The months of November and December simply wouldn’t be the same without finding the best Christmas markets, shopping to the sound of festive music while sampling cheese, chocolates and warm glasses of mulled wine. But where are the best Christmas markets in the world?

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1) Vienna, Austria

From the middle of November until Christmas, Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into a maze of Christmas markets. 

With over 20 to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice, but one of the best Christmas markets in Vienna is the traditional ‘Vienna Magic of Advent’ in the City Hall Square, closely followed by the cultural Christmas market in front of Schönbrunn Palace.

Wherever your feet take you, expect traditional handicrafts, mulled wine, handmade Christmas decorations, Christmas concerts and workshops, and plenty of Austrian Christmas cheer!

 

2) Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is straight out of a storybook at Christmas. Its medieval Old Town Square, crowned by the Gothic spires of the Týn Church, hosts the city’s most iconic holiday market.

Wooden stalls sell hand-painted ornaments, gingerbread, and Czech specialties like trdelník (sweet pastry rolls dusted with sugar). The nearby Wenceslas Square also comes alive with festive stalls and concerts, making Prague one of Europe’s most magical destinations in December. 

3) Berlin, Germany

Few cities embrace Christmas markets quite like Berlin. With over 60 scattered across the city, you could spend days exploring them all.

The Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market is especially beloved, set against elegant baroque architecture and filled with handmade crafts, gourmet food, and live performances. For something more offbeat, try the “Lucia Christmas Market” in Prenzlauer Berg, celebrating Nordic traditions with Scandinavian treats and cozy fire pits.

 

4) Poznań, Poland

Poznań might not be the first city you think of for Christmas, but it delivers a truly magical market. The Poznań Bethlehem Festival on Freedom Square fills with stalls selling regional food, crafts, and decorations.

One highlight is the International Ice Sculpture Festival, where artists create dazzling frozen masterpieces. With its fairytale Old Town backdrop, Poznań is an underrated but unforgettable holiday gem.

 

5) Krakow, Poland

Hungary’s capital knows how to do Christmas in style. The Budapest Christmas Fair at Vörösmarty Square is the city’s oldest and most famous, filled with traditional wooden stalls selling Hungarian crafts and seasonal dishes like chimney cake.

For something extra special, visit the market in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica, where a 3D light show is projected onto the church’s façade each evening, adding even more sparkle to the holiday cheer.

 

6) Bratislava, Slovakia

Just an hour from Vienna, Bratislava offers a smaller but wonderfully authentic Christmas market experience. The city’s main square fills with red-and-white stalls selling Slovak specialties such as lokše (potato pancakes), mead, and mulled wine.

The cozy, festive atmosphere makes it the perfect stop on a Christmas market tour through Central Europe, with views of Bratislava Castle providing the perfect backdrop.

 

7) Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, UK

One of the Peak District’s most famous tourist attractions, Chatsworth House was built in the 16th century and hosts one of the most popular Christmas markets in the region.

With a different theme each year, the beautiful stately home is surrounded by over 100 stalls selling mulled cider, German beer and unique, homemade gifts. When you’re not shopping, exlpore the elaborately decorated house and wander through the 105 acre gardens – not forgetting to sample plenty of pancakes, mince pies and homemade fudge as you go.

 

8) Venice, Italy

Venice is magical at Christmastime, with everything from the city’s ornate architecture to the gondolas adorned with twinkling Christmas lights.

For the three weeks leading up to Christmas, the sqaure of Campo Santo Stefano is transformed into a Christmas village, filled to the brim with craftsmen and food producers, selling their wares in little wooden cabins.

Unlike most Christmas fairs, this market is filled entirely with local products, from Venetian glassware and carnival masks to regional food specialities. When you’ve finished shopping, be sure to hang around for the late-night concerts that fill the square.

 

9) Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljbuljana, Slovenia’s capital city, might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of the best Christmas markets in the world.

Tucked away from the typical tourist trail, and with the magic of beautiful Lake Bled nearby, its the city’s authentic charm, blanket of snow and age-old Christmas traditions which make it particularly special at Christmastime.

Warm yourself up with a cup of aromatic tea and browse the city’s green stalls to find unique and reasonably priced gifts for loved ones back home. The Christmas markets are also accompanied by a programme of festive events, held daily in the nearby streets and squares throughout December.

 

10) Rouen, France

The Christmas market in Rouen may not be the most famous in France, but the historic city’s Gothic cathedral provides a magical backdrop for its 70+ wooden Christmas chalets.

Perfect if you fancy a slightly more relaxed Christmas market break, Roeun’s picturesque markets are also well suited to those looking to spend a special few days by the river Seine.

 

Ready for some festive cheer?

From Vienna’s imperial grandeur to Bratislava’s cozy charm, these markets are the perfect excuse to pack a winter coat, embrace the festive spirit, and explore Europe’s most magical Christmas traditions.