Christmas is a magical winter holiday that attracts with twinkling lights, decorated trees, festive food and traditions. There is no more festive place to spend this family holiday than the Christmas markets. Find out more about the 10 best Christmas markets in Europe to visit in winter 2024/2025

Christmas and New Year are getting closer, very soon festive lights and numerous decorations will take over the streets of European cities. An irreplaceable part of the winter holidays are the Christmas fairs, which originated in the 14th century in Germany. Carols, the smell of spices, honey cookies, mulled wine, souvenirs and numerous entertainments are all integral parts of the event.

German Christmas markets are probably the most famous, but a vacation in Prague or a trip to Austria will also immerse tourists in the atmosphere of fairy-tale architecture, unique gifts and warming winter food.

Where to spend a winter weekend and get in the festive spirit? A list of the best Christmas markets in Europe in 2024 follows.

Prague, Czech Republic

- Date: from November 30, 2024 to January 6, 2025.

- Venue: Old Town and Wenceslas Squares.

- Average cost of a hotel room for 1 night: 95 euros.

- Best for outdoor concerts.

Beautiful as a postcard, Prague is ideal for Christmas or New Year holidays. The fabulous background of cobbled streets and the fantastic architecture of Prague impress tourists at first sight. The atmosphere of the fair is perfect – on one side is the spire of the Church of Our Lady before Tyn, built in the 14th century; on the other is the city's famous 15th-century astronomical clock, and in the center a glittering Christmas market rages.

Keyrings made of frosted, hand-blown glass are the highlight of the exhibition.

Delicious cuisine complements the warm atmosphere - hot sausages, fresh from the grill; fresh pancakes; garlic and cheese cakes; all topped off with a shot of svarak, the local citrus version of mulled wine.

There is a children's fair on Old Town Square, where you can see sheep, goats and donkeys patiently waiting for the attention of the smallest tourists.

Berlin, Germany

- Date: from November 24, 2024 to January 7, 2025.

- Venue: Alexanderplatz square.

- Average cost of a hotel room for 1 night: 90 euros.

- Best for trendy Christmas gifts and sledding.

Berlin has a more modern take on Christmas traditions. During the holidays, about 80 Christmas markets are held in the central part of the city (there is even one especially for dogs):

- the largest is the Spandau fair;

- decorated with a large number of decorative and applied arts, the Weihnachtszauber fair is the most beautiful;

 - Winter World on Potsdamer Platz impresses with winter entertainment: sledding, curling and ice skating with free lessons for children.

Budapest, Hungary

- Date: from November 17, 2024 to January 1, 2025.

- Venue: Vorosmarty Square, Basilica.

- Average cost of a hotel room for 1 night: 80 euros.

- Best for ice rinks and Christmas illuminations.

Every year on Christmas Eve, the central square of the Hungarian capital, Vorosmarty, turns into a festive bazaar, smelling of traditional honey cookies, mulled wine, cinnamon and Christmas trees, with live shows and music playing on two outdoor stages.

The fair near the Basilica has all of the above, but with a slight advantage: Christmas laser projections on the Basilica itself and an ice rink that revolves around a large Christmas tree.

Vienna, Austria

- Date: from November 16, 2024 to January 4, 2025.

- Venue: on the square in front of the Town Hall.

- Average cost of a hotel room for 1 night: 113 euros.

- Best for skates and traditional jewelry.

During Christmas, Vienna sparkles with festive lights. Numerous Christmas markets are spread along the narrow streets of the old town. Local stalls are filled with traditional wooden toys and artisanal goods such as handmade soap. A mug of mulled wine and the aroma of roasted chestnuts and freshly baked pretzels will cheer up vacationers.

Gdansk, Poland

- Date of the event: from November 22 - final date to be determined.

- Venue: the main town square, Targ Węglowy, as well as Tkacka and Bogusławskiego streets.

- Average cost of a hotel room for 1 night: 75 euros.

