The best Christmas markets in Europe according to Rail Europe staffers

Christmas in Europe means, say it with us, Christmas markets! And here at Rail Europe, we are lucky enough to have an office right in the heart of Paris, meaning we get to send staffers to experience the many markets around Europe – by train of course. After venturing to dozens of these seasonal markets around the region (yes, we know our job rocks), we are pleased to present to you the top Christmas markets in Europe to visit in 2023. Did we miss any? Want us to include markets in another country? Let us know, because we would be happy to add them to next year’s itinerary.

What are Christmas Markets?

It’s in the name! They are markets that pop up around Europe during Christmas time. But their history is much more interesting than their name. Christmas markets have been an integral part of European culture for centuries. The first documented market took place in Germany back in the year 1434. That is even before the printing press and whiskey were invented – seriously, look it up! 

Since the Late Middle Ages, these markets have served as an annual gathering where local farmers, craftsmen, and artisans could sell their seasonal goods and supplies for the cold winter months ahead. Over time, these markets evolved into joyful celebrations of the holiday season, featuring festive decorations, handmade crafts, seasonal treats, and family fun. 

The best part is, once you arrive in Europe, visiting a number of these markets is just a question of booking a train ticket. Located along some of our most popular rail routes in the region, soaking up the festive atmosphere, delightful treats, shopping, and activities like ice skating are often just a couple hours away. And while you are at it, bring the whole family along! These markets offer a chance for families to create lasting memories together with carousels, concerts, stalls with chocolate and cakes, and, of course, the opportunity to meet Santa Claus.

Did you know? Certain train operators and European train passes offer youth discounts. Better yet, certain ones allow children to ride completely free!

Ready? Set? Snow! We’re off the most enchanting Christmas markets across Europe. Hope to see you there!

Strasbourg Christmas Market, France

Best known for: Being the oldest, and arguably the most iconic, Christmas market in all of Europe. If this is the first market you visit, you’re in for a treat (ok fine, a few treats)!

Must do: Go ice skating! The Strasbourg Christmas Market has a charming ice rink where you can glide gracefully (or if you are like us, not so gracefully) against the backdrop of iconic mediaeval architecture. 

Fun fact: Oh yeah, did we mention that this town still has mediaeval sights to be seen and a local culture with both French and German influences? There is something for everyone in Strasbourg. 

Getting there: Strasbourg, on France’s eastern border with Germany, is easy to reach from London on a 5 hrs 41 mins journey with one change of train in Paris. High-speed services to Strasbourg make for a quick journey east from Paris, as you gaze out over the vineyards of Champagne or the ancient forests of Lorraine en route. 

Useful info: The Eurostar service between London and Paris can be booked six months in advance. The direct train from Paris to Strasbourg can normally be booked three months in advance of travel date.

Berlin Christmas Markets, Germany 

It can be hard to pick the best Christmas market in Berlin because there are sixty different markets running at any given time during the holiday season, each offering visitors something unique. So, we had to feature a few on this list!

Best known for: One of our favourites is the Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Roten Rathaus. It is the oldest and most famous Christmas market in all of Berlin. We particularly love this market as the different stalls are decorated in the style of the early 1900s, giving the entire event a very traditional feel. It almost feels like you have travelled in time as you walk through the market sipping on Glühwein or Apfelpunsch (warm apple juice with cinnamon) to warm up.

Bonus markets in Berlin: Just a stone's throw away from the Berliner Weihnachtszeit, on the opposite side of the iconic Alexanderplatz, you’ll find the equally-charming 'Wintertraum am Alexa' market. This one has been around since 1973, giving a more modern and colourful alternative to its more traditional neighbouring market. The only time travelling you will be doing at 'Wintertraum am Alexa' is to your childhood with numerous rides, like rollercoasters and a Ferris wheel, and sweet treats including candyfloss. Adults don’t fret, we also had some of the best mulled wine we have ever tasted at this market. 

For those still in need of some holiday decor for their home, check out the Charlottenburg Christmas market where you can shop 250 stalls of handcrafted nativity scenes, tree decor, and more. Located in the former ‘West Berlin,’ the regal Charlottenburg Palace serves as the market’s backdrop. Imagine the selfies you are going to take there!

Fun fact: Christmas markets are called ‘Christkindlmarkt’ in Germany. 

