In case your thought of winter bliss includes sipping gluhwein, searching limitless stalls of vacation presents and getting misplaced in a sea of glittering fairy lights, plan to rejoice this season at one in every of Europe‘s Christmas markets. These conventional markets date again tons of of years and are nonetheless fashionable in lots of European nations, from France to Estonia.
Sure, the climate is chilly (and snowy in some locations). Nevertheless, the odor of roasted chestnuts, the flicker of the lights and the overall feeling of vacation cheer greater than make up for it. Since many markets start in November and run via December, vacationers can snag a fall or winter flight deal, or off-peak award redemption.
So, bundle up and take a look at our suggestions for a number of the finest Christmas markets in Europe, full with tips about the best way to get there and the place to remain.
Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich’s Wienachtsdorf, which runs from Nov. 21 to Dec. 23, 2024, is among the metropolis’s largest Christmas markets. It is positioned at Sechselautenplatz, the sq. straight in entrance of the Zurich Opera Home and adjoining to Lake Zurich.
The charming Christmas village is made up of round 120 stalls, largely run by native designers showcasing distinctive jewellery and different vacation presents. The market additionally affords a wide range of culinary choices, from worldwide dishes to conventional Swiss delicacies on the Fondue Chalet (reservations are beneficial).
Keep: Keep on the Park Hyatt Zurich, only a 15-minute stroll from the Christmas market. Charges begin at $708 or 35,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening this November and December.
Arrive: Zurich Airport (ZRH) is a serious transportation hub with quite a few nonstop flights from the US. Swiss, United Airways, Delta Air Strains and American Airways all have nonstop choices from East Coast cities like New York, Philadelphia and Boston. Then it is only a fast 25-minute practice journey to the center of the town.
Copenhagen, Denmark
From Nov. 8 to Dec. 21, 2024, Copenhagen’s largest Christmas market, which is often held at Kongens Nytorv (King’s New Sq.), will happen at Thorvaldsens Plads, only a 10-minute stroll away. The sq. in entrance of the Thorvaldsens Museum will probably be remodeled right into a fascinating wonderland with a labyrinth of picket stalls, every brimming with pleasant Danish delicacies, toys and extra. Youngsters will probably be thrilled to snap a photograph with Santa, whereas adults can unwind with a warming glass of spiced wine, or glogg because it’s referred to as right here.
Keep: The Nobis Hotel Copenhagen is a tranquil retreat only a 10-minute stroll from Thorvaldsens Plads and just one block away from Tivoli Gardens, the historic theme park that can be a must-visit in the course of the Christmas season. Plus, the luxury property is bookable utilizing Marriott Bonvoy factors. Charges begin at $411 or 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening this November and December.
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Arrive: There are just a few nonstop choices to Copenhagen Airport (CPH) from the U.S., together with New York Metropolis, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Scandinavian Airlines is the principle supplier, however different airways, comparable to Icelandair, provide layover choices for cheaper airfares.
Edinburgh, Scotland
From Nov. 15, 2024, to Jan. 4, 2025, Edinburgh will host one of many United Kingdom’s most grandiose and beloved Christmas markets at East Princes Avenue Gardens, just under Edinburgh Citadel. Image greater than 130 charming huts, every illuminated with festive lights and strewn with decorations, creating a fascinating environment.
These stalls provide a plethora of native, handmade presents and an array of delicious treats to savor. Do not miss out on a mesmerizing journey on the massive wheel, presenting panoramic views of your entire festive extravaganza. The pageant has one thing particular for everybody, with varied rides suited to youngsters and adults and even a Santa’s grotto for a close-up encounter with Santa Claus.
Keep: For an expensive keep, think about The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton, which is only a 10-minute stroll from the Christmas market and affords views of the citadel. Charges begin at $290 or 76,000 Hilton Honors factors per evening this November and December.
Arrive: Direct flights to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) can be found year-round from Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) on United Airways.
Vienna, Austria
Wander previous greater than 100 stalls at Vienna’s largest Christmas market within the Rathausplatz City Hall Square from Nov. 16 to Dec. 26, 2024. Youngsters will love the ice skating rink, Ferris wheel and carousel. This yr, the market and its stalls will concentrate on bettering sustainability, so count on extra eco-friendly merchandise and supplies.
Keep: Only a 12-minute stroll from Rathausplatz, the Park Hyatt Vienna is the last word Viennese luxurious: excessive arching ceilings, an indoor swimming pool, and suites decked out with chandeliers and marble bogs. Charges in November and December begin at $558 or 30,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening, however are considerably increased round Christmas.