- The best for holiday romance and tasting delicacies.

While the Christmas markets of Krakow and Wroclaw are recognized as the largest, the market of the romantic city of Gdańsk is considered the most beautiful Christmas market in Poland. There are more than 120 stalls selling original jewellery, ceramics, fashion clothes such as hats and knitwear and treats, including regional dishes such as "pierogi". Gourmets will be tempted by Alsatian pancakes, Greek bugatsa and Spanish churros. Warm up here with a mug of hot chocolate or aromatic mulled wine.

Copenhagen, Denmark

- Date: from November 15, 2024 to January 5, 2025.

- Venue: Tivoli Gardens.

- Average cost of a hotel room for 1 night: 125 euros.

- Best for winter walks and riding the Ferris wheel.

Winter is one of the best times to visit Copenhagen, and especially its main attraction, the Tivoli Gardens. At Christmas, the historic amusement park in the center of the Danish capital turns into a fairy-tale wonderland. From ice skating to Santa's sleigh, mulled wine and cinnamon markets, known as gløgg and æbleskiver in Danish, and sweet treats, there's everything you need for a perfect holiday day. Tourists staying here for a few days can easily cross the bridge to Malmö to experience a Swedish Christmas as well.

Cologne, Germany

- Date: from November 18 to December 23, 2024.

- Venue: Roncalliplatz near the Cologne Cathedral.

- Average cost of a hotel room for 1 night: 130 euros.

- Best for visiting various thematic markets.

Cologne is recognized as one of the best places to celebrate Christmas, as four large fairs open here every year. The largest is the Christmas market in front of the entrance to Cologne Cathedral, which dates back to the 13th century. During the festival, more than 100 stage performances and Christmas music are played here.

 If you like active recreation, put on your skates and go to the outdoor skating rink at the Heumarkt.

Lille, France

- Date: from November 23 to December 30, 2024.

- Venue: Riur square

- Average cost of a hotel room for 1 night: 140 euros.

- Best for feeling the spirit of French Christmas.

Wooden chalets built in a rustic style sell toys and gifts, as well as tempting bowls of cheese tartiflette and sweet chocolate waffles. Among the entertainment, here you can ride on the giant Ferris wheel, which is located on the majestic Grand Place.

Salzburg, Austria

- Date: from November 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025.

- Venue: Hoehesalzburg Castle courtyard, Residenzplatz, Domplatz square, Mozartplatz and others.

- Average cost of a hotel room for 1 night: 140 euros.

- Best for Christmas carols and feeling the spirit of old traditions.

Mozart's hometown immerses itself in a truly fairy-tale atmosphere during the Christmas season. The market stalls here look just as they did when they were first opened in the 15th century.

To really get into the Christmas spirit, join the free daily concerts at 5pm in front of the cathedral or sing carols every Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm.

Strasbourg, France

- Date: from November 27 to December 27, 2024.

- Venue: next to the historic Kryshtkindelsmerik on Broglie Square.

- Average cost of a hotel room for 1 night: 110 euros.

- Best for tasting Christmas sweets.

Strasbourg is the French "Capital of Christmas", which looks really special in winter. You'll find around 300 traditional market stalls in the town's central squares with lots of beautiful hand-painted wooden Christmas decorations. Taste sausages and other local delicacies.

Christmas markets are held in many European cities, filling the streets with a festive atmosphere, good mood and fabulous aromas. Choose the most interesting place and go on a fabulous adventure.

We will remind you! Autumn is the best time to relax at great prices. And if you are afraid of the large number of tourists in Italy and the increase in prices in Spain, we advise you to take a closer look at the resorts in the southeast of Europe.

The pearl of the Mediterranean and the pride of Montenegro is the Bay of Kotor - one of the cheapest destinations in Europe, especially in the off-season. We have already talked about the main attractions of the Bay of Kotor and the cost of a vacation here.