10 of the Most Romantic European Christmas Markets

10 European Christmas markets

If you asked me what’s on my bucket list of things I want to do before I die, I’d say watching the northern lights and visiting Europe’s Christmas markets. That’s because Christmas is the one reason I look forward to winter — short on daylight, quiet, and a little gloomy. I don’t do anything special for Christmas, like a fancy date or a delicious meal, but its distinctive romantic mood, the energy, the lights, the carols — they’ve stayed with me as good memories from childhood to now. But since visiting Europe isn’t easy, enjoying its Christmas markets won’t be smooth sailing either. Still, I wanted to experience them at least from afar through a post, so here it is. Let me introduce the best European Christmas markets — romantic and steeped in history and tradition!

Germany — Nuremberg

Nuremberg, Germany

Boasting a long, storied history and tradition, Nuremberg in Germany is the best of the European Christmas markets. Held since the 1500s, this market is said to be the oldest and best-known Christmas market in the world. Every December, Nuremberg’s central square is hung with dazzling lights and decorations, and the medieval buildings surrounding the square blend with the brilliant lights to create a romantic atmosphere. The Nuremberg market is also said to sell many one-of-a-kind crafts made by German artisans themselves. As someone who loves handicrafts, it’s a place I’d love to visit at least once.

Romania — Craiova

Craiova, Romania

It may not have a history as old as Germany’s, but Craiova in Romania is also counted among the best European Christmas markets. Running from mid-November into the following January, this market offers fascinating events, programs, and entertainment. Highlights include taking in the dazzling lights, an ice rink, food, and concerts. The LED bulbs used for Christmas alone are said to number more than a million.

Belgium — Brussels

Brussels, Belgium

The Christmas market held in Brussels, Winter Wonders, is hugely popular not only in Belgium but across Europe. It runs every year from mid-November to late December, and the number of tourists who visit is said to exceed 2.5 million. It’s not just lights and market stalls, either. You can enjoy parades in festive costumes, a magnificent fireworks show, a giant tree, skating, events, and more. You’ll also find special Belgian Christmas crafts, and there’s plenty of delicious food on offer. The more I look into Belgium, the more appealing a country it seems.

Estonia — Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn in Estonia — somewhat unfamiliar to me — also made the list of the best European Christmas markets. Having claimed the title of Europe’s most beautiful Christmas market three years ago, it’s known as a must-visit city in winter. It isn’t enormous in scale compared with other countries, but that very fact lets you enjoy a cozy atmosphere, and the dazzling lights and Tallinn’s distinctive architecture are said to create a romantic mood. Santa Claus also hands out candy to the children, and you can buy handmade crafts and ornaments. If this isn’t romance, I don’t know what is.

England — Manchester

Manchester, England

There’s also the Manchester Christmas market in England, held since 1999 and beloved ever since. Such is its scale and renown that it draws nine million tourists every year. Around 300 beautifully decorated stalls dot the city, with restaurants and booths selling delicious food and drinks everywhere you look. There are also 10 individual zones, each with a special theme. Like a Disneyland, like a Universal Studios — it’s a shame I can’t show all of it in pictures (it’s hard to find copyright-free images). If you have the time, I recommend looking it up. It’s absolutely gorgeous and beautiful.

Austria — Salzburg

Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg, Austria — one of my personal favorite countries — also hosts a best-of Christmas market. First opened in 1491 and still running today, this market sets up dazzling lights centered on the Cathedral Square. Blending with Austria’s surrounding buildings, it’s said to make you feel like the hero of a fairy tale. And over the course of its run from mid-November to the following January, more than 90 events are held. There’s no detailed information on exactly what events, but they include parade processions, Austrian folk dances, and performances. It seems you can really take in Austria’s distinctive culture!

Italy — Govone

Govone, Italy

Govone is well known as the place that hosts the most beautiful Christmas market in Italy. Held in the Piedmont wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the market feels all the more meaningful. Once the grape harvest is over and winter arrives, the Govone area transforms into a Kingdom of Santa. Countless booths sell special handcrafts and ornaments, and true to a nation of fine food, there’s delicious food and drink on hand. And being wine country, you can also enjoy quality wine at low prices. I get the feeling that just visiting Govone at Christmas would let you experience Italy itself.

Poland — Gdansk

Gdansk, Poland

There’s also Gdansk in Poland, well known as a winter wonderland even apart from Christmas. The market held in Gdansk was named to the “Best Christmas Market in Europe podium.” In that competition, established in 2009, the city that received the most votes was none other than Gdansk, Poland. That alone makes it worth a visit at least once.

France — Montbéliard

Montbéliard, France

Montbéliard ranks No. 5 among the best European Christmas markets and was also named the most beautiful market within France. From late November to late December, dazzling lights spread across the whole city while the event runs, and more than 140 booths are said to sell special crafts you won’t see anywhere else. Like Italy, France is a nation of fine food, so you can enjoy a wide range of food, drink, and wine. You can also dance to the music ringing through the streets, watch free performances, and take in parades.

Hungary — Budapest

Budapest, Hungary

The last European Christmas market I’ll introduce is Budapest, Hungary. Having won Best Christmas Market awards from 2020 through 2022, this city is well worth a visit on that alone. In 2023, the event runs from mid-November to late December, during which 120 booths display special crafts. You can also enjoy plenty of food and a variety of events. Judging by pictures alone, it seems smaller in scale than other cities, but since it’s even won awards, I’d love to visit at least once!

Beyond these, Riga in Latvia, Essen in Germany, Valkenburg in the Netherlands, and Madeira in Portugal were also counted among the best European Christmas markets. Since I focused on markets with interesting tidbits to share, these naturally got left out. In truth, Europe treats Christmas as one of its most important occasions, so you can find a market just about anywhere. Of course, what you can enjoy varies enormously with scale and tradition.

Back home, too, they’ve recently started holding markets like Europe’s for Christmas. They’re so popular that I wouldn’t even dare to visit, but I hope you’ll go and use them to make up for the travels you haven’t gotten to do!