If you want to go out and travel in December, a good choice is to visit one of the thousands of Christmas markets in Europe or around the country.
It is a great way to combine a city and also get a Christmas mood at the same time. There are so many magical Christmas markets, but we have chosen to mention those as Tripadvisor's followers have named the best. There are certainly more people who are at least as good and exciting, Copenhagen, Berlin, Bratislava and Liege to name a few other than those below.
It is a great way to combine a city and also get a Christmas mood at the same time. There are so many magical Christmas markets, but we have chosen to mention those as Tripadvisor's followers have named the best. There are certainly more people who are at least as good and exciting, Copenhagen, Berlin, Bratislava and Liege to name a few other than those below.
Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg
Having been around since the 1500s, the Nuremberg Christmas Market is considered to be one of the oldest (and one of the best) Christmas markets in Germany. This year's market is back at Hauptmarkt and you can look forward to its famous opening ceremony, Nuremberg bratwurst, and its blonde-haired Christkind angel. |
Colmar Christmas Markets, Colmar
If you’re visiting Strasbourg, hop on over to the Colmar Christmas Markets, just a short distance away. Colmar goes all out with its festive decorations, much like the rest of Alsace, which springs to life with bright, twinkling lights this time of year. While small, all of its six markets are surrounded by quaint timber houses, lovely decorations along the canal, and whimsical white Christmas trees scattered across the town. Explore all of them with this Christmas markets tour of Colmar, and end the night with wine tastings in a wine cave. |
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London
If there’s only one Christmas market you can visit this year, make it the Christmas extravaganza that is Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. End the year on a high with tons of rides, a mega Ferris wheel, an outdoor ice rink, ice sculptures, performances, bars… and did we mention over a hundred Christmas market stalls? Pre-booking of tickets is required so hop over to the Winter Wonderland website to snag your slot. If not, there’s always this silent disco Christmas party tour of London. |
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market, Cologne
Set against the Gothic Cologne Cathedral, the Weihnachtsmarkt am Dom should be one of your first stops on your Cologne Christmas market pilgrimage. Start your day with a tour of the Cathedral City and catch the festive lights in the evening while sipping a glass of glühwein and exploring the stalls in this cosy market. |
Christkindelsmärik, Strasbourg
The festive spirit and decorations at Strasbourg are close to unmatched, rightfully earning its moniker as the “Capital of Christmas.” The Christkindelsmärik at Place Broglie is a historic staple of the area, loved for its spread of delectable food and traditional atmosphere. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore other unique Strasbourg Christmas markets on a walking tour, from the majestic market at Place de la Cathédrale to the offbeat and artisanal markets selling handcrafted Alsatian wine glasses and local delicacies. |
Rovaniemi Santa Claus Village, Lapland, Finland
The sleigh bells are ringing 365 days a year in Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus—it even comes with a Santa Claus Post Office operated by the Finnish postal service. Pay a visit to Father Christmas himself, meet Rudolph and his reindeer friends and find out what Mr. Claus gets up to while he’s not busy delivering gifts—we heard he loves aurora hunting, snowmobiling, and the occasional husky ride. Zoom through the Arctic Circle on a 6-hour tour and make it back to the village to spend the night in one of its luxurious winter resorts. |
Düsseldorf Christmas Market, Düsseldorf
There are seven main markets in the Düsseldorf city centre, each offering something different. Swoon over beautifully curated gingerbread houses at the Altstadt-Markt, the charming red huts at Handwerker-Markt, or the enchanting fairytales and LED lights at the Schadow-Markt. Don’t miss a single one with this guided tour of Düsseldorf’s Christmas Markets. |
Bruges Winter Glow, Bruges
The Bruges Winter Glow festival is back again this year, promising dazzling winter illuminations across the city, an outdoor skating rink, and a Vorst Winter Bar, and of course, Christmas markets that you can explore on a Bruges Christmas market tour. Dig into Belgian fare of waffles, beer, and chocolate, against the backdrop of the Belfry of Bruges bell tower. |
Münsterplatz Christmas Market, Basel
