The scent of mulled wine and cinnamon, lights glowing over the squares and wooden stalls full of handcrafted treasures: this is Christmas in Europe. If you're dreaming of a holiday trip this season, these are some of the markets worth discovering.
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Budapest, Hungary (since 2011): the Advent Feast at St. Stephen’s Basilica has been voted Europe’s best Christmas market four times by European Best Destinations, which in 2024 named it the “Best European Christmas Market of All Time.” Expect Hungarian crafts, lángos, a traditional fried dough, and light shows on the basilica’s facade.
Zagreb, Croatia (a modern tradition): Advent in Zagreb was voted Europe’s best Christmas market three years in a row by European Best Destinations. It spreads through parks, courtyards and even a tunnel under the Upper Town, with outdoor bars, concerts and fritule, small Croatian doughnuts. It’s also one of the most affordable markets in the eurozone.
Strasbourg, France (since 1570): it calls itself the “Capital of Christmas.” Its market is held around the cathedral, surrounded by colorful half-timbered houses that look straight out of a storybook.
Vienna, Austria (since 1298): its first December market dates back to the Middle Ages. Today, the Wiener Christkindlmarkt (Vienna’s “Christ Child Market”), in front of City Hall, brings together traditional stalls, an ice rink and the famous Punsch, a hot fruit punch to warm you up.
Nuremberg, Germany (since 1628): the Christkindlesmarkt (the “Christ Child Market”) is one of the most famous in the world. Its stalls sell only handcrafted goods, classic gingerbread and “Drei im Weggla,” three small sausages in a bun.
Dresden, Germany (since 1434): home to the Striezelmarkt, the country’s oldest Christmas market, named after the “Striezel,” the old word for Stollen, the traditional Christmas sweet bread.
Prague, Czech Republic (since the 14th century): the Christmas market fills Old Town Square, the city’s historic main square, with lights, hand-blown glass ornaments and trdelník, a sweet chimney-shaped pastry.
Travel Notes
When: most markets open between mid and late November and close before Christmas or in early January. Check each city's official website for dates before you book.
A tip from my experience: go on a weekday around sunset, when the lights come on and the crowds are smaller. Bring warm clothes and some cash, because at many stalls mulled wine is served in a mug with a deposit that you get back when you return it, or that you can keep as a souvenir.
If you'd like to plan your Christmas market route with someone who knows Europe up close, book a Trip Planning Session with E Weekly News.
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About the author: Patty Kralj has dedicated twenty years to what she loves most: writing about lifestyle. Having lived between Mexico and the United States, with a deep European sensibility, she created E Weekly News for one reason: to help you live better. Say hello here.
