3 Best Christmas Markets in Europe

Are you looking for the best Christmas markets in Europe? Ones that are charming, unique and simply fun? At Safestay, we recommend Cracow, Berlin and Prague. Why did we choose these five? Find it out in this article!

What Are the Best Christmas Markets in Europe? Our Top 3 Choices

There are tons of local markets in Europe during winter, and most larger cities have them. However, where are the best Christmas markets, ones that are worth visiting in a particular country? In our opinion, in Cracow, Berlin and Prague. Let’s see why.

Cracow

The Market Square in Cracow is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in Europe. During winter, it gains even more charm, as it holds one of the best Christmas markets in all Europe.

Local cuisines like oscypek or pierogies, mulled wine and local crafts make this particular Christmas market unforgettable. Plus, the city is perfect for a larger winter trip to Poland. Here’s our recommendation:

• Book a hostel in Warsaw and explore the city (2-3 days).
• On the next day, catch a train to Cracow (the fastest takes only 2 hours).
• Explore Cracow and visit the local Christmas market (optional: you can stay one to two nights to see more of the city).
• Catch a train to Zakopane or Wisłą, book accommodation there and go skiing in the Tatras the next day; or, if you’re lucky (or plan your trip carefully), you may even spectate a ski-jumping competition!

Berlin

Where are the best Christmas markets in Berlin? You need to answer this question on your own, since the city is known for its multiple (over 80) markets! Each offers different attractions, from modern art to sports and sweets. You’ll surely find something of your liking!

Unlike Cracow, we doubt you can cover all of Berlin’s Christmas markets in one day. That’s why we recommend booking a few nights at our Berlin hostel. What if you have more time than you expected? You can catch a train to either Hamburg, Germany (2.5h) or Poznan, Poland (3,5h)—both are great for sightseeing! You might also visit Cologne, though it takes more time to get there (4.5h)—it has the second-best Christmas market in Germany (in our opinion).

Prague

When asked where the best Christmas markets in Europe are, we mustn’t forget about the capital city of the Czech Republic. Prague is beautiful on its own, but when the Christmas markets start, it becomes even more charming than usual. The 14th and 15th-century buildings mix perfectly with the warm, wooden stalls of the market, but that’s just the beginning of the attractions.

What the Christmas market in Prague is truly known for are the open-air concerts. Plus, the traditional Czech sweets are perfect for winter, so there’s no reason not to love Prague as a holiday destination.

When Do Christmas Markets Begin in Europe?

If you’re a fan of local Christmas markets and want to know when they start in Europe… we can’t give you a straightforward answer. Usually, you’ll see them set up in late November, but it all depends on the city.

The best way to find out if there is already a Christmas market is to check the local news. You might also call the hotel or hostel where you plan to stay—we’re sure the staff will know whether the market has already begun!

The Takeaway

Christmas markets are a lot of fun, and now you know where the best ones are in Europe! Other markets that we can recommend include Budapest, Vienna, Cologne and Strasbourg. However, neither of them is as close to the three markets we showcased you in this article, so start with them; they’re worth it!

You might also read: Travel to Poland—6 Tips & Tricks