Fairy-lit cabins dispensing mulled wine, warm cocoa or glittering treasures for your tree. Revellers wrapped up in cosy knits and big coats taking a spin around an ice rink. And the chance to spot Santa — or perhaps even more magical: fresh snowfall. There’s nothing like a Christmas market to give you the feels in the run-up to the Big Day. And as well as treats for yourself, they’re the perfect place to buy unique gifts for those who’ve made it onto your Nice List.
However, not all are created equal. For every snow globe-worthy winter market in Europe, there’s another that looks akin to the Willy Wonka Glasgow experience. So how to choose wisely? To help you plan the perfect festive break, we’ve picked the best markets, and paired them with stylish hotels, all less than a half-hour walk away.
If you want to go all-out festive fairytale, book into Four Seasons Prague and visit its multiple markets, or for a wallet-friendly trip, fly to Budapest for a stay at its coolest boutique hotel, Brody House, close to what’s recently been crowned as Europe’s best Christmas market.
Here’s where to stay for a magical weekend in the lead up to Christmas — whatever your budget.
Antwerp, Belgium
The market: The spectacular setting of Grote Markt makes it a must-visit in Belgium over the festive season. The medieval Place serves as the epicentre of the city’s festive offering, with over 100 stalls branching out onto nearby streets and sitting beneath pretty nearby landmarks. Don’t forget to taste some Belgian waffles and smoutebollen (a donut-like snack), or go ice skating on the rink at Central Station, with views of the Antwerp Cathedral. If an immersive festive experience is more your thing, then the Magical Winter Forest has light displays and festive sculptures. Visiting with kids? Head to the Ferris wheel, which is usually located at the Scheldt River next to the Castle. Open from 6 December 2024 to 5 January 2025.
Stay: Antwerp has proved itself to be a hot new design destination with a slew of new museums opening this year, and Botanic Amsterdam is the perfect place to explore them from (alongside the market, of course). It’s affordable compared to its five-star equivalents in Paris or Amsterdam, and has impressive natural-themed interiors. Its chic spa is high up in a tree canopy, while calm and cosseting yet techy bedrooms are a refuge after sightseeing. It also has impressive foodie credentials (three of its five restaurants are Michelin-starred).
Book it: Doubles from £385 per night. botanicantwerp.be
Nuremberg, Germany
The market: If you want a market experience steeped in tradition there’s no better place to visit than Nuremberg. The Bavarian region’s Christkindlesmarkt dates back to the 16th century. Now candy-striped stalls selling toys and foodie delights stand in front of the grand Church of our Lady, flanked by two sparkling white-lit trees. Come hungry for bratwurst and almond cookies, washed down with Gluhwein, and pick up traditional decorations and the iced gingerbread the market is known for. The opening ceremony marks the start of the season, and it’s the job of a bi-annually elected ‘Nuremberg Christkind’ to host it. They recite a now-famous Christmas speech dressed in white and gold. Open from 29 November 2024 to Christmas Eve.
Stay: Boutique hotel Karl August opened in 2021 and has fast become a hotspot for locals and visitors alike. Chic, modern interiors combine work by regional artists with locally crafted furniture. Its restaurant Tisane is the place to be seen at for fine dining around a beautiful stone bar.
Book it: Rooms start from 299 Euros. karlaugust.de
Walk time: 2 minutes.
Helsinki, Finland
The market: The modern-meets-old-school market in Senate Square has plenty of festive thrills to offer. There’s novelty from the dog dress-up contest and market stall games, while artisan snacks and pastries aplenty will keep you fuelled up. Carol singers at the weekend will give you that fuzzy feeling, though what sets this market apart from rival cities is the unisex sauna at its centre. A touch of Finish finesse, you might say. Open from 29 November to 22 December 2024.
