Christmas Markets in Europe

Find the perfect accommodation to explore Europe's best Christmas Markets

The crowds of shoppers which descend onto the streets and shopping centres of home can turn a magical time of year into a nightmare, but don't allow this year's Christmas shopping to dampen your spirits. The magnificent Christmas markets of Europe make shopping for Christmas a genuine pleasure, offering a range of beautifully crafted gifts and opportunities to pause for a glass of mulled wine, meaning you can shop in your own style, at your own pace.

Not only will taking a Christmas market holiday bring back the joy of Advent, but they are a great excuse to see some of Europe's finest cities at their best. Adorned in lights and decorations and with traditional music drifting through the air, there will never be a better time to see Europe's capitals. Luckily, as Christmas markets occur out of season, prices on both travel and accommodation are at their lowest, giving you more to spend whilst on your Christmas market holiday.

Great Christmas Markets in Europe

Top Five Christmas Markets

Prague Christmas Market

The ancient Czech capital hosts the Prague Christmas Market in the main square, and the early dusk means that for much of the afternoon, the city is lit by soft candle light with Czech festive music and the scent of traditional food filling the air.

Bruges Christmas Market

A Christmas market trip to Bruges is both close to home and yet seems a million miles away. A leisurely tour of the Christmas market can be followed by skating on the open air ice rink or a tour of the picturesque architecture in Bruges town.

Salzburg Christmas Market

A visit to the Salzburg Christmas market is a magical experience. Often covered in snow, the beautiful architecture of Mozart's birthplace is surrounded by stalls selling fine crafts, jewellery and wooden toys so you won't come back empty handed!

Berlin Christmas Market

German Christmas markets are probably the most famous in the world, and Berlin Christmas market is the pick of them all. Consisting of more than 50 individual markets, meaning you will need to take a few days to do the full Christmas market tour.

Vienna Christmas Market

The Vienna Christmas Market is a delightful traditional affair, where roasted chestnuts and mulled wine stalls adorn the streets, and the parks are filled with decorated trees and couples strolling through the crisp evening air.

Christmas market trips are not only great ways to explore Europe's finest cities off season, sampling the best regional seasonal treats, but you also get to return home with some exquisitely made, unique presents for your friends and family. The stalls which fill the Christmas markets are stocked with hand crafted wooden toys, delicate jewelry and fine food and drink from across Europe.

Many Christmas market tours are operated by package operators, which mean you are subject to inflexible itineraries, long coach journeys and marked up prices. Traveling independently, using private holiday accommodation, you can really get the most out of your Christmas breaks, exploring the city at entirely your own pace, even touring a range of markets, making last minute decisions on where to shop, without any hassle.