Destinations
Discover the Magic: Top Christmas Markets to Visit in Europe This Holiday Season
September 2024
The first Christmas Market is believed to have started somewhere in central Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, South Tyrol and the Alsace region; since then, it has long since spread throughout Europe to become a seasonal tradition in many cities.
From the world-famous Prague market to lesser-known gems in Denmark and Spain, We have compiled a list of top market recommendations in its latest mini travel e-guide. Read on for exceptional arts and crafts, unique gifts and copious amounts of mulled wine, gingerbread and many other local specialities.
GETTING IN THE FESTIVE SPIRIT
Read: A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement C. Moore
“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”
Until 1823, St. Nicholas was just a bald Greek Orthodox bishop who was known for his charitable works. Thanks to the American academic, Clement C. Moore, this serious religious figure was transformed into jolly old Santa Claus, with a brand-new red velvet suit and eight reindeer!
The Faber Book Of Christmas by Simon Rae
This is a book about the history of Christmas as you’ve never heard it before: from its roots as a pagan festival to accounts of how Christmas is celebrated all around the world.
Listen: Perhaps one of the most famous Christmas carols of all time,‘Silent Night’ (from the German ‘Stille Nacht’) was composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by a young priest, Joseph Mohr, and first performed on Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, a small Austrian village on the Salzach river.
For something a bit less traditional, try Putumayo’s collection of familiar Christmas songs performed by artists from around the globe. From a Cuban rendition of ‘Joy to the World’, to a flamenco version of ‘White Christmas’, ‘Putumayo’s Christmas Around The World’ is bound to give your holiday season a truly international flavour.
Cook: Give your Christmas a special taste: try some of these mouth-watering Christmas recipes from around the globe.
Watch: Widely considered to be the ultimate film version of Charles Dickens’ classic novel ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘Scrooge’ (1951) stars Alastair Sim in the title role in this British classic.
A stunning work of stop-motion animation from cinematic eccentric Tim Burton, The Nightmare Before Christmas’ tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who discovers – and learns to love – Christmas, by kidnapping Father Christmas and running the show himself!
TOP MARKETS
Get ready for merry carollers, glittering tea lights and the scent of sweet cinnamon and spice, in Europe’s finest Christmas markets.
Amsterdam
There is nothing quite like a proper Christmas market to bring some festive spirit to a city. In Amsterdam there are plenty to choose from, from the trendy, creative Funky Xmas Market on 10 December, to the Ice*Village Amsterdam on the Museumplein, filled with an ice rink, live entertainment and a host of market stalls. There are plenty of little delights and Christmas food and drink at both.
Highlights: There’s plenty of fun to be had at the Ice*Village. This winter wonderland takes place against the iconic backdrop of the Rijksmuseum. An ice rink, an abundance of traditional Dutch Christmas food and drink, and some whacky games like human bowling are all on offer at the Christmas village. The markets sell everything from fashion and interior decorations to handmade seasonal gifts, all under a canopy of twinkling Christmas lights.
When: 15th November 2024 – 5th January 2025
Where: Museumplein
What to Buy: At any decent Dutch Christmas market, food takes centre stage. Make sure to leave plenty of room for typical Dutch winter treats like oliebollen (a pastry similar to a doughnut), poffertjes (small, fluffy pancakes) and of course sip on some glühwein to keep yourself warm.
Other experiences: While many of the main Christmas markets take place in Amsterdam itself, other equally enjoyable ones can be found slightly out of town, in places like Haarlem, Lelystad, or Keukenhof, so don’t be afraid to explore. In the capital itself, there’s still plenty to experience, such as Amsterdamsche Kerstmarkt, hosted in a former industrial warehouse in Amsterdam Noord. This slightly folky market features small, independent stalls selling authentic gifts and delicious food.
Bath
Arguably England’s best, the Christmas Market in Bath has been taking place in the city centre since 2000. And thanks to its unique setting in the shadow of famous Bath Abbey, it is certainly one of the prettiest. Selling everything you could possibly need for your festive celebrations, from local produce to handmade decorations and gifts, this market is the reason Bath is now nicknamed the ‘Christmas Capital of the West’.
