I’ve discovered probably the most magical Christmas markets in Europe

Joyful Christmas markets – illuminated by twinkling lights, stuffed with the scent of mulled wine – herald the beginning of the festive season.

Most European cities provide a model of those winter gala’s, but it surely takes quite a lot of fairy lights and overpriced trinkets to make one actually particular.

The proper mixture of genuine meals stalls, handcrafted items and Santa-spotting can get even the grumpiest Grinches in a cheery temper.

From the “Capital of Christmas” in France to the standard markets dotted all through Germany, Austria and Belgium, these are the locations to go to whether or not you’re in search of nice items, glasses of spice-filled gluhwein or just to get into the festive spirit forward of the massive day.

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Christmas markets to go to in 2026

1. Budapest, Hungary

They wish to kick off the Christmas season early in Budapest, the place meals and reward stalls pop up in Vörösmarty Sq. from mid-November. The sq. in entrance of St Stephen’s Basilica additionally joins within the enjoyable, with ice skating and extra luscious Hungarian meals and trinket stalls.

The markets right here concentrate on preserving genuine folks artwork and traditions and provide high-quality handicrafts somewhat than commercialised Christmas items. Simply comply with the cinnamon-heavy scent of chimney cake.

Opening dates

Open 13 November 2026 to 1 January 2027. Discover out extra on the Budapest Christmas web site.

The place to remain

D8 Resort is an easy however fashionable four-star lodge. It is rather near each Vorosmarty Sq. and St Stephen’s Basilica, and is lower than 1km from Buda Fortress and the Opera Home.

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2. Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb goes right into a six-week festive frenzy as not less than a dozen Christmas markets take over Croatia’s capital. They’re in every single place – in parks, alongside hilltop paths, in tunnels, in squares and on pedestrianised streets.

Not surprisingly for Croatia, you’ll discover many extra meals stalls than items, so let your nostril be your information. Afterwards, be a part of the ice skaters gliding across the rink that twists and turns in Ledeni Park. Don’t miss the dwell nativity scene staged in Kaptol outdoors Zagreb Cathedral.

Opening dates

Open 28 November 2026 to 7 January 2027. Discover out extra through the Croatian Vacationer Board web site.

The place to remain

Resort 9 is a recent boutique lodge with free breakfast and a rooftop terrace, only a mile from town centre.

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3. Lille, France

A fast nip throughout the Channel on the Eurostar or LeShuttle and also you’re within the coronary heart of French Flanders. Rustic wood chalets fill Lille’s Place Rihour, promoting toys and items together with tempting vats of tacky tartiflette and candy waffles dripping with chocolate.

Across the nook within the stately Grand-Place, go for a trip on the large Ferris wheel earlier than trying out Santa’s chalet. Each Friday at 6pm, the Christmas village involves life with musical performances from tricycle-riding piano gamers and illuminated stilt walkers.

Opening dates

Open 18 November to 30 December 2026. Go to the Lille Tourism web site for extra info.

The place to remain

Mama Shelter Lille pairs enjoyable and funky design with a classy bar and restaurant. Simply 600 metres from Grand Place, it’s an awesome base for exploring Lille.

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4. Berlin, Germany

There are greater than 80 Christmas markets unfold throughout Berlin and its suburbs, providing you with a mind-boggling quantity of selection. The most important is within the previous city of Spandau, a historic suburb within the west of Berlin.

For one thing extra central, try the stalls in Gendarmenmarkt for the traditional German Christmas market expertise. Step again in time at Alexanderplatz, with a medieval market, an antique-style carousel, and a roller-skating rink.

Opening dates

Most Berlin markets can be open by 23 November, with many closing on 30 December. The market at Potsdamer Platz and Gendarmenmarkt is closing on New 12 months’s Eve, whereas the Metropolis Corridor market ends on 30 December. Discover out extra on the Berlin Christmas Markets web site.

The place to remain

The four-star NH Assortment Berlin has fashionable rooms a stone’s throw from Gendarmenmarkt. It’s positioned on Berlin’s well-known Friedrichstrasse, only a brief stroll from the Brandenburg Gate and the TV Tower.

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5. Vienna, Austria

Elegant Vienna will get a glittering makeover as over a dozen markets pop up across the metropolis. If you would like a full-on conventional Christmas, stroll across the market in entrance of the Schönnbrunn Palace and the Christmas Village taking up Maria-Theresien-Platz.

