Christmas celebrations have already begun in some European cities, while others are about to start soon. I decided to create a detailed post featuring the best Christmas markets in Europe, in collaboration with travel bloggers from around the world. This way, you’ll get to read recommendations from different people about their favorite cities to visit during the holiday season, and also find out where they suggest staying nearby.
The post will be updated throughout November as more recommendations come in.
I have to admit, I’m not an expert on European Christmas markets since we usually travel to warmer destinations in East Asia during these months to escape the cold. Still, we’ve spent Christmas time here in Cyprus, and while it’s not your typical European Christmas market experience, I’ll also be sharing what the Christmas villages in Cyprus are like later in the post. Colmar, France
By Vega López at Her Asian Adventures
Colmar’s Christmas markets are some of the most famous in Europe, and they absolutely deserve their reputation. This charming Alsatian town turns into one big festive village every December, with six markets scattered through its cobbled streets. Each has its own focus: Place des Dominicains for handmade crafts, Place Jeanne d’Arc for regional food and wine, and Petite Venise for families and picture-perfect canal views.
Petite Venise ended up being my favorite. The canals are lined with colorful houses, the air smells like cinnamon and mulled wine, and something is happening at every stall, whether it’s locals selling bredele cookies or visitors crowding around for a slice of hot tarte flambée. I must’ve spent hours just wandering, eating, and people-watching.
That said, Colmar gets very busy. Even midweek, the main squares were packed by late afternoon. If you prefer a calmer experience, try to visit early in the day or stay overnight once the day-trippers head back to Strasbourg. It’s only a 30-minute train ride, but staying in town really lets you enjoy the lights and atmosphere at your own pace.
I stayed at James Boutique Hôtel Colmar Centre, a modern and cozy hotel just a short walk from the old town. It was quiet, comfortable, and perfectly located for exploring everything on foot.
If you’re planning a Christmas trip to Alsace, Colmar is a great choice, walkable, festive, and genuinely beautiful during the holiday season. 
Edinburgh, Scotland
By Moumita at Chasing the Long Road
Although Edinburgh looks magical at any time of the year, during the festive season, the Scottish capital turns into a winter wonderland. And at the centre of it is the Edinburgh Christmas Market. What makes this market special is its spectacular settings. Nestled in Princes Street Gardens, the market stretches beneath the mighty Edinburgh Castle and the charming historic buildings of the Old Town.
The beautifully decorated chalet-style stalls sell an array of handmade gifts and traditional crafts. You can enjoy a glass of homemade mulled wine and indulge in festive foods like waffles, German bratwurst, chimney cake, crepe and various traditional Scottish dishes. It is also the perfect place for shopping. You will find everything from handmade jewellery and woollen scarves to intricate ornaments and local artisan crafts.
Also, thrill seekers can enjoy several rides here. The enormous Big Wheel and the Star Flyer will take you up in the sky. From there, you will get an awe-inspiring panoramic view over the city skyline and the market below. Put on your skating shoes to take a spin on the magical Alpine ice rink. For kids, the Christmas Tree Maze and Santa’s Grotto are a must-visit.
The Rutland Hotel and Apartments would be an excellent choice for spending the night in Edinburgh. You would get an amazing view of the castle. Also, it’s very close to the Christmas markets. 
Dublin, Ireland
By Gill at Secret Sussex living near Lewes East Sussex
Dublin is finally catching up with its European counterparts, with Christmas markets worth visiting. The Dublin Castle Christmas Markets are just the most magical, festive place to visit when you are in the fair City in December.
These Christmas markets give visitors a warm and welcoming feel. With tonnes of festive cheer, merriment all in the backdrop of the stunning and iconic Dublin Castle. Although the markets are not huge, there is a real festive buzz about them, so definitely worth a visit this time of year.
If you are looking for a traditional Bavarian-style market, then “Christmas at the Castle” are the one. Located on the grounds of the historic and iconic Dublin Castle, the grounds are festively decorated with beautiful fairy lights, and the entrance is lined with tens of beautifully decorated Christmas trees.
Each year, the markets host talented musicians, such as the Dublin Gospel Choir and other local talent. There are a number of vendors selling a range of unique art, crafts, gifts and trinkets. Visitors can also enjoy a range of hot food and drinks to counteract the cold bite of the Irish weather. I can totally recommend the crepe box, which hit the spot for me.
Dublin Castle is just a short walk to Temple Bar, which is a beautiful cobbled area of Dublin City Centre that is usually adorned with sparkling lights.
