The 12 Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2022
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and with it brings an excellent opportunity to see a city and get in the Christmassy mood. Cities are the most magical places to be around Christmas with stalls selling delicious smelling food and homemade gifts, twinkling in lights and snow covering everything (well not if you live in the UK). If you’re looking to travel and get in the Christmas spirit this winter, we’re here to help you decide where to go. Here are our 12 best Christmas markets in Europe in 2022
1 - Budapest
Consistently voted as one of the best in Europe, Budapest has not one but two Christmas markets, the most well-known of which is Advent Feast at the Basilica. Set in the square outside St Stephens Basilica, it is an open-air festive market is full to the brim with 120 stalls selling artisan craft products and delicious food that stretches down the street from the square towards the Danube. There is also an ice rink which circles around a giant Christmas tree with lights emanating from it, all adding to the atmosphere. Vorosmarty Square is the other market in the city, it is actually the older of the two yet it has been outgrown in popularity by the one at the Basilica, both are only less than 10 mins walk away from one another. Alongside food stalls, and craft stalls, Vorosmarty Square hosts free concerts throughout the period.
Budapest’s Christmas Markets runs from 18th November to 28th December.
2 - Basel
With Basel being in the Germanic region of Switzerland, you can be sure of a good Christmas experience. Ranking amongst the best in Europe and seen as the best in Switzerland, Basel hosts an array of gorgeous delights from sausages to hot punch. The must-try is a Basel Lackerli, a local take on the traditional gingerbread. The market is split across two squares in the city Barfuserplatz and Munsterplatz. Barfuserplatz is perfect for shopping with lots of handmade crafts stalls and jewellery whilst there are lots of activities, especially for kids at Munsterplatz.
Basel’s Christmas Market runs from 24th November to 23rd December.
3 - Vienna
There are around 20 or so festive markets across Vienna during the Christmas period, but the best one is in Rathausplatz which dates back to the 13th century. Vienna is one of those cities which just looks great in the wintertime with the snow-capped buildings draped with warm lighting. With the City Hall as the backdrop, wander through more than 100 stalls offering up handmade toys, steaming mulled wine and gorgeous smells of various foods. Jump on the reindeer train or take a class on how to make cookies, there’s plenty to do.
Vienna’s Christmas Markets run from around 19th November to 26th December 2022
4 - Brussels
Brussels’ Winter Wonders market gets 2.5 million visitors every year and is the best Christmas market in Belgium. It spreads around much of the city taking in Grand-Place, Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine and Marché aux Poissons. This beautiful architecture creates a wonderful atmosphere, especially when the buildings are illuminated at night by the market's lights. Along with the Christmas tree, the main features are the Ferris Wheel and the ice skating rink not to mention more than 200 chalets which serve classic Belgian delicacies such as beer and waffles along with handmade gifts and chocolates. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Winter Wonders, there will be a 360-degree dome set up in the pedestrian zone which will have audio-visual performances, films and family activities.
Winter Wonders runs from 25th November 2022 to 1st January 2023
5 - Tallinn
Picturesquely placed in the heart of Tallinn’s medieval town, it is consistently voted as one of the best in Europe. Centred around a large Christmas tree (the first-ever Christmas tree displayed in Europe was at this market in 1441), stalls producing smells of traditional Estonian dishes and gingerbread cookies circle it and fill the square with festive spirit. Tradition is on full display here with the stalls selling crafted gifts, foods and sheepskin rugs but there are also brass bands, bell ringers, a train and Santa riding around on his sleigh. Many of the gifts and food sold are heart-shaped as Estonians believe that Christmas is a time of love. It is certainly easy to fall in love with this Christmas Market.
Tallinn’s Christmas Market runs from Friday 25 November 2022 to Sunday 8 January 2023
6 - Prague
The theme across Prague’s many Christmas Markets is Angelic Christmas. Therefore, you can expect plenty of bright angels and cherubs across the decorations that adorn the city’s stunning architecture. Like Budapest, Prague is home to two great Christmas Markets. The first is in Wenceslas Square and the second is in Old Town Square. Both are full of brightly decorated wooden huts selling everything from ceramics, jewellery and other local artisan gifts to delicacies such as hams, sausages and beer. There’s only a 5-minute walk between the two and both are pedestrianised and easy to get around. Set against the Church of Our Lady before Tyn and the Prague Astronomical Clock, the Old Town Square market is truly a beautiful sight both in the daytime and lit up at night. Here as well there are also many nativity scenes, school choirs and stables of farm animals for the children to stroke all set under the 22-metre-tall Christmas tree.