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Stay: The recently opened Hotel Maria boasts relaxing interiors — Nordic greys and creams throughout are paired with Art Deco Crittall, which give away the history of this former barracks. Cloud-like beds, capacious bathrooms and mirrors that turn into TVs make for perfect crashpads after days of market trawling and gallery hopping in this arty city. There’s also a subterranean spa to revive cold limbs, which has a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzis and plunge pool.
Book it: Rooms from £290. hotelmaria.fi
Prague, Czech Republic
The markets: Prague punches well above its weight when it comes to Christmas markets. Its main cluster of festive stalls on Old Town Square (Staromestske Namesti) is a snow globe-worthy scene. Shoppers gather beneath the Gothic twin towers of the Church of Our Lady, and pause to admire the imposing clock on the facade of the Old Town Hall. Take a tour of Wenceslas Square, Republic Square and Na Kampe Square, at the west end of the famous Charles Bridge, which crosses the River Vltava to the Mala Strana area. Don’t forget to taste the mulled wine, dumplings and trdelník (chimney cake), which is a warm pastry rolled in cinnamon and sugar. Open from 30 November to 6 January 2025.
Stay: If you want to do Prague in serious style, then check into its Four Seasons, set right on the Vltava river. The interiors exude timeless elegance decked out in marble and dark wood, with stucco walls and plush furnishings. And you’ll be welcomed with a display of dazzling Dior-designed Christmas decorations this festive season. From the towering Christmas tree in the lobby, to a seasonal afternoon tea and a 90-minute advent-themed spa experience, there’s plenty to get you in the mood for the 25th.
Book it: Rooms start from £500. fourseasons.com
Walk time: Multiple locations.
Copenhagen, Denmark
The market: The third oldest theme park in the world, Tivoli Gardens is guaranteed to bring out your inner child year-round. But near Christmas, it feels extra special decked out in a staggering 500,000 fairy lights. For actual kids, there’s the chance to visit Santa or take part in an elf hunt, and the whole family can enjoy a daily projection show, marching youth guard and festive illuminations. Rides from the Elf Train to the classic carousel are included in your ticket price, as is a spin on the ice rink. And obviously there are pretzels and mulled wine on sale for a boost of Hygge. Christmas events start from 15 November 2024 and end 5 January 2025. tivoli.dk
Stay: Copenhagen’s lively Latin Quarter is the backdrop to hip hotel SP34. The decor is classic Scandi chic, with a minimalist scheme punctuated by dark wood, marble and monochrome lighting. The glass-encased bistro and cocktail bar also have the locals’ seal of approval. And if you haven’t had your fill at the market, then there’s a daily complimentary wine hour as well as night cap hour. Now that’s what we call festive merriment.
Book it: From £145. brochner-hotels.com
Walk time: 9 minutes.
Vienna, Austria
The market: The square in front of Vienna’s impressive town hall becomes home to its annual Christmas market, Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz. There are 99 stalls this year with plenty of local foodie delights on offer, from cheesy sausages to Spätzle (local noodles) and vanillekipferl (vanilla crescent cookies). As well as the spectacle of the lights, there’s everything from an ice rink, to reindeer rides, a Ferris wheel and a traditional merry-go-round. You’re guaranteed to feel as gleeful as Will Ferrell in Elf at this one. Open from 15 November to 26 December 2024.
Stay: Hotel MOTTO is in a prime location near the Museums Quarter. It also delivers on the interiors front, mixing Viennese and Parisian influences with perfect parquet flooring, sumptuously dressed beds and shabby-chic polished concrete walls. The building was once home to composer Johann Strauss, though nowadays it has all the mod-cons and a stunning rooftop bar.
Book it: Rooms from £170. hotelmotto.at
Walk time: 25 minutes.
Budapest, Hungary
The market: St. Stephen’s Basilica market in Budapest was recently crowned Europe’s best by Europe’s Best Destinations. Taking place around Hungary's largest church of the same name, it has 160 stalls, selling everything from gifts, to chocolate bonbons and traditional goulash, plus there’s a skating rink, daily light show and folk dancing at weekends. What more could you want this Christmas? Open from 15 November 2024 to 1 January 2025.
