I love all things Christmas. Mulled wine, Christmas trees, beautifully lit streets, festive treats, you name it. But most of all, I love a Christmas market.
In fact, I have on numerous occasions organised trips across Europe with the sole purpose of touring Christmas markets. I love the festive spirit, the atmosphere, the mulled wine, and the food!
And of course, I have found a few favourite European Christmas markets that I want to share with you – including in Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and the UK.
But before we fully get ourselves into the Christmas spirit, I want to share a quick tip for anyone planning a festive getaway across Europe. Staying connected to the internet on your mobile phone will be vital for navigating the cities, discovering all the Christmas markets, translating your mulled wine orders, and sharing everything on social media.
I use the regional Europe eSIM from Saily (read my Saily review) to get seamless data coverage across multiple European countries – no SIM swapping and no ridiculous roaming fees. Get yours here!
The best Christmas Markets in Europe
There are so many incredible Christmas markets dotted around Europe. You really can’t go wrong with most destinations, but here are my top picks to get you started.
Let’s tuck into the festivities across Austria, Germany, Hungary, the UK, and the Czech Republic.
Vienna, Austria
- Opening dates: Most open mid-November until the end of December
Vienna is a magical city that truly comes into its own during the festive period. The market in front of the Rathaus (City Hall) looks like a storybook scene, with glowing trees, ice skating, and the smell of roasted chestnuts drifting through the air.
I even managed to catch a few different choruses performing at different Christmas markets during my stay. This added to the magic!
I loved sipping mulled wine whilst browsing the cute wooden stalls filled with hand-made ornaments, toys, and locally made foods. It’s the perfect mix of elegance and cosiness that only Vienna can pull off.
Ahrweiler, Germany
- Opening dates: 28 November to 21 December 2025 (Fridays to Sundays)
This small, walled town in Germany’s wine region is one of the most charming Christmas destinations I’ve ever visited. Having also visited the Christmas Markets of Bonn and Cologne, I have to say that I love the personal feel of the smaller market in Ahrweiler. It feels a lot more authentically German.
Ahrweiler’s half-timbered houses look even more beautiful under strings of golden lights.
It’s less touristy than the big cities, which makes the experience feel more local and intimate. Think mulled wine made from local vineyards and homemade baked goods. Plus a fair few vegan options dotted around!
Budapest, Hungary
- Opening dates: Most open mid-November until the end of December
Budapest’s Vörösmarty Square transforms into a wonderland of food and crafts each December. I still dream about the lángos (vegan-friendly options aplenty) and steaming goulash served in bread bowls.
Stroll the nearby streets around the city centre and you’ll almost certainly stumble across more stalls, with even more mulled wine and tasty lángos to enjoy!
Don’t miss the light show projected on St. Stephen’s Basilica. Plus, the city’s thermal baths are the perfect way to warm up after a chilly market stroll.
London, UK
- Opening dates: Most open mid-November until the end of December
London is a magical city to be in at Christmas. Between Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and the charming Southbank Centre market, there’s no shortage of festive cheer.
Christmas markets aren’t restricted to just one or two areas. You will stumble across many independent markets throughout the city. I recommend going to visit Covent Garden and seeing the huge Christmas tree they erect each year.
Even just walking through Oxford Street under the glittering lights feels like being inside a Christmas movie (if you are happy to put up with the crowds). Make sure to head into Soho after for a festive pint in a local pub. Check out all my favourite spots to eat in London.
Prague, Czech Republic
- Opening dates: Most open mid-November until early January
Prague is one of those cities that feels like it was made for Christmas. The Old Town Square market, framed by Gothic spires and a towering tree, is simply breathtaking. You will also find a market at Wenceslas Square.
You can spend hours wandering between the stalls with a cup of svařák (Czech name for mulled wine) in hand, admiring the crafts and watching the astronomical clock strike the hour.
More popular markets
In addition to my personal favourites, there are plenty of other Christmas markets across Europe that are well worth adding to your festive itinerary.
Some might be closer to home, perfect for a quick weekend getaway, whilst others could make great additions to a larger European Christmas Market adventure. Here are a few more popular spots to inspire your travels:
- Strasbourg, France: Often called the “Capital of Christmas,” it’s one of Europe’s oldest and most charming markets.
- Cologne, Germany: The cathedral-square market near Kölner Dom is one of Germany’s biggest and most beloved.
- Tallinn, Estonia: A smaller market with a postcard-perfect setting. Think snow-dusted rooftops and medieval charm.
- Bruges, Belgium: Cobblestones, canals, chocolate, and waffles – Bruges at Christmas is pure magic.
- Copenhagen, Denmark: Tivoli Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland of lights, rides, and festive food.
- Zagreb, Croatia: Voted one of Europe’s best Christmas markets multiple times, it’s full of local craft and music.
- Edinburgh, Scotland: Set beneath the castle, this market blends Scottish charm with traditional festive flair.
Staying connected in Europe
Whenever I am travelling through Europe, I like to use an eSIM with a seamless internet connection. This allows me to hop across countries and utilise local phone networks, for both my phone and for hotspotting to my laptop and other devices.
I use the regional Europe eSIM from Saily. It means no swapping SIM cards, no hunting down local tariffs, and no jaw-dropping roaming bills. Find out more about eSIMs and how they work here.
The Saily Europe eSIM plans start at $4.99 and range from 1GB to unlimited, with coverage across 30+ countries. But if you are only travelling to one country in Europe, you may prefer purchasing one of their country-specific eSIMs (also a great option!)
Setup is really quick and easy. You can buy your plan in advance and install the eSIM on your phone. Once you arrive, the plan will activate automatically.
And a real bonus of using Saily’s eSIM service is the additional security features that not only keep your phone secure whilst browsing the internet abroad, but also help you to save data (up to a whopping 28.6%).
Here are my top tips for making the most out of Saily’s eSIM:
- Install the eSIM and pick your plan before you depart. That way, you hit the ground running.
- Choose a plan sized for your trip: if you’ll be streaming maps, music or uploading lots of pics, go for a higher-GB or unlimited version.
- Make sure in your phone settings that the eSIM is enabled and mobile data/roaming is turned on for that profile.
- If you’ll be travelling across several countries (Berlin → Prague → Vienna, for example), opting for their regional Europe plan really pays off. No swapping SIMs, no juggling different local tariffs.
- Remember: since it’s data-only, if you expect to receive lots of traditional calls/texts, you’ll need to use VoIP apps or keep your original SIM for voice.
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