Many cities across the continent transform into festive Christmas markets in preparation for the holiday season and host the best christmas markets in Europe. Christmas markets, also known as Christkindlmarkt or Weihnachtsmarkt, had their roots in the Middle Ages in Austria and Germany. In spite of the fact that they are still most commonly identified with the northern half of the continent, this practise has expanded throughout Europe and taken on regional variations.

You may get a taste of the local stollen from Germany or some gingerbread from Estonia at these markets. In the southern regions of the Iberian Peninsula, almonds are used to make a delicious treat called nougat, which can take the form of a cake or a smooth nougat.

These outdoor markets, typically located in the city’s central plazas, are a visual and auditory extravaganza, what with their dazzling lights, towering Christmas trees, joyful carolers, and enticing displays of handmade Christmas goods and delectable treats. The antique charm of some has been preserved, while others have added 21st-century touches like laser light shows.

21 Of the Best Christmas Markets in Europe

This list features Europe’s most stunning Christmas markets, from Munich’s Marienplatz to Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens. where people are really getting into the holiday mood. So get ready to get in the festive spirit!

Stockholm

Skansen, a district in the heart of Stockholm, is known for its collection of ancient buildings and working farms. Skansen transforms into a merry Christmas market every year, complete with one-of-a-kind products and interactive craft workshops where guests can make their very own gifts.

Germany’s Nuremberg

A trip to the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany is like a time machine. Guests may take a stagecoach trip around the market while listening to the sounds of traditional Christmas songs emanating from the many vendors and booths.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s market, also known as the Christmas Market (or Weihnachtsmarkt), has been bustling with activity since 1393. It’s a great spot to hear the Glockenspiel, eat Christmas cookies, and buy handmade toys for kids, as it’s located in the city’s historic district surrounding the Römerberg.

London

Hyde Park hosts Winter Wonderland, where guests may enjoy ice skating, Christmas market shopping, and rides on a giant Ferris wheel (not the London Eye). However, the main attraction is the Magical Ice Kingdom, where you can see real-life-sized ice sculptures of unicorns, fairies, and castles.

Copenhagen

The world-famous Copenhagen Christmas market in Tivoli Gardens. The world’s oldest amusement park, located just outside of town, is converted into a winter wonderland for the holiday season.

England’s Birmingham City

Over 200 vendors set up shop at this particular Christmas market in Birmingham, England. It’s a real festive affair and completely unmissable. You have got to get this one on your bucket list and visit it at least once.

Dresdner, Deutschland

Since its inception as a one-day festival in 1434, Dresden’s Striezelmarkt has been a popular tourist destination. It’s one of the highlights of the people there. Not only that, tourists actually plan their Christmas breaks around this market because, hey, who’d wanna miss out on one of the best christmas markets in europe?

Vienna

Vienna’s most well-attended Christmas market is celebrated with a lighting of the Rathaus Town Hall. You may shop for wooden nativity scenes, jewellery, candles, glassware, ceramics, and more.

France’s Strasbourg

Every year, almost two million people make their way to the Strasbourg, France market to peruse the wares offered by exhibitors in more than 300 chalets.

Prague

Wenceslas Square in Prague is home to a delightful market with booths lining both the north and south sides of the plaza. One of the markets on the Old Town Square features a life-size nativity scene and a Christmas tree imported all the way from North Bohemia that stands at an impressive 27 metres tall.

Amsterdam

From Central Station to Dam Square, walkers in Amsterdam may enjoy the holiday lights along the Damrak canal.

Brussels

In front of the Grand Palace, Brussels’s most popular tourist attraction, you’ll find the city’s annual Christmas market. Part of the city’s Winter Wonderland celebration, which also has rides, live concerts, and a Christmas sound and light show, is this mile of temporary stores, bars, and restaurants.

Berlin

Pictured is the sun setting over Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market. Annually, around 800 thousand people come here to buy arts and crafts, toys, and food. Free musical performances and demonstrations by woodworkers, seamstresses, and other artists round out the celebrations.

Slovak Capital of Bratislava

From the Bratislava Castle, lights and music travelled along Hlavné Námestie and the adjoining streets, where vendors and artists were busy at work. Pork burgers, sweet buns, and loke are just some of the many delicious options available at the market in Slovakia’s capital (potato flatbread stuffed with fruit or something salty).

Munich

The central Munich plaza of Marienplatz becomes home to more than a hundred vendors from the day after Thanksgiving all the way until Christmas Eve. There is a Krampus run, a Nativity market, and Christmas carols every 30 minutes in front of St. Michael’s Church, in addition to local items (such Tyrolean wood carvings) and baked goodies (sample the Pfeffernüsse spice biscuits).

Helsinki

Since the 1990s, the Helsinki Senate Square has hosted Tuomaan Markkinat, a holiday market where skilled craftspeople display and sell exquisite Finnish handicrafts. There will be marching bands, demonstrations of blacksmithing and glassblowing, and free rides on a classic carousel.

Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Christmas Market, located on Princes Street, is widely regarded as one of the greatest in all of Europe, and draws in excess of two million people every year. It’s perfect since it falls on the same day as Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year’s Eve party.

Madrid

More than a hundred exhibitors in red kiosks sell delicate Christmas decorations, joke presents, and elaborate Nativity models at the Mercado de la Natividad in Madrid’s Plaza Mayor. The local specialty is calamari tapas, but you should also try nougats and polvorones while you’re there. The market first opened in the 17th century, and today a historic carousel is set up there to keep people entertained all the way until the New Year.

Kroatien, Zagreb

Zagreb Advent is a six-week long festival celebrated all around the city, beginning in Zrinjevac Park with arts and crafts and ending with live music, ice skating, and a massive Christmas tree in Ban Josip Jelacic Square.

Budapest

St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest’s largest church, has religious pictures and Christmas tales lighted every 30 minutes on its exterior throughout Advent. Take pictures of the enormous tree and wreath, and then go across to Vörösmarty Square, where the city’s largest Christmas market can be found. You’ll discover local specialties, handcrafted musical instruments, and ceramics here.

Estonian Capital, Tallinn

The earliest known Christmas tree in Europe was put up in the town square of Tallinn, Estonia, in 1441. Until Three Kings Day, thousands of people visit the neighbouring historic Old Town of Tallinn to peruse the stalls selling handmade goods and seasonal treats at the annual Tallinn Christmas Market.