The Best European Christmas Markets to Visit in 2023
Cold, crisp air, the twinkle of fairy lights, and picture-postcard locations — this is just a taste of what you can expect in European Christmas markets this winter.
Read our latest post on the Best Christmas Markets to visit in 2023 to get you right into the festive spirit.
Munich, Germany
You’ll find a sprinkling of Christmas markets in Munich, the most well-known of which is located at Marienplatz, where you’ll find over 130 stalls selling everything from food to trinkets.
This location is perfect for adding on a day trip to the magical Neuschwanstein Castle, built by the “Fairy Tale” King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the late nineteenth century. As the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland, it’s the stuff of dreams!
Copenhagen, Denmark
Visit Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen for a magical Christmas market experience. As well as shopping for locally produced crafts, gifts, and seasonal food, you’ll be able to enjoy ice skating, the illuminations, and if you’re lucky, a glimpse of the stunning northern lights.
By day, be sure to check out Copenhagen’s iconic sites, including The Little Mermaid Statue, inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.
Vienna, Austria
You’ll find a variety of Christmas markets in Austria’s capital, so you’ll be spoiled for choice. For an impressive backdrop, head to the market on Maria Theresien Square, where you’ll find stalls selling handcrafted goods and mouthwatering local delicacies like gingerbread and pretzels.
The market is located between the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art, so you can make a day of it by visiting the museums first before exploring the market as the sun sets.
Colmar, France
One of the lesser-known Christmas markets in Europe can be found in Colmar, in the Alsace region of France. The pretty streets with half-timbered houses provide a fairy-tale backdrop to various Christmas markets, where you can enjoy local specialties and carols sung by children on boats on the river.
Since Colmar is so close to the Swiss and German borders, you can incorporate exploring other Christmas villages in Europe as part of your trip.
Bolzano, Italy
Enjoy a truly wintry experience at the Bolzano Christmas market in South Tyrol. The majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites provide a festive backdrop as you explore gifts and cuisine that pays homage to both Italian and German culture.
This is a wonderful time of year to explore Italy, so why not add on a tour of Venice, Florence and Rome? Visiting them in winter will offer you a whole new perspective on these iconic cities.
Reykjavik, Iceland
If you love adventure, choose Reykjavik as your Christmas market destination. You can take your pick from a number of markets dotted about the capital, including the Kvosin market, which is located close to the ice skating rink at Ingólfstorg.
While you’re in the Icelandic capital, be sure to check out the modernist Hallgrímskirkja church and ascend to the viewing platform where you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the city. Iceland is also one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, so book a tour or hire a car and head out into the wilderness to witness this stunning natural phenomenon.
Need Help Booking Your Festive Getaway?
There’s nothing better than a Christmas market to get you into the swing of the season, so be sure to pack your suitcase — leaving plenty of room for your purchases — and head on over to Europe.
Note that most Christmas markets mentioned run from the end of November to the beginning of January, but be sure to check individual operating times.
Need a hand planning your magical trip? Give the experts at Click and Trip a call — we’re a team of Australian-based travel experts on hand to help you book your magical festive getaway.
