8 Best Christmas Markets To Visit In 2024
Georgina Willcox
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Christmas Markets 2024
Book a Christmas market holiday with Travel Department and immerse yourself in the festivities and cultural delights of European Christmas markets 2024.
Christmas Market Holidays 2024
With the festive period just round the corner, stock up on handmade gifts and treat yourself to traditional Christmas foods, mulled wine and a mince pie – or two – from Xmas markets 2024. The annual lead-up to this special occasion is a truly magical time. Soak up the rich atmosphere and combine a merry Christmas market holiday with a fully guided city break; introducing our Christmas market breaks.
What Christmas market 2024 are you going to choose? Our holidays can see you travelling to the famous markets of Germany, Belgium, the lakes of Italy and more. We offer trips to the best European Christmas Markets in 2024, including Vienna, Berlin and Prague. A seasonal city break with Travel Department is a great way to visit a new city and experience a taste of the local festivities.
All our Christmas market holidays 2024 include flights, transfers and accommodation. Not just this, we provide a selection of guided city tours with professional, friendly and knowledgeable local guides to enhance your experience.
If you want to spend the festive season abroad, but aren’t looking for a Christmas market break, click here to view our other Christmas holidays abroad.
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Our Recommended Christmas City Breaks
Vienna Christmas Markets
Explore the glittering stalls of the "Christkindlmarkt" in the fabulous city of Vienna. Take in the sights of the city, visit Schönbrunn Palace, St Stephen’s Cathedral or the Ringstrasse before touring some of the beautiful markets. The plaza in front of Vienna’s City Hall is transformed into a shopper’s playground and this isn’t just the only Christmas market, there are many others worth visiting throughout the capital, such as the Christmas Village at Altes AKH, Spittelberg and Belvedere Palace.
Prague Christmas Markets
The fairytale city of Prague is truly magical during the festive season. Snap up some bargains at the Prague Christmas markets, which are usually held in the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Soak up the jubilant atmosphere, browse the stalls and enjoy Christmas carols, hearty food and mulled wine. Prague is your destination for a fantastic city break where a 'winter wonderland' awaits.
Budapest Christmas Markets
The striking city of Budapest is often called the "Pearl of the Danube” and is commonly regarded as having one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. The biggest fair is located in Vörösmarty Square, the heart of Hungary’s capital, where you can enjoy live entertainment and explore over 100 stalls offering handmade crafts, Christmas ornaments and local dishes. The facade of the Gerbeaud building, a historical coffee house famous for its delicious cakes and desserts, transforms into a colossal advent calendar.
Krakow Christmas Markets
Wrap up warm, as a Krakow city break in the winter usually guarantees snow, and head to the glittering Christmas Markets which take place in the historic Old Town square. The stallholders sell a variety of handicrafts, Christmas decorations and everything from sausages and the distinctive fried oscypek cheese to festive trinkets and woolen slippers. A Polish speciality are hand-painted colourful glass baubles.
Guided Christmas Market Holidays
Take the hassle out of the festive season and embrace the yuletide spirit with one of our 2024 Christmas Market holidays. It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas; combine a fantastic city break with some of the best shopping in the world this winter. Pick from one of Europe’s glittering Christmas Markets, spend your hours browsing market stalls for local crafts and decorations, handmade toys and other unique gifts. Soak up the jovial atmosphere between the wooden huts and warm your bones by sampling delicious festive foods and traditional hot beverages. One of the benefits of a Christmas market holiday with Travel Department is you’ll discover so much more, as we’ll uncover the main city highlights with a local guide. Discover the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, see the Brandenburg gate in Berlin or savour some Belgian chocolates in Bruges. Our expert guides can also provide recommendations for your independent sightseeing based on your interests, so you can truly make the most out of your festive escape. So, whether you want to visit the traditional German Christmas markets, or an undiscovered gem this Christmas like Transylvania, we have a variety of top Christmas market destinations waiting to be explored.
Christmas Markets 2024 Trip Highlights
- Step back in time to the Cold War era with a visit to Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin.
- See the iconic Prague Astronomical Clock, possibly one of the most beautiful timepieces in the word.
- Explore Bran’s Castle in Romania, which is famously associated with being the home of Dracula.
- Discover the Hofburg, the Imperial Palace and learn more about the Habsburgs, one of the most famous royal dynasties in Europe.
- Relax in one of the many Turkish Baths in Budapest, its thermal waters are reputed for their healing qualities
- Uncover the final resting place of the 13 Polish kings in the Royal Tombs of Wawel Cathedral in Krakow.
Christmas Market Holiday FAQs
When do the Christmas Markets begin in Europe?
The traditional Christmas markets in Europe usually start in November and run up until Christmas Day.
Why are European Christmas Markets so popular?
Since the Middle Ages, it’s been traditional to hold Christmas markets throughout Europe in various towns and cities. It’s a wonderful way to get into the festive season and explore a new city in wintertime.
Which are the best Christmas Markets in Europe?
We are truly spoiled for choice for top Christmas markets; we’re not just limited to Germany, where the tradition is believed to have originated. Budapest, Prague, Krakow and Bruges become even more enchanting during this season with each city offering its own unique culture, history and Christmas traditions. If you’re looking for some alternative destinations, Vilnius and Transylvania are also fantastic options and give a taste of Eastern Europe.
Will there be a guided city tour on my Christmas Market city break?
On all our Christmas market holidays a local guide will show you the top highlights of the city that is your chosen destination. Your guide can also accompany you to the Christmas markets so you can get insider knowledge and some top tips.
Do you offer city breaks for other times during the year?
Yes, we have city breaks for various destinations in Europe throughout the year and outside of the Christmas season.
What can you buy at the Christmas Markets?
You can spend hours browsing market stalls for local crafts and decorations, handmade toys and other gifts unique to that region. Soak up the convivial atmosphere, sample delicious festive foods and traditional hot beverages. It beats the stress of the usual Christmas shopping and it’s perfect if you want to buy something a little bit different for your family and friends this year.
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