Be a part of the ice skaters on the rink at Vienna Ice World after you’ve sampled all of the Austrian culinary treats and acquired conventional items from the Previous Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung.

Opening dates

Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market is open from 6 November 2026 to six January 2027. Discover out extra on the Vienna Christmas Markets web site.

The place to remain

Elegant, spacious rooms are on provide at four-star Parkhotel Schönbrunn, close to Schönnbrunn Palace and town’s zoo. That is the best place for out-of-town rest, with a metro station simply 50 metres away to take you to the centre in quarter-hour.

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6. Bruges, Belgium

Picturesque Bruges has bucketloads of Christmas attraction, full with gingerbread-house medieval buildings strung with fairy lights. Generally known as the “Winter Glow”, its celebrations transcend the Markt – the place you’ll discover craft and meals stalls, with extra pop-up bars and stalls across the nook in Simon Stevinplein.

Better of all, this quaint metropolis might be reached by practice from the UK in simply three hours and 10 minutes by catching the Eurostar to Brussels and an onward service to Bruges.

Opening dates

Open 20 November 2026 to three January 2027. Discover out extra on the Go to Bruges web site.

The place to remain

Three-star Martin’s Brugge is correct within the metropolis’s historic centre, simply behind the well-known Thirteenth-century Belfry and 50 metres from the Central Market Sq.. Rooms are slick, modern and suitably spacious.

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7. Copenhagen, Denmark

The splendidly over-the-top Tivoli Gardens will get much more delightfully kitsch when the Christmas market takes over. In addition to trying out the meals and reward stalls, you possibly can have a whirl on the ice skating rink. And should you occur to be in Copenhagen on 13 December, you possibly can catch the Santa Lucia floating parade of light-festooned kayaks on the canals.

Opening dates

Tivoli runs from 13 November 2026 to three January 2027. Discover out extra on the Tivoli Gardens web site.

The place to remain

Inside a three-minute stroll from Tivoli Gardens, millennial-favourite citizen M’s Rådhuspladsen gives stripped-back sophistication at inexpensive charges. Rooms are fashionable and purposeful, whereas the widespread areas boast improbable views.

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8. Basel, Switzerland

Smaller in scale however filled with attraction, Basel’s Christmas market units up 155 stalls from Münsterplatz to Barfüsserplatz, bursting with gooey raclette and chunky sausages. When you haven’t snacked sufficient, try the meals stalls alongside the appropriate financial institution of the Rhine at Claraplatz.

Head up St Martin’s tower at Basel Cathedral for a novel view of the glowing lights, earlier than visiting the Kulpa Weihnachtskugeln stall to buy a hand-painted bauble to your Christmas tree.

Opening dates

Open 26 November to 23 December. Discover out extra on the Basel Christmas Markets web site.

The place to remain

The Passage has an city design and a very good central location, with a health room and sauna out there to company. Town’s essential markets might be reached on foot in simply 4 minutes.

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9. Strasbourg, France

France’s oldest and largest Christmas market turns this exquisitely fairly metropolis into one thing fairly extraordinary. When you’ve marvelled on the Christmassy scene in entrance of the towering cathedral, browse the 100 or so stalls in Place Broglie earlier than tasting Alsatian delicacies available in the market in Place du Marché-aux-Poissons.

Strasbourg additionally holds the OFF Market, a socially accountable technique to rejoice the season, with secondhand stalls and Fairtrade merchandise.

Opening dates

Open 27 November to 24 December. Discover out extra on the Strasbourg Christmas Markets web site.

The place to remain

The four-star way of life lodge BOMA options boldly colored rooms and retro decorations, with a health room and a vigorous bar and restaurant. It’s simply 300 metres from the scenic “Petite France” space and 10 minutes from Strasbourg’s essential markets.

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10. Birmingham, England

Germany involves Britain when the Frankfurt Christmas Market takes over Victoria Sq.. It’s the largest German market outdoors Germany and Austria, and the place to refill on bratwurst, gluhwein, schnitzel and each different form of winter consolation meals.

Close by, the Cathedral Sq. market runs till mid-December, providing a variety of meals and craft stalls run by round 50 completely different merchants.

Opening dates

Open 5 November to 24 December. Discover out extra on the BFCM web site.

The place to remain

Malmaison Birmingham brings smooth rooms to a canalside location not removed from Victoria Sq.. Its bar and restaurant are an aesthetic affair too, as is the luxurious spa.

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