9 Magical European Christmas Markets to Visit in 2025

Christmas markets across Europe bring the spirit of Christmas to life with seasonal treats, goods, and attractions. When the days are short and the weather dreary across much of Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe, these winter carnivals bring a punch of joy. Whether you’re planning a holiday trip or simply want to daydream about mulled wine, we’ve rounded up eight Christmas markets in Europe to inspire you. Some are lesser-known and others are well-trodden, but each is a must-see during the holiday season.

Dates will vary, but Christmas markets across Europe generally open in mid- or late November and close around January 1. Some are open until just after Three Kings’ Day—the 12th day of Christmas—which falls on January 6, although the operations are noticeably quieter.

Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square Christmas Markets in Prague, Czechia

• When: The two main Christmas markets in Prague are open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day from November 29, 2025 through January 6, 2026. This includes Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, but note that Christmas Day will be quiet, with fewer open vendors.
• Price: Free

Prague’s largest Christmas markets are in the heart of the city, just a five-minute walk from each other, so you can easily explore both in one day. Old Town Square’s festivities include daily carol concerts, dozens of stalls selling traditional crafts, and a brightly lit central Christmas tree, while the Wenceslas Square market specializes in handmade goods and Czech treats such as perníčky (gingerbread cookies), klobása (kielbasa), and of course, hearty Czech beers and mulled wine.

Where to stay

Gothic and Renaissance architecture meet modern design at Augustine, a 101-room hotel two minutes from Charles Bridge and Prague Castle. The seven buildings that make up the property—parts of which date back to 1284—formed some of the St. Thomas Church and Monastery, so you may even bed down in a room where monks once slept. Guest rooms are a chic combination of old world charm and modern luxury, with generously sized marble bathrooms with heated floors and rain showers.

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market in the Black Forest Highlands, Germany

• When: Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market is only open on Fridays (3 to 9 p.m.), Saturdays (2 to 9 p.m.), and Sundays (2 to 8 p.m.), from November 28 through December 21, 2025.
• Price: $7.60 before 4 p.m. and $10 after 4 p.m. (€6,50 and €8,5). As of this writing, tickets are sold out. Keep your eyes on the booking site in case more become available.

Germany knows how to throw a Christmas market; there are more than 2,500 of them annually throughout the country. Among these is the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market in a true fairy-tale setting—a gorge under the 131-foot-high viaduct of the Höllental railway in the Black Forest Highlands. The market’s various stalls are surrounded by forest, which adds a “winter wonderland” feel when dusted with snow.

Where to stay

In the town of Hinterzarten, 10 minutes’ drive from the market, Parkhotel Adler is spread across five buildings, including one from 1655, and has its own lake and private park. The 64 rooms have hardwood floors, slipper chairs in colorful fabrics, and art deco–inspired light fixtures. The most welcome amenity for those visiting in winter is the indoor pool, hot tub, and several saunas.

Velvet Cave Christmas Market in Valkenburg, Netherlands

• When: The Velvet Cave Christmas Market is open from November 14 to December 30, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday (from 10 a.m. on weekends) and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays. The market is closed Christmas Day and closes at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 6 p.m. on December 30.
• Price: $10.50 (€9); advance tickets are recommended.

At the very southern end of the Netherlands just outside Maastricht is the Velvet Cave, an 11th- or 12th-century network of underground passages beneath the ruins of Valkenburg Castle. And it’s within this ancient maze that you’ll find a Christmas market with more than 50 vendors selling gifts, food, and warming drinks. A visit here makes for a unique experience that’s both festive shopping trip and historical tour—and you’ll be shielded from any rain or snow.

Where to stay

You can walk to the Velvet Cave in five minutes from this hotel in the town of Valkenburg. A 1970s printing house turned boutique hotel, Omnia is for guests who want a comfortable and stylish place to stay but don’t need any services; check-in is done by email and WhatsApp, though the owner, Kim, can always be reached and comes by the hotel daily. The seven rooms have white and oat-colored linens and raffia lampshades, and many have freestanding tubs.

