9 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2025

Nuremberg Christmas Market

The Nuremberg Christmas Market is probably the most classic Christmas market that exists.

Traditionally held yearly for over 400 years, this Christmas market is the birthplace of all sweet Christmas goodies.

You see, Nuremberg in Germany was known as one of the most important trader cities in the region centuries ago, together with Augsburg (German) and Basel (Switzerland).

Nuts, dried candied fruits, and spices were sold at the market, and people would enjoy these treats mostly during the darker, colder Advent weeks, the 4 weeks before Christmas Day.

The famous Nuremberg Lebkuchen, better known as Elisenlebkuchen, which is a German gingerbread cookie, originated here.

At the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, you are bound to purchase plenty of Lebkuchen cookies, the little dried plum men, and, of course, the Nuremberg 3 sausages in a bun.

Every year, the market is solemnly inaugurated by the Christkindles, a young, angel-like woman and the symbol of the Christmas market.

Vienna Rathaus Christmas Market

If you seek a Christmas market that will enchant you in one of the most stunning city backgrounds in Europe, then don't look any further because Vienna will dazzle your imagination!

The all-famous Christmas market at the Rathausplatz (town city square) in Vienna is located a little outside the historical old town area, with the picturesque town hall as a background.

Exceptional light arrangements with a set of fascinating stalls make this market a favorite around the world.

You can hire some ice skates and have fun on the ice skating rink or get hold of one of the trendy hot Christmas market drinks that are on offer.

Another plus point, why you might want to head to Vienna during Christmas, is the fact that the city hosts over 20 (!) Christmas markets every year.

We have picked out our 5 favorite Christmas markets in Vienna, and they are all within walking distance from the main Rathausplatz Christmas market.

Munich Marienplatz Christmas Market

Munich is one of the best Christmas markets because the people of the city turned it into a gigantic celebration that nobody should miss.

After all, they know how to celebrate the Oktoberfest and this reflects in the way the main city Christmas market is set up. It took our breath away as we admired the market stall decoration!

At the center of the Marienplatz are major stalls, but the street towards the Stacchus and near the Marienplatz are also filled with Christmas market stalls that beg to be explored.

From funky Christmas gift ideas to mouthwatering food and drink options, this Christmas market is next-level fabulous. They have the largest ice skating rink we have ever seen at a Christmas market!

Nearby you will find some other smaller Christmas markets too. Head to the Viktualienmarkt, the Sendlinger Tor or the Residenz to extend your Christmas market run.

Getting to Munich from the airport is easy enough too, thanks to the S2 and S8 lines. If you can't make it beyond the airport, you will be pleased to know that the Christmas market at the airport is top-notch material as well!

Innsbruck Old Town Christmas Market

The Innsbruck Old Town Christmas Market is one of the most charming and family-friendly markets in Europe.

Medieval buildings with narrow lanes are decorated in the spirit of fairy tales, with characters such as Pinocchio, Rapunzel, and co. turning this Christmas market into a special experience.

Another lane tells the old local alpine tales of the giants of the regions, with giants standing tall behind every corner.

We loved the warm Christmas feelings that this market projects, even during the coldest night.

Just across the road along the Inn River lies another popular, but smaller, Christmas market with a tall colorful Swarovski Christmas tree, but Innsbruck organizes a few more Christmas markets.

If you get a chance, visit the Swarovski world in the town of Wattens near Innsbruck when the night falls, as they have set up a magical world of Christmas light figurines.

Augsburg Christmas Market

Augsburg's charming traditional Christmas market is held in the town square of the historical city.

This is one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world, as people have been celebrating Christmas with a market there since 1498.

We absolutely loved the lineup of stalls and the handmade Christmas gifts and souvenirs that they were offering.

A specialty of the area is the Christmas fruit breads, the Augsburg Glühwein mulled wine, and the ½ meter sausages in a bun.

The market at the square extends further down the road to a Christmas market with fun rides just for kids.

In the smaller lanes you will find many more exciting stalls, and the best part is that the market is so well set up that you can actually enjoy the crowd without feeling overwhelmed.

We would love to come back to this Christmas market anytime, especially because the city of Augsburg is a little-known travel gem in itself.

From Romans to medieval rulers, Augsburg developed into a city like none other in Germany.

Salzburg Hellbrunn Palace Christmas Market

The Hellbrunn Palace is located in the charming baroque, Mozart-famous city of Salzburg in Austria.

The former summer residence of the bishops of Salzburg is turned into a Christmas wonderland during the festive season.

Located just outside the city, Hellbrunn has so much to offer that we declared it one of our favorite markets early on. This, for a good reason.

So, while you have to pay an entry to access the Christmas market, you end up in a well-curated and tranquil Christmas market that aims to inspire all your senses.

A large children's area with live pets, a playground, a mini train, and Santa's post office keeps the small ones busy, while the grown-ups get to sip on mulled wine and hot punch.

Most stalls are different from the ones we have seen anywhere else, with plenty of small handcrafting merchants and locals selling their expertise and products.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market

Rothenburg der Tauber is a famed medieval walled town near Nuremberg and Würzburg.

Known for its fairy tale-like ambiance, Rothenburg attracts visitors from all over the world all year round, but Christmastime is definitely a step up the ladder in awesomeness.

We were blown away by the crowds because the last time we visited was during Covid, but the sheer beauty remains unfazed, if not better thanks to the little Christmas market stalls.

The age-old buildings are beautifully decorated, with Christmas lights at every corner and a piece of Christmas in every child's eyes as they eat a cookie that Santa gave them in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Wolfgangssee Christmas Market

The Wolfgangsee is a lake near Salzburg in Austria, which gained on fame when the Sound of Music movie was filmed there back in the 60s.

Today, the lake is known to hold one of the most beautiful classic Christmas markets in Austria.

3 towns, with St. Wolfgang, Strobl and St. Gilgen, each hosting a spectacular Christmas market.

The most wonderful part is the boat ferry, which seamlessly connects the 3 markets during the festive season. That alone adds a special touch and experience to the Wolfgang Lake Christmas markets.

Besides, each town is known for a themed Christmas market.

St. Wolfgang has a large candle-like decoration on the shores of the lake, Strobl is a crib-carving village, and they have a life-sized crib, and St. Gilgen, known as Mozart's mother's birthplace, is all baroque themed.

Zürich Christmas Market

Zürich in Switzerland is truly exceptional during the Advent period. Christmas lights make the city of financial wealth and luxury appear like a dreamy place.

The city is known for several Christmas markets, but the most famous one of them all is the Christmas market at the main train station.

Unbelievable but true, the vast hall is filled with a full-fledged cute Christmas market.

You can literally do your Christmas shopping while you wait for your train transfer, and this is what many visitors do.

If you have a few hours to spend in Zürich, I recommend a walk down the main road from the train station to the singing Christmas tree. This life-sized “tree” is actually a stage with choirs from the region performing Christmas songs.

We also loved the Christmas market in the old town and the market right next to the lake, which are just a stone's throw away from the train station.