Lonely PlanetAug 28
The Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Get planning your festive season with this guide to this year
festivities kick off with switching on the lights
25 things in this story
- SenaatintoriNeighborhoodmarket on elegant 19th-century square
- AleksanterinkatuNeighborhoodfestivities kick off with switching on the lights
- Elsewhere
- Grand-PlaceMarketBrussels, Belgiumstrikingly lit square with a fabulous tree
- Schloss HellbrunnAttractionSalzburg, Austriamarket with carollers, handicraft stalls, and Christmas train
- StriezelmarktMarketDresden, Germanyhas enraptured folk since 1434
- Nuremberg's marketMarketNuremberg, Germanytwo million visit
- Innsbruck's medieval old town marketsMarketInnsbruck, Austriafolk bands play and chalets sell decorations
- Hellbrunn's baroque palaceSightSalzburg, Austriapairs Christmas markets with northern lights
- Ravenna GorgeSightSchluchsee, GermanyChristmas market in the snowy Black Forest
- RathausSightVienna, Austriamarket in front of the neo-Gothic building
- SpittelbergQuarterVienna, Austriaromantic market in narrow Biedermeier lanes
- Schloss SchönbrunnSightVienna, Austriamarket on the grounds with a magnificent tree
- Golden RoofAttractionInnsbruck, Austriahuge tree glitters in front of it
- MarktplatzNeighborhoodInnsbruck, Austriatraditional fairground rides and puppet shows
- KiebachgasseNeighborhoodInnsbruck, Austriafairytale-themed street
- Maria-Theresien-StrasseNeighborhoodInnsbruck, Austriamarket stalls and trees packed with twinkling lights
- Hellbrunn Advent MagicMarketSalzburg, Austriaheld at Salzburg's Schloss Hellbrunn
- Place de BrouckèreNeighborhoodBrussels, Belgiumice and curling rinks and a merry-go-round
- Pl Sainte-CatherineNeighborhoodBrussels, Belgiummarket spreads out here for shopping
- Zagreb’sMarketZagreb, Croatiaright up there with Europe’s finest
- FuliranjeMarketZagreb, Croatiamarket for carols, concerts, crafts and DJs
- Ban Jelačić SqNeighborhoodZagreb, Croatiasnack on hot chestnuts and licitars
- Winchester’s Christmas marketMarketWinchester, United Kingdomin the cathedral’s historic grounds
- Raekoja platsNeighborhoodTallinn, Estoniaenormous tree towering above quaint wooden chalets
- Colmar in AlsaceNeighborhoodColmar, Francegingerbready, half-timbered old town hosts six markets