Top Christmas markets in Europe 2025

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With the festive holiday season approaching, you may be thinking about a short break in Europe to get you into the Christmas spirit. Somewhere you can explore, do some Christmas shopping, admire the Christmas decorations and Christmas lights, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

If you are, below is a collection of some of the top Christmas markets in Europe in some wonderful European cities and towns. Each destination offers its own unique charm, featuring wooden stalls selling local goods, traditional treats, and festive food. You can sip hot chocolate or hot mulled wine as you wander through the markets and get into the festive mood.

I’ve provided the dates for the 2025 Christmas markets to help you plan your trip. I’ve also included ideas for other activities to enjoy while you’re there, so that you can make the most of your winter getaway.

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Top Christmas markets in Europe 2025

Cologne, Germany

Cologne, Germany’s fourth-largest city, is a year-round destination, with lots to do and see (check out my post on Cologne here).

However, if you visit during December, you can go to what is regarded as one of the top Christmas markets in Europe (perhaps book a tour of this) and combine this with a visit to the magnificent cathedral.

Located close to the borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, and along the River Rhine, it also provides an excellent base for exploring nearby cities.

Other things to do in Cologne when you visit

When you visit Cologne for the Christmas market, make sure you visit the city’s iconic twin-towered cathedral (Kölner Dom). It is perhaps the most significant sight to see on a trip to Cologne, regardless of the time of year.

Together with Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, it is arguably Germany’s most recognisable site. It is the country’s largest cathedral and the world’s third-largest Gothic cathedral. It miraculously survived the devastation of the Second World War.

Go inside to see the sheer scale and beauty of its interior. You can also climb its South Tower to get some of the city’s best views.

After this, walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge to see it from this vantage point. The steel bridge is covered with love locks, and once you’ve walked across it, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of Cologne’s skyline. It is one of the city’s most photographed views.

You should also explore the old town during your trip. Despite significant damage during the Second World War, much of the city’s rich history has been carefully preserved and notable buildings have been restored, many of which are in the old town.

These include the Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus), many of the city’s distinctive Romanesque churches, and the Fischmarkt (fish market) with its row of brightly coloured buildings dating back to the Middle Ages.

There are also lots of museums to visit. So if you experience cold or wet winter days when you visit, you can hop into some of these.

Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg in Austria is another place with a gorgeous ‘chocolate-boxy’ old town that is wonderful in the winter months and during the festive season. The cobblestone streets and small squares are lined with buildings with beautiful baroque architecture, quaint shops, and cosy cafés to warm up in if the weather is cold.

It’s another place where you can find one of the top Christmas markets in Europe – and one of the oldest Advent markets worldwide.

Other things to do in Salzburg when you visit

If you’re visiting the Christmas market by the cathedral, make sure you pop inside. The domed, towered, early Baroque building is impressive, and is worth the small entrance fee. It is here where Mozart was baptised in 1756.

You can also visit Mozart’s Birthplace, in the old town. This is an attractive yellow townhouse on one side of Getreidegasse. The street itself is particularly beautiful, with historic signs and charming boutiques. It’s a lovely place to wander and soak in the city’s atmosphere.

You should also visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress as part of your trip. This medieval fortress is perched on a hilltop overlooking one of the city’s squares. If you visit when snow has fallen, you’ll get a beautiful view of the city roofs and river, and the surrounding Alps.

Also, make sure you explore the 17^th-century Mirabell Palace and Garden.  The beautifully landscaped gardens, adorned with sculptures and fountains, are perfect for a stroll.

If you’ve seen the ‘Sound of Music’, you might recognise these – and if you’re a fan, you might even want to book a ‘Sound of Music’ tour.

This will take you out to various sights from the movie, while passing through some of Austria’s beautiful countryside. We did this when we visited and absolutely loved it!

Colmar, France

Known as the ‘Little Venice’ of the Alsace region in north eastern France, Colmar is just over 70 kilometres to Strasbourg and around 65 kilometres from Basel in Switzerland. 

It is a wonderful place to visit. Its well-preserved old town is packed with colourful half-timbered houses, historic churches, and lively squares that are really atmospheric in winter and at Christmas.

There’s also a small river that you can sail along, fascinating museums, and great food and wine to sample.