Arrive: Austrian Airways, the flagship provider of Vienna Airport (VIE), is a part of the Star Alliance. When you’ve got miles on any associate airline, you must be capable to get a seat at valuation. Austrian flies straight from Chicago’s O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD), New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR), Boston Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS) and Washington, D.C.’s Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD).
Germany
As probably the most well-known nations in Europe for Christmas markets, Germany has a market in virtually each metropolis. We could not decide only one, so listed here are a number of the finest:
- Cologne: This metropolis, well-known for its towering Gothic cathedral, options practically a dozen totally different Christmas markets, together with the hopeful return of the LGBTQ+-friendly Christmas market after a two-year absence (most run from Nov. 18 to Dec. 23, 2024).
- Munich: Bavaria’s most well-known market is in Munich’s Marienplatz, which is adorned with 1000’s of candles and has over 100 stalls (Nov. 25 to Dec. 24, 2024).
- Munich Airport: Soar proper into the vacation spirit (and even go ice skating) throughout a protracted layover at Munich Airport (MUC), which transforms right into a Christmas market (Nov. 15 to Dec. 29, 2024).
- Frankfurt: Take pleasure in buying and a 100-foot-tall Christmas scene at Frankfurt’s foremost Christmas Market (Nov. 25 to Dec. 22, 2024).
- Nuremberg: Along with its world-renowned lebkuchen (gingerbread), maintain a glance out for this market’s Christkind, a younger woman with curly blond hair dressed like a golden angel who makes frequent appearances on the festivities (Nov. 29 to Dec. 24, 2024).
- Berlin: Germany’s capital has quite a lot of Christmas markets, however among the best is the WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt (Nov. 25 to Dec. 31, 2024), which is relocated in 2024 to the historic Bebelplatz close to the State Opera and St. Hedwig’s Cathedral. Count on the standard meals and buying but in addition holiday-inspired performances from fireplace eaters, acrobats, jugglers and choirs.
- Dresden: One of many nation’s oldest and largest markets, the Striezelmarkt in Dresden’s Altmarkt options puppet theaters, storytelling time and gingerbread-decorating workshops (Nov. 27 to Dec. 24, 2024).
Keep: The JW Marriott Frankfurt options 219 rooms and greater than 200 hand-painted artwork items by German artist Hartwig Ebersbach. Charges begin as little as $192 or 52,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening from late November via December.
Arrive: Star Alliance associate Lufthansa operates direct flights to Germany out of a number of U.S. airports, together with hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte and Denver.
If you wish to go to in consolation and magnificence, you’ll be able to splash out for probably the most iconic fifth-freedom routes out of the U.S., supplied by Singapore Airways between New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) and Germany’s Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Tremendous-luxurious business-class awards on this route value 81,000 miles every approach via Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer program. You may switch factors to KrisFlyer from the entire transferable points programs — American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.
France
You may’t go flawed with markets in French cities like Lyon and Lille. However since Strasbourg is called the Capital of Christmas, it is no shock that Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmarkt, close to the town’s cathedral, is one in every of France’s hottest vacation haunts for sipping mulled wine, tasting French wintery treats like tarte flambee or sugary bredele biscuits, and searching for wares among the many picket stalls (Nov. 27 to Dec. 27, 2024). Strasbourg’s towering Christmas tree, tens of millions of twinkling lights and festive ice rink can persuade any Grinch to like the festive season.
Keep: Take into account a keep at one of many metropolis’s newer resorts, the Aloft Strasbourg Etoile. The resort is welcoming and trendy, only a 15-minute stroll to the principle Christmas market. Charges begin at $154 or 31,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening whereas the market is open.
Arrive: Strasbourg is a smaller metropolis, and you may’t fly nonstop there from the U.S. As a substitute, fly to Strasbourg Airport (SXB) from hubs comparable to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). Or, plan a layover to take a look at Munich Airport’s Christmas market (see above), then proceed on to Strasbourg. You too can take a practice from Frankfurt or Paris to the French metropolis.
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Tallinn, Estonia
Pattern Baltic vacation delicacies like black pudding and gingerbread paired with spiced wine on the Christmas market in Tallinn’s medieval City Corridor Sq. (Nov. 22 to Dec. 27, 2024).
The setting is just beautiful. Historic buildings encompass stalls promoting Christmas items and decorations (lots of that are heart-shaped, as Estonians firmly consider Christmas is a time of affection), with the large tree as a centerpiece. Stay up for two totally different carousels for the little ones and a double-decker vacation bus to journey round city.
Keep: The Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallin is a 15-minute stroll away from the city sq., which you’ll be able to view from the resort’s outside terrace. Charges begin at $102 or 44,000 Radisson Rewards factors per evening.
