Christmas Markets

The 7 Most Charming European Christmas Markets to Visit This Winter Including Copenhagen, Munich, Salzburg Among Others

Christmas markets in Europe host some of the world’s most beautiful cities, creating the perfect setting for settling into the holiday spirit. From the sweet aroma of mulled wine in Munich to cinnamon spice, the echo of Christmas jingles in the air and glögg in Gothenburg, European Christmas markets are a haven for festivities and fanfare. 

As the nights draw in, we highlight the best places to travel and explore in winter European Christmas markets this year from opening dates, to accessible travel solution, what to buy at each market, where to stay, the best cruise deals andriver cruises and of course local delicacies to sample.

They say, the early birds catches the worm, so if you haven’t yet booked your holiday to these delightful European travel destinations for their Christmas Markets delights, then you are already missing out on a lot bearing in mind that traveling to these destinations during winter festivities is way cheaper compared to other seasons.

If you are not sure where to start, simply visit https://www.dwwatsontravel.com, your trusted travel consultants to handle your itinerary be it, hotel stay or booking the best cruise deals orriver cruises at the best market prices. In addition, we welcome travelers with special needs, so everyone is catered for. You can also call us to discuss your options.

Let’s dig in!

Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg may be the city of Mozart, but it is also the city of Josef Mohr (1792-1848), the local composer behind the world-famed Christmas carol, “Silent Night.” hymn. With a spread of stalls, cathedrals, set pieces and cozy crannies, Salzburg seems tailor-made for frosty-breathed festivities.

The famous Salzburg's Christkindlmarkt happens around the cathedral, where choirs regularly perform outside the Cathedral, with huts gathered at the foot of the postcard charming Hohensalzburg Fortress.

What to Eat, Where to Stay

A Christmas delicacy in Salzburg are the sausages with sauerkraut and potatoes. The bratwurst (fried sausage) is eaten with many different side dishes. The Mirabell Palace and Gardens or the Mozart's Residence is a must-stay for every first-timer.

How: Take connecting flight to Munich, a two-hour drive from Salzburg. Ski charters also fly direct to the city. No visa required; however, Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond period of stay.

When: November 22 to December 26 yearly

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague’s stunning castle, Old Town and Charles Bridge lit up like Christmas trees sets the perfect tone for Christmas festivities. And who can forget the city's central tree –shipped as it is from the Krkonose Mountains and mounted right at the heart of the main markets in the Old Town Square, a sight to behold!

Prague is also the place to go for your seasonal exhilarating store shopping in and along the cutesy stuff at the markets for Bohemian Crystal, scented candles, wooden toys, ceramic mugs, hand-made jewelry, and decorative ornaments.

Where to Eat, Where to Stay

Enjoy Prague’s mulled wine; renowned Czech beers, possibly alongside klobása; barbecued sausages sold amongst the trdelník (stalls). Prague’s delectable chimney cake is simply sinful!

Be sure to check in at the Alchymist Prague Castle Suites offering seven luxurious rooms and lavish suites in a great location right below Prague Castle.

How: Get connective flights to Dublin then Prague. No visa required; however, Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond period of stay.

When: December 1 to January 6

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen, home to the world famous amusement park that turns into a winter wonderland with copious amounts of Christmas sparkle; the lake that also transforms into an ice rink; coupled with the smorgasbord of New Nordic cuisine makes it the place to be. It will cost you an arm and a leg, but it will be worth it. Yap, a Copenhagen Christmas is not cheap! Call Us and Ask About Our Layaway Plans.

The main market in the heart of the city is the Tivoli Gardens set alongside the old harbor. Visitors can experience traditional Danish fairy lights, old-school rollercoasters and reindeer rides - with the magical ambiance overlooking the dozens of food and gift stalls in the Tivoli garden. This culminates in several nights of spectacular fireworks displays.

Where to Eat, Where to Stay

The traditional Danish Christmas meal is roast pork, red cabbage and gravy, boiled potatoes, and, roast duck and goose. For dessert, the classic dish is ris à l'amande; cold rice pudding with whipped cream, almonds, vanilla, 'risengrød' (hot rice pudding) or hot cherry sauce.

Enjoy breakfast at the Andersen Boutique Hotel in Copenhagen Centre, Tivoli Hotel, Scandic Palace Hotel among others.

