11 Best Christmas Markets In Europe

Budapest At The Top, By European Best Destinations

#11 Brussels, Belgium

With its 2.5 million visitors, Winter Wonders is the unmissable end-of-year event in Brussels which, for the occasion, dons its festive costume and pulls out all the stops on the menu.

#10 Valkenburg, The Netherlands

The rumour goes that Santa actually comes from Valkenburg aan de Geul.

#9 Madeira, Portugal

Decorated with thousands of lights, Madeira becomes magical.

#8 Birmingham, England

Birmingham's Christmas market is the largest authentic German market outside Germany and Austria.

#7 Govone & Asti, Italy

During the entire holiday season, neighbouring villages of Govone and Asti turn into the magic kingdom of Santa Claus, with many cultural and gastronomic attractions.

#6 Riga, Latvia

With the aromas of mulled wine, cinnamon, ginger and roasted almonds in the air, the market at the heart of Riga’s OId Town in Doma Square becomes a winter wonderland.

#5 Montbeliard, France

World famous for the beauty of its illuminations, this Christmas market is traditional and authentic.

#4 Poznań, Poland

The unique atmosphere is created by lights (more than 43,000), a 16-meter Christmas tree, a traditional Ferris wheel (topping 30 meters), the city's only outdoor ice rink

#3 Metz, France

Find hand-crafted gifts in the Christmas pyramid and taste the finest gingerbread around. Rise above the rooftops on the City Skyliner, then warm up cold hands around a mulled wine or hot chocolate.

#2 Craiova, Romania

With an exceptional cultural program and entertainment for young and old, an ice rink ranked among the most beautiful in Europe, picturesque Christmas cottages,....

#1 Budapest, Advent Feast At The Basilica

True to tradition, it promises a unique festive atmosphere with some 100 domestic craft exhibitors, real gastronomic adventures through traditional Hungarian dishes, an ice-skating rink,...