10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2022 (with Map & Photos)

The Christmas markets in Europe are a real spectacle. If Christmas is already a special date, living its magic in one of the Christmas markets of the Old Continent is a unique experience. Christmas markets started in Germany in the late Middle Ages, but now you can visit them all over Europe. Wooden houses, traditional food, lots of handicrafts and various light shows will awaken your Christmas spirit. In the following post, we will tell you which are the 10 best Christmas markets in Europe so that you can visit some of them. We are sure you will love them!

1. Budapest, the Advent Feast in the Basilica


If we talk about Christmas markets in Europe, obviously we have to start talking about the amazing Advent Party at the Basilica. It's an amazing show!

As a curiosity, it was awarded as the best Christmas market in Europe in the European Best Destinations online public survey in 2020 and the second best in 2021. In addition, in previous years it had also held good rankings.

What awaits you in this market? The highlight is his projections on the façade of the Basilica. Every night during advent in Budapest, various festive stories and religious scenes are projected onto St. Stephen's Basilica through an amazing light show.

But you'll also be able to browse and buy handcrafted goods at a huge open-air market where around 160 vendors offer an incredible mix of local handicrafts. And you can also enjoy their delicacies!

Finally, as Christmas is the festival of mutual love and care, the organizers have invited various charities to their program, living up to their Christian motto and values ​​by helping those less fortunate and needy. Without a doubt, one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Best Christmas Markets in Europe

2. Tivoli Christmas Market in Copenhagen


The Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market in Copenhagen is one of the classics when it comes to the best Christmas markets in Europe. This historic amusement park turns into a Winter Wonderland during Christmas. Over half a million twinkling lights come on during the festivities!

In addition, the market is decorated with more than 70,000 Christmas decorations and nearly 1,000 Christmas trees. Also, in 2022 a huge Christmas tree will be placed right in the middle of Lake Tivoli. Is there a better place to enjoy this special atmosphere? Precisely, if we classify it as one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, it is because of its incredible decorations.

Accompanied by festive music, this market seems like an idyllic place: it is full of Scandinavian-style wooden huts that will transport you to Santa Claus's village in Finland.

Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Best Christmas Markets in Europe

3. Tallinn, one of the best Christmas markets in Europe


Tallinn dresses up for Christmas. If its old city is already magical throughout the year, imagine yourself around these dates! In the heart of the old city you can enjoy one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, where tradition continues to play a very important role.

Since 1441, the city has a tradition of placing a Christmas tree in the town hall square  Is incredible! Of course, the Christmas market that surrounds it is quite small with only about 50 traditional chalets. However, you will not lack joy to combat the winter cold.

Apart from the huge Christmas tree, if the one in Tallinn is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, it is because of its musical bands and dance groups. The Christmas songs are the protagonists, and together with the traditional hot liquors they will allow you to warm up. Without a doubt, one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Best Christmas Markets in Europe

4. Salzburg Chriskindlmarkt


There are few settings more idyllic than Salzburg considering that music is one of the key elements in the best Christmas markets in Europe. So we believe that there is no better place to enjoy it than in Mozart's hometown.

Thanks to its beautiful Christmas carols, Salzburg comes alive at Christmas surrounded by a World Heritage-listed environment. In Salzburg you can enjoy free daily concerts at 5:00 p.m. in front of the cathedral.

This centenary market has approximately 100 stalls, which are distributed around the cathedral and the neighboring squares of Domplatz and Residenzplatz. Let yourself be carried away by its incredible smells and buy a lot of handicrafts. You will find everything!

Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Best Christmas Markets in Europe

5. Strasbourg, one of the best Christmas markets in Europe


Strasbourg is one of the most beautiful cities to see in France, especially at Christmas. Many know the French city as the "Capital of Christmas" for its incredible atmosphere. And being in Strasbourg at this time is synonymous with magic!

Strasbourg is considered one of the best Christmas markets in Europe due to its incredible size and variety. In addition, it is the oldest in France, since it has been celebrated since 1570. Almost nothing!

In the surroundings of the Plaza de la Catedral you can enjoy more than 300 traditional market stalls. One of the most interesting places is the Market of the small and invincible producers of Alsace, where you can find typical products of Alsace, one of the treasures of France.

6. Trier or Trier, the most beautiful Christmas market in Germany


Trier is probably not the most famous city to see in Germany, but during the holidays it does become one of the most attractive, as it has one of the best Christmas markets in Europe!

For many it is the most romantic Christmas market in the world and the most beautiful in Germany. It is held in the medieval market square, with the impressive cathedral as a backdrop. We like it because it is super authentic and, not being such a big and touristy city, it is not usually as crowded as others. Although you will always find people shopping in its almost 100 traditionally decorated stalls!

And obviously, being in Germany, you cannot leave without trying the delicious glüwein or boiled wine, one of the star products on the market. Without a doubt, one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

7. Prague, one of the best Christmas markets in Europe


A city as touristy as Prague could not have a disappointing Christmas market. If the city is already a postcard 365 days a year, Christmas is no exception. Although the city has several markets, the most impressive Christmas market in Prague is the one held in Prague's Old Town Square, one of the most important tourist spots in the city.

In the heart of the square a tall and illuminated Christmas tree is placed. In its surroundings you can see incredible monuments such as the Týn church, creating an unbeatable panorama. It is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe to try food, especially Czech specialties such as grilled meats, the famous “Prague ham” and Trdelník, a delicious cake.

Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Best Christmas Markets in Europe

8. Cologne


When we talk about the best Christmas markets in Europe, we undoubtedly have to mention the German city of Cologne. It is one of the most special cities to visit at Christmas!

We cannot stick to just one market, as the city has several very interesting Christmas markets. The largest is the one in the city center, just below the Cologne Cathedral.

Each market is dedicated to a different theme. There you will find various handicrafts and high-quality products, such as its gastronomic delights.

9. Vienna


When Christmas comes to Vienna, the city transforms and sparkles with magical lights and amazing decorations. There are numerous Christmas markets that spill out into the streets of the old town, filling them with artisan stalls selling traditional wooden toys and lots of handicrafts.

Vienna is a very touristic city throughout the year, but it is worth knowing it at Christmas, when its most famous squares are filled with some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Do not miss the cultural and Christmas market in front of Schönbrunn Palace. The backdrop is unbeatable!

Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Best Christmas Markets in Europe

10. Basel Christmas Markets


And finally, to finish this article about the best Christmas markets in Europe, we did not want to forget Basel. We could not be unfair to the Swiss city, since it is the city with the longest Christmas tradition in the country.

The market is amazing! It takes place in the heart of the old town, on Barfüsserplatz and on Münsterplatz, one of the most beautiful squares in Basel, and is surrounded by lots of illuminated pine trees that line the streets of the Swiss city.

At Münsterplatz, you can see its incredible Christmas tree, one of the most beautiful in Europe.

LOCATION OF THE 10 BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN EUROPE


In the following map you can see where the 10 best Christmas markets in Europe are.