Destinations
Best Christmas Markets in Europe You Can’t Miss This Winter
November 2025
Europe at Christmas is pure magic: twinkling lights, spicy mulled wine, and wooden chalets full of handmade treasures. Below are five festive cities, each with a can’t-miss market and a comfy hotel to call home while you wander, sip, and shop.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna’s Rathausplatz market (often called the Wiener Christkindlmarkt) is the picture-perfect, big-city classic: grand lights in front of the neo-Gothic town hall, carousels, kids’ activities, and dozens of stalls selling traditional crafts and Austrian treats. It’s one of the city’s largest and most atmospheric Advent markets.
Top tip: Start with a steaming cup of Gluhwein or punch, sample roasted chestnuts and Lebkuchen, then wander the nearby Freyung and Spittelberg markets for artisanal gifts.
Dates: 14th November – 26th December 2025
Where to Stay?
The Social Hub Vienna
Modern, social, and centrally placed near Prater and well connected to the historic centre. It’s a great base ig you want a contemporary hotel with communal spaces and easy transport to Vienna’s market hubs.
Berlin, Germany
Gendarmenmarkt’s Christmas market is one of Berlin’s most elegant: artisan stalls, live performances, and a gorgeous backdrop of the German and French Cathedrals. If you want a max of high-quality handicrafts, live music and a festive yet refined vibe, this is the one. Berlin also has dozens of other themed markets (from traditional to quirky), so you can tailor your route.
Top tip: Visit late afternoon into evening when the lights and music combine for maximum atmosphere. Try currywurst or a hearty bratwurst between stall-hopping.
Dates: 24th November – 31st December 2025
Where to Stay?
Schlosshotel Berlin by Patric Hellman
A boutique stay with designer touches and a central location that makes hopping between Berlin’s markets and sights easy.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague’s markets, especially the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square stalls, are fairytale Christmas scenes: Gothic towers, a towering Christmas tree, carolers and stalls overflowing with Czech ornaments, trdelnik (sweet spit cake), and mulled wine. The historic architecture makes Prague’s markets feel cinematic.
Top tip: combine the Old Town Square market with a walk across Charles Bridge at dusk for an unforgettable city view. Bring cash for small vendors and look out for traditional wooden toys and Bohemian glass.
Dates: 29th November – 6th January 2026
Where to Stay?
Hotel Paris Prague
An elegant Art Nouveau hotel right in the heart of Old Town, so you can step out straight into the market and return to old-world luxury.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam’s Museumplein Christmas market (Ice Village and the skating rink at Museumplein) blends skating, seasonal stalls, and city charm. The market’s combination of ice-skating and festive shopping makes it a lively, family-friendly stop during a Dutch winer.
Top tip: Book an early evening skate to avoid crowds, then warm up with Dutch oliebollen (fried dough balls) and a hot chocolate or mulled drink.
Dates: 15th November – 3rd January 2026
Where to Stay?
Die Port Van Cleve
A historic, centrally located hotel just off Dam Square, ideal for wandering Amsterdam’s canals and popping into nearby holiday markets.
Europe’s Christmas markets are more than festive attractions, they’re a nostalgic journey into twinkling lights, old-world charm, and the comforting flavours of winter. Whether you’re sipping Gluhwein under Vienna’s grand Rathaus, wandering Berlin’s elegant Gendarmenmarkt, soaking up Prague’s fairytale atomosphere, skating by Amsterdam’s Museumplein, or exploring Basel’s beautifully lit old town, each city offers its own magical take on the season.
With the right stay, from contemporary hubs to historic hideaway, you can fully immerse yourself in the warmth and wonder of these iconic markets. So pack your cosiest scarf, bring an appetite for festive treats, and let Europe’s most enchanting winter destinations fill your holiday season with memories you’ll treasure long after the lights fade.
