These 5 Christmas Markets are the Best in Europe

European Christmas Markets are just absolutely *delightful*. The fragrant scent of mulled wine lingers in the air, Christmas lights twinkle overhead, and vibrant displays fill wooden chalets. There’s just nothing quite like it!

To date, I’ve visited markets in 16 different cities across 9 countries – I can’t get enough! I love seeing how each city and country incorporates their own traditions, and the variations in light displays, Christmas trees, cuisine, and gifts.

Truly, take this as a sign to start planning your Christmas market trip. And on that note these are my top 5 Christmas markets that you need to visit in Europe:

1. Vienna, Austria

Vienna is such a gorgeous city any time of year – everywhere I looked, ornate buildings, grand theaters and churches, and massive, opulent palaces greeted me. And the Christmas markets in Vienna just fit seamlessly into the city’s fancy vibes.

There are over 20 Christmas markets in Vienna, but there are 10 that I’d call must-visits. These markets have beautiful backdrops – some are in the shadow of soaring churches, others in the courtyard of beautiful palaces. Some are placed in the middle of squares, or even tucked away on side streets of charming neighborhoods.

The biggest and most popular market is at Rathausplatz, and this market is just over the top! A massive Christmas tree sits in front of the ornate Town Hall, and the market is filled with stands selling food and drink, vibrant displays of Christmas gifts and decorations, and a whole host of fun activities.

There’s a large ice skating rink that is comprised of multiple paths you can follow, a carousel and ferris wheel, paths through the park that are filled with lights and decorations, and a small nativity walk. It’s just plain fun.

Vienna also shines in its city lights and decorations. Around Old Town, pedestrian streets have massive lit decorations and strings of lights strung over the streets. The most jaw-dropping spot are the enormous chandeliers on Graben Street – you can’t miss it!

2. Cologne, Germany

Cologne is a unique city for Christmas markets, for a few reasons. First, the city is quite modern, as over 85% was destroyed during WW2 and has since been rebuilt. But while the city doesn’t have the same kind of “old world charm” that characterizes much of Europe, it more than makes up for it at Christmas with its 7+ themed Christmas markets.

More than any other city or market I’ve visited, Cologne leans hard into its theming – and the result is so charming! (So charming that we chose it as a location for one of our vacation photoshoots)

For example, the Heinzels Wintermärchen market has a distinct woodland feel. Stalls are wooden and more rustic, with garland lining the tops of the stalls, invoking the feeling of walking through the forest. Each stall was topped with a gnome that was in the process of some activity, from sleeping to cooking to rappelling to skiing. 

Other fun accents were the large logs functioning as bar tables, a little woodland animal scene set up in a corner, and even a live blacksmith shop doing work right there. And of course, each market had its own themed mug, and Heinzel’s Wintermarchen had a rounded gnome mug – perfectly on brand.

The other markets in the city are similarly themed. In addition, the magic is amped up at the Dom market next to the enormous Cologne Cathedral. A large Christmas tree sits in the center of the market, and a blanket of lights extends from the tree over the tops of the market stalls – the effect at night is magical!

3. Zagreb, Croatia

Croatia is probably not one of the top countries you think of for Christmas festivities in Europe (German and French-speaking countries tend to get the most Christmas attention), but I’m here to tell you: don’t sleep on Zagreb!

What makes the Zagreb Christmas Market so special? Well to start, they go ALL OUT on market decorations. Stalls are decked out in garland, ornaments, lights, toppers, and often little extras, such as a Santa statue or little reindeer. All of the markets have fun music playing overhead, and most also have stages for evening concerts and events.

Along the main square a little winter wonderland is set up, with little clusters of trees and accents like fences, mailboxes, bikes, arches, benches, and lightposts, and the whole scene is flocked to look like snow.

In a similar vein, another fun feature of the markets in Zagreb are all the little photo-op spots set up around the markets – there are probably a couple dozen spots scattered around the markets throughout the city.

These little scenes are super cute and designed for people to step into the scene, interact, and take pictures. It’s a novel way to make the markets more dynamic and interactive for guests, and I loved it.

4. Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg calls itself the Capital of Christmas, and they certainly work hard to earn that title. There are 12 Christmas markets in Strasbourg, which are all located in the Old Town on the Grand Ile.

Strasbourg is a city in the Alsace region of France, which has a unique culture and vibe thanks to it changing ownership between France and Germany multiple times in the past few hundred years. Thanks to its German influence, Strasbourg is filled with charming half-timbered buildings, which only adds to the festive ambiance.

The markets throughout the city are bustling and full of delicious things to eat and drink, and interesting things to buy, and they are situated next to churches, in large squares, or along the river.

One of the biggest markets is Le Grand Sapin, which has one of the largest Christmas trees in Europe, at over 30 meters (100 feet) tall. Every hour, there’s a light show on the tree, with the ornaments and lights changing color and twinkling in time to music.

Finally, one of the biggest reasons why Strasbourg is a top Christmas market destination in Europe is thanks to the decorations on the streets around the city.

Massive hanging lighted decorations, projections, strings of lights, garland, and ornaments decorate the streets around the markets. One popular building is filled with white teddy bears all along the facade!

5. Colmar, France

Colmar is a little village just an hour south of Strasbourg, and is by far the smallest city on this list. This small town, however, is absolutely adorable and is home to some of the cutest Christmas markets in Europe.

Like Strasbourg, the entire town is constructed with half-timbered buildings. One section of town has colorful buildings and a little canal going through it, and is known as “Little Venice.”

There are 6 Christmas markets in Colmar and each one is more charming than the last. The town is decked out in Christmas decorations, Christmas trees adorn almost every square, and gingerbread is a prominent feature in the markets.

The Wrap Up

There you have it – my picks for the top Christmas markets in Europe. Have you been to any of these markets? Are there any other markets you think should be on this list? Let me know in the comments!