How: Get connective flights (Ryanair and SAS) at Dublin to Copenhagen. No visa required; however, passport must be valid for 6 months beyond period of stay.

When: November 17 to December 31

Munich, Germany

Munich offers the quintessential Bavarian market with a mind-blowing 24 markets! Way to get into the Christmas spirit! The medieval Wittlesbacherplatz market conjures up the sights and smells of some of Europe’s original markets complete with traders in costume and traditional mead or Feuerzangebowle served in wonderfully designed goblets.

Christmas markets in Munich are organized around the must-see 100-foot Christmas tree in Marienplatz in central market. Also, get festive at the vast Tollywood Winter festival at Theresienwiese.

Where to Eat, Where to Stay

Munich Christmas delicacies include the famous sumptuous pork chops with red-cabbage dumplings. And just for good measure, Munich throws in their hot-to-hold pretzels, badass bratwursts and tankards of frothy beer and Glühwein (mulled wine).

Most booked hotels near Munich include the Hotel Sendlinger Tor, Hotel Concorde and Hotel in Altstadt-Lehel among others.

How: Get connective flights (Aer Lingus, Lufthansa and Ryanair) to fly direct to Munich. No visa required; however, passport must be valid for 6 months beyond period of stay.

When: November 27 to December 24

Vienna, Austria

Vienna oozes elegance all year; however, at Christmas the city overflows with Gothic stylishness lit up with fairy lights. Seasonal markets here are a tradition ever since Emperor Albrecht I granted Viennese traders the pleasure of holding a December market for their customers back in 1296.

However, the main Christmas event, the gaudiest of markets, with the biggest Christmas tree, is Christkindlmarkt in front of the Rathaus, by Vienna's Town Hall, and the Weihnachtsmarkt Schloß Schönbrunn offering among others, live carol singing.

Where to Eat, Where to Stay

Austrians adore their gemütlichkeit (cosiness), as evidenced in their city's classy cafes and even markets that serve up delectable roasted chestnuts, spiced biscuits, gingerbread, and roasted almonds with hot punch and mulled wine. For your stay, try the Hotel Rathaus Wein & Design.

How: Get connective flights (Aer Lingus) from Dublin to Vienna. No visa required; however, passport must be valid for 6 months beyond period of stay.

When: November 16 to December 30

Berlin

The Germans certainly know how to do Christmas! In Berlin, visitors can choose from some 50 or so of their finest Christmas markets in the city, offering fairground rides and ice-rinks, seasonal delicacies, traditional festive wares and exciting nightlife.

Make your way to the Alexanderplatz Christmas Market, one of the biggest markets in Europe with the largest Christmas pyramid with over 5,000 lights.

Where to Eat, Where to Stay

This German city will fill with delicious-smelling food and drink including Wurst (German sausages), Reibekuchen and kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) knoblauchbrot (garlic bread), pommes (fries), champignons (mushrooms), frothy beer among others. Book your stay at the Orania, for modern convenience.

How: Fly direct (Lufthansa, KLM, or American Airlines) to Berlin. No visa required; however, passport must be valid for 6 months beyond period of stay.

When: November 26 to December 26

Stockholm, Sweden

Head on over to the traditional Skansen Christmas Market in Stockholm, to get a taste of how Scandis do Christmas. Be sure to also visit the cheerful stalls near the Royal Palace to shop for ware made only in Sweden, such as jewelry, pottery and glass.

Where to Eat, Where to Stay

Traditional Swedish Christmas food “Christmas table” is essentially a smörgåsbord with typical Swedish food on it -- Christmas ham, pork sausage, an egg and anchovy mixture (gubbröra), herring salad, pickled herring, homemade liver pâté, wort-flavored.

If a Nordic Christmas market bundled up during light snow fall with a cup of glögg (mulled wine), pepparkakor (gingersnaps) and traditional sausages is your forte, then head on over to the north to visit the Skansen's Christmas Market.

For a genuine Stockholm Christmas, the world-famous Christmas market in Gamla Stan (Stockholm's old town) is a must. Be sure to Book Now!

How: Fly direct (Lufthansa, KLM, or United Airlines) to Stockholm. No visa required; however, passport must be valid for 6months beyond period of stay.

When: November 24 to December 16, on weekends only