Great Christmas Markets Europe
There are so many great Christmas Markets in Europe. The Christmas season is one of the most fun times of year to travel around Europe because of these markets and the ambience they create. Everywhere from big cities to small villages seems to have their own special market and celebration. I encourage you to visit a variety of markets. The big ones are famous for a reason, but there is a lot of charm in the smaller markets as well.
The best Christmas Markets in Europe will change based on who you ask. Everyone has their own preferences and experiences. Some of the places that are repeatedly named in the lists of Great Christmas Markets Europe are:
Dresden, Germany
Cologne, Germany
Nuremberg, Germany
Strasbourg, France
Prague, Czechia
Tallinn, Estonia
Vienna, Austria
Salzburg, Austria
Keep reading to get all the helpful advice you need in order to plan a European Christmas Market trip. I’ve spent several years visiting Christmas Markets in different countries and I’m outlining all the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years in one place right here! If you still have more questions, you can drop them in the comments. Or if you’d like some personalized help in planning your trip book a call with me to go over the details and get a good plan going.
Great Christmas Markets Europe-there are so many fun and festive options! This colorful market is Colmar, France.
When do the Christmas Markets start?
I can’t stress this enough, it is VERY IMPORTANT to check the websites for the markets you want to visit. It will tell you the start date, end date, any days that it is closed, hours, locations, and what you can expect. All you need to do is Google “City + Christmas Market” and you’ll find it!
When the Christmas Markets start can vary by location quite a bit. But I would say most start around late November and many end by Christmas Eve.
You can expect most Christmas markets in Germany to end before Christmas. However in Austria and France it is more common that they continue for a few days after Christmas.
Vienna Christmas Market via UnSplash
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When is the best time to go?
The best time to visit Christmas Markets in Europe is always early and during the week if you want to avoid crowds. Make sure to check the market’s website to see what time it opens. Otherwise you’ll wander around the city with closed booths if you are too early.
I know we can’t all go to the markets at 10 AM on a Tuesday, so to make the best of your weekend visit, I do think it’s better to get there early. Especially with kids because some of the markets can really feel jam-packed on the weekends.
Visiting early in the day is great for crowd management, but there is a certain magical feeling that comes with visiting at night when the lights are twinkling. If you can go early in the day, get most of your shopping done, take a break, and then come back when it is dark-that is the best scenario. You will get to experience the best of both worlds.
Alsace Christmas Markets do not skimp on the over-the-top Christmas decorations.
Most Overrated Christmas Market vs. Most Underrated Christmas Market
Most Underrated: Stuttgart
I never hear people talk about the Stuttgart market and I was really impressed by it! The main market has booths very similar to Dresden where the tops are each decorated individually. There were a lot of rides and things for kids to do. I also saw a Norwegian almost medieval style market near the main one. You can also pair a visit to Stuttgart’s market with visiting the medieval market at Esslingen that is one of the most talked about Christmas Markets.
I also like Innsbruck, Austria. It’s not overwhelming, they have an excellent Santa wandering around, some fun for kids, Lumagica Christmas Light Display, and a mountain backdrop.
Innsbruck's Christmas Market is very picturesque with a mountain backdrop.
Most Overrated:
This probably isn’t a fair answer because I went in 2012 when I was pregnant, but I don’t remember Cologne being that great. Don’t hate me! I know this is many people’s favorite market. Maybe I need a do-over.
When I asked for other overrated markets, Strasbourg came up more than once. Likely for the crowd levels.
These opinions are always subjective. Others might have a different opinion or experience. You won’t know how you’ll feel about it until you go yourself!
Highly recommended restaurant, Le Gruber and the giant teddy bear decorations in Strasbourg, France.
Prettiest Christmas Markets in Europe
These cities are some of the most beautiful cities on their own, but add in twinkly lights and over the top festive decorations-it takes it to a whole new level. If you’re looking for pretty pictures and videos, the top 4 cities in this list have been my favorites. The rest of the list is based on all the different lists and recommendations I’ve read over the years about the prettiest Christmas markets in Europe.