Christmas and Epiphany Market in Piazza Navona in Roma, Italy

• When: The Christmas and Epiphany Market is open December 7, 2025 through January 6, 2026, 10 a.m. to midnight. The market is open Christmas Day but there may be fewer stalls open.
• Price: Free

Set in one of Rome’s grandest piazzas, the Christmas and Epiphany Market in Piazza Navona juxtaposes the new—think sweet treats like torrone (a type of Italian nougat), souvenir-style trinkets like handmade ornaments, twinkling lights, and Mylar balloons—with the gravitas of the 1st-century outdoor plaza, filled with three massive fountains. It’s one of the largest Christmas markets in Italy. Keep an eye out for the oft-appearing Babbo Natale (otherwise known as Santa).

Where to stay

Romans might call the Hotel De’ Ricci a chicca—a rare gem of a spot. This eight-room boutique hotel around the corner from the tranquil Piazza Farnese and just 10 minutes’ walk from the Christmas market in Piazza Navona was designed for lovers of design and wine—most of the staff here are sommeliers, and the in-room wine fridge can be stocked with your favorites. Owner Lorenzo Lisi curated each room with mid-century–inspired furniture, including original vintage pieces, and hand-painted murals by contemporary artist Andrea Ferolla.

Related: Make the Most of Rome’s Many Charms—Without the Crowds

Viennese Dream Christmas Market in Vienna, Austria

• When: The Viennese Dream Christmas Market is open daily from November 14 to December 26, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; until 6:30 p.m. on December 25.
• Price: Free

In 1296, Austria’s capital held its very first Christmas market. Today, there are more than 20 Christmas-related events to choose from across Vienna during the holiday season. Revelers can enjoy reindeer rides, sip glühwein (a hot spiced wine), nibble on roast chestnuts, marvel over classic nativity scenes, and wander through more than 150 food and souvenir stalls in front of the grandiose City Hall at the Viennese Dream Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt at the Rathaus).

Where to stay

The brand new Mandarin Oriental Vienna (opening mid-November) sits in a handsome art nouveau building from the early 1900s and has 86 rooms and 52 suites. The hotel is five minutes’ walk from pretty Stadtpark, the Museum of Applied Arts, and the Mozart Museum.

St. Gallen Christmas Market in St. Gallen, Switzerland

• When: St. Gallen Christmas Market is open from November 27 through December 24, 2025. Stalls are open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends 11 am. to 6 p.m. (Food stalls stay open until 9 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, until 10 p.m. on Thursdays, and until 7 p.m. Sundays).
• Price: Free

It’s not every day that you can visit a UNESCO World Heritage site, explore a historic Swiss town, and get your Christmas shopping done all in one place—but that’s exactly what the St. Gallen Christmas Market offers to the thousands of guests who visit each holiday season. While revelers are often taken with the series of stands lined up from the Waaghaus (a historic building in the old town) to Market Square, they shouldn’t forget to look up: The sky over St. Gallen is illuminated by 700 electric lights in the shape of stars every year during Advent; locals have nicknamed the quaint town in northern Switzerland “the city of stars.” Back on the ground, you can enjoy merry-go-rounds, seasonal drinks and food, choir performances, and a lit Christmas tree.

Where to stay

Up a hill overlooking St. Gallen is this 10-room hotel and restaurant in a classic red-and-white half-timbered building. It’s an inviting place to lay your head after a frosty visit to the Christmas market. One room has a 15th-century exposed-beam ceiling and wooden wall; another has 19th-century floral wallpaper and wainscotting. Solo travelers should book the Lake Costance room, a snug and sunny space with a lake view and a single bed. The restaurant, which serves meaty Alpine cuisine, has a lovely winter garden with wraparound windows and a panoramic view of St. Gallen.

Christmas in Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark

• When: The Tivoli market is open from November 14, 2025 to January 4, 2026, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Fridays and Saturdays. The market is closed on Christmas Eve.
• Price: $30 or $33 (190 or 210 DKK) per adult; kids are half-price and those under three enter for free.

