With September coming to an end, Christmas is practically around the corner. If you are anything like me, you have already started planning your next Christmas break travel destination. And what is Christmas without the Christmas markets all around Europe to celebrate the Christmas season?
Wondering which Christmas Market to visit this year? These are the ultimate best Christmas Markets to visit in Europe in 2023.
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1. VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Dates: 11 November 2023 – 26 December 2023
Let’s start with the king of the best Christmas Markets in Europe – Vienna’s Christmas Market. From mid-November on, Vienna’s most beautiful squares transform into Christmas Market locations. The city’s old streets are decorated with festive lights and the spirit of the city lifts alive with the perfumes of mulled wine, baked sweets, and toasted almonds.
You will find the most popular and at the same time the largest market in front of the City Hall. It is called the Wiener Christkindlmarkt or in English Vienesse Dream Christmas Market. This traditional Christmas Market offers everything from Christmas gifts, decorations, hot drinks, handcrafted items, and traditional sweets.
Other Christmas markets in Vienna
There are other Christmas markets spread around Vienna:
- Christmas Village Belvedere Palace
- Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square
- Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace
- Christmas Village Campus University of Vienna
- Christmas Market at Spittelberg
WHERE TO STAY IN VIENNA?
- Easy Flat City Living – 5min walk to Vienna’s Christmas Market
- Theaterhotel & Suites Wien – 10min walk to Vienna’s Christmas Market
- Pension Sacher Stephansplatz – as central as it gets!
Vienna Christmas Market (source: European Traveler)
2. EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
Dates: 24 November 2023 – 3 January 2024
While Scotland is already one of the most fairytale-looking countries, Scotland during the Christmas holiday season transforms into a real-life-looking fairytale. The Edinburgh Christmas market is one of the best Christmas markets in the United Kingdom. The celebrations in Edinburgh spread the festive cheers with options to buy everything from Harry Potter themed decorations to traditional foods and drinks, millions and millions of typical tartan scarves, and handmade gifts.
The main Christmas market in Edinburgh takes place in East Princes Street Gardens, including the Santa Land with rides for all ages. I personally enjoyed this Christmas market, it is of perfect size enough to find everything you’re looking for within a reasonable amount of time. Plus, that gives you enough time to explore the rest of Edinburgh.
WHERE TO STAY IN EDINBURGH FOR CHRISTMAS?
- Frederick House Hotel – 5min walk to Edinburgh Christmas Market
- Mercure Edinburgh City – Best location, stay right by the Christmas market, overlooking Princess Street!
- Ibis Edinburgh Centre Royal Mile – perfect stay in the old town of Edinburgh
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Travel tip: Scotland is best explored by car! Browse through rental cars across over 160 countries.
3. LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA
Dates: 24 November 2023 – 2 January 2024
The Christmas market in Ljubljana itself is small and cosy, starting on the main Prešeren square and along the river Ljubljanica. A large Christmas tree is set on the square each year. You can find mulled wine (locals’ favourite reason to visit the market) almost everywhere, together with freshly baked chestnuts, homemade goods, toys, and other Christmas-related presents.
Ljubljana has my heart for it’s decorations that make Christmas time in Ljubljana truly special. Each year, there is a traditional festive lights opening where the entire city gathers to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. The lights resemble a specific theme each year. This year, the lights will be switched on 24 November.
Travel tip: Read my blog post to discover a secret location of a special Christmas tree in Ljubljana.
WHERE TO STAY IN LJUBLJANA FOR CHRISTMAS?
- Vander Urbani Resort – often recommended by friends in Slovenia and right by the Christmas market
- Art Hotel – cozy hotel in the heart of Ljubljana, great price deals all year round!
- Cacao Rooms – suites on top of the famous Cacao bar, just a minute from the main square
READ ALSO: Hidden Gems of Slovenia
Ljubljana Christmas Market (top source photo: christmasmarketsineurope)
4. ZAGREB, CROATIA
Dates: 2 December 2023 – 7 January 2024
The Zagreb Christmas Market, also named Advent in Zagreb was voted the best Christmas Market in Europe three years in a row now. Now that says something. Advent in Zagreb is not just a Christmas market, but a series of festive events, concerts, local dishes, ice skating rinks, and kids’ activities. These, together with fabulous Christmas lights make the mood.
A must-try in Zagreb are fritule, the golden fried dough balls, typical for the Christmas period.
WHERE TO STAY IN ZAGREB FOR CHRISTMAS?
- Luxury Main Square Apartments – number one location in Zagreb, right on the main square
- Bed & Breakfast Sky City Center – another great option on the main square
- B&B Dolac, Zagreb – 5min walk to several Advent in Zagreb locations
Advent in Zagreb (source: Croatia Week)
5. NUREMBERG, GERMANY
Dates: 1 December 2023 – 24 December 2023
The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt in Germany is one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world. It is located in the Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg’s central square. The market is famous for offering typical gingerbread cookies and Nuremberg Bratwurst (sausage), the symbol of the city.
This Christmas market revolves around the origin of Christkind, dating back to the days of the Reformation.
WHERE TO STAY IN NUREMBERG FOR CHRISTMAS?
- B&B Hotel Nürnberg-City – a chain of hotels I always stayed at in Germany, cosy and budget-friendly
- Lorenz Apartments – 50m from Nuremberg Christmas market
- Brunnen Apartments – 13% Genius discount available via link
Nuremberg Christmas Market (source: European Traveler)
6. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Dates: 24 November 2023 – 31 December 2023
The Budapest Christmas Fair and Winter Festival lights up the city in late November. The celebrations begin with a Winter Festival in Vörösmarty Square which later changes into the Christmas Fair. This also turns out to be the most frequented location, the place to be if you’re visiting Budapest.
Take a photo with the Budapest Christmas sign, have a stroll between the stalls, and try the traditional Chimney cakes with sugar or cinnamon (thank me later).
Note: Budapest can be freezing cold in winter, therefore make sure to bring layers and layers of warm clothes
WHERE TO STAY IN BUDAPEST FOR CHRISTMAS?
- Nador Boutique – best location for Christmas period, 5min to the main square
- Holidays Apartments, Budapest – currently under late escape deal promotion
- Holiday Colours, Budapest – 10min to Vörösmarty Square
Budapest Christmas Market
7. STRASBOURG, FRANCE
Dates: 24 November 2023 – 24 December 2023
The Christmas market in Strasbourg is the place to be if you wish to spend the holiday season in France. The magical Christkindelsmärik features more than 300 wooden chalets on different city squares, with the scent of cinnamon and spices filling the streets. Every year, the main square is decorated with a 30m tall Christmas tree and every year, the decorations are better and brighter than the year before. The tradition of Strasbourg Christmas market dates back to year 1570!
WHERE TO STAY IN STRASBOURG FOR CHRISTMAS?
- Ibis Styles Strasbourg Centre – 15min walk to the Christmas Market
Travel tip: Hotels in Strasbourg are already half sold out so hurry up to book yours
Strasbourg Christmas Market (source: TimeOut)
That’s it! These are the officially best Christmas Markets in Europe this season. If you are instead already planning your travels for next year, have a look at the best spring destinations in Europe.
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Hi, it's Neja
I am an expat from Slovenia,
living in Milan since 2021 and writing a travel blog for all of you who are curious about life in Italy or traveling in Europe.
Follow me on my journey and learn everything about Italy and the European destinations.
