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If you’re reading this during the holiday season, European cities are festively decorated with lights, Christmas trees, and little German booths selling holiday goods. Europe’s Christmas Markets are back in season! This post is going to cover everything you need to know about the best Christmas Markets in Europe, ranging from the most famous one’s in places like London and Paris to lesser known, hidden gems like Tallinn, Estonia! Grab a cup of something warm and let’s dive in to this list of details I curated from trips to Europe taken over a period of 9 YEARS, broken down by country.
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Are you an American and want to stay more local this upcoming holiday season? Consider spending a winter weekend in Quebec, Canada! The city is full of festive, European-style Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, cozy cafes, and more!
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What Is A Christmas Market? What Should I Expect?
A Christmas market is a festive outdoor market held during the weeks leading up to Christmas, usually in town squares or historic city centers across Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, France, and the Baltic countries.
The tradition dates back to medieval Germany and Northern Europe, with some of the earliest public markets and Christmas trees appearing in towns like Tallinn and Nuremberg.
They typically run from mid-November to late December, offering handmade crafts, gifts, and seasonal foods and drinks such as mulled wine, hot chocolate, gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, and local specialties.
The Best Christmas Markets In Europe: Hungary
1) Budapest, Hungary Christmas Markets
My Christmas market extravaganza began in Budapest, Hungary in early December. Budapest is known for having one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, but it’s also become quite crowded over the years! Try to visit on a weeknight to avoid large weekend crowds. Below are the main sites to visit in Budapest for festive happenings:
St. Stephen’s Basilica
While in Budapest, which is actually pronounced “Budapesh”, be sure to visit St. Stephen’s Basicilia (pictured). This is where Budapest’s main Christmas market is located. Here you’ll find artisan stalls, music, family activities, and a 3D light show that is displayed hourly on the facade of the church.
The market takes place each year from ~Nov 15 – Jan 1.
Pro-tip: Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market also runs each year from the same date and is another main market in the city. It has more traditional wooden stalls selling festive foods and crafts.
Fisherman’s Bastion
Be sure to cross the oldest bridge in the city, the Chain Bridge, over the Danube river to the Buda side of the city. This is where the Budapest Castle and palace is located! There is a vernacular that can bring you up to the castle.
Aside from the castle and palace, you can also find St. Matthias’ Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion on this side of the river. Both buildings have exquisite architecture and great views of the magnificent Parliament building, located on the Pest side of the city.
Danube River Cruise
Later in the evening, you should take a Danube River cruise. This is the perfect way to step away from the crowds of the European Christmas Market and see the highlights of the city.
We were served traditional Hungarian food and listened to folklore music while we ate.
Ruin Bars
You can’t leave Budapest without visiting the world-famous ruin bars! Located in the lively Jewish quarter of the city, these bars were built in old factories or apartment buildings that have been transformed into themed bars. These bars are so much fun!
I went to Szimpla Kert in Budapest, which is actually the #3 bar in the entire world. You can visit a few of them (and get some included drinks along the way) on a Ruin Pub Crawl.
The Best Christmas Markets In Europe: Austria
2) Vienna, Austria Christmas Markets
I have been lucky to browse Christmas markets all around Europe, but I think the best Christmas markets in Europe may be located in Vienna. Vienna, the capital of Austria, quickly became one of my favorite cities in the world. It is so unbelievably clean and rich with art and history. Not to mention it’s the classical music capital of the world and home to many famous ballets and operas… it doesn’t get much classier than that!
Stephansplatz
While in Vienna, visit the Stephansplatz area. This is the hub of the city where most shops and restaurants are located, and where you can find the famous St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Also be sure to pay a visit to the Palace of Vienna, once the seat of the Hapsburg family who ruled the Austro-Hungarian empire in the 17th century. Most of the city’s museums are located in this area, along with the royal English stables.
There is a Christmas Market here that is open from early Nov (around the 8th) until Dec 26 each year.
City Hall
In my opinion, Vienna has the best Christmas markets in Europe. The largest, and most crowded one is located in front of City Hall. It’s called the Viennese Dream Christmas Market, or Rathausplatz, and takes place each year from around Nov 14 – Dec 26.
It has hundreds of booths selling handmade goods and delicious food, along with a huge iceskating rink that weaves between decorated trees… the market is truly magical.
Pro-tip: For a low cost, lockers are available for rent to store your belongings while you skate.
3) Salzburg, Austria Christmas Markets
The day that I visited Salzburg, Austria marked the first snowfall of the season, which made this UNESCO World Heritage city even more enchanting. Salzburg is definitely a city that is worth visiting, and comes to life during the Christmas season. This city is characterized by Mozart, pastel-colored buildings, horse-drawn carriages, cobblestone streets, and its small-town feel.
