07/10/2026
🎄10 OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN EUROPE
One of my favourite things about Christmas in Europe is the idea of wandering through a beautifully decorated old town, warming your hands around a mug of something delicious, browsing little wooden stalls and soaking up the atmosphere.
But here's my biggest Christmas market travel tip:
Don't try to tick every market off your list.🎄
It can be tempting to look at a map and think, “We could do Stuttgart on Monday, Strasbourg Tuesday, Colmar Wednesday, Vienna Thursday…”
Technically, you might be able to.
But you'll spend half your holiday packing, unpacking, sitting on trains and checking into hotels; rather than actually enjoying the places you've travelled so far to see.
✨ Slow Christmas travel is the way to go!
🎄 My Top 10 European Christmas Markets
🇩🇪 1. Nuremberg, Germany
One of Germany's most famous Christmas markets, with a beautiful historic setting and plenty of traditional festive treats.
🇩🇪 2. Cologne, Germany
Several Christmas markets throughout the city, with the spectacular Cologne Cathedral providing an unforgettable backdrop.
🇩🇪 3. Stuttgart, Germany
A wonderful choice if you love traditional German Christmas markets and the decorated market stalls themselves are almost an attraction!
🇩🇪 4. Dresden, Germany
Home to the historic Striezelmarkt, one of Germany's oldest Christmas markets.
🇫🇷 5. Strasbourg, France
Known as the Capital of Christmas, Strasbourg is absolutely magical with its lights, decorations and beautiful old town.
🇫🇷 6. Colmar, France
Think fairy-tale buildings, canals, cobbled streets and Christmas decorations everywhere you look. 🎄✨
🇦🇹 7. Vienna, Austria
Vienna feels made for Christmas, with multiple markets, grand architecture, beautiful lights and plenty of opportunities to stop for coffee and cake!
🇦🇹 8. Salzburg, Austria
A gorgeous Christmas setting beneath the Alps, with the historic old town making the whole experience feel like a Christmas movie.
🇦🇹 9. Innsbruck, Austria
Christmas markets surrounded by snow-capped mountains? Yes please! 🏔️🎄
🇩🇪 10. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
A tiny medieval town that feels like it has stepped straight out of a Christmas storybook.
🚂 So how would I do it?
If you have 2 weeks, rather than trying to visit all 10, I'd suggest choosing one region and travelling slowly between a handful of markets.
For example:
🎄 A 2-WEEK AUSTRIA → GERMANY → FRANCE CHRISTMAS MARKET ROUTE
Days 1–3: Vienna 🇦🇹
Start with 3 nights in Vienna. Give yourself time to explore several of the city's markets rather than trying to see them all in one day.
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Days 4–5: Salzburg 🇦🇹
Travel to Salzburg and spend 2 nights enjoying the markets, old town and festive atmosphere.
⬇️
Days 6–8: Munich 🇩🇪
Head into Germany for 3 nights in Munich. Explore the main market and perhaps take a day trip if you have the energy.
⬇️
Days 9–10: Stuttgart 🇩🇪
Travel west to Stuttgart for 2 nights and enjoy one of Germany's most beautiful traditional markets.
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Days 11–12: Strasbourg 🇫🇷
Cross the border into France and spend 2 nights in Strasbourg.
⬇️
Days 13–14: Colmar 🇫🇷
Finish your trip in beautiful Colmar. 🎄❤️
And rather than rushing home immediately after the final market, I'd recommend allowing a little flexibility around your final travel day.
Don't measure your trip by how many markets you managed to visit.
Measure it by how many times you stopped for a hot chocolate.
How many little streets you wandered down without a plan.
How many times you stood underneath a Christmas tree and thought, “Wow.”
And how much you actually enjoyed being there.
You don't need to see every Christmas market in Europe in one trip.
Choose a few that really excite you and give yourself time to experience them.🎄✨
And if you're travelling from Australia, remember that Europe is a LONG way to go for a rushed trip. If you're making the journey, I'd much rather see you spend two weeks enjoying 5–6 wonderful destinations than spending two weeks constantly moving.
🎄 Christmas travel should feel magical, not like a race!
If you're dreaming of a European Christmas market trip but don't know which markets to combine, send me a message. I'd love to help you create a Christmas itinerary that works for you; including the markets, transport, accommodation and plenty of time to actually enjoy the experience.
✈️ Travel With Bek | Travel Agent + Travel Coach