Highlights: For 3 weeks, the romantic streets and square between Bath Abbey and the world-famous Roman Baths are transformed into a Christmas shopper’s haven. Hundreds of wooden stalls line up the streets, each offering original, handmade gifts, Christmas decorations and traditional foods. Many of the items on sale are made within the local area, giving the market a distinct identity and feel. A big Christmas tree in the Abbey churchyard completes the unique setting.
When: 28th November – 15th December 2024
Where: Around Bath Abbey and next to the Roman Baths, in the heart of the city’s main shopping district.
What to Buy: This is a very British take on the traditional German Christmas market, so it’s a great place to try the best produce of Bath and the South West of England Take your pick from award winning ciders, artisanal cheddar, handmade chutneys, pickles, preserves and curds.
Berlin
The oldest and the best Christmas markets are in Germany. Dating back to the Middle Ages, these markets are what all the others aspire to be. Here you’ll find the aroma of spiced glühwein, gingerbread, and traditional German sausage filling the air as you wander through the chilly streets looking for treats.
Highlights: Many people the Weihnachtszauber at the Gendarmenmarkt, in the heart of Mitte in the city centre to be Berlin’s best market. This rather upscale market is a true Winter Wonderland, set in one of the city’s most beautiful squares, edged by three elegant and impressive buildings: The Neu Kirche or Deutsche Dom (German Church), the Konzerthaus (Concert Hall) and the Franzozische Friedrichstadtkirche (French Church). Boasting culinary temptations from some of the country’s top chefs as well as lots of entertainment including: jugglers, acrobats, fire artists, dance groups, choirs, classical, jazz and gospel ensembles.
When: 24th November 2024 – 5th January 2025
Where: Gendarmenmarkt square
What to Buy: Best for unique gifts ideas and handmade crafts such as flax embroidery, ivory or wood carvings, and gourmet delicacies such as white hot-chocolate, fried apple, bratwurst and mulled wine.
Other markets: The Berliner Weihnachtszeit, in front of the Roten Rathaus in Alexanderplatz, is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Berlin. Its many stalls are decorated in the style of the beginning of an early 19th-century style, giving it a unique, historical appearance. There is also a gigantic ferris wheel and a large ice-skating rink.
A 30 minute walk away from the Gendarmenmarkt is Potsdamer Platz Market, which promises a more modern and adventurous event, featuring Europe’s largest mobile toboggan run.
Across the city, the Lucia Christmas Market is Nordic-Scandinavian themed, offering a intimate atmosphere.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is considered a real ‘Christmas city’, not just because every Dane knows exactly where Julemand lives (that’s Greenland!) but because the season itself is welcomed, like in many other European cities, by Christmas markets. The Danish capital pulls out all the stops, filling up with bright decorations and illuminations. Unlike most, the atmosphere here is less commercial and more festive.
Highlights: Every year up to a million people descend on the Christmas fair at the Tivoli Gardens, Europe’s oldest amusement park. Decorated wooden huts selling food and gifts sit alongside rides and thrilling rollercoasters, an ice rink and hundreds of trees decorated with glittering lights. Pony rides and other amusements are available for young children, and you can admire a colourful light show on a part of the Tivoli Lake. Make sure you sample gløgg, the Nordic spin of traditional mulled wine, featuring raisins, almonds, cinnamon sticks, cloves and a generous splash of spirits (blame the sub-zero temperatures!).
When: 17th November – 31st December 2024
Where: Tivoli Gardens
What to Buy: Fine handmade crafts, including the traditional Scandinavian Christmas figurines of clog-wearing pixies in pointy red caps.
Other markets: Another traditional market is in the Grey Hall in Freetown Christiania, Copenhagen’s famous hippie commune. Unique and unusual handmade products are on sale here for a ten day period in the middle of December. From mid-November, the picture postcard Nyhavn canal will also be full of Danish Christmas spirit, with booths selling souvenirs, æbleskiver, roasted almonds, gløgg and other traditional foods.