I will always recommend staying at The Dean Hotel in Dublin. It is a boutique hotel in the heart of the City with stylish rooms and a beautiful rooftop bar. Dublin is a very walkable City and will be lit up with festive lights and elaborate shop window displays throughout the festive season. 
Vienna, Austria
By Or at My Path in the World
The Austrian capital, Vienna, is a perfect city to visit for Christmas markets, with more than 10 scattered across different areas, stunning illuminated streets, and a joyful festive atmosphere that will get you into the holiday spirit.
It’s easy to recommend the largest Christmas market in Vienna, the Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt in front of its city hall, as it features about 150 stalls, illuminated displays, parades, an ice skating rink, and even a Ferris wheel. It’s a popular spot for obvious reasons, but it’s worth the hype and makes you feel like a kid in a candy store.
For something more intimate and cozy, the Spittelberg quarter’s Christmas market is an absolute gem. This tiny neighborhood is charming all on its own, but its small yet magical market makes it even better. You’ll find even more Christmas markets in Stephansplatz near the famous cathedral, the Belvedere Palace, and the Schönbrunn Palace.
Their styles vary, but they all offer wintertime treats, Christmas decorations, handcrafted gifts, and much more. My favorite things to try were hot apple cider served in themed cups and kartoffelpuffer, a crispy fried potato pancake.
There are a few good areas to stay in Vienna for Christmas markets, including Innere Stadt (the heart of the city center) and the Spittelberg Quarter, with 7th HEAVEN Vienna Center Apartments being a good accommodation option in terms of location and amenities. 
Munich, Germany
By Sonia at Carey On Travels
Few places capture the spirit of the holidays better than Munich, with its classic Bavarian Christmas Market experience. The city’s crown jewel is the Marienplatz Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt), one of Germany’s oldest and most traditional markets. It’s set beneath the Gothic towers of the New Town Hall, and exudes Bavarian charm. Shop the wooden stalls with traditional hand-carved ornaments, nativity figures, while live holiday music is performed from the Town Hall balcony. Don’t miss the mulled wine, sausages, Käsespätzle (cheesy noodles), Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), and spiced nuts.
Just a short walk away, the Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s famous food market, is decorated for the holidays. It’s the perfect place to sample holiday specialties, such as Lebkuchen (gingerbread), roasted chestnuts, or a steaming mug of Feuerzangenbowle, a Munich classic consisting of mulled wine topped with a rum-soaked sugarloaf set aflame.
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For a different twist, the Medieval Christmas Market at Wittelsbacherplatz transports visitors into the Middle Ages with costumed vendors, mead served in clay mugs, and torchlit evenings that transport visitors back in time.
To stay a short walk from the festivities, consider the Hotel Törbrau. Despite being one of the oldest hotels in Munich, it offers modern amenities, great service, and an ideal location.Whether you prefer historic squares, gourmet treats, or medieval flair, Munich’s Christmas markets offer one of the most magical holiday experiences in Europe. 
Berlin, Germany
By Angela at Where Angie Wanders
Berlin is known for its Christmas Markets, of which there are many, but for me, one stands out, and that is the market at Charlottenburg Palace. This Christmas market is set up in the shadow of the Royal Palace and is a feast for the eyes, with sparkling fairy lights and Christmas illuminations projected on the palace itself.
The wooden stalls are decorated with festive fir branches and sell a range of gifts, from fine jewellery and pottery to German tree decorations, including glass baubles, nutcracker figurines, and snow globes. The Christmas market is great for families, groups of friends and couples. A Christmas carousel is perfect for children to ride, and musicians play festive tunes to entertain the adults as they wander around, enjoying the food and drink on sale.
We tucked into flammlachs (wood-fired roasted salmon) and flammkuchen (thin flatbread pizza) on our visit and washed them down with a glass of warm Lillet (a French aperitif sold at most German Christmas markets).
What made this market unique for us among the others we visited in Berlin was its location. Charlottenburg Palace is beautiful, and seeing it lit up at Christmas is a joy. As we sat enjoying our warming festive drinks, we watched the projections of candy canes, stars and gingerbread men on its frontage and agreed it was exceptionally magical.
We stayed at the Wilde Aparthotel at Checkpoint Charlie, which we found to be a good central base for the Berlin Christmas markets. 
Wroclaw, Poland
By Mal & Robin of Renting A Car In Europe 101
Wrocław is a fantastic place to visit during the festive season. Located in the south-west of Poland, just a short drive from the German border and with an international airport nearby, it’s an easy weekend getaway.
The heart of the city, the beautiful Gothic Market Square, will transform into a winter wonderland from 21 November 2025 to 7 January 2026, with wooden stalls stretching across Rynek, Plac Solny and nearby streets.
