Find the best Christmas Markets in Europe and the UK

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so why not make the most of the festive season by enjoying a short break to one of Europe and the UK’s famous Christmas Markets? Choose from German Christmas Markets, York Christmas Markets, Christmas River Cruises and many more. Let us help you choose your perfect Christmas Market break, and enjoy the magical atmosphere of the most incredible markets.

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Stories from our extended family

What sights, sounds and smells! All our senses were stimulated, it was lovely to escape the blatant commercialism and to recapture the magic of childhood Christmases.

Mrs Ainsley

About Christmas Markets

Get into the festive spirit this Christmas and join us on one of our European Christmas market breaks. From mulled wine to unique gifts and tasty local delicacies, it really is the season to be jolly. Enjoy historical German Christmas markets as we head to iconic destinations such as the city of Cologne and the mighty capital, Berlin.

Take in Austria and its seasonal offerings in Salzburg and Innsbruck, or spend time in picturesque Prague, one of Europe’s most popular cities. Alternatively, stay in the UK and enjoy the delightful York Christmas Markets and Christkindlmarkt in Leeds, or relax on our Christmas river cruises docking to visit many magical markets.

Whether you’re looking for a short trip, a long weekend or slowing down and making a holiday of it, there’s something for everyone amongst our fantastic selection of Christmas market holidays. X really does mark the spot with these exciting x-mas deals.

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Which Christmas Market is right for me?

I want to try a European Christmas Market for the first time, where should I go?

If you’re thinking of a festive foray into Europe, but you’re not sure where to start, Bruges may just be the answer.

I’m looking for a romantic Christmas Market break for both me and my partner, what would you suggest?

Love bugs looking for something with a bit more heart will love the atmosphere of Salzburg Christmas Market.

I want to experience a bigger and better Christmas Market this year, where should I choose?

If you’re looking to experience more from your Christmas Market break this year, why not try Cologne?

I’m looking for an enjoyable Christmas Market break for my whole family, is there somewhere that is great for both adults and children?

Strasbourg is the Capital of Christmas, and if that doesn’t put the excitement into kids of all ages, we don’t know what will.

I have restricted mobility and worry about getting around a Christmas Market, is there one that is easily accessible?

Restricted mobility certainly shouldn’t put you off, Erfurt is one of the most accessible for people who struggle to walk or have a disability.

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Christmas Markets Food & Gift Guide

Always leave your Christmas shopping to the last minute, because you’re fed up with the same old shops, selling the same old gifts? Then it’s a must that you visit one of Europe’s magical Christmas markets. From handmade decorations and trinkets to traditional wooden toys, you’ll find an array of gifts the whole family will love. And whilst you’re on with getting Christmas all wrapped up, no visit to the festive-filled markets would be complete without sampling the delicious local delicacies on offer, especially the Glühwein!

Food and Drink

Gift Guide

Christmas Markets Food Guide by Country

Germany

Austria

Czech Republic

Belgium

Netherlands

Germany

We’ve all heard about the famous German Christmas Markets and one thing is for sure, you won’t be surprised when it comes to the food and drink on offer. You’ll come across fantastic German beer on tap quite easily and, of course, what could be more German than a Brätwurst sausage?

You also find a great selection of Stollen to bring home with you, as a traditional Stollen weighs in at 4.4kg it’s another great reason to travel by coach as you won’t have to worry about a weight allowance on the way home.

Mulled wine in Germany is known as Glühwein.

Austria

The traditions between Austria and Germany differ only slightly. You can get your hands on the traditional gingerbread hearts better known as Leberkuchen and even find yourself tucking into roasted chestnuts. Be sure to try the giant pretzels and the mulled cider known as Gluhmostt whilst in out enjoying festive Austria.

Mulled wine in Austria is also known as Glühwein.

Czech Republic

If you’re heading to the Czech Republic you’ll probably be told to try the mead. Known as medovina in Czech, it’s a sweet, honey wine that you will find hot and spiced to perfection, and great for warming your hands.

