December is finally here, and everyone’s favorite season has finally arrived! It’s Christmas, Europe is getting all dolled up and transforming into a wonderland of colorful lights, traditional festive treats, and enchanted travelers from every corner of the globe. 

If Greece’s Christmas markets aren’t enough to awaken the inner child in you, or if December is the month you traditionally travel, then all you have to do is take notes from ONExchange’s travel guide. We bring you a carefully curated list of Europe’s top destinations and the most charming, festive, and nostalgic Christmas markets.  

So grab a pen and paper and let’s set off on a chilly, but warming journey to Europe’s most beautiful cities:

🎄 Strasbourg, France: The Christmas capital

Strasbourg’s Christmas market, Christkindelsmärik, is the oldest in France and one of the most iconic in Europe. Held annually during the Christmas season in the shadow of the city’s impressive cathedral, it oozes fairytale charm.

Here, you can engage in all sorts of festive activities: wander among more than 300 wooden stands, buy handmade Alsatian decorations and gifts, and sample local delicacies such as bredele (Christmas biscuits) and flammekueche (Alsatian pizza-like flat bread). The city is decked out at every turn with dazzling lights and decorations, while the huge Christmas tree in Place Kléber is a sight to behold, leaving every visitor in awe. 

🎄 Vienna, Austria: The epicenter of festive elegance

If any city was made for Christmas, it’s undoubtedly Vienna. The Austrian capital hosts more than 20 Christmas markets every year, with Rathausplatz being the biggest attraction, drawing thousands of people every day at the peak of the festive season. Imagine yourself surrounded by a giant ice rink, illuminated trees, and stalls filled with tasty treats such as roasted chestnuts, gingerbread cookies, and mulled wine.

For a quieter and more traditional atmosphere, we highly recommend a visit to the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt in Freyung. It’s the perfect place for families with young children, and where you’ll find all sorts of handmade gifts and sample various types of mulled wine to the accompaniment of Christmas songs.

🎄 Prague, Czech Republic: Christmas like a fairy tale

Next destination on our list: the stunning Prague. In the heart of the Old Town Square, Prague’s Christmas market looks like something out of a fairy tale. A towering Christmas tree dominates the Gothic towers, while the sweet smell of trdelník (a spiral cake with sugar and cinnamon) wafts through the air. Here, browsing the numerous stalls and taking countless photos are deemed essential, if not necessary, activities!

Moreover, don’t miss the opportunity to shop for traditional Czech gifts for your loved ones, such as wooden toys, handmade ornaments, and Bohemian glassware. Finally, be sure to include a visit to the large nativity scenes hosted on site, and don’t miss the live carol performances organized daily by the locals. 

🎄 Cologne, Germany: The traditional side of Christmas

As the birthplace of Christmas markets, Germany couldn’t be missing from our list and that’s because Cologne’s markets embody the festive spirit like few other German cities. We single out the market at Cologne Cathedral – a must-see destination – with more than 150 Christmas stalls set under a spectacularly lit canopy, creating a vast and colorful maze of flavors, colors, and experiences.

Savour festive – and not just festive – favorites such as Bratwurst, Lebkuchen and for the more adventurous we suggest an alcoholic beverage revelation: the Feuerzangenbowle, in which a rum-soaked sugar cone is burned and dripped in mulled wine – what could be more Christmassy than that?

🎄 Tallinn, Estonia: A hidden Christmas gem

Tallinn’s Christmas market, although smaller in size than its Western counterparts, remains just as enchanting and fairytale-like. Nestled in the capital’s medieval Old Town and most often snow-covered, it transports us to another era, making us wonder why it is not already a top choice for travelers in Europe.

And if being considered an underrated European Christmas market sounds dreamy to you, imagine how you’ll feel walking through the center of the market, where a majestic Christmas tree rises up, surrounded by snow-covered stalls. There you’ll discover handmade woolen products, traditional Estonian sausages, and sweet, festive treats that will win you over with their simplicity.

🎄 Tips for an unforgettable and trouble-free Christmas shopping experience in Europe

• Plan properly: Popular markets fill up quickly with visitors, so choose weekdays or early mornings for a more casual and laid-back stroll.
• Dress warmly: Pack your comfiest scarf and gloves, maybe even an isothermal (if you’re not fond of the cold) – December temperatures can be quite cold, but that only makes mulled wine all the more enjoyable!
• Try the local delicacies: Don’t hesitate to try everything: from German Stollen to Czech trdelník (“the chimney” as we all call it). Each market has its own unique flavors.
• Keep cash on hand: Although many vendors accept cards, smaller stalls often prefer cash. Cash, too, is a great opportunity to practically show your gratitude to street performers!

Epilogue

Christmas markets are not just about shopping – they are a fusion of experiences, a celebration of togetherness, tradition, and the Christmas magic that takes us back to our childhood. So whether you’re exploring them with your loved ones or enjoying them alone, these European gems are guaranteed to leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

As always, don’t forget to visit our website for more travel blogs, follow ONExchange’s Instagram page, and share your own adventures from your favorite Christmas destinations by tagging us. Until next time, we wish you safe, happy travels and a Merry Christmas!