Best European Christmas Markets

Which are Europe’s Best Christmas Markets? Hundreds of thousands of you, as in previous years, voted for the most beautiful Christmas markets. Discover your pick of the 20 best Christmas markets in Europe, following Zagreb (3 times), Strasbourg, Tallinn, Budapest, and Basel in previous years.

If you don’t have a flying sleigh, book your flight, as well as your Christmas accommodations and activities and tours, at the best price (can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance).

Travel to Europe’s most beautiful Christmas destinations this year to live unique experiences and create memories to last a lifetime.

Before you go, check the rules, sanitary measures, and travel conditions for all European countries. We strongly advise travelers to get vaccinated and tested if they have any doubts. We also encourage them to use barrier gestures, wear masks in public, and wash their hands frequently to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 and other diseases.

#1 Budapest, Hungary

Advent Feast at the Basilica

The Basilica’s Advent Feast reopens its doors!

With this slogan, the Advent Basilica, Budapest’s one-of-a-kind Christmas fair, reopens its doors in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica in one of the most impressive, beautiful, and breathtaking squares in the Hungarian capital.

It was voted the ‘Most Beautiful Christmas Market in Europe’ in the online voting of the European Best Destinations in 2020 and 2022, and the Feast lives up to its reputation this year as well.

True to the 12-year-old Advent Basilica’s tradition, it promises a unique festive atmosphere with 120 domestic craft exhibitors, true gastronomic adventures, heart-warming programs, and many more surprises.

Apart from the spectacularly decorated glorious atmosphere of the feast, visitors can see the highly successful light show, candle lighting on the advent wreath, musical performances with amazing singers, use the interactive selfie-point, visit the nearly 12-meter-tall Christmas tree and the manger of Bethlehem, and use the skating rink every single day.

Because Christmas is a holiday of love and caring, organizers felt compelled to include a number of charitable organizations in their program, thus living up to their motto and Christian values by assisting the less fortunate and those in need.

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#2 Basel, Switzerland

Basel Christmas Market is on the podium of your favorite Christmas markets in Europe every year.

In recent years, an increasing number of you have voted for this authentic Christmas Market with a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

Basel has a long history as Switzerland’s most beautiful and largest Christmas city, and it is well worth a visit any time of year. Not only is the well-preserved Old Town glistening in the warm Christmas light, but many shops and building facades glitter with a golden glow.

A hundred tall pine trees line the streets, standing like brightly lit sentinels pointing the way for visitors. The Christmas market, which is held right in the city center and in the heart of the festively decorated Old Town, is especially recommended. The Basel Christmas Market is located on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, two of Basel’s most beautiful squares. On Münsterplatz, a magnificent Christmas tree with ornaments by well-known decorator Johann Wanner stands. Do not miss seeing their Christmas tree, which you have named one of the most beautiful in Europe.

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#3 Metz, France

For the past ten years, it has been ranked among the best Christmas markets in Europe and is widely regarded as the most beautiful Christmas market in France. Metz is truly unique, with unique activities only seen in Metz at Christmas, such as the “lantern trail,” a ferris wheel, and many chalets offering Made in Moselle products. Not only do visitors come to see the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, but also creators, designers (such as Philippe Starck), innovative concept hotels, start-ups, artists, and trendy businesses.

Visit the Christmas markets on the city’s main squares* to get into the holiday spirit and receive the warmest of welcomes. Discover handcrafted gifts in the Christmas pyramid and sample the best gingerbread in town. Skate down the ice road, then warm your hands with mulled wine or hot chocolate.

Allow the illuminations to chase away the dark winter days, and enjoy traditional treats like the merry-go-round, a walk through the Department of Moselle’s magical “Sentiers des Lanternes,” or the opportunity to stock up on gastronomic Christmas essentials at the city market hall.

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#4 Vienna, Austria

From mid-November to Christmas, Vienna’s most beautiful squares are transformed into magical Christmas markets. A pre-Christmas atmosphere is created by the aroma of Christmas bakery items and hot punch.

The traditional “Vienna Magic of Advent,” which transforms City Hall Square into a shining fairytale land, is one of the most well-known Christmas Markets. Christmas gifts, tree decorations, sweets, and hot drinks await you, as do a carousel and craft fun Christmas Workshops for children. The trees in the City Hall park are festively decorated and glow in a sea of lights – a Viennese experience you won’t want to miss!

Another popular destination in the run-up to Christmas is the cultural and Christmas market in front of Schönbrunn Palace. It provides pure romance against an imperial backdrop and is transformed into a New Year’s market after Christmas. Traditional handicrafts, hand-made Christmas decorations, Christmas concerts, and an extensive children’s program, including a Christmas workshop, are available at the atmospheric market.

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#5 Montbeliard, France

Montbéliard has one of France’s most beautiful Christmas markets. This Christmas market is traditional and authentic, and it is world famous for the beauty of its illuminations. Montbéliard, located in Franche-Comté (Eastern France), is known for its hospitality and transforms into pure enchantment a few weeks before Christmas.

During the Advent season, Montbéliard revives the Württemberg tradition by hosting a unique Christmas market with 140 lovely stalls filled with authentic and high-quality items. Visitors can taste delicious gastronomic products from Montbéliard and France while strolling down the illuminated streets, marvel at the variety of art and crafts, and dance to the music and sound of choral songs.

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#6 Craiova, Romania

Craiova, which is a year-round destination, is simply breathtaking at Christmas.