Arrive: Though you’ll be able to’t fly nonstop from the U.S. to Tallinn Airport (TLL), you’ll be able to join simply to hubs comparable to Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW), Istanbul Airport (IST), Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Brussels Airport (BRU) after which fly on over. Should you fly Finnair between the U.S. and Helsinki Airport (HEL), a ferry to Tallinn takes about 3 1/2 hours. From varied London airports, you’ll be able to fly to Tallinn on low-cost airways like airBaltic, Ryanair and Wizz Air.
Brussels, Belgium
Whereas the markets in Antwerp, Ghent and Brugge have a extra charming and comfy vibe, Brussels’ Winter Wonders Market (Nov. 29, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025) is the most important and most spectacular in Belgium, with greater than 200 stands weaving via the town middle.
Take a spin across the ice rink, fly excessive within the Ferris wheel or take pleasure in a go to from Santa. The market additionally affords an immersive audio and visible Christmas present, an modern strategy to expertise all the vacation enjoyable.
Keep: Price range vacationers can keep amid the motion on the Holiday Inn Express Brussels — Grand-Place for as little as $140 or 29,000 IHG One Rewards factors per evening this vacation season.
Arrive: Fly to Brussels on Star Alliance carriers from hubs like New York and Washington, D.C. Among the finest redemption choices embrace United MileagePlus, Avianca LifeMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan and Singapore KrisFlyer. Take into account combining a visit to Brussels with different European cities (or Christmas markets) utilizing the Brussels Airways pit-stop service. This stopover program permits passengers to remain from one to 5 nights at no additional cost in Belgium.
Should you fly from the U.S. to London, you’ll be able to fly to Brussels on British Airways and Brussels Airways. Taking the Eurostar practice between London and Brussels is another choice — the journey takes simply over two hours. Charges begin as little as $66 every approach this vacation season.
Prague, Czech Republic
It is laborious to resolve whether or not to go to Prague’s Old Town Square Christmas Market or Wenceslas Square Christmas Market (each Nov. 30, 2024, to Jan. 6, 2025). Contemplating they are a 10-minute stroll aside, it is easy to go to each. The markets promote comparable objects, like medovina honey wine and Czech crafts like puppets and dolls, however Previous City Sq. has reside animals like sheep and donkeys for youngsters to pet.
Keep: The Andaz Prague, which opened in 2022 inside a historic 1916 constructing, is a 10-minute stroll from Previous City Sq.. Charges begin at $320 or 21,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening in November and December.
Arrive: Sadly, Delta’s nonstop flight to Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) from New York’s JFK airport would not function within the winter months. Nevertheless, many airways fly to Prague from quite a few European hubs, together with London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) and Frankfurt Airport (FRA).
Zagreb, Croatia
Christmas in Zagreb is particular, with your entire metropolis decked out with lights, Nativity scenes and decorations. Whereas there are dozens of Christmas markets to go to, begin on the Zrinjevac Park Christmas Market (Nov. 30, 2024, to Jan. 7, 2025), the place you’ll be able to pattern sizzling strukli, a pastry with melted cheese, or medenjaci cookies paired with soul-warming wine as you browse handmade ornaments and toys.
Then go to Zagreb Cathedral with its well-known Nativity scene out entrance. End the night up with just a few laps round King Tomislav Sq. ice rink or a journey on the carousel in Strossmayer Sq..
Keep: A brief stroll away from the Christmas motion, the Westin Zagreb is good for these wanting a quiet, up to date area to loosen up whereas nonetheless staying near all the vacation cheer. Charges begin at $122 or 16,500 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening in the course of the vacation season.
Arrive: Attending to Zagreb Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) will take you multiple flight since there are not any nonstop flights obtainable from the U.S. to the Croatian capital. On varied European carriers, you will must cease first in locations like London, Frankfurt, Istanbul or Frankfurt en path to Zagreb. Each British Airways and Croatia Airways fly between London and Zagreb.
Basel, Switzerland
Wander amongst greater than 160 snow-covered picket stalls at Basel’s Christmas Market, stretching from Barfusserplatz to Munsterplatz (Nov. 28 to Dec. 23, 2024). A steaming mug of gluhwein completely enhances conventional delights like waffles, gingerbread and melted Swiss raclette.
Keep: The Basel Marriott affords the most effective of Swiss tradition with out sacrificing modernity. Charges begin round $167 or 21,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening this vacation season.
