 1 hour 45 minutes.
Fly from: Stansted, Heathrow.
Nuremberg Christkindlmärkte declares itself as Germany's most famous Christmas market.
The city's gingerbread tradition dates back to medieval times when Nuremberg bakers created elaborate lebkuchen. These aren't ordinary biscuits - they're works of art crafted with intricate icing and decorations.
Nuremberg rostbratwurst is also a serious business that food lovers shouldn't miss.
Protected by EU law, to be officially recognised as rostbratwurst, they must follow a set of strict rules.
These include that they must be made in the city from pork using traditional recipes, 7 - 9 cm long, 25 grams each, and served three to a roll.
Once you've tracked one down, these distinctive small sausages pair perfectly with a local beer and sauerkraut.
Affordable Christmas Markets in Europe 2025
Gdańsk, Poland
Adobe Free Stock / Patryk Kosmider
2025 dates: 21 November - 23 December.
Flight time: 2 hours 15 minutes.
Fly from: Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin.
Gdańsk Christmas market offers exceptional value for British and Irish holidaymakers.
Hotel prices remain reasonable, even during peak season, while market food costs a fraction of Western European equivalents.
The old town's reconstructed medieval buildings create an impressive backdrop without the premium pricing.
One of the more bizarre, but playful, parts of the Christmas market is Lucek, the talking moose.
Lucek hangs above one of the stalls, nodding his head and spreading Christmas joy to passersby.
Polish pierogi, kielbasa and oscypek cheese provide hearty, affordable meals.
Its Baltic seaside location means fewer crowds than traditional German markets, creating a more relaxed experience.
Riga, Latvia
2025 dates: 28 November - 4 January.
Flight time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Fly from: Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds, Dublin
Riga's Christmas market in Dome Square has a medieval atmosphere without tourist-trap pricing.
The UNESCO World Heritage old town provides an impressive setting, while Latvian hospitality ensures warm welcomes despite cold temperatures.
Latvian crafts, woollen goods and amber jewellery cost significantly less than similar items in Western Europe.
Food stalls serve filling meals for under €5 (£4.35), while accommodation costs are also relatively low for Christmas travellers.
Zagreb, Croatia
2025 dates: 29 November - 7 January.
Flight time: 2 hours 15 minutes.
Fly from: Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds, Dublin.
Zagreb's Advent festival has won awards as one of Europe's best Christmas destinations. The city transforms multiple squares into festive markets with different themes and specialities.
Croatian food stalls serve hearty Balkan cuisine at budget-friendly prices. Local crafts reflect Croatia's rich cultural heritage without the premium costs found in better known markets. The extended season until early January means visitors can enjoy post-Christmas bargains while still experiencing full festive atmosphere.
The combination of mild winter weather, affordable accommodation and excellent value for money makes Zagreb an ideal choice for budget-conscious Christmas market enthusiasts.
Sleigh Your European Christmas Market Trip With an eSIM
Don't let a patchy internet connection ruin your 2025 European Christmas market adventures.
A Europe eSIM from Airalo keeps you connected across multiple countries without the hassle of switching SIM cards or facing shocking roaming charges.
Download your eSIM instantly, activate it before you travel, and enjoy seamless data coverage wherever you choose to celebrate Christmas in 2025.
From Poland to Lithuania, Lapland and beyond, find the perfect eSIM for your trip here.
FAQs
1. When do European Christmas markets start in 2025?
Most European Christmas markets open in late November 2025. Many run until Christmas Eve or early January. Dates vary by city, so always check the official schedule before booking flights.
2. How much does it cost to visit Christmas markets in Europe?
Entry to Christmas markets in Europe is usually free. But costs vary for food, drinks, and souvenirs. Budget around €20 - €40 (£18 - £35) per person for snacks and mulled wine, with affordable options in Eastern Europe offering even better value.
3. Can you visit European Christmas markets with kids?
Yes. Many Christmas markets are family-friendly, with carousels, puppet shows, and festive activities for children. Cologne, Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens and Cork are especially good for families in 2025.
4. What food is famous at European Christmas markets?
Traditional Christmas market food includes bratwurst, gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, chimney cake, and mulled wine. Some cities, like Lyon and Budapest, are known for turning their local specialities into festive street food.
5. Do I need an eSIM for Europe to use my phone at Christmas markets?
An eSIM for Europe is the easiest way to stay online while visiting Europe's Christmas markets. It saves you from roaming charges and lets you navigate, book tickets and share photos instantly. Providers like Airalo offer affordable eSIMs for European travel.