Stay: Brody House has been setting the standard for the arty, shabby chic aesthetic in Budapest since 2009. Housed in the neo-classical Palace District, the boutique hotel mixes vintage furniture with contemporary art. It has rotating chefs in residence, currently the Turkish gastronomic team from The Garden Cafe, and rooms remain super reasonably priced.
Rooms: From £154. brody.house
Walk time: 22 minutes.
The Peak District, UK
The market: If you want to stay close to home it doesn’t get much better than Chatsworth House. Set against the backdrop of the stunning Peak District National Park, amid its own 1,888 acres of parkland, the stunning Grade I listed stately home has 25 vast antique-filled rooms to explore. It has been home to seventeen generations of the Devonshire family, and on its grounds come Christmas, over 100 market stalls pop up selling gifts line its halls. No less than 20,000 baubles have been hung and 48 Christmas trees erected. The market offers live music, which you can watch with a mulled wine or a German beer in hand, or while snacking on a gourmet burger, sausage, hot pork roll or churros. Festive Blighty at its finest.
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Where to stay: The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow is located on the Chatsworth estate and has recently had a total revamp by interior designer Nicola Harding — meaning this is its first Christmas with the new look. Her eclectic-meets-classic styling is instantly recognisable if you’ve been to her other projects such as The Mitre in Hampton Court.
As well as a day spent at Chatsworth there’s the option of field trips through the National Park, followed by warming your cockles at the log fire and hunkering down to a locally sourced festive menu in The Gallery restaurant.
Book it: Christmas stays from £874.50 for 3 nights in a standard double for two guests, with festive feasts included, and complimentary access to Chatsworth House and garden.
Tallinn, Estonia
The market: Tallinn’s Town Hall Square market should be on the bucket list of all Christmas lovers. Traditional-style stalls splay out around a huge Christmas tree which the city has been erecting here since 1441, giving it the accolade of being the first to be displayed in Europe. Snowfall is very likely, so wrap up and embrace the fairytale feel of seeing one of the Santas (there are two) riding a reindeer-pulled sleigh through the powder. Enjoy mulled wine after a spin on the merry-go-round, or if you’re with kids there’s a grotto where they can sing for... a small present. Little ones can also post their lists to Father Christmas in the market’s mailbox. Open from 22 November to 27 December 2024.
Stay: As you might guess, Hotel Telegraaf is a former telegraph office, or centre of communications. Located in the city’s Old Town, its vibe is modern opulence. Contemporary art mixes with gothic marble statues and mid-century furniture. The conservatory-style spa is a sanctuary with a full-sized pool, Jacuzzis and steam rooms, and the Michelin-star restaurant is one of the best in Tallinn.
Book it: Rooms from £120. telegraafhotel.com
Walk time: 3 minutes.
Stockholm, Sweden
The market: This traditional Christmas market at Stortorgets Julmarknad in Stockholm dates back to 1837 — making it the oldest in Sweden. The charming Old Town and its beautiful square of Stortorgetare are the backdrop to stalls selling Swedish Christmas sweets and other seasonal delicacies, as well as unique ironworks, candles and ceramics. A Glögg, Sweden's version of mulled wine, and a waffle are a must.
Stay: Miss Clara is centrally located in the Swedish capital with its impressive art nouveau features having been preserved by architect Gert Wingårdh. Formerly a girls’ school, it was built in 1910 and is named after its boundary-pushing headmistress. But worry not: the only lessons here are taken by observing the mixologists creating perfectly made cocktails at the retro bar.
Book it: Rooms from £142.50 per night. Book via mrandmrssmith.com for special rates and a bonus of a selection of Swedish sweets on arrival
Walk time: 25 minutes.
Christmas market deals with BA
BA is offering 3-night holiday packages to select European cities this December including Prague and Nuremberg. Valid for December travel if booked by 30 November 2024. britishairways.com
