Europe doesn’t just do Christmas because glittering lights, hot mulled wine, and fairy-lit chaos are vital to the human spirit. Europe transforms into a wild place during Christmas, adorned with twinkling lights, towering trees, drifting cinnamon clouds through cobblestoned streets, and markets reminiscent of a snow globe.

If you’re planning a winter escape in 2025, these are the top Christmas markets in Europe that deserve a spot on your festive bucket list.

1. Vienna Christmas Market, Austria

Vienna transforms into a glowing fairytale every December. The Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz is the queen of European Christmas markets, grand, sparkling, and packed with everything from gingerbread to handmade crafts.

Why you’ll love it:
• Enormous Christmas tree
• The smell of roasted chestnuts everywhere
• A skating rink that belongs in a rom-com

2. Strasbourg Christmas Market, France

Known as the “Capital of Christmas,” Strasbourg hosts one of Europe’s oldest markets. Expect timber-framed houses, glowing window displays, and a festive atmosphere so thick you could slice it like cake.

Why it’s iconic:
• More than three hundred stalls
• A cathedral backdrop that makes everything look heavenly
• Alsatian food so good you’ll cry

3. Prague Christmas Market, Czech Republic

Set among Gothic towers and snowy rooftops, Prague’s Old Town Square becomes pure enchantment. Think twinkling lights, hot honey wine, warm trdelník pastries, and carols floating through frosty air.

Highlights:
• One of the most photogenic markets in the world
• Incredible food stalls
• Affordable gifts and traditional Czech crafts

4. Cologne Christmas Markets, Germany

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Cologne doesn’t just have one Christmas market, it has several, each with its own theme. The most iconic sits under the Cologne Cathedral, glowing like something from a Nordic fairytale.

What makes it special:
• Famous mulled wine served in collectible mugs
• A massive ice rink
• Whimsical stalls selling toys, crafts, and German treats

5. Copenhagen Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market, Denmark

Tivoli Gardens turns into a Nordic wonderland with snow-dusted trees, thousands of lights, and the cosiest Christmas vibe in Scandinavia. It’s festive magic with a sprinkle of Danish hygge.

Expect:
• Fairy-tale theme park rides
• Beautiful Scandinavian decorations
• The best hot chocolate in Europe

6. Budapest Christmas Market, Hungary

Set in front of St Stephen’s Basilica, the Budapest market mixes affordability with beauty. It’s one of the most budget-friendly festive destinations in Europe, without compromising on the spectacle.

Why it’s a must:
• 3D light shows projected onto the basilica
• Unreal Hungarian food (goulash, chimney cakes, sausages)
• Calm, cosy atmosphere

7. Edinburgh Christmas Market, Scotland

Set in East Princes Street Gardens with Edinburgh Castle looming overhead, this is one of the UK’s most magical Christmas markets.

Top features:
• Iconic big wheel
• Local makers and artisan gifts
• The city’s unbeatable festive atmosphere

8. Kraków Christmas Market, Poland

Kraków’s Rynek Główny becomes a glowing maze of wooden stalls, folk art, and festive music. It’s authentic, charming, and one of the cheapest Christmas market cities in Europe.

Why you should go:
• Unique handmade Polish crafts
• Delicious pierogi, oscypek, and mulled wine
• Romantic snowy backdrops

9. Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland

Switzerland does Christmas with elegance. Basel’s market is polished, warm, and filled with high-quality artisan gifts.

Why it’s unforgettable:
• Magical decorations and gourmet food
• Extremely family-friendly
• Ideal for those wanting a luxury Christmas getaway

The final wrap-up: your 2025 festive travel list

Whether you’re dreaming of mulled wine under Gothic cathedrals, Nordic wonderlands lit by fairy bulbs, or historic town squares glowing with tradition, Europe’s Christmas markets are the ultimate winter escape.