Other things to do in Colmar when you visit

When you visit Colmar, you’ll discover a variety of things to do (check out my post on these here). A must is to just wander around the old town and take in the atmosphere. It’s often described as a fairytale town, and when you walk into it, you’ll see why.

It comprises a charming collection of cobblestone streets and squares with beautifully coloured buildings and half-timbered houses. Among the historic buildings of significance are the Gothic St Martin’s Church, the 16^th-century Maison Pfister (Colmar’s first Renaissance building), and the 17^th-century House of Heads.

As well as the main old town area, you should spend some time in ‘Little Venice’. It’s one of the main draws in Colmar, so make sure you don’t miss it.

This charming area sits around the River Lauch and is another part filled with old streets lined with small shops and restaurants. There are also small, flower-strewn bridges that span the river providing a good vantage point to look out over the water.

If you want to see Little Venice from a different perspective, a perfect way to do this is to hop on one of the small flat-bottomed wooden boats that come up to the jetties (boats run year-round, but with reduced sailings in winter months). You can glide along the river for 30 minutes, sit back and relax, and take in your surroundings.

Colmar also has several museums you can visit. For art lovers, The Unterlinden Museum contains extensive art and sculpture collections spanning almost 7,000 years. The Bartholdi Museum (the Musée Bartholdi) showcases the work of the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, who was born in Colmar.

For more culinary experiences, there is the Alsace Wine Museum and Choco Story Colmar. 

Zurich, Switzerland

Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, offers visitors a chocolate-box old town to wander around, a crystal-clear river that runs through the historic centre, and a glacial lake surrounded by mountain peaks. It’s a fabulous place to visit at any time of the year, but there is equally a plethora of activities geared towards the colder, wintery, and festive months.

My post on top things to do in Zurich in winter outlines these in more detail. One of these is obviously to tour the Christmas markets in the city.

Other things to do in Zurich when you visit

If you’re visiting Zurich during the festive period, there are lots of things that you should add to your ‘to-do’ list. 

You can explore the historic old town. This encompasses the narrow streets and squares that straddle both sides of the River Limmat, which flows through the heart of the city. In this area, there’s some beautiful sights, including the twin-towered Grossmunster Church. You can climb one of the spires for views across the river and city.

In the colder months, the narrowness of the streets in the old town, lit up in the dark, makes it feel really festive and wintery.

After exploring the old town, you can sail down the river and take a cruise on Lake Zurich. In the winter, you’ll be able to see snowcapped mountains in the distance.

If you don’t want to see the lake by boat, take a brisk winter walk alongside it, perhaps stopping off in Zurichhorn Park with its small Chinese Garden.

If being outside is not an option during the winter weather, there are plenty of museums to explore, including the Swiss National Museum and art museums.

For more specific interests, there is the Fifa World Cup Museum, The Zurich Tram Museum, and the Lindt Chocolate Museum. Or you could chill out (and warm up!) in a thermal rooftop spa bath overlooking the city. There are also ice rinks in the city, and skiing available in nearby resorts.

The city is also well-located for visits to other nearby places – be that mountains, cities or smaller towns. You can see the range on offer in my post on the best day trips from Zurich.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia in northern Europe, might be a little further for some people. Still, it’s worth making the effort, especially if you’re looking for a real ‘chocolate-boxy’ old town to get you in the mood for the Christmas celebrations.

Tallinn is often described as a ‘winter wonderland’ and that really is true. Add to it one of the top Christmas markets in Europe, then it is definitely a place to consider for a quick break before the holiday season kicks in.

Other things to do in Tallinn when you visit

Tallinn boasts an enchanting old town, a maze of medieval cobbled streets that wind around the city, and old city walls with imposing watchtowers. Some of your time should be spent wandering around, exploring and taking in the vibe of the area.

You can do this independently or book a walking tour. At Christmas, you can also book a tour of the markets.

The Town Hall Square has lots of cosy bars and restaurants you can snuggle up in with a drink. We loved sitting here and gazing at the pretty buildings lit up in the winter sky.

You’ll soon realise that Tallinn is a really photogenic city, especially in the winter months when snow – which is common in the months from November to March – may be lying on the ground and dusting the tops of the roofs and spires on the city’s skyline.

