Shot of Vienna's gothic city hall which has one tall clock tower and four smaller towers, two on each side, all with pointy turrets. The building is a gold colour and is in front of a bright blue night sky. In front, is a Christmas Market, showing strips of cabin-like stalls and a variety of lit up Christmas decorations, one in the forefront reading 'Merry Christmas' in Austrian. People can be seen, although blurry as they are moving around.

European Christmas Markets

Europe is home to some of the most beautiful cities in the world, so it makes sense to take that history, architecture, atmosphere, and tradition and fuse it with the most festive time of the year. Explore Europe's best Christmas markets with us.

From the gardens, Big Wheel, and flashing lights of Edinburgh’s Christmas markets to the lakeside stalls in Switzerland’s tiny town of Montreux, Europe is a wonderful place to take a much-needed holiday and to take your Christmas up a notch. Of course, there’s nothing quite like Christmas at home, but paying a visit to an old town square in Bohemia, or the edgy, colourful streets of Berlin, could be just what you need to elevate the season.

Europe’s Christmas markets are steeped in years of tradition, but there’s nothing quite like the atmosphere. Simply shut your eyes, imagine the chill on your nose, and then picture having a steaming, tasty cup of hot, spiced wine warming your hands. The real deal will have you enjoying these festive delights with locals and other revellers from around the world.

If it’s scenery you’re looking for, we would recommend spending Christmas by Lake Geneva, sampling the cinnamon crepes at the markets. But if it’s something closer to home that might work for you, you can’t go past Edinburgh. Wherever you go in Europe, this Christmas is sure to be an absolute treat!

Best Christmas Markets

Riga Christmas markets in Latvia
Riga Christmas Markets
Latvia
+ 3 More
  • Spend three nights in the delightful Latvian capital
  • Explore the historic city of Riga
  • Free time to enjoy the city’s traditional Christmas Market on Old Town Square
  • 4 days from £956 pp

    was £1,195 pp

  • Dates Available

    December 2024

  • Duration

    4 days

  • Depart From

    1 airport

  • Excursions

    1 included

  • Meals

    3 included

Krakow, Poland
Kraków Christmas Markets
Poland
+ 3 More
  • Set off on a guided walking tour of Kraków
  • Enjoy free time to browse Kraków's Christmas markets
  • Watch an optional traditional folklore show and have dinner in a local restaurant
  • 4 days from £576 pp

    was £719 pp

  • Dates Available

    November 2024 - December 2024

  • Duration

    4 days

  • Depart From

    7 airports

  • Excursions

    1 included

  • Meals

    3 included

Discover our blog

Staff stories The Newmarket Holidays team heads to icy Lapland

Staff stories: The Newmarket Holidays team heads to icy Lapland

Find out what our team got up to miles above the Arctic Circle, with husky rides, meatball lunches, and Santa visits.

Must-try traditional food and drink at Europe's Christmas markets

Must-try traditional food and drink at Europe's Christmas markets

From sugary rolled dough to bitters from the 18th century - you are sure to feast like royalty this festive season.

Staff stories where in the world we spent Christmas and New Years

Staff stories: where in the world we spent Christmas and New Years

From fairytale winters to sunny South African landscapes, here's where we spent the festive period.

You'll love our holidays