Besides my birthday (shout out to my fellow Leos!), the Christmas season is easily my favorite time of the year. The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas always felt so magical as a kid. I love the lights and decorations, baking cookies/other seasonal treats, and tracking down the perfect gifts for my favorite people. And then as an adult I discovered holiday markets and quickly added them to my yearly routine!
While I’ve been to a few in the Northeast United States, I haven’t experienced a European Christmas market yet. But now that we’ve moved to the Netherlands, I’m planning to change that imminently. The list below was initially much longer if you can believe it, it was getting out of hand so I had to cut back! As I cross one off the list, I’ll add another in its place.
You’ll notice they’re mostly held in Germanic/Central European countries. To my surprise, you’re unlikely to find a traditional Christmas market in countries like Greece, Portugal, or Spain, even though they are predominantly Catholic/Christian countries.
Netherlands
Christmas markets aren’t as big of a thing in the Netherlands as they are in other parts of Europe, with most being smaller/more understated and open for a shorter amount of the holiday season. But there are still a few I’m hoping to visit now that we’re living in the country!
Kerststad Valkenburg
This is easily the most unique of the Netherlands Christmas markets. The biggest draw is the Kerstmarkt Gemeentegrot, aka the Christmas Market Municipal Cave, which is Europe’s largest underground Christmas market!
Gemeentegrot Valkenburg – Website.
Magisch Maastricht
Highlights of this market in the southeastern part of the country include: a 1,000 square meter (almost 11,000 sq ft) covered ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel, street curling, and dozens of stalls selling food, drinks, gifts, and crafts.
Vrijthof Square, Maastricht – Website.
Christmas Village at Museumplein
There are a number of different Christmas markets in Amsterdam, but this one in the Museum Quarter is the most famous/popular. A huge draw for me is the large open air ice rink in front of the Rijksmuseum. The main downside? It doesn’t open until December!
Museumplein, Amsterdam – Website.
Germany
When you picture a Christmas Market, the ones in Germany are likely what come to mind! German Christmas markets actually date back to medieval times, after which they slowly spread throughout Europe and eventually the United States.
Koelner Weihnachtsmarkt
The Cologne Cathedral market is allegedly the most visited Christmas market in Germany, with millions of visitors every year! The market features 150 different stalls and a central Christmas tree with over 70,000 LED lights. There’s even a mini train called the Christmas Market Express that connects the Cathedral market to 3 others in the city!
Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom, Cologne – Website.
Dresden Striezelmarkt
Founded all the way back in 1434, Dresden’s market is Germany’s oldest documented traditional Christmas market! Here you’ll find the largest Erzgebirge step pyramid in the world (multi-tiered centerpiece of the market with rotating platforms and a fan blade on top).
Altmarkt, Dresden – Website.
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
If you take their website at their word, then the Nuremberg market is the most famous one in all of Germany. I’m most interested in trying the Nuremberg bratwurst: a smaller version of a traditional bratwurst but spiced with marjoram, ginger, cardamom, and lemon zest, and typically served in sets instead of one large sausage.
Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg – Website.
Christkindlmärkte München
While there are over a dozen Christmas markets in Munich, the Christkindlmarkte in Marienplatz square is the original. It is also home to what is probably the largest Nativity scene market in all of Germany! We visited the square during our last trip to Munich and I’d love to see it all lit up at Christmastime.
Marienplatz, Munich – Website.
Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt
The Frankfurt Christmas market winds its way through a number of squares in Old Town, with Romerberg being the central/featured location. In total there are over 200 stalls to check out! I’m most excited to try the regional treat Bethmännchen (marzipan pastries topped with almonds), as well as Frankfurt’s alternative to Glühwein – hot apfelwein.
Romerberg Square, Frankfurt – Website.
Christmas in Dusseldorf
During my research rabbit hole I found Dusseldorf listed on a number of ‘top European Christmas markets’ lists! There are 7 markets spread across the city, all within walking distance of each other. Each features a different theme, including: the family friendly Märchen-Markt Fairytale market, Sternchen-Markt is the glowing blue Little Star market, and along the Rhine is the Christmas Promenade.
Multiple squares across the city, Dusseldorf – Website.
Austria
You’ll find that some markets in Austria are called Advent, because that is what the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas are known as in the Christian church. And similar to in the Netherlands, smaller/more rural markets tend to only be open for a shorter time, like a single weekend.
Wiener Christkindlmarkt
The largest and most famous market in Vienna, and Austria as a whole, is the Christkindlmarkt in Rathausplatz. So of course it made the list! Along with the food, drinks, and shopping you’d expect from a Christmas market, this one also has an Advent theme park with a train, carousel, and ice skating path.