You can get views of this from Toompea Hill. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, with its striking architecture, is also worth a visit while you’re there.

After taking in the old town and the view across it, you can then take a short jaunt out to the romantic Kadriog Park.  This is a gorgeous park that is perfect for a peaceful afternoon stroll. It has a lake (Swan Pond), fountains, and beautiful flower beds. 

If the weather is not good, consider visiting Kadriorg Palace, a striking building surrounded by beautifully tended gardens.

Or you could visit one of the many museums in the city.

Among these are art museums such as the Kumu Art Museum, which showcases various styles of the country’s artwork.  The Kadriorg Art Museum also exhibits art from across the centuries, with a permanent exhibition covering the 16^th to the 20^th century.

For historians, there are several places where you can learn about the city’s history during Estonia’s Cold War occupation by Soviet forces. This includes the KGB Prison Cells and the museum in the Hotel Viru.

You can also visit the Seaplane Harbour Museum. This impressive museum is located in a seaplane hangar in one of the harbour areas.

Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is often called the ‘Venice of the North’, and is one of the most popular destinations in Belgium. When you visit, it’s not hard to see why: built around gorgeous waterways, it’s among the most beautiful cities in Belgium. It’s only an hour’s train journey from the capital, Brussels.

Bruges is great for a short break at any time of the year. However, it’s a perfect destination if you visit in winter. It’s really magical when the city may be dusted in frost or snow, when the city lights come on earlier in the evening, and there are huge Christmas trees adorning the squares.

Other things to do in Bruges when you visit

There’s lots of things to do in Bruges when you visit during the festive period. Many of these are likely to be centred around the historic centre. You can walk around these, hop on a horse-drawn carriage, or see some of it from the water on a canal cruise.

Start your sightseeing in Bruges’ large central square, the Grote Markt or Markt. Here you’ll find the city’s 83 metre high Belfry of Bruges, which you can climb for fantastic views. There is also the Historium Bruges museum here where you can learn about the city’s history, and impressive medieval buildings (many are now restaurants and bars, perfect for snuggling up in the winter months).

Nearby is Burg Square. This is also home to beautiful buildings, including the City Hall, the Palace of the Liberty of Bruges, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. If you then walk through the small passageway under the Palace, you’ll then come to a canal where you can pick up a tour on the water.  This is a great way to see some of the sights.

The Huidenvettersplain square is also here and beyond, what is said to be the most photographed spots in Bruges, Rosary Quay.

Other top sights to visit in Bruges include the 13^th-century Church of Our Lady: go inside to view Michelangelo’s Madonna with Child Sculpture. There’s also Minnewater Lake (cross Lover’s Bridge for everlasting love) and the Bruges Beer Experience if you want to sample some of the country’s famous beer.

Other superb museums in Bruges include the Groeninge Museum and the Gruuthusemuseum.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia and often referred to as one of Europe’s youngest capitals, is another top destination for a short break, especially during the Christmas season.

It’s an especially good choice if you fancy visiting somewhere that won’t break the bank, just before what is often an expensive time of year.

The city is situated on the banks of the Danube River, just over 50 km from Vienna. This means you could, if you wanted to, combine a trip to both cities very easily, or take a day trip to Bratislava from the Austrian capital.

The city is relatively small, and most of the top attractions and historical sites are in and around its picturesque old town. This makes it a very walkable city.

Other things to do in Bratislava when you visit

When you visit at Christmas, you’ll no doubt spend some time wandering through the streets of the old town. Here you’ll see the city’s sole surviving medieval fortification, Michael’s Gate with Michael’s Tower.

This dates from the 14^th century and is the only gate from the old town’s fortifications that has survived. It is beautiful, especially when the street is lit up at night. There are some traditional restaurants in this part of the city where you can try Slovakian cuisine in a local restaurant.

The main old town square (which is a focal point for Bratislava’s Christmas market) is the site of the Old Town Hall. This houses the Bratislava City Museum, where you can climb up the 45-metre high tower to view the city’s main sights. Nearby is another beautiful square with a striking pink-coloured classicist-style building, the Primate’s Palace. You can go inside and see the stunning Hall of Mirrors.

