Michelle Tchea

Plenty of us may dread the colder temperatures and long, rainy days that linger for months when winter arrives, but make no mistake: it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Of course, that works better when rhythmically crooned, but you get the point. Winter means Christmas, and Christmas means twinkly lights, wholesome gifts, cups of glögg, and the indomitable festive spirit that makes all those layers of clothing worth it. Europe’s Christmas markets are places filled with joy, from the cobbled (and possibly haunted) streets of Edinburgh to the traditional cities of Central Europe, and everywhere in between. Much like the first viewing of a certain fizzy drink advert many moons ago, you know the season’s here when the Christmas markets kick into gear. Best Christmas markets in Europe at a glance 👯‍♀️ Most popular: Rathausplatz, Vienna, Austria 🎄 Most traditional: Town Hall Square, Tallinn, Estonia 🎠 Most unique: Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden 🔔 Most atmospheric: Colmar, France ⛄ Most underrated: Cathedral Square, Vilnius, Lithuania Which country in Europe has the best Christmas markets? The best of the best? Impossible to say, but let’s give it a go. It’s hard to look past Germany as the Grand Champion of Christmas Markets (not an official title, just to be clear), although you could make an argument for almost any country in Central Europe. Still, there’s something about a German Christmas market that really captures the spirit, so check out our collection of the best

This list is from 2024. Read our 2025 ranking or check out our latest ranking for 2026 here. In 2024, what exactly makes a neighbourhood cool? Craft breweries, natty wine bars and street art are well and good, but the world’s best, most exciting and downright fun neighbourhoods are much more than identikit ‘hipster hubs’. They’re places that reflect the very best of their cities – its culture, community spirit, nightlife, food and drink – all condensed in one vibey, walkable district. To create our annual ranking, we went straight to the experts – our global team of on-the-ground writers and editors – and asked them what the coolest neighbourhood in their city is right now, and why. Then we narrowed down the selection and ranked the list using the insight and expertise of Time Out’s global editors, who vetted each neighbourhood against criteria including food, drink, arts, culture, street life, community and one-of-a-kind local flavour. The result? A list that celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities – and all their quirks. Yes, you’ll find some of those international hallmarks of ‘cool’. But in every neighbourhood on this list there’s something you won’t find anywhere else. Ever been to a photography museum that moonlights as a jazz club? Or a brewery with a library of Russian literature? How about a festival dedicated to fluff? When communities fiercely support and rally around their local businesses, even the most eccentric ideas can become a reality.

Geneva has it all: indie boutiques, watersports like paddleboarding, access to excellent wine producers and the Swiss mountains, as well as an exciting culinary scene that brings Italy, Brazil and Ethiopia to Switzerland’s second most populated city. How long should I spend in Geneva? Two days will give you an overview of a city that is famous for its historical watchmakers and artisan chocolatiers, but if you have a week, you can explore Geneva the canton and not just the city, venturing to vineyards, climbing mountains, spending whole days shopping and getting out into greater western Switzerland. Essentially, when friends ask me how long they should spend here, I always tell them it depends on how deeply you want to get into it – but I will say this: Geneva is well worth a long layover, and not just a quick drop-in enroute to Zurich.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Zurich⛰️ The best things to do in Switzerland🏨 The best hotels in Switzerland Michelle Tchea is a writer based in Lausanne, Switzerland, who spends much of her time in Zurich. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Zurich is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself. Bankers no longer rule the streets here; rather you’ll find vibrant neighbourhoods, young Swiss creatives, a ton of boutique shops and plenty of new restaurants and galleries. We might still have a reputation as one of the leading finance hubs of the world, but there’s a whole lot more happening in Zurich once you scratch the surdace. Below you’ll find my picks of the absolute best things to do in Zurich (or ‘Zuri’, as we call it here).  What is the best time of year to visit Zurich? There’s never a bad time to visit Zurich; in the summer it’s all about our open-air swimming, and in the winter, nothing beats fondue and exploring the beautiful Christmas lights and markets dotted around town. World class museums, art galleries and easy access to some of Switzerland’s most beloved mountains, national parks and gardens make this an all-year-round destination. Trust us on that one.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Geneva⛰️ The best things to do in Switzerland🏨 The best hotels in Switzerland Michelle Tchea is a writer based in Lausanne, Switzerland, who spends much of her time in Zurich. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