Vienna
There’s nothing more romantic than a Christmas market in beautiful Vienna, the Austrian capital. The first dates back to 1298, when Vienna’s citizens were granted the privilege of hosting a December market. Christmas punch, roasted chestnuts and a whole host of traditional food and crafts welcomes every guest to the city. The biggest and the best is the Christkindlmarkt at the Vienna Christmas Dream, with the grand City Hall as a backdrop.
Highlights: The Vienna Christmas Dream is an unforgettable experience. 154 stalls fill the Rathausplatz in front of the city’s grand City Hall. The aroma of lebkuchen, cinnamon, chestnuts and hot mulled wine fill the air as you wander round collecting presents for loves ones. An ice-skating rink and a whole host of magical attractions complete the picture. Inside the City Hall there is an area dedicated for children, where the city’s younger visitors can learn how to make Christmas cookies and candles. International choirs are also in attendance, singing carols and traditional songs.
When: 17 November – 26 December
Where: On the square in front of the grand Vienna City Hall.
What to Buy: Traditional wooden toys, typical Austrian Christmas treats such as lebkuchen, and even chocolates in the shape of everyday objects.
Other markets: Christmas Village Belvedere Palace offers a baroque perspective on Christmas markets, offering traditional handicrafts and decorations with one of the most famous Austrian palaces as a backdrop.
Prague
Although there aren’t as many as their German counterparts, Christmas markets (Vánočnítrhy) are a key ingredient of the festive season in the Czech Republic, and the Prague Christmas markets are the country’s most impressive. The most famous is the one held in the Old Town Square, where you’ll be greeted with sparkling lights, Christmas trees, and wooden huts with vendors selling a variety crafts and treats.
Highlights: Brightly decorated wooden huts selling various traditional handicrafts, as well as plenty of food and drink to warm you up on a cold winter’s night. There is a large Bethlehem Nativity Scene, and an animal stable, which is particularly popular with the children, where you can pet sheep, goats and a donkey. Most impressive, however, has to be the Christmas tree, shipped in from the Krkonose mountains in the north of the country. The tree is switched on every night around 5pm. Set against Prague’s dark gothic skyline, it is truly a spectacular sight.
When: 30th November 2024 – 6th January 2025
Where: Old Town Square
What to Buy: Traditional Czech glassware, jewellery, wooden toys, metalwork, ceramics, scented candles, Christmas tree ornaments, hats, gloves and scarves, and puppets and dolls dressed in traditional costumes.
Other markets: The market on Wenceslas Square is a mere 5 minute walk away from the Old Town Square. This market has its own brightly lit Christmas tree, which can be admired from all over the square.
There is also a smaller Christmas market on Republic Square and another in Havel’s Market, the city centre’s permanent market selling fruit and vegetables, flowers, leather goods, arts and crafts, wooden toys, puppets and ceramics.
WHERE TO STAY
We have a vast selection of hotels across Europe. From charming boutique hotels in the countryside to luxurious city centre hotels where there is something for everyone.
Amsterdam
The Social Hub Amsterdam City
The Socia Hub Amsterdam City combines a vibrant city centre location with comfortable boutique-style accommodation stylish social spaces, games rooms and lounge areas.
Bath
The Francis Hotel Bath
A Grade I listed building with a history of hospitality, The Francis Hotel Bath occupies a coveted position moments from the most popular sights of this great British spa city.
Berlin
Quentin Boutique
Located in West Berlin city centre, this fashionable hotel offers spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi, and is only 300 meters to the nearest Underground Station.
Copenhagen
Q Apartments Christianshavn
Offering a stylish and comfortable living experience in one of Copenhagen’s most charming neighborhoods. Nestled in the heart of Christianshavn, these fully-furnished apartments combine modern amenities with the historic charm of the area.
Vienna
The Social Hub Vienna
A vibrant hotel that blends modern design with a welcoming community atmosphere. Located in the heart of Vienna, it offers stylish accommodations alongside co-working spaces, a gym, and social areas designed for connecting with fellow travelers and locals alike.
Prague
Hotel Paris Prague
A luxurious establishment nestled in the heart of Prague, offering an exquisite blend of Art Nouveau elegance and modern comfort. This historic hotel, with its ornate architecture and opulent interiors, provides a unique stay in the city.
