There’s something about Europe in December that feels utterly enchanting. Streets strung with twinkling lights, the smell of mulled wine drifting through crisp winter air, and squares filled with the sound of choirs and festive cheer. While Christmas markets have become popular worldwide, it’s in Europe that they truly shine.
If you’re looking for the best Christmas markets in Europe, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice. From Austria’s storybook Vienna to Germany’s timeless Cologne, here are four destinations where the festive spirit feels like it’s been bottled up and poured into every square, street and stall.
Vienna: A Festive Fairytale
If there were ever a city made for Christmas, it’s Vienna. This elegant capital already dazzles with its grand palaces and baroque streets, but come late November, the city transforms into a winter wonderland.
The most famous of Vienna’s markets is the Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz. Imagine strolling between rows of wooden chalets set against the backdrop of the illuminated City Hall, sipping hot punch and nibbling on spiced gingerbread. The smell of roasted chestnuts fills the air, children glide across an ice rink, and carols float through the crisp night.
But Vienna doesn’t stop there. Smaller markets pop up all over the city, each with its own charm. The Belvedere Palace Christmas Village is a favourite, where fairy lights reflect on the palace’s pond, while the Spittelberg market is tucked into cobbled lanes that feel wonderfully cosy.
Vienna’s festive scene feels more than just shopping, it’s like stepping inside a Christmas card. For a truly magical touch, catch a classical concert at one of the city’s grand concert halls, surrounded by sparkling decorations.
Prague: A Gothic Wonderland
Few cities capture the winter spirit quite like Prague. With its gothic spires, cobblestone squares and medieval charm, it looks like something from a fairytale at any time of year but December turns the magic up a notch.
The Old Town Square market is the beating heart of Prague’s Christmas. A towering tree glows with thousands of lights, traditional stalls line the square, and the scent of svařák (mulled wine) warms the air. Try a trdelník, a sweet pastry dusted with cinnamon sugar, while listening to live choirs singing carols beside the Astronomical Clock.
Not far away, Wenceslas Square hosts another market where you’ll find hand-carved toys, glass ornaments and Czech handicrafts that make for perfect Christmas gifts.
Part of what makes Prague so magical in winter is the setting. Snow often dusts the rooftops, Charles Bridge looks ethereal lit by lanterns, and Prague Castle towers above it all, glowing softly in the winter sky. It’s no wonder many consider it one of the best festive city breaks in Europe.
Strasbourg: The Capital of Christmas
If Christmas had an official capital, it might just be Strasbourg. The Alsatian city has been hosting Christmas markets since 1570, making it one of the oldest in Europe and it shows in the atmosphere. The entire city centre turns into one giant Christmas village.
The heart of it all is the Christkindelsmärik at Place Broglie, where over 300 stalls sell everything from handcrafted ornaments to steaming plates of choucroute (sauerkraut with sausage) and spiced vin chaud. Strasbourg’s enormous Christmas tree, standing tall in Place Kléber, is one of the most impressive you’ll ever see.
What makes Strasbourg stand out is how immersive it feels. Whole streets are decorated with glowing angels and shimmering garlands. Timber-framed houses are draped with baubles and stars. Every corner feels like a festive postcard brought to life.
Strasbourg also reflects its blend of French and German traditions, which makes the food irresistible: think buttery bredele biscuits, flammekueche (a type of tarte flambée), and mulled Alsatian wines. A trip here is like stepping into the self-proclaimed “Capital of Christmas.”
Cologne: Germany’s Christmas Spirit
When it comes to European Christmas trips, Germany is often the first country that comes to mind and for good reason. Cologne is one of the country’s most famous festive destinations, offering not one but several Christmas markets scattered across the city.
The most iconic is the Cathedral Market, set beneath the soaring spires of Cologne Cathedral. The stalls here are some of the prettiest in Europe, with glowing red roofs and fairy lights twinkling against the gothic architecture. Sip on glühwein (mulled wine) served in a souvenir mug shaped like a boot, and snack on traditional lebkuchen (gingerbread).
Cologne’s charm is that each market has its own personality. The Alter Markt has a cosy, village feel, with a carousel for children. The Harbour Market by the Rhine focuses on nautical and maritime gifts, perfect for something different. Meanwhile, the Angel’s Market at Neumarkt glitters with star-shaped lights and elegant white stalls, creating an almost ethereal feel.
With choirs singing, craftsmen at work, and the smell of roasted almonds everywhere, Cologne might just be the epitome of German Christmas spirit.
Why Visit Christmas Markets in Europe?
There’s a reason people travel from all over the world for these markets. They’re not just about shopping, they’re about atmosphere. About bundling up in scarves and gloves, hands wrapped around a hot drink, while the world glitters around you.
They’re also perfect for all kinds of travellers:
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Couples looking for romance among fairy lights.
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Families enjoying festive treats and twinkling carousels.
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Friends sharing mugs of mulled wine and laughter.
A trip to one of the best Christmas markets in Europe is a memory you’ll treasure every time December rolls around.
Final Thoughts
From Vienna’s grandeur and Prague’s gothic magic to Strasbourg’s timeless traditions and Cologne’s German spirit, these are four of the best festive city breaks in Europe. Each offers something unique, but all share that same irresistible glow that makes Christmas feel so magical.
At Journeys Made, we believe these festive adventures deserve to be remembered. That’s why we create personalised travel keyrings with engraved tokens for every destination. So whether you’re sipping mulled wine in Vienna, shopping for ornaments in Strasbourg, or watching snow fall over Prague, you can carry a piece of your Christmas journey with you long after the lights come down.