Strasbourg (do not miss the tree lighting each night, it’s more like a light show)
Prague
Dresden
Cologne
Ravenna Gorge
Tallinn
The Christmas tree at the Christmas Market in Prague is beautiful.
Christmas Markets with Kids
If you’re visiting the markets with kids, I feel obliged to tell you to lower your expectations. Lower them for how much you think you can do and how much you think your kids will LOVE the magic.
A Christmas market is full of booths for shopping and eating with some rides thrown in (if you’re lucky). If you aren’t buying them something, the magic may wear off quicker than you think.
To help us manage days out at markets, here are some helpful tips:
Dress warm and waterproof. Cold, wet kids are grumpy kids.
Set a money expectation before you go. Will you give each kid a certain amount to spend at the market? Do they need to spend their own money? I recommend figuring this out with your partner and communicating it clearly with the kids before you go.
Share food. Graze through the day. Everyone likes a treat so if you share it, you’ll have more money and more room in your tummies to try a bunch of different things throughout the day.
Bring your own water bottles and emergency snacks. This will save you from being stuck in line every single time someone wants something or is thirsty.
Find other things to do in the area that aren’t the markets. Even just adding in some playground time and downtime can go a long way to helping everyone’s moods.
Use the bathroom anytime you are in a restaurant. Bathrooms can be hard to find in the markets, have long lines, and not be the most clean. Make your kids go anytime you are in a restaurant or in the hotel. Whether they have to go or not. Download the Flush App to help you find public restrooms while you’re out.
Put your phone number on a piece of paper in their coat pockets. Should you get separated, they can pull the paper out and give it to someone to call you. Bonus points for laminating it or covering it in packing tape so it doesn’t get wet or all crumpled up. I’ve also put Airtags in my kids’ coat pockets for extra reassurance.
Train rides are a big hit with little kids at Christmas markets.
Great Christmas Markets for Kids
The BEST one we went to for kids, hands down is Schloss Kaltenberg near Munich. This market is a cross between Disney and a Christmas market. It’s at a castle, there are characters dressed up and walking around (often handing out candy), and there were a lot of interactive things for kids there. I highly recommend this one. It’s only on the weekends in December and you must buy a ticket to enter. Watch this reel about it to get more of an idea what it’s like.
Dresden is one of the best Christmas markets in Germany and it was good for kids because there were so many different markets, rides, and the medieval market was VERY entertaining for them. They loved the music and walking around seeing all the old-timey things.
Nuremberg is another of the best German Christmas markets and has a small market just for kids. There are rides, chances to take photos with Santa, and activities like cookie decorating, candle making, and more.
Colmar was also good because there were rides spread throughout the city, there are some good playgrounds for when you need a break, and there’s also an ice skating rink.
The giant beanstalk is just one small part of the fairytale fun at this Christmas Market at Schloss Kaltenberg.
Typical Things You Can Buy at a Christmas Market
Some people judge a market based on whether they feel the goods being sold are mass produced or more unique items. You may find yourself shopping more for you than for gifts for others! Some general things you can expect to find at markets are:
Nutcrackers
Ornaments
Games/Puzzles
Lace Table Runners & Table Cloths
Specialty Foods
Leather Goods
Paper Lanterns
Jewelry
The items you find will change a bit from market to market, country to country.
I would suggest if you see something you like, buy it then instead of saying “I’ll come back” because you may not end up walking back to that spot. You might get distracted, plans change, kids get tired. So if you see it, and you really like it, you should get it.
Nutcracker selection via Unsplash
Christmas Market Mugs
Collecting Christmas Market Mugs has become a big trend in the past several years. Mugs are very common at German Christmas markets but can be harder to find in other countries. Prague for example, used only plastic cups when we were there. Colmar had only one stand with mugs, all the others were plastic cups. If mugs are important to you, I suggest focusing on Germany.
Here’s how it usually works. When you purchase a hot drink, it will come in a ceramic mug decorated uniquely for that city/market. When you look at the menu, you’ll see the price for the drink (3€) and you’ll also be charged a pfand (deposit) of anywhere from 3-5€. So the total for you drink will be somewhere around 6-10€. If you return the mug to the stand, you’ll get the pfand back. But if you want to keep the mug, you can.