Bratislava also has a small red-roofed castle that sits on a hill overlooking the river. This landmark probably best symbolises Bratislava: it dominates the skyline and is captivating when lit up at night. Inside is the Slovak National Museum, containing more than 250,000 artefacts that reflect Bratislava and Slovakia’s history.

If you fancy a walk slightly outside of the old town, visit the unique Art Nouveau Church of St. Elizabeth – or the ‘Blue Church’. Its blue façade is really unique, and it’s incredible to see up close.

Afterwards, you can explore the EUROVEA Waterfront complex and then head across the river to the UFO observation deck. The views from 95 metres high are wonderful – you can see right out over the river and beyond. 

See my post on one day in Bratislava for more things to see and do here.

Vilnius, Lithuania

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, offers a blend of history and culture that makes it ideal for a short break, including in the winter months. The city’s compact size means you can easily cover its main attractions on foot and travel the short distance out to Trakai Castle, which sits on an island in a lake.

Other things to do in Vilnius when you visit

If you plan to visit Vilnius in the winter months or around Christmas, there are plenty of things to keep you occupied. As the central part of the city is small, it’s possible to try to walk around most of it. You can walk from the Gates of Dawn, to the neo-classical Town Hall in the Town Hall Square, and then head to the nearby Presidential Palace.

From here, you can stroll along Pilies Street, the oldest street in Vilnius, and cross over into Cathedral Square. This is a wide-open square where you’ll find the elegant Vilnius Cathedral with its unique bell tower next to it.

The tower houses the city’s oldest clock, which you can climb for a small fee.

In this square, you can learn about Lithuania’s history in the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, and then walk (or catch the tiny funicular for just a few euros) up to Gediminas Hill and look out over the city from here. Gediminas Tower sits at the top, and has a small museum inside.  

You can also walk along Gediminas Avenue, see the beautiful historical buildings lining it, and then visit the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights in the former KGB building. The museum is only small, but is a stark reminder of the atrocities committed during the Soviet occupation of Lithuania. In the basement, you can see the cells where prisoners were held and tortured.

And then, if you have time during your city break in Vilnius, I’d recommend you take the short trip out to Trakai Castle. This is a medieval castle on an island in the middle of a lake. It’s located in a small historical town that was once the capital of Lithuania and that is itself lit up during the festive period.

An overview of my visit to Trakai Castle is here.

Odense, Denmark

Odense is one of Denmark’s oldest cities. It’s a charming city, home to a delightful old town, historic houses, museums, and a beautiful park and river. Famous for being the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, the author of over 150 children’s fairy tales, there are also several landmarks where you can learn about his life and work.

And at just a little over an hour and a half from Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, it’s worth a visit, especially during Christmas time.

Other things to do in Odense when you visit

Although Odense is Denmark’s third-largest city, it is relatively small, which makes it easy to explore on foot.

Walking around, you’ll see the brightly coloured old buildings. There’s also an interesting selection of street art in various places, including in the square in Flakhaven near the Italian-style Odense City Hall. Just south of this is the 14^th-century St Canute’s Cathedral, the main cathedral.

For many people, the main draw to Odense is its connection to its famous son, the author Hans Christian Andersen. You can visit a museum dedicated to him and the two homes where he once lived.

The museum is a large complex and one of the city’s top attractions. Other museums include The Danish Railway Museum dedicated to the history of rail transport in Denmark. For art lovers, there is the Brandts Art gallery, a museum of classical and contemporary art, photography, and film.

Aside from exploring the old town and visiting the museums, Odense has other areas to stroll around. The Munkemose Park is particularly lovely, with its parkland and river flowing through it. Eventyrhaven, near the city’s cathedral, has the ‘Fairy Tale Garden’ where you can cross over the bridge to an attractive garden and sit and look out over the water. There are other unique sculptures to see here, a pergola and a Chinese wall.

Odense also has a small castle (Odense Slot), an elegant white baroque building that started life as a monastery. The castle is in King’s Park, another of the green areas in the city.

To discover more things to do in Odense, see my separate post that outlines 12 best things to do when you visit.

Top Christmas markets in Europe

I hope you enjoy your trip if you choose to visit one of these top Christmas markets in Europe. For more inspiration for short breaks in Europe, check out my website.

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