Arrive: Attending to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg (BSL) from the U.S. requires a cease someplace in Europe. The airport is definitely in France, although it is a brief drive from each Basel and the border of Germany — excellent for visiting three nations in a single journey. You too can fly Swiss to Zurich, stopping there shortly earlier than hopping on a Swiss Federal Railways practice to Basel, bookable as one full ticket on the Swiss web site.
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki’s Christmas Market (from Nov. 29 to Dec. 22, 2024) in Senate Sq., with Helsinki Cathedral as its backdrop, is the town’s oldest and hottest. It isn’t simply concerning the vacation stalls, although there are many these providing the whole lot from handmade presents to native treats. On Dec. 13, do not miss the St. Lucia procession, a practice honoring a 4th-century martyr. And sure, Santa visits every day, whereas the free merry-go-round provides a nostalgic contact.
Keep: Should you’re on the lookout for an expensive place to remain within the coronary heart of Helsinki, The Hotel Maria is a implausible choice. Opened in June 2024, this 117-room resort is among the latest members of Most popular Resorts & Resorts’ Legend Assortment and is only a 10-minute stroll from Senate Sq.. Charges begin at $330 per evening in the course of the holidays.
Arrive: Attending to Helsinki Airport (HEL) is a breeze, particularly with Finnair providing nonstop flights from New York, Los Angeles and Dallas. For vacationers from different cities, you will probably want a connection, however most main carriers make it simple with fast stopovers.
Malaga, Spain
From Nov. 25, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025, the Malaga Christmas market on the Paseo del Parque will convey festive magic to Spain’s sunny south with roasted chestnuts and conventional sweets like turron. Do not miss the dazzling Christmas lights on close by Larios Avenue. The Three Sensible Males parade on Jan. 5 is a sugary, gift-filled spectacle.
Keep: You may love the AC Hotel Malaga Palacio. It is obtained killer views of the port, and also you’re only a brief stroll from the Malaga Cathedral and Museo Picasso. Plus, it is an incredible deal, with charges beginning at $177 or 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening this vacation season.
Arrive: Should you’re flying to Malaga from the U.S., Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) is simple to succeed in, although you will want a stopover. For instance, TAP Air Portugal stops in Lisbon from New York Metropolis. When you arrive, you are nearly a five-hour drive from Madrid and two hours from Seville, making it an incredible base for exploring southern Spain.
Stockholm, Sweden
The Christmas market at the Skansen open-air museum is a should for those who go to Stockholm in the course of the holidays. Operating from Nov. 29 to Dec. 22, 2024, it has been a vacation staple since 1903 and is filled with festive appeal. Image 70 stalls with Christmas goodies and handmade crafts, plus waffles and mulled wine to heat you up. You may even strive your hand at old school Christmas crafts or stroll via the magical Winter Lights. It is cozy and enjoyable — the right strategy to get into the vacation spirit in Stockholm.
Keep: The Hilton Stockholm Slussen is only a four-minute stroll from the closest transit station, making it tremendous handy for exploring the town. Charges begin at $111 or 29,000 Hilton Honors factors per evening whereas the market is open.
Arrive: Attending to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) from the U.S. is easy, with Scandinavian Airways providing direct flights from Newark (EWR) year-round. Should you’re coming from different cities, count on a stopover in a European hub like Oslo or London.
Oslo, Norway
Oslo’s Winter Wonderland on the Spikersuppa sq. is again from Nov. 9 to Dec. 31, 2024. This festive spot on Karl Johans Gate — the town’s foremost road — has all of the classics, like charming stalls promoting presents, an ice-skating rink and a Ferris wheel. However the true star? The meals. Suppose coconut cupcakes, caramel apples, glogg, currywurst and smoked salmon from the Lofoten Islands. Feeling fortunate? Spin the chocolate wheel!
Keep: Sommerro is within the coronary heart of the town, inside a 15-minute stroll of the Christmas market. The 231-room resort is understood for its luxurious design and comfy vibes, plus it has a year-round rooftop pool. Charges begin at $272 per evening in the course of the holidays.
Arrive: SAS affords nonstop flights to Oslo Airport (OSL) from Newark (EWR), and Norse Atlantic Airways flies straight from Miami within the winter. Should you’re flying from anyplace else within the U.S., you will probably have a layover in one other main European metropolis.
Backside line
The most effective Christmas markets in Europe provide a festive strategy to rejoice the vacations, full with native gastronomy, mulled wine, ice skating and twinkling vacation decorations. If you wish to go to different European locations, it is probably additionally they have a Christmas market. Many cities have variations of those seasonal markets, together with Gothenburg, Sweden; Madrid; Budapest; and Krakow, Poland.
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