The giant Christmas tree in the Rynek is lit ceremonially on December 6, and the whole square is lit with thousands of lights. Food is definitely a highlight here. My favourite is the smoked mountain cheese called “oscypek” with cranberries. You can also eat here freshly grilled kielbasa, crispy potato pancakes, or pierogi stuffed with sauerkraut and mushrooms.
There’s also mulled wine, hot chocolate, and international treats like Hungarian lángos or Spanish paella. You’ll also find here everything from handmade jewellery and wool sweaters to wooden toys and traditional Polish slippers, ideal for thoughtful gifts.
Stay nearby at PURO Wroclaw Stare Miasto Hotel, just steps from the Market Square – modern, cosy, and perfectly located for making the most of the festive atmosphere right outside your door.
There’s also a second, more open-space “alternative” market at the Partynice horse racing track (6–21 December) for something a bit quieter and family-friendly, offering pony rides, gingerbread workshops, and other festive activities for kids. 
Barcelona, Spain
By Maria Dol at Map and Camera
I was completely surprised by the Port Vell Christmas market in Barcelona. It has a very Mediterranean festive feel to it. Rather than snow-covered wooden huts and mulled wine, you will see palm trees adorned with garlands, sparkling lights reflected in the sea and the scent of roasted chestnuts drifting along the coastal promenade.
Located next to the Columbus Monument and the Maremagnum shopping centre, although it is smaller than typical Central European markets, it is the setting that makes it unique, with glowing Christmas lights against the backdrop of the endless blue sea. It is at its most beautiful at sunset, when the sky turns pink above the yachts, the perfect time for photos.
Among the stalls, you can find traditional Catalan decorations, such as the amusing ‘Caga Tió’, as well as handmade nativity scene figures and local handicrafts. In the food area, you can sample churros with thick chocolate, torrone (nougat) or a botifarra sausage sandwich. If it’s a cooler evening, the warming Caldo de Nadal soup will restore your strength.
Children will be entertained by a large Ferris wheel, a colourful carousel and even an ice rink.
I stayed at the Hotel Duquesa de Cardona, which is right next to the port and just a few minutes’ walk from the market. The roof terrace offers stunning views of the Port Vell lights. It’s one of the best places to experience Barcelona’s seaside Christmas atmosphere before continuing your Spanish adventure, perhaps by following my seven-day Andalusia itinerary! 
Bath, England
By Em at Em’s Globetrotting Gems
Bath’s Christmas Market is easily one of the most charming in England. Nestled among Roman baths, medieval abbeys, and Bridgeton-esque architecture, it weaves history and festive cheer into a truly memorable experience. You’ll find handmade crafts, seasonal treats, and plenty of steaming mulled wine to warm your hands as you browse. While visiting Bath is special at any time of year, Christmas really brings out something magical in this historic town.
My favourite foods included the delicious Black Bomber cheddars that can be found around the south of England. And for a sneaky drink, or to buy a special bottle for Christmas Day, you should absolutely check out the sparkling white wines from the local vineyard, Bluestone. Stay at the Abbey Hotel in central Bath to make sure you’re right in the heart of the action while outside the noise.
The centrepiece of Bath’s Christmas extravaganza is the square hosting the Roman Baths the town is named for, as well as the magnificent medieval Abbey. With the towering Christmas tree glowing beneath the spotlighted Abbey and steam rising from the nearby Roman Baths, it’s like stepping into a festive fairytale. 
Cyprus Christmas villages
Cyprus might not be the first place that comes to mind for Christmas, but it’s a wonderful option for families looking to combine a mild winter escape with festive charm. The weather is pleasantly cool, hotels are much more affordable than in peak season, and there’s a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere across the island.
Each year, eight picturesque villages are selected to host the “Christmas Villages” program, where local streets are decorated with lights, markets, and festive activities. For 2025–2026, the chosen villages are Agros, Deryneia, Fikardou, Kakopetria, Kalopanagiotis, Kyperounta, Statos-Agios Fotios, and Lefkara. These villages will be open for celebrations from 22 November 2025 to 6 January 2026 (on weekends and holidays, and daily from 22 December onwards).
My personal favorites are Kakopetria and Lefkara. Kakopetria is an enchanting mountain village with stone houses, rivers, and cozy cafés, perfect for a winter day trip. Lefkara, famous for its lacework and silver crafts, has a magical atmosphere during Christmas. If you decide to stay overnight, I highly recommend Archontiko Kiverniti, a charming boutique hotel 10 minutes walk from the heart of the village.
To explore all eight villages comfortably, it’s best to rent a car, winter rates are low, and the scenic mountain drives are part of the charm. 
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