Bring the whole family along to the annual Christmas in Tivoli in Copenhagen, when the world’s second-oldest operating amusement park opens a festive market alongside its famed year-round attractions, rides, and games. Locals and tourists of all ages will be delighted by the more than 1,000 lit Christmas trees and approximately 60 stalls with seasonal offerings, including Christmas treats (like gingerbread hearts, rice pudding, and marzipan), decorations, and gifts.

Where to stay

After a chilly evening meander through Christmas in Tivoli, walk 10 minutes back to Nobis Hotel, a 75-room hotel in a grand 19th-century building that was formerly the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music. With high ceilings, handsome hardwood floors, and four-poster beds, the rooms here walk the line between stately and Nordic cool.

Related: The 6 Essential Copenhagen Neighborhoods—and What to See, Do, and Eat There

Plaza Mayor Christmas Market in Madrid, Spain

• When: Madrid’s Plaza Mayor Christmas market is open November 30 through December 21, 2025, Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m. The market is open Christmas Day, but with fewer stalls.
• Price: Free

For a Christmas market visit where you won’t need heavy winter gear, head for one of the sunniest cities in Europe, Madrid. December in Madrid isn’t warm—expect a daytime high around 50—but the sun is out and the days aren’t as short as in northern Europe (Madrid on December 1 has 9.5 hours of daylight compared to 7.5 in Copenhagen). There has been some sort of Christmas market in Madrid’s main public square, Plaza Mayor, since the 17th century. Today’s iteration sees 100 or so stalls set up, selling nativity scene figurines and Christmas decorations. Unlike in more northern European countries, this market is less touristy and sees more locals stopping by. There aren’t many handicrafts for sale, nor tons of food (for chocolate and churros, 130-year-old Chocolatería San Ginés is right next door and open 24/7), but the ambiance is nice.

Where to stay

Starchitect Philippe Starck’s newest project opened in January 2025 in a 1920s building on one of Madrid’s central boulevards, Gran Via. Starck has said he wanted Brach Madrid to feel like a home, and it does; there are vases, shelves of books, lamps, and throw pillows in different patterns throughout. In the 57 guest rooms are leather headboards backed by an illustrated travel diary and unusual decor elements like the green glazed terra-cotta frames hung on the mirrored bathroom walls. The hotel is really well situated, less than 15 minutes’ walk to Plaza Mayor, 20 to the Royal Palace and to Retiro Park.

St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang, and Strobl Christmas Markets in Lake Wolfgang, Austria

• When: November 21 to December 21, Wednesday 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and weekends 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Price: Free; the boat rides are $21 and $35 (€18 and €30)

Austria really knows how to do Christmas markets. Those in Vienna and Salzburg are easy to access, but for less crowded and even more charming Christmas markets, head to the villages around Lake Wolfgang—St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang (both filming locations for The Sound of Music), and Strobl. This trifecta is called Wolfgangseer Advent, and it takes just 45 minutes to reach these three quaint towns from Salzburg (by car or bus). The villages’ markets are small but authentic; you’ll find twinkling lights everywhere, and stalls selling handicrafts, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and gingerbread. St. Wolfgang has more than 70 life-sized nativity figures dotted around the village. Use the Wolfgangseer Advent ferry service to Christmas market-hopping and take in a beautiful panorama of sparkling lights reflected in Lake Wolfgang.

Where to stay

Waterfront Hotel Seevilla Wolfgangsee in St. Wolfgang has just 29 rooms, 28 of which have a balcony or terrace overlooking the lake, and the simple but modern, comfortable furnishings let the beautiful view take center stage. The sauna, too, has views of the lake and surrounding snow-covered mountains and is ideal for warming up after visiting all three Christmas markets.

This article was originally published in 2016 and most recently updated on October 18, 2025, with current information. Nile Cappello contributed to the reporting of this story.