For much of the past couple of years, one of life’s greatest pleasures was pulled out from under us. We’re talking about going to the pub: meeting friends after work and downing tall pints of beer. It’s not just a pastime: it’s a lifestyle. Some call Munich the beer capital of the world. Last year saw the city’s legendary Oktoberfest return for the first time since 2019, and many of its sessions booked out fast. But fear not: if you’re always late to the party (or, for that matter, if you’ve just got a real thing against lederhosen), there are plenty of other great beer cities and destinations that might not be on your radar yet.RECOMMENDED: The cheapest cities in the world for a pint of beer From beer deliveries in Bern and the burgeoning craft-beer neighbourhood of Gothenburg to self-guided beer tours on Greek islands, here are some seriously underrated alternatives to Munich’s Oktoberfest. Don’t tell Germany, but if you’re looking for Europe’s best beer, these are the places to go.

What is it? Nothing is more iconic than the giant water fountain sprouting water more than 140m into the air on Lake Geneva. Locals, tourists, and even celebs (yes, will.i.am has a selfie here) flock to this guy in summer to sunbake by the jetty before jumping in the water.  Is it worth visiting? Don’t fight it: as possibly the most recognisable image of Geneva (you can even see it from the plane), it’s practically the law to get your photo taken in front of the city’s giant water fountain. It’s also got a pretty good story behind it... Oddly enough, the Jet d’Eau happened by accident – apparently the hydraulic pump used water to power all the factories and houses of Geneva in 1850 and at night, when the technicians and craftsmen stopped working, excess pressure built up in the system and et voila, the Jet d’eau came into life. When the technicians finally stopped the flow, residents argued that they loved it, and so it remained. Is it free to visit? There aren’t many things for free in Switzerland – but this is one of them.  Where’s good to eat nearby?  There’s plenty to eat and drink around here as Jet d’Eau is right in the centre of town by the water. Try Café La Clémence for coffee and snacks, Cafe Papon for fondue, or go all out and have dinner at either Restaurant de la Cigogne or Wine & Beef Fusterie.

What is it? Only open for the summer, Zurich’s place to be seen is the Flussbad Oberer letten Badi. Essentially, this is where Zurich locals hang out when the summer is out, jumping into the River Limmat to cool off from the heat and working on their tans in a historical bathing house.  Is it worth it? If lazing around with a drink in hand in one of the most beautiful spots in Zurich and floating down the river Limmat is your thing, then absolutely.  Oh, but if not? There’s also two beach volleyball courts and a 400-metre swimming pool, plus Panama, a very lovely bar and restaurant, close by.  How much are tickets? You’re in luck – tickets are free completely free. But it is only open seasonally, and tends to close in winter (your best bet is visiting between May and early September).  Where’s good to eat nearby? You don’t have to swim nude, but you can eat at Nude Cafe and Bar (get it?). If you want something more fancy, check out Elmira, which has a green sustainable Michelin star.

What is it? It’s not the MoMa, the Louvre or the Tate, but Zurich’s art museum has a lot to offer and a good collection of modern art. Lovers of Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti will be thrilled to walk through the ground floor rooms dedicated to this artist alone, and the likes of Van Gogh, Monet and Chagall are displayed in small but bright rooms on the top floor. Is it worth it? Kunsthaus is Switzerland’s largest art museum and there’s pretty much always something to get stuck into, from pop-ups and exhibitions to social activities in the public library. There are a lot of inspiring works by Swiss artists, as well as art by Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and the largest collection of paintings by Edward Munch outside of Norway. Some say the top floor is the best floor – so if you are strapped for time, head up there first.  How much is it to visit? The museum costs CHF 24 for adults, and children under the age of 14 are free. But if you’re strapped for cash, go on a Wednesday – the permanent collection is completely free.  Where’s good to eat nearby? The cafe in the museum is actually pretty great, but if you want to venture out, grab some ramen at Yume or mezze at Beimoudi if you’re with friends.