Experiences

Some of the finest Christmas Markets in the world can be found on the continent, set against an impressive architectural backdrop, with a magical festive atmosphere and a variety of stalls selling tempting culinary treats, unusual handicrafts and more.

A river cruise along the Rhine or Danube Rivers offers a relaxing way to visit some of the region’s finest Christmas Markets, which are often held in charming riverside towns and cities. The following list details some of Europe’s top Christmas Markets.

Christmas Markets of the Danube

Viennese Dream Christmas Market

Embrace the spirit of the festive season with a visit to the Viennese Dream Christmas Market, set in front of the City Hall. The unique backdrop gives this market a charm of its own, and you are sure to be enticed by the delicious aromas emanating from the stalls. Since 1975, for almost 50 years, the annual Vienna Christmas market has taken place on the Rathausplatz. However, Vienna’s Christmas market has been around for much longer, although it went by a different name, the “Thomasmarkt” was established in 1600. In 1772 the market moved to the Freyung and was known as the “Nikolo and Christmas market”. When it moved to the Am Hof square in 1842, the market was given the name “Christkindlmarkt”. The Christmas Market today is also home to the Vienna Ice World where you can hire skates and glide around the illuminated City Hall Park.

Opening Hours 10am – 9.30pm

Christmas Village on Vienna’s Marie Theresien Square

Admire elegant Viennese architecture and experience festive traditions at the Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square, set between the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art. There is no escaping the Christmas atmosphere with festively decorated market stalls and a vast array of culinary delights. There are more Christmas Market stalls located in front of the City Hall, around a 15-minute walk away.

Opening Hours 11am – 9pm

Bratislava’s Hlavné Square Christmas Markets

Bratislava’s main Christmas Market can be found in the heart of the city at Hlavné Square, extending into the nearby streets and creating a festive atmosphere throughout the historic centre. As December unfurls, the entire area becomes illuminated with enchanting Christmas lights, while the market stalls showcase an array of regional Slovak food and local produce, all accompanied by Christmas music. The traditional food specialties that you can savour typically include Loksa, a savoury pancake that is perfect for warming you up on a cold winter evening, and Klobása, a flavourful Slovak sausage grilled and served with mustard or sauerkraut.

Opening Hours 10am – 10pm

Hviezdoslavovo Square Christmas Market

Another of Bratislava’s Christmas Markets not to be missed is held at Hviezdoslavovo Square, where you will find a large skating rink, along with more stalls selling tasty festive food and drink. This market is around a 10-minute walk away from Hlavné Square.

Opening Hours 11am – 7pm

Bratislava Castle Christmas Markets

Although the furthest distance away from the Danube, the festive markets at Bratislava Castle have the benefit of an especially scenic setting, overlooking the river. Here you will find stalls brimming with traditional Slovakian culinary treats, gifts and souvenirs.

Opening Hours 11am – 7pm

Budapest Christmas Fair and Winter Festival

Budapest offers its visitors countless experiences and sights in every season, but one of the most special and magical times is when the city prepares for Christmas. The largest and longest-running Budapest Christmas Market can be found in Vörösmarty Square, where over 100 stalls sell everything from handmade local crafts to mouthwatering goulash, sausages, and other tasty Hungarian specialties.

Opening Hours 11am – 9pm

Advent Feast of the Basilica

At St Stephen’s Basilica you will find another of Budapest’s popular Christmas Markets where you will find a delightful array of food and gift stalls. There is also a central skating rink under a glittering canopy of lights and nightly light projections on the church facade set to music, which take place every 30 minutes from 16:30. If you are looking for a magical atmosphere, this is one Budapest’s Christmas markets you cannot miss.

Opening Hours 11am – 10pm

Christmas Markets of the Rhine

Düsseldorf Old Town Christmas Market

Visitors have been coming to Düsseldorf for years to visit the Christmas Markets and to buy festive gifts for their loved ones. Most of the markets are within walking distance of each other and one of the most popular is the Aldstadt or Old Town Market. Set in the heart of Düsseldorf, and conveniently nestled between the smaller Angel and Handworker Markets, the Old Town Market features lines of wooden huts decorated to look like Düsseldorf’s old Burgher houses, filled with a variety of gifts and edible treats. It is another great place where you can purchase traditional handmade ornaments or indulge in some delicious German food. Also, not to be missed is the central Glühwein stall, which has a display featuring figures of some of the city’s most important former residents.

Opening Hours 11am – 8pm

The Artisan or Hand-worker Market

Boasting a scenic backdrop of Düsseldorf’s historic City Hall, the Handwerker-Markt is laid out like a Christmas village, complete with a tall glittering tree and Christmas huts selling all sorts of handicrafts. Here, you can take your pick from dozens of artisan stalls selling handmade items – such as wooden kitchenware and hand-painted candle holders.

Opening Hours 11am – 8pm

Bonn City Centre Christmas Market

In the run-up to Christmas, the Christmas Market transforms the heart of Bonn into an atmospheric city of tempting stalls. Less well known than the larger markets in Cologne, the markets in Bonn are often less crowded with tourists, but popular with locals for their vibrant atmosphere. In this pretty square, overlooked by the bright yellow façade of the former Post Office building and the striking St Martin’s Church, you can expect to find a selection of traditional German festive treats from Glühwein, roasting chestnuts and battered cod, to more exotic foods and drinks including honey mead and pastries. The handcrafted gifts, souvenirs and decor are just as varied – glass and timber Christmas tree ornaments, beeswax candles, handmade jewellery and children’s toys are among the gems you can discover. Further smaller festively decorated shops and stalls can be found in the streets surrounding the Munsterplatz.

Opening Hours 11am – 9pm

Cologne Christmas Markets at Cologne Cathedral

In the middle of the city, the Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral features a large ornately decorated Christmas tree surrounded by stalls and festive lights. Every year, visitors browse the stalls of this popular market, sampling the organic culinary delicacies and admiring local handicrafts as they soak up the festive atmosphere. While here, you may also be able to venture inside the UNESCO-listed cathedral.

Opening Hours 11am – 9pm

Cologne Old Town Heinzel’s Winter Fairytale

According to legend, the Heinzelmännchen of Cologne were mythical creatures akin to gnomes or pixies, which used to assist the lazy craftsmen in Cologne's old town with their work at night. Throughout December, every year since 2008, these beloved characters become the theme for the Heinzel's Winter Fairytale which transforms the old town into a magical Christmas world hosting the city’s largest Christmas market. Here you can find a wide range of specialties including local handicrafts, gifts and a spectacular ice rink. There are over 100 market stalls, divided into different themed alleys and small squares that extend across the Alter Markt and Heumarkt. From woodcarvers to blacksmiths, to confectioners – artisans from all over Europe are happy to show off their skills. You will also find various edible treats from freshly baked strudels, waffles and apple pancakes to traditional hand bread, potato pancakes and flame-grilled salmon.

Opening Hours 11am – 10pm

Nuremberg Christmas Markets

The Main Square or Hauptmarkt, will be hosting its renowned Christmas Market, where little wooden booths sell handmade Christmas decorations and tempting sweet treats, including lebkuchen and spekulatius cookies.

Opening Hours 10am – 9pm