From Zurich’s spectacular Wienachtsdorf to lesser known markets in Bolzano, Italy and Gegenbach, Germany, Europe has plenty of delightfully picturesque festive markets to visit.
If you’re planning a pre-Christmas break to a European city, the twinkling lights, artisan crafts and specialty food and drink of festive markets can be a major draw. Culture and tourism organisation, European Best Destinations, has polled thousands of international travelers, based on a shortlist created by travel experts, on their most beautiful Christmas market. This year, the spectacular Wienachtsdorf in Zurich, has been officially chosen as number one.
1. Zurich, Switzerland – Nov 20 – Dec 23
Each winter, Sechseläutenplatz becomes the heart of Zurich’s holiday season, with its Christmas Village, Wienachtsdorf. Located between the grand Opera House and Lake Zurich, this market captures the spirit of the holidays with a distinctly Swiss flair. A towering Christmas tree sparkles above a maze of wooden stalls selling handcrafted gifts, mulled wine and regional delicacies. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the market’s success has led to new festive events and experiences throughout Zurich. For instance, Weihnachtsallee, a lively Christmas boulevard near the main train station hosts around 80 stalls featuring international street food, crafts, a cozy fondue chalet and a mulled-wine dome. And inside the train station is one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe. The Illuminarium at the Swiss National Museum features lights, projections and music turning the historic courtyard into an immersive holiday spectacle.
2. Vienna, Austria – Nov 8 – Jan 6
Across Vienna, more than a dozen festive markets light up the city’s grand boulevards and historic courtyards, each bringing its own character to the holiday season. The most popular is Rathausplatz, a gorgeous square with a sparkling Christmas tree, ice-skating paths winding through the park and over 150 wooden stalls. Also unmissable, along the charming cobblestone lanes of Spittelberg, is a smaller, cozier market showcasing handcrafted goods and warming mugs of punch. At the grand Schönbrunn Palace, visitors can stroll through an imperial Advent market with the palace as an opulent baroque backdrop. And the market between the two museums at Maria-Theresien-Platz blends cultural elegance with festive flair. Each of these locations offers something distinct, yet together they create a city that feels entirely devoted to the magic of Christmas. Don’t forget to sample Apfelstrudel, roasted chestnuts, Kaiserschmarrn and of course, fragrant punch.
3. Strasbourg, France – Nov 26 – Dec 24
Strasbourg has one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets, dating back to 1570. Each year during Advent, the city’s entire Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is transformed into a festive wonderland, as 300 wooden stalls line its squares and winding lanes. The center of the celebration is Place Kléber, where one of Europe’s tallest Christmas trees stands, encircled by cozy chalets offering regional treats and handcrafted treasures from the region. And in the equally charming La Petite France quarter, timber-framed houses glow with twinkling lights, near the canal. Local treats to try include traditional bredle cookies, spiced mulled wine (vin chaud aux épices), and the signature Alsatian kugelhopf cake.
4. Manchester, England – Nov 14 – Dec 21
Often referred to as England’s “capital of the north,” Manchester has a festive reputation, so it’s no surprise that it’s been voted a top Christmas market destination. Rather than being centered in a single location, its Christmas festivities stretch across the city—linking key spots like Albert Square, Cathedral Gardens and Piccadilly Gardens. As the birthplace of bands like New Order, Oasis and The Chemical Brothers, the vibe leans more urban than classic, with over 220 stalls serving up a diverse mix of international street food—from sizzling bratwurst to freshly made paella—alongside locally crafted goods and handmade decorations. An ice rink, funfair rides and a festive “Winter Gardens” make it particularly family-friendly. As well as bratwurst and mulled wine, be sure to try the Yorkshire pudding wraps.
5. Prague, Czechia – Nov 29 – January 6
Each winter, Prague’s Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square transform into magical holiday markets, set against a backdrop of Gothic towers, baroque buildings and centuries-old facades. At the heart of the festivities, a towering Christmas tree—brought in from the Czech countryside—stands in front of the famous medieval Astronomical Clock. Wooden stalls offer hand-blown glass ornaments, carved wooden toys and traditional Czech crafts. You can also expect to hear choirs singing carols. The illuminated Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and the Vltava River, complement the beautiful festive scenes. Food to try at the markets includes: Trdelník (a sweet, cinnamon-sugar pastry); klobása (smoky grilled sausage) and svařák (Czech-style mulled wine).
6. Dresden, Germany – Nov 26 – Dec 24
Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, dating back to 1434, is Germany’s oldest Christmas market. Set in the city’s historic Altmarkt square, the market is known for its towering 14-metre Christmas pyramid and the beloved Stollen Festival, which celebrates Dresden’s iconic fruit-filled holiday bread. The striking baroque architecture, candlelit choirs and the inviting scent of roasted nuts and spiced gingerbread in the air create an alluring, festive atmosphere. Local food and drink to try include Dresdner Stollen, Pulsnitzer Lebkuchen (a traditional gingerbread), and Feuerzangenbowle—a mulled wine spiked with rum and served aflame.
7. Tallinn, Estonia – Nov 21 – Dec 27
In the heart of Town Hall Square, surrounded by medieval guild halls and Gothic rooftops, Tallinn’s Christmas market feels like a step back in time especially as the city claims to have displayed Europe’s first public Christmas tree in 1441. Though modest in size, the market is so charming with its wooden stalls filled with Estonian crafts, while folk dancers in traditional dress bring the square to life. Local specialties include hearty black bread topped with smoked fish and wild game sausages like elk or boar.
8. Bolzano, Italy – Nov 28 – Jan 6
In the colder months, Piazza Walther in Bolzano transforms into a charming Alpine village, where its wooden chalets sell handmade crafts, festive decorations and regional delicacies. This market beautifully reflects the fusion of Alpine and Italian traditions—you will hear German carols drifting through the air one moment and Italian arias the next, while the scent of apple strudel mingles with freshly brewed espresso. Also try Tyrolean speck (cured pork) and hearty knödel (dumplings).
9. Graz, Austria – Nov 21 – Dec 24
The city’s baroque and renaissance squares each host their own market, from the romantic Glockenspielplatz to the family-friendly Franciscan quarter. A highlight is the ice nativity scene, carved life-size each year in front of the Landhaus, illuminated at night like a frozen fairy tale. With its smaller scale, and superb gastronomic offering, Graz charms travelers looking for authenticity away from Vienna’s grandeur. Be sure to sample Styrian pumpkin soup, lebkuchen and take home some healthy and delicious pumpkin seed oil.
10. Gegenbach, Germany – Nov 29 – Jan 6
Home to the world’s largest Advent calendar, Gengenbach in the Black Forest, offers a Christmas experience like no other. Each evening, a window of the calendar, which is displayed on the façade of its baroque town hall, is illuminated with a beautifully crafted illustration, turning the building into a storybook brought to life. Although the Christmas market itself is modest in size, it more than makes up for it with charm. Nestled among medieval alleyways and framed by hills and vineyards, the town creates a setting straight out of a winter fairy tale. Stalls serve up regional specialties like Black Forest ham and traditional local gingerbread, handcrafted gifts and warming mulled wine.
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