Sometimes it’s easier buying drinks with cash for the deposit. Whether you pay with a card or cash, you’ll get the pfand back in the form of cash.
You can carry some water with you to rinse off the mugs to make them less sticky to carry around. Or sometimes you can even just ask to trade the mug out for a clean one. This will depend on the individual working the drink stand, but I’ve had success doing this before.
You should expect to get charged a pfand even on plastic cups. It’s just the way it works.
My collection of Christmas Market mugs has grown over the years. Each one is unique!
What to Eat at Christmas Markets
This depends a little bit on what country/region you’re in. You won’t find exactly the same things everywhere you go.
Glühwein (mulled wine) is a staple at most markets, but you can also try other things. Kinderpunsch (no alcohol), hot chocolate (with or without a shot of Baileys or amaretto), and sometimes a hot aperol, hot hugo, or other specialty cocktail.
Crepes
Langos (deep fried bread topped with sour cream/garlic sauce, cheese, and other toppings)
Flammkuchen (like a thin flatbread, classic style is with creme fraiche, onions, and ham)
Flammlachs (salmon cooked over fire)
Chimney Cakes (Tredlnik)
Grilled mushrooms
Bratwurst
Potato Pancakes (I like them with garlic sauce instead of apple sauce)
Candied Nuts
For a more in-depth look at what to eat and drink at the Christmas Markets, check out this post by Jessica Lynn Writes.
Tredlnik roasting over the coals in Prague's Christmas market.
What to Wear to Christmas Markets
I won’t even pretend, my number one priority for Christmas markets is staying WARM. I hate to be cold and my kids don’t like to be cold either. So that is what is fueling my recommendations.
What I Wear:
Jeans or another set of thermal leggings (always 2 layers on bottom).
Wool socks, the taller the better. These are my favorite.
Waterproof boots. To look more polished Blondo boots, if it is snowy/wet Sperry or Sorrel.
Layering top (some might say Millennial Emotional Support Tank Top), wool long-sleeve layer.
Waterproof Coat with fur hood (really does help cut wind on your face) and long enough to cover my booty. I’ve had this coat for 4 years and it is still going strong but looking at getting this coat to change it up this year.
Hat
Gloves/Mittens. Mittens are warmer. Gloves are easier for taking pictures and videos.
Scarf
Hand warmers stuffed in gloves and pockets. Toe warmers too! These really help me on cold days.
Small backpack my camera and a few extra things. I often pack small reusable shopping bags in my backpack to carry any larger items we buy that don’t fit in the backpack.
Being warm is the number one priority for my outfit choices for Christmas markets!
For the Kids:
Waterproof shoes and coats are most important.
Make sure your boys wear two layers on the bottom too. In Germany you can buy “strumpfhosen” which is basically tights for girls and boys. It’s a totally normal layering piece. You can also layer them with a base thermal layer (for skiing) under their pants.
The fleece-lined jeans/pants are really good for keeping warm. Put the thermal layer/tights on first, then put tall wool socks over the layer. Then put the jeans/pants over that. Snow suits or rain suits are also very common for kids to wear whether it is snowing or not. It’s just warm clothes that will keep them dry.
Don’t forget hats and gloves! Carry a backup cheap pair of gloves just in case someone loses one.
I offer my kids hand and toe warmers also. Sometimes they want them, sometimes they don’t.
Make sure your kids are dressed warm so they will enjoy the market too!
Europe Travel Quick Tips:
Get your eSIM with Airalo for the easiest way to have data while traveling abroad.
Compare train routes and tickets with Omio to find the best deals.
Get your rental car here for the most flexibility in your travel. Driving in these countries is easy and nothing to worry about.
I have a lot of Christmas market content on my Instagram, most of it should be saved in highlights. I’ll add links to reels here for quick reference. Sometimes it’s nice to see things in video form to get a better idea.
A look at Prague’s Christmas Market
Schloss Kaltenberg Christmas Market-Best One for Kids!
Romantic Market at Thurn & Taxis
Pink Christmas Market in Munich
Please let me know if you have more questions about Christmas Markets! And let me know which ones are your favorites and which ones you’re planning to visit this year!
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