If you’re looking for something filling, the hog roast also is something not to be missed. Got a sweet tooth? Try the trdelnik. A sweet pastry made by wrapping dough around a stick and grilled. Topped off with sugar and a walnut mix, it’s delicious.

In the Czech Republic mulled wine is known as Svařené Víno

Belgium

Belgium produces 23 tonnes of Foie Gras each year, and the controversial delicacy is ever popular around Christmas in Belgium.

You can pick it up quite easily from the markets around the country but, it can come with a hefty price tag. If something more novel is to your taste, you can get your hands on a chocolate Sinterklaas, you’ll have to admire how festive this chocolate Santa is and how good it tastes is just a bonus. You will find a large selection of the famous Belgian beer and ales at the markets. It’s said that Belgians drink around 74 litres of beer per person (statistically) each year! So, we’d consider this perfect territory for any beer enthusiast.

The mulled wine in Belgium is known as Vin Chaud.

Netherlands

The Dutch have their own deep-fried tradition when it comes to festive treats, the oliebollen. You may know them as Dutch doughnuts, or literally translated to oil spheres.

You’ll have no problem coming across these at the markets, or poffertjes for that matter. Poffertjes are small pancakes made with yeast and buckwheat flour, giving them a more spongey texture than a traditional pancake. For something a little more warming, there’s the famous Dutch pea soup, erwtensoep.

You will find Mulled wine in The Netherlands to be known as Bisschopswijn.

Christmas Markets Gift Guide by Country

Austria

France

Czech Republic

Germany

Netherlands

Austria

If you’re heading to Austria why not pick up some porcelain? Traditionally made in Vienna, be it for a coffee lover or even a beer enthusiast, you can get your hands on a variety of porcelain gifts from mugs to steins.

If you’re looking for something iconic, Swarovski Crystals may be more up your street. You can pick up some authentic jewellery from the Swarvoski Kristallwelten in Tyrol, or you can find Swarovski in many boutiques and jewellery shops around the country.

France

If France is in your Christmas itinerary, why not treat someone, or yourself, to a nice bottle of champagne? If you’re heading into Strasbourg, pick up some traditional Alsatian wine.

If you know somebody with more of a sweet tooth, how about some macaroons for a perfectly French gift?

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is well known for its puppetry, you can pick up a marionette easily in many shops, especially around Prague.

They may not be the prettiest of items but they are packed full of personality and would make a great present for children and big kids alike.

Germany

Germany is the home of the nutcracker, so why not take one of these iconic figures back home with you? Or, is something more unusual to your taste?

You could treat someone to some Hamburg Elbkiesel, sweets that are made to look like gravel, or even a Schnapps pipe, a novel way of replacing the glass for their favourite tipple.

If they’re a bit far-fetched and you’re wanting to get tradition to a tee, how about some lederhosen?

Netherlands

When in the Netherlands, it will be hard to miss the Klompen, full foot wooden clogs traditional to the Dutch.

Approximately 3 million pairs of Klompen are made every year in the Netherlands so you should have plenty of opportunity to get your hands on some whilst you’re there.

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Cruising the Christmas Markets of the Rhine Valley

Cruise the Christmas markets of the Rhine Valley and enjoy a little romance on your festive break as you visit Rüdesheim, Koblenz, and Cologne.

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3 or 4 nights cruising on board the MS Rhine Princess with full board
Services of a Cruise Director
Captain's Dinner & Party Night
Convenient local joining points

4 - 5 days from only £549^pp £1098 for 2 people

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Cruising the Christmas Markets of the Rhine Valley

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Festive Salzburg, Munich & Innsbruck Christmas Markets

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4-Star Düsseldorf & Cologne Christmas Markets

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Valkenburg, Aachen & Cologne* Christmas Markets

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The Black Forest & Christmas Markets of Strasbourg, Colmar & Freiburg

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Monschau & Aachen Christmas Markets or Aachen & Cologne Christmas Markets, plus Monschau

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Magical Markets of the Rhine Valley

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Luxembourg & Trier Christmas Markets

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Copenhagen, Lübeck & Münster Christmas Markets

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