Europe's best Christmas markets

Every Christmas the UK is treated to visiting European markets, but for a real festive indulgence why not venture abroad and immerse yourself in the the real thing? Whether in the historic squares of Prague or beautiful gardens of Copenhagen, you can pick up unique presents and experience European traditions.

1. Barcelona

Dating from 1786, this traditional Christmas fair has expanded to more than 300 stalls selling all manner of handcrafted Christmas decorations and gifts, along with mistletoe, poinsettias and Christmas trees. The most popular figure on sale for Nativity scenes is the curious Catalan figure of the caganer (crapper), a small figure crouching over a steaming turd with his trousers around his ankles. Kids line up for a go on the giant caga tió, a huge, smiley-faced ‘shitting log’ that poops out pressies upon being beaten viciously by a stick; smaller versions are on sale in the stalls. There’s also a Nativity scene contest, musical parades and exhibitions, including the popular life-size Nativity scene in Plaça Sant Jaume.



What Fira de Santa Llucia
Where Pla de la Seu & Avda de la Catedral, Barcelona, Spain
When Nov-Dec
Information Visit www.bcn.cat/nadal for more details

Read our Barcelona city guide

2. Berlin

Berlin could easily be described as the capital of the Traditional Christmas Market, if judged on quantity alone – it has sixty across the city this year. The market at Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche is the biggest and most popular receiving around 4 million visitors each year who come to peruse the jewellery, decorations and artwork on sale as well to indulge in the more clichéd seasonal pleasures such as chestnuts and mulled wine.

Where Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche, Berlin, Germany

Germany has some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, and seemingly one in every city – the ones in Cologne, Nuremberg, Frankfurt are particularly good. Visit www.germany-tourism.co.uk or www.christmas-markets-germany.de for information.


Read our Berlin city guide

3. Brussels

Christmas in Brussels seems to get bigger every year. The Christmas Market now extends along the streets from Grand’Place to place Ste-Catherine, covering almost 2 kilometres (1.2 miles). Each market stall is a little wooden-roofed hut selling mainly arts and crafts or food and drink, all of them having a pan-European flavour. By the time you reach place Ste-Catherine and the quays beyond, not only are you decently warmed up, but you’re at the heart of the festivities. The quaint stalls continue, punctuated every now and again by a merry-go-round, a cycling course, the largest travelling big-wheel in Europe (48m with 18,000 lights) and, of course, the skating rink.

What Le Maché de Noël
Where Grand’Place to place Ste-Catherine
When Late Nov-early Jan
Information Visit www.plaisirsdhiver.be for more details

Other great Belgium Christmas markets are held in Antwerp (Grote Markt) and Bruges (Bruges Christmas Market).

4. Budapest

Gluhwein, frankfurts, folk dances and live music can be found daily in amongst the cottage-esque market 'stalls' of Vörösmarty tér from mid-November. Based at the centre of the Pest district near the start of 'Fashion Street', this market regularly has up to 150 stalls, and plenty of local art and culture, including puppet theatres. To add to the authenticity of celebrations, all products sold in the market are guaranteed as traditionally handmade by the Association of Hungarian Folk Artists.

Where Vörösmarty tér, Budapest, Hungary
When Nov 20-Dec 29
Information Visit the Budapest Tourism Office website for more details (www.budapestinfo.hu/en)

5. Copenhagen

Like many European cities, Copenhagen is decked out in decorations and illuminations at this time of year. But, unlike most, the atmosphere is less commercial and more authentically ‘Christmassy’ (maybe the sub-zero temperatures have something to do with it).

From mid November Tivoli turns into a vast Christmas grotto with a special Christmas market, Yuletide grub and an infestation of nisser (Danish Christmas pixies). The gardens also offer an ice rink, rollercoaster and theme park rides for those up for more than just a leisurely amble round the handicraft stalls. Based in the centre of the capital it attracts up to a million visitors, so expect crowds.

Where Tivoli, Copenhagen, Denmark
When Mid Nov-Christmas
Information Visit www.tivoli.dk for more details

6. Dublin

Despite being one of the younger of the European Christmas markets, Dublin's '12 Days of Christmas' attracted 90'000 visitors in 2008. Craft jewellery, stained glass, wooden toys and artwork can be found at the recently regenerated Dublin Docklands. The carousel, carol-singing and German themed bar mean this newcomer is a crowd pleaser and family friendly.



Where Georges Dock, Dublin, Ireland
When Nov 12-Dec 23
Information Visit www.dublindocklands.ie for more details

Read our Dublin city guide

7. Jersey

La Fête dé Noué is often promoted as the Christmas market that can boast a winter sun. Those seeking warmer climates in December could do a lot better than Jersey, but St Helier can proudly claim to have the most activity filled Christmas market on this list. Ghoulish walks, historical tours, Dickensian storytellers, carol singing, Christmas crafts, art festivals and moonlight parades all accompany the Normandy market stalls and stunning canopy of lights.

What La Fête dé Noué (Christmas Market)
Where St Helier, Jersey
When Nov 26-Dec 20
Information Visit www.jersey.com for more details

8. Prague

Prague's Christmas markets takes place in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square (as in Old King Wenceslas). Here visitors seek unusual food and drink rather than gifts and decoration – in the week leading up to the Vánoce (Christmas) holiday, the streets sport huge tubs of water filled with carp, the traditional Czech Christmas dish – and should definitely make time try the grog and honey liquor – a traditional Czech beverage. Czech carols can be heard round the market and visitors are also treated to the views of the beautiful surrounding architecture and dazzling lighting at night.

Where Wenceslas Square, Prague, Czech Republic
When Nov 28-Jan 1


Information Visit the Czech Tourism website for more details (www.czechtourism.com)

Read our Prague city guide

9. Stockholm

Skansen’s Christmas market is held at weekends throughout December until Christmas Eve (the only day Skansen is closed). Look out for Swedish craft products, traditional Christmas ornaments made of straw, hand-dipped candle and Christmas fare such as smoked sausage, eel, salmon, pepparkakor (gingersnaps), glögg (mulled wine) and saffron buns.

Where Skansen, Stockholm, Sweden
When Early-end Dec



Read our Stockholm city guide

10. Vienna

Winter is the most quintessentially Austrian time of year: snow (sometimes) blankets the city and the Christmas markets appear. Christkindlmärkte are advent markets that appear in mid November. Christmas for the Viennese is a social affair, where people meet up at the markets for Punsch or Glühwein (the local mulled wine), chestnuts and spicy Christmas cookies. These are the principal hotspots:

Rathausplatz market
Its stalls are tacky but it’s still worth a visit for a glimpse of the Advent windows on the Town Hall, decorated by local artists, and the enchanting tree illuminations in the park.

Schönbrunn Palace market
Another spectacular backdrop with slightly more upmarket stalls can be found at the Schönbrunn Palace market.

Altwiener Christkindlmarkt
For a cosier, more arty feel and stalls selling handmade wares, visit the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt at the Freyung.

Spittelberg market
Set in the cobbled streets between Burggasse and Siebensterngasse in the 7th district, the Spittelberg market is one of the loveliest and offers goods not found elsewhere.

Further information

www.christmasmarkets.com lists many Christmas markets worldwide.