Craiova Christmas Market opened on November 11, 2022, with The Artist Awards, a spectacular show featuring the most important Romanian artists, and will run until January 8, 2023.

Craiova Municipality has distributed the various Christmas events, markets, the ice rink, concerts, creative workshops, and food stands in four different locations throughout the city – Mihai Viteazul Square, Old Center (Piața Frații Buzești), William Shakespeare Square, and Doljana Fountain area – to ensure a successful event.

They are linked together by magical illuminations (over a million LED bulbs), making Craiova not only one of Europe’s best Christmas markets, but also Romania’s best Christmas Lights destination.

Oversized, cheerful, and colorful dolls will delight the eyes of young and old admirers, and thousands of warm or bright white lights, fly lanterns of all colors, and classic luminous figurines will illuminate each point of attraction.

But what makes Craiova unique are the Christmas cottages, which are magically painted and carved with various characters from fairy tales by Romania’s most talented artists. Craiova becomes a one-of-a-kind and amazing Christmas destination for everyone thanks to the city’s creativity and audacity in launching the Christmas Market concept.

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#7 Trier, Germany

The Trier Christmas market is not only the best in Germany, but also the most romantic Christmas market setting in the world!

The Trier Christmas market, now in its 43rd year, will once again be one of the most beautiful in Germany. The 95 attractively decorated booths provide a fitting framework for this wonderful event, which is set on the medieval

For the first time, the family program changes almost daily, ranging from historical puppet theater to star tenors and songsmiths. Travel organizers frequently describe the Trier Christmas Market as “romantic with wonderful ambience.” Sarah Schmitt, Germany’s only Mulled Wine Queen, is looking forward to welcoming international visitors to Trier. Visitors from all over the world are drawn to the large selection of delicious specialties such as the “Original Moselle Vintner Mulled Wine” and festive arts and crafts.

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#8 Madeira, Portugal

Madeira and Porto Santo are magical at any time of year, but especially at the end of the year. Imagine two rare beauty islands decked out in a thousand lights to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s. A wide range of products are on display, including exotic flowers, traditional souvenirs, and, of course, seasonal delicacies and drinks, all of which add to the merriment in a very welcoming atmosphere. Participate in the joy of the season’s festivities by attending daily activities and entertainment shows such as Christmas Carols and folklore group performances.

Madeira and Porto Santo are more important than ever to put at the top of your travel wishlist, as they are now directly connected to JFK Airport (New York) for the first time, and ten new airlines connect Madeira and Porto Santo to airports near you. You will be able to explore the wonders of Madeira and Porto Santo thanks to your vaccination passport, which is considered the safest Covid-19 destination during the pandemic.

The celebrations started on December 1 and end on January 9. Do not miss their famous fireworks display, which is one of Europe’s most beautiful. It is listed as the World’s Greatest Show in the Guinness Book of World Records. Come recharge your batteries in Madeira’s winter sun.

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#9 Brussels, Belgium

Your favorite Christmas market in Belgium is Winter Wonders, followed by Ghent, Antwerpen, Bruges, and Liege. Winter Wonders, with 2.5 million visitors, is the unmissable end-of-year event in Brussels, which dons its festive costume and pulls out all the stops on the menu.

Brussels, Europe’s capital, has also been one of the Christmas capitals for several years, along with Strasbourg, Budapest, and Vienna. Every year, the event’s organizers raise the bar in order to provide you with moments of pure magic. The great classics await you: magnificent Sound and Light shows at the Grand-Place, a majestic tree, a life-sized manger, a skating rink, magical lights, and numerous exhibitions dotting the event, and, of course, amazing Christmas markets bursting with treasures that will delight the curious and titillate the gourmets’ taste buds.

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#10 Govone & Asti, Italy

Govone can proudly claim the title of Italy’s most beautiful Christmas market. This event, which was created by enthusiasts, is Italy’s most important Christmas event.

“Magico Paese di Natale” is set in the small village of Govone, on the hills of Langhe-Roero, Piedmont’s wine region and a Unesco World Heritage Site. During the winter, the entire village of Govone transforms into Santa Claus’ magical kingdom, complete with a variety of cultural and gastronomic attractions.

There’s also a wonderful Christmas market with artisans from all over Italy. There is a Street Food area as well as a Magic Kingdom Wine shop where guests can find all of the traditional local delicacies. The amazing musical show of Santa Claus, hosted every day in the scenographic Savoy royal castle of

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#11 Edinburgh, Scotland

Between November 25th and January 3rd, 2023, the world-renowned Edinburgh Christmas celebrations will spread festive cheer throughout the Scottish capital. From mulled Irn Bru to vegan pigs in blankets, Harry Potter-themed gifts to locally crafted goods, the stunning Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens will have something for everyone! Santa Land will return to East Princes Street Gardens with rides for people of all ages, while Santa’s Grotto will return to Castle Street.

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#12 Valkenburg, The Netherlands

According to legend, Santa comes from Valkenburg aan de Geul… As the days grow shorter, Valkenburg, in the enchanting Heuvelland region of the southern Netherlands, transforms into a cosy and delightful Christmas town. From 18 November 2022 to 8 January 2023, the small town of Valkenburg in Zuid-Limburg is transformed into ‘Kerststad Valkenburg.’ Valkenburg will be able to call itself the European City of Christmas in 2022. In Valkenburg, you can see, smell, hear, and taste Christmas

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