Prague’s Christmas Markets begin from 26th November 2022 to 6th January 2023
7 - Zagreb
This year in Zagreb the Christmas Markets are aimed at children and your inner child with a theme of toys. Across the city will be dozens of augmented reality machines which take you back in time to the days of the city's Biserka toy factory. 2022 will also see the return of the staples of Zagreb’s Christmas Markets such as streets full of stalls serving up local delicacies such as hot štrukle, a pastry with melted cheese or Zagreb specialities like krpice sa zeljem (pasta with cabbage). Stroll through the markets in Zrinjevac Park or skate on the large ice rink in King Tomislav Square.
Zagreb’s Christmas Markets begin on 26th November 2022 and go till 7th January 2023
8 - Cologne
Germany has three cities on this list this year and is the undisputed king of Christmas Markets. The country is synonymous with Christmas Markets so much so that many of our ones in the UK are based on them. Cologne has not one but seven festive markets throughout the city. The largest takes place under the city’s magnificent cathedral, the Cologne Christmas Market is everything you’d expect from a German Christmas market - gluhwein, artisan gifts, great food and festive lighting. It also has Nikolausdorf (Saint Nicholas’s Village) aimed at children and a massive number of live performances from gospel singers and other Christmas musicians.
Cologne’s Christmas Markets run from 21st November to 23rd December 2022
9 - Salzburg
Stretching across the neighbouring squares Domplatz and Residenzplatz in the centre of the city, Salzburg’s Christmas Market keeps things smaller scale than others on this list but instead focuses on quality. 100 traditional wooden stalls hold businesses serving up Christmas staples such as gingerbread and Austrian specialities such as schnapps. All gifts here are handmade such as hand-knitted socks and hand-painted baubles for your tree, creating an authentic feel. There is also a daily concert where marketgoers sing Christmas carols.
Salzburg’s Christmas Market runs from November 17, 2022, to January 1, 2023
10 - Berlin
With probably the largest number of markets on this list, Berlin has got you covered. Around 80 Christmas Markets make up Berlin’s festive offering with large ones such as Spandau to more traditional ones in places like Gendarmenmarkt square. The market at Charlottenburg Palace provides a stunning backdrop and has everything you could need in one place. For something different go to Winter World at Potsdammer Platz, a hub for winter sports. You can try tobogganing and curling as well as classic ice skating.
Berlin’s Christmas Markets begin around 21st November and till 31st December 2022
11 - Copenhagen
Copenhagen is home to a number of Christmas markets which are spread across the city in popular places such as King’s New Square and High Bridge Square. The most popular however is Tivoli Gardens, a home for seasonal celebrations galore. These gardens, which are also one of the world’s oldest theme parks, come to life at Christmas when the darkness of highlights the beauty of the lights throughout the gardens. More than just beautiful garden walks, Tivoli is home to countless stalls serving sweet treats and more while bands play you around. For the first time this year, a Christmas tree will light up the centre of Tivoli Lake.
Copenhagen’s Christmas Markets run from Friday 18 November till Saturday 31 December 2022
12 - Munich
The home of Oktoberfest also hosts an excellent range of Christmas Markets. With 11 markets across the city to choose from, you’ll find something for everyone. One of these is held in Marienplatz, the iconic square is filled with over 100 stalls serving up Christmas treats. You can even get in the spirit early as there is a Christmas Market directly outside of Munich Airport!
Munich’s Christmas Markets run from Monday 21 November to Monday 26 December 2022
Which one do you want to go to first? Let us know on social media. This has put us in the festive spirit just writing about these so we can wait to get going to some of them again in the future. If you’re looking to tie in a city break with a Christmas market, get in contact at 0115 784 3388 or email enquiries@ct4ntravel.co.uk. Want to see how our list differs to last year? See our Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2021 Looking to stay closer to home? Check out our list of the Best 10 Christmas Markets in the UK