Rathausplatz, Vienna – Website.
Salzburger Christkindlmarkt
While the Christmas market in Salzburg isn’t necessarily the most exciting looking or largest of all the markets I’m looking forward to visiting, it made the list because it’s one of the oldest! It’s located within Salzburg’s historic Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Domplatz and Residenzplatz, Salzburg – Website.
Belgium
Markets in Belgium tend to run a bit longer than those in other countries, with many staying open through a few days after New Years. Unique Belgian food and drink items you can expect include waffles (obviously) and jenever, a juniper flavored spirit considered to be the precursor to modern gin.
Winterpret Brussels
Translated to Winter fun or Winter Wonders in English, this market in the Austrian capital is unsurprisingly the largest and most popular of all the markets in the country. It is massive, spanning across the central Grand-Place and a few other nearby squares: Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine, and Marché aux Poissons.
Grand-Place and City Centre, Brussels – Website.
Wintergloed
The Christmas market in Bruges is much smaller and cozier than the ones you’ll find in larger cities. Wintergloed is the overarching name of the larger winter festival, in which there are two markets. The main one can be found in the Grote Markt, next to the stunning Belfry tower.
Old Town, Bruges – Website.
France
Besides Paris, the most well known Christmas markets in France are located in the Alsace region which is on the country’s Eastern border with Germany. Strasbourg and Colmar both made my list and are located within this region.
Capitale de Noel
Strasbourg is known as France’s Christmas capital because it is home to the oldest and most famous market in the country. It’s been around for over 450 years! It also features one of the tallest decorated Christmas trees in all of Europe, standing at around 30 meters tall.
Grande Île, Strasbourg – Website.
La Magie de Noël à Colmar
I’m not going to lie, I’d never heard of Colmar before making this list. But the photos I’ve seen of the market surrounded by half-timbered houses alone make me want to check it out! I’ve come to learn that Colmar is widely considered to be the inspiration for Beauty and the Beast. I’ve heard the market can be a bit of a madhouse on nights and weekends, so something to keep in mind.
6 Markets across Old Town, Colmar – Website.
Italy
The type of Christmas market you’ll visit in Italy depends on what part of the country you’re visiting. In the north the markets are more alpine inspired because of their proximity to the mountains and German-Austrian traditions, while in the south you’ll find the more traditional markets.
Mercatini di Natale di Bolzano
No Italy Christmas market list is complete without Bolzano, which is home to the oldest and largest market in the country. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate the holidays with the Dolomites as a backdrop?! Everything at the market must be made in South Tyrol, the province that Bolzano is the capital of.
Piazza Walther, Bolzano – Website.
Mercatino di Natale Trento
This market is known for the medieval and renaissance architecture the squares are surrounded by. One big thing that makes this market unique is its dedication to being eco-friendly. It runs on 100% renewable energy, only uses compostable tableware, and focuses on locally sourced food options.
Piazza Fiera and Piazza Mostra, Trento – Website.
Weihnachtsmarkt Florence
This is one of my favorite cities in the entire world, so of course it made the list. Florence‘s German-inspired Christmas market is located in the heart of the city, specifically the plaza in front of the Basilica of Santa Croce. Along with Italian treats, you’ll also find a variety of food options from other European countries including Austria, Hungary, and Germany.
Piazza Santa Croce, Florence – Website.
Switzerland
Apparently there are over 100 Christmas markets across Switzerland, which was a bit overwhelming so I just picked 2 to start with!
Polarzauber at Hauptbahnhof Zürich
This isn’t the only market in the city, but it’s definitely the most unique. Held inside Zurich’s central train station, the Polarzauber is one of Europe’s largest indoor markets (if not the largest). With how much my husband and I love train stations, it’s no surprise this market made the cut.
Hauptbahnhof Zürich – Website.
Noël au Quai
This market in Geneva has one of the prettiest backdrops of all the markets on this list – Lake Geneva. The name translates to Christmas on the Quayside, as the market is situated on the Quai du Mont-Blanc on the western side of the lake.
Quai du Mont-Blanc, Lake Geneva – Website.
One-Off Christmas Markets
A handful of other markets scattered throughout other European countries that I’m also hoping to visit in the future:
- Staroměstské náměstí – Prague, Czechia
- Basilica Christmas Fair & Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market – Budapest, Hungary
- Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Tuomaan Markkinat – Helsinki, Finland
- Betlejem Poznańskie – Poznan, Poland
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – London, United Kingdom
- Dome Square Christmas Market – Riga, Latvia
- Tallinn Christmas Market – Tallinn, Estonia
What’s your favorite European Christmas market? Let me know in the comments!
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