The main market, called Christkindlmarkt, is open each year in the main city square from ~Nov 20 – Jan 1. Be sure to browse one of the best Christmas markets in Europe here, especially if you’re looking for festive decorations. I bought multiple things here and can assure you that these are a few of my favorite things.
For lunch, my friends and I ate at a restaurant called K&K which had a very cozy atmosphere and served traditional food; I ordered the wiener schnitzel, or fried veal with cranberry sauce, which was delicious. It’s located just steps from the market!
Sound Of Music Tour
While in Salzburg, pay homage to the Sound of Music, which was filmed in the city and its surrounding countryside. You must go on The Original Sound of Music tour that brings you to the filming locations.
This tour is great during the holiday season, but I recommend checking it out on a summer solo trip to Salzburg!
The Best Christmas Markets In Europe: Italy
4) Florence, Italy Christmas Markets
If you are studying in Florence during the fall semester, you can’t leave the city without checking out its Christmas market! There is only one set up each year, and it is conveniently located in front of Santa Croce. It is open all day (10am – 1opm) from ~Nov 15 – Dec 21 (usually the week before Christmas).
Here you’ll find over 50 festival stalls selling European and Tuscan gifts, decorations, food (pretzels, sausages, etc) and drinks like mulled wine.
I didn’t know about Christmas markets before studying abroad, but I realized they are a huge bonus experience for students studying abroad in Europe during the fall semester. Keep this in mind when choosing when to go abroad!
The Best Christmas Markets In Europe: France
5) Paris, France Christmas Markets
It’s my dream to visit Strasbourg and Colmar during the holiday season — two cities often called the “Capital of Christmas”, and known for being some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. I will add to this section when I visit! In the meantime, this past December, I was lucky to visit Paris during its festive holiday peak.
There are dozens of Christmas markets and festive decorations scattered around Paris, but the main market (Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market) can be found in Tuileries Gardens, near the Louvre. This market is typically open from ~Nov 15 – Jan 4 and is open daily.
Not only will you find classic market foods like Raclette (melted cheese scraped into a baguette) and gifts, this market also had fun carnival rides! We loved the swings!
Pro-tip: The second most popular Christmas market is the one right in front of the Eiffel Tower!
Christmas Decor Around Paris
To see the best Christmas decor around Paris, head to Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. These two malls are located adjacent to each other and have the best window displays in the city. Galeries Lafayette is famous for its giant Christmas tree under the dome and elaborate holiday window displays — a seasonal must-see in Paris.
Pro-tip: Printemps had a rooftop ice skating rink for the first time in December 2025! Reservations are required, but this activity (including the skating rental) was completely free! This was one of my highlights from my recent Christmas markets in Europe trip.
Once the sun sets, head to Champs-Élysées and Avenue Montaigne to see the Christmas decor and light displays. There is a recurring light show at the Dior that draws a crowd every year! And of course, be sure to catch the Eiffel Tower sparkle!
For a full weekend in Paris itinerary, check out this guide.
The Best Christmas Markets In Europe: United Kingdom
6) Edinburgh, Scotland Christmas Markets
On my most recent trip to Europe this past December, I visited Edinburgh, Scotland for a day and LOVED IT! I swung through the East Princes Street Gardens, which is where the main Christmas market is held. While I think Edinburgh is one of the best cities in Europe for dreamy cafes and pubs, I don’t think it has the best Christmas markets in Europe. If you happen to visit between mid-Nov and early Jan, you should visit though!
You can find alpine-style stalls selling crafts, gifts, seasonal foods and drinks, and also carnival rides, all overlooking the stunning Edinburgh Castle above. The market is free to visit.
I have a complete guide to Edinburgh, covering where to stay, what to eat, and what to do linked here.
7) London, England Christmas Markets
Similar to Paris, London is one of the most decked out, magical cities to visit during the holiday season. The main Christmas markets here are located in Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square. Leicester Square was quite charming — you can buy locally made ornaments, go ice skating, eat traditional German foods, and even roast marshmallows by the fire! I recommend spending about an hour walking through both during your time in London.
Christmas Decor Around London
If you visit London from mid-Nov to early Jan, you MUST take a double decker bus tour to see the Christmas decor around the city! I would also walk around on foot and see the following spots: New Bond Street (this is where Cartier and Dior are located, along with the famous Ralph’s Coffee, which all put up elaborate displays each year!), Burlington Arcade, Annabel’s, Fortnum & Mason’s (perfect place to buy gifts!), Covent Garden, Harrods, Oxford Street, and my personal favorite — Regent Street, which has the famous angels lights.