With neighbours like Germany and France, expect no less than absolute magic at Basel’s Christmas markets. The Christmas market at Münsterplatz is one of the crowd favourites, with a huge Christmas tree set in front of the iconic red sandstone Münster. Learn about the Advent customs of the “city on the Rhine” while enjoying the holiday magic on a Christmas tour of Basel. |
Reims Christmas Market, Reims
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims is the backdrop of the Reims Christmas markets, with over 140 stalls set in the square brimming with artisanal handicrafts and gourmet specialities across six different markets. The best part? You can enjoy a glass of bubbly on the big Ferris wheel while enjoying the view of the illuminated square from above, with the melodic voices of Christmas carollers in the background. |
Manchester Christmas Market, Manchester
Another spot that contends for the top Christmas market in the UK is the Manchester Christmas Markets, centering in Piccadilly Gardens once again. The Winter Gardens will feature Yuletide bars with local ales and foodie favourites like Dutch Frites, with live music and DJs spinning festive tunes. Get an intimate and tailored Christmas in Manchester experience with a private tour. |
Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, Salzburg
Located at the foot of Hohensalzburg Fortress and around the sacred Salzburg Cathedral, the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt offers a remarkable experience steeped in Austrian tradition. Across the six sections and over 90 stalls, take in the sights and smells of Christmas delicacies and sweets, delicious Austrian coffee, and handicrafts. If you can’t get enough of the City of Mozart, explore the rest of its beautiful architecture and Christmas markets on a Salzburg city tour. |
Edinburgh’s Christmas, Scotland
At Edinburgh’s Christmas Market, you can look forward to a diverse range of stalls selling festive food and trinkets, a Ferris wheel and double carousel, and the much-anticipated return of the city’s outdoor ice rink. And don’t forget to make time to explore the rest of Edinburgh on this hop-on hop-off bus tour. |
Viennese Dream Christmas Market, Rathausplatz, Vienna
The Christmas dream comes alive in Rathausplatz, the home of Vienna’s biggest Christmas market. This beautiful city emanates a soft glow come Christmas, with the grandiose City Hall serving as a backdrop. There are over 150 stalls at the Viennese Dream market alone and over 10 markets around the city, so do yourself a favour and book yourself on a Christmas market tour of Vienna. |
Christkindlimarkt and Zurich Christmas Village, Zurich
When it comes to Christmas trees, the opulence of this Christkindlimarkt’s tree at Zurich Main Station can’t be beaten—a 32-feet-tall Christmas tree embellished with thousands of sparkling Swarovski crystals. The Christmas market inside the train station is pretty neat, too. The Wienachtsdorf, or Zurich Christmas Village, is another great market with a skating rink, carousel, and Bavarian curling. Explore both of these markets and more with a Magic Christmas Tour in Zurich. |
Piazza Santa Croce Christmas Market, Florence, Italy
The largest Christmas market in Florence can be found at the piazza of the Basilica di Santa Croce against its glorious marble facade. Expect all the good stuff that comes with a traditional Christmas Market, like German-style open-air wooden stalls selling bratwurst, chimney cake, and mulled wine, with a mix of Italian cheeses, jams, chocolates, and spices. But before you have your fill of wine and cheese, whizz your way around Florence on an electric cart tour to explore more of the city’s iconic landmarks. |
Winter Wonders, Brussels
The magic continues at Winter Wonders in Brussels, bringing with it over 200 stalls at its Christmas market, a massive Christmas tree, Ferris wheels, and—the star of the show—a sensational light display at the iconic Grand Place. You’ll definitely need the help of a local guide on a Brussels Christmas tour to catch all of the festive action. |
Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square, Prague, Czech Republic
While not as extravagant as other Christmas Markets in Europe, the markets in Prague make up for it with stunning backdrops, like the Tyn Cathedral at the main markets of Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Grab some roast ham and a glass of honey wine and climb up the Observation Bridge in the middle of the square to admire the city’s enchanting architecture, made even more beautiful by the soft glow of the Christmas lights. There are loads more to see at Christmas in Prague, so get on a private tour to explore its hidden corners and little-known spots. |
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