If you want to experience the magical sparkling lights overhead, steaming styrofoam cups of mulled wine, and little wooden cabins filled with treasures, a lot of European cities at Christmas-time are hard to beat! I’ve compiled a list of European cities that are so good that Santa himself might be hiding there!
1. Vienna
The Rathausplatz in Vienna is transformed into a wonderful Christmas village every year. It has the traditional Christkindlmarkt in front of its city hall. There’s even an ice rink which makes it all the more magical as you can glide across the ice under all the Christmas lights! Be sure to see the live advent calendar! Every night there’s a special performance that’s unique to each day as they count down to Christmas.
The market stalls are also a great place to grab extra Christmas presents for friends and family (or yourself!), as well as trying some traditional Christmas foods. The Rathausplatz market usually is open from mid-November until Christmas.
2. Strasbourg
The Christmas markets in Strasbourg are some of the oldest in Europe, and some of the most atmospheric. Strasbourg is referred to as the Capital of Christmas for a reason! There are 300+ wooden chalets spread across the Grande Île, with a large Christmas tree in Place Kleber, as well as hundreds of Christmas lights across the city.
You can expect Alsatian craft demos, concerts, children’s storytelling trails, and obviously amazing Christmas stalls filled with lots of goodies. The Christkindelsmärik dates back to the late 1500s and captures a perfect mix of French Christmas as well as Germanic tradition.
3. Prague
The Old Town Square in Prague is transformed into one of Europe’s most magical Christmas cities every year. The Christmas tree has light shows, there are live choirs every day, a live nativity scene on the weekends. There are stalls selling hand-blown glass gifts, carved toys, and spiced perníčky.
Not far from the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square also holds a second market which contains more food stalls with local and traditional Christmas foods so you can get fully immersed in the culture. The markets in Prague are usually open from November until January. More information on Wenceslas Square markets and Old Town Square markets.
4. Cologne
Another of the best cities in Europe for Christmas is Cologne. The Cathedral in Cologne sits proudly over the market below. There are several themed markets across the city. There’s a medieval theme to the market that’s near the Chocolate museum, a Harbour market on the Rhine, and a Heinzels Wintermärchen in the Old Town which is inspired by the elf legends in Cologne. In these markets, you can expect choirs, collectible mugs, and brass concerts to name a few things.
5. Budapest
Budapest matches glittery markets with unique urban settings. Vörösmarty Square is the classic Christmassy market. It has wooden huts selling paprika flavoured stews, mulled wine, and handmade Christmas ornaments. At night-time, St. Stephen’s Basilica has a free 3D light projection show. Afterwards, you can have a night swim in the Szechenyi Baths, they often host holiday themed spa nights too!
6. Tallinn
Tallinn’s Town Hall Square is transformed into a beautiful Christmas village. The city proudly claims to have displayed Europe’s first ever public Christmas tree in the 1440s, and that tradition is still practiced yearly.
Tallinn market has loads of stalls with local crafts, woollen goods, and gingerbread, to name a few things. There’s a small ice rink which definitely adds to the appeal, and the view from the Kohtuotsa platform offers visitors the Christmas card perfect photo opportunity of all the old town lights.
7. Copenhagan
At Christmas-time, the Tivoli Gardens Market. in Copenhagen turn into the most magical fairy-tale wonderland. They have an ice rink, hundreds and thousands of gorgeous lights across the city, and visits to Santa’s Grotto. The markets have daily performances by the Tivoli Youth Guard as they parade through the Gardens. There are also fireworks some nights, and a Christmas cabaret. The market stalls have loads of handmade gifts and tasty food!
8. Salzburg
The Residenzplatz and Domplatz in Salzburg turn into one of those gorgeous historical Christmas markets every year. Their historic Christkindlmarkt dates back to the 15th century. The market focuses on artisan crafts such as beeswax candles, wooden nativity scenes, and yummy local sweets. You can hear Advent concerts inside the cathedral or you can go to a recital in the Fortress Hohensalzburg. A walk through the Hellbrunn Adventzaubern palace grounds to see all the lanterns would truly make the experience magical.
9. London
The festive energy in London is unmatched. The Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is a massive Christmas carnival with fairground rides, live music, and one of the largest ice rinks in Europe. Over in Covent Garden, there’s Christmas carols, mistletoe chandeliers, and carol singers. Kew Gardens offers it’s mile-long light trail through the botanical gardens. There’s also the Southbank Centre Winter Market which is very cosy (and great for cider!).
See here for the best Christmas markets in London.
10. Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital city brings it’s all to the Christmas party. The Edinburgh Christmas Market is spread out across East Princes Street Gardens. They have fairground rides, Bavarian-style stalls overlooked by the castle. St. Andrew Square hosts an Ice Adventure, and there’s pop up ceilidhs across the city.
Lola’s Favourites
You don’t always to have to go outside of the UK to find some of the best Christmas cities around. Here are my three favourite cities to go to at Christmas time that are just around the corner if you live in the north.
- Liverpool
Liverpool is absolutely gorgeous anytime of year anyway, but there’s something so magical about the Christmas markets there. There’s loads of stalls around the outside of St. George’s Hall (right by Liverpool Lime Street station). They have plenty of mulled wine, street food, live entertainment, and artisan gifts on offer. The Royal Albert Dock is decorated by the most beautiful Christmas lights, it genuinely feels like you’re walking through a Christmas movie, it’s so amazing!
Here’s a list of things to do in/around Liverpool over the Christmas period.
- Chester
Chester is another extremely amazing place to visit during the Christmas period. The Christmas Market on Northgate Street (by the Storyhouse Library) is so wonderful. They have loads of local crafts and gifts on offer as well as street food, and plenty of mulled wine! If you’re not up for the markets, Chester Zoo is also magical at Christmas time.
Visit Chester at Christmas!
- Manchester
I feel like this one’s a given. I always hear people in university and back at home talking about going for a day trip to Manchester during the Christmas period. The markets are spread out across the whole city in places such as Albert Square, Exchange Square, Market Street, and Piccadilly Gardens. They have well over 200 stalls offering treats, wine, and a great Christmassy atmosphere. I really love this one as it feels very magical. There’s an ice rink too!
From Vienna to Edinburgh, European cities offer some of the best Christmas atmosphere’s you’ll ever experience. Whether you want a fairy-tale experience, some mulled wine, or a walk under the lights by a cathedral, there’s definitely something for everyone in every city!
See here for our tips on doing Christmas on a budget as a student.