I have a complete guide to visiting London for the first time here!
The Best Christmas Markets In Europe: Estonia
8) Tallinn, Estonia Christmas Markets
I just went to Tallinn, Estonia for the second time a few weeks ago and was so impressed by the Christmas market here! Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania make up Europe’s Baltic countries, and they all have extremely underrated Christmas markets. While the market in Tallinn is a bit small (and there’s only one), it wasn’t crowded at all.
The main market is set right in the heart of Tallinn’s Old Town UNESCO World Heritage medieval center, and is surrounded by cobblestone streets and colorful, historic buildings — the perfect backdrop for a Christmas market!
Tallinn is famous for displaying one of the earliest public Christmas trees in Europe. It basically hosted the first known Christmas tree celebration, complete with festivities, dancing, and songs in the main square. There has been a tree on display here since 1441!
The market is open from Nov 21 – Dec 28ish each year, and is open from 10am – 8pm.
Expect twinkling lights, festive decorations, and a stage with live entertainment in Town Hall Square — where you can see choirs and concerts on weekends. The booths here sell handcrafted items, like wool socks + hats, handmade ornaments, plus traditional mulled wine and baked gingerbread, sizzling sausages served with roasted potatoes and sauerkraut, and Estonian favorites like blood sausages.
Pro-tip: Be sure to buy an ornament from every Christmas market that you visit to decorate your tree with and to commemorate your travels!
You can read more about Tallinn, Estonia in this blog post.
The Best Christmas Markets In Europe: Latvia
9) Riga, Latvia Christmas Markets
Dome Square
Out of all the markets on this list, Riga’s Dome Square definitely wins my award for being the best Christmas market in Europe. I’ve never had a holiday experience so authentic, festive, and magical! Complete with traditional live music, mulled wine that is warmed over a fire, food prepared by locals dressed in medieval cloaks, an array of goods to buy, and ice bar, and so much more — this Christmas market blew me away.
The main Riga market is open from ~Nov 28 – Jan 4 each day until about 9pm. It’s celebrating its 25th edition of the market, making it a long-standing festive tradition in Riga’s Old Town!
The magic was in the details at this market. The entire square was full of twinkling lights, fire pits, greenery, red bows, 80+ stalls offering a wide range of Latvian artisan products, and so much more. I found myself taking photos and videos of every corner.
Aside from typical Christmas market food & drink, you can also find local specialities like Latvian Black Balsam liqueur and traditional folklore performances. There’s even a Santa house here for kids to meet & write to Santa!
Bastejkalns Park
Looking for more festive lights and seasonal city sights? Walk along the City Canal and in Bastejkalns Park at nighttime to see pathways lit up with creative light displays. Read about the best things to do in Riga, Latvia in this complete guide.
The Best Christmas Markets In Europe: Lithuania
10) Vilnius, Lithuania Christmas Markets
The last stop on my most recent tour around the best Christmas markets in Europe was to Vilnius, Lithuania. Compared to the pure magic we experienced in Riga, I didn’t love this one as much — it wasn’t as charming and was super crowded, but it was still beautiful!
Cathedral Square
The main holiday market takes place in Cathedral Square (Katedros aikštė) in Vilnius Old Town from Nov 29ish – Dec 28.
You can expect decorated wooden huts selling handmade crafts, woolens, traditional Baltic amber jewelry, sweet treats, mulled wine, and more. This market DID have my favorite Christmas tree. It was huge and so beautifully decorated. There’s also a two story carousel here, which I thought was very unique.
Pro-tip: You can climb the nearby bell tower for just 6 Euro and get an incredible view overlooking the tree and market below!
Town Hall Square
Although the Cathedral Square market wasn’t my absolute favorite, I did really enjoy strolling through the UNESCO Old Town and seeing all the decor lining the charming, cobblestoned streets. As you’re wandering, you’ll probably pass the Christmas Train: a festive train ride through the Old Town (often looping between Cathedral and Town Hall squares), playing carols and offering a historic holiday‑light tour.
I also loved walking to Town Hall Square! There’s a festive ice rink here open from late Nov to late Jan that provides classic winter fun under twinkling lights. You can read my full guide covering what to see in Vilnius here.
That brings us to the end of this ultimate guide covering the best Christmas markets in Europe! I think everyone should take a Christmas markets trip at least once in their lives, and I hope this guide helps you decide which cities to focus on. Happy holidays!
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