Getting there: There is a great range of trains serving Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof, making it easy to reach the city. It takes just over 6 hrs to get to Berlin from Amsterdam. From London, it’s possible to reach Berlin by rail in 9 hrs.

Nuremberg Christmas Market, Germany 

Best known for: Each year the Nuremberg Christmas Market is opened by Christkind, a young girl dressed in a golden gown and a crown of stars. She serves as the market's official representative, opening the festivities with a heartfelt prologue. This tradition dates back to the 16th century and adds a historic, almost fairy tale-like feel to the opening of this market.

Must try: Gingerbread, or Lebkuchen as it’s called in German, was invented in this region in the 13th century and it's no surprise that the city's own Nürnberger Lebkuchen has become a world-renowned festive export. We not only tried some of the Nürnberger Lebkuchen, we also took a bag with us for our train journey home.

Fun fact: Nuremberg , the second largest city in Germany’s southern State Bavaria, is like something out of a fairytale during the Christmas season. The market in Nuremberg’s central square, or Hauptmarkt, dates back to 1628. The 180 market stalls are still made of regional wood, with 30 of these stalls dating all the way back to 1890. 

Getting there: It’s an easy rail trip to Nuremberg taking under 8 hours from London. You’ll have to change trains in both Brussels and Frankfurt. International rail services to and from Germany are normally open for bookings 3 months in advance.

Salzburg Christmas Market, Austria

Best known for: Being the hometown of Mozart, making it no surprise that this market is known for the carolling that can be heard all around the market.

Must do: This picturesque town welcomes locals and tourists alike to join in the festive fun from late November until the 1st of January. Attend the free daily concerts at 5pm in front of the cathedral to get a firsthand look (listen) of the local talent.

Fun fact: The Christmas carol “Silent Night” was written and first performed nearby! “All is calm, all is bright.”

Getting there: Salzburg is a hop, a skip, and a jump from a number of neighbouring hubs. A popular route is from Vienna to Salzburg, which arrives in under 2 hours and 30 minutes.

"Weihnachtsdorf" at Sechseläutenplatz; Zürich, Switzerland

Best known for: Its iconic location! Nestled between the Opera House and the lake, market go-ers not only get to take in all the yummy treats their stomachs allow, they also get to take in spectacular views fit for a postcard. We recommend going right before sunset.

Must do: Have a warm, cosy meal at the Fondue-Chalet. Remember that this dish can be quite filling, so we recommend you wait until the end of your market sauntering (and try to avoid too many market sweets) before indulging. Because the only thing better than fondue on a cold day is a post-fondue nap on a cold day.

Fun fact: "Weihnachtsdorf" means Christmas village.

Getting there: You can get here from nearly any major European city, but we recommend making a real adventure out of it and booking a night train or even a scenic train while you are in Switzerland.

Honourable Mention: Christmas Markets in Northern Italy 

Best known for: Well, northern Italy isn't best known for their holiday markets, but we found that they are a must-see! Here are a few of our favourites:

A ‘Mercatino di Natale’ in Italy is a wonderful family event, and Bolzano Christmas market is one of the biggest and the best in northern Italy. Unlike German Christmas markets, Italian 'mercantinos' often run through to the start of the new year, so we recommend adding this as your last stop if you plan on visiting markets in other countries as well. When in Rome, or should we say Bolzano, you can see how the Tyrolean traditions, including local wines and pasta dishes, are very distinct from the other markets we visited. But don’t fret, just like all the other markets, this one has plenty of sweet treats to indulge in.

Fun fact: The market is located in Südtirol, the only part of Italy where German is an official language. 

Useful info: You can reach Bolzano by train in under 3 hrs from Milan. Reach Milan from London with a change of trains in Paris onto a direct TGV train to Milan.

Bonus Italian Christmas market: Located in the Puster Valley in the Alps, visitors of Brunico’s Christmas market will enjoy a culture and cuisine that combines the best of both Germany and Italy.

Must try: The local pretzels, canederli (dumplings), and polenta. You won’t regret it.

Getting there: Trains from Verona to Brunico/Bruneck take around 3 hrs, International services to Italy can normally be booked up to three months in advance. Within Italy, high-speed and most regional services can now be booked up to six months in advance.

Christmas Markets in the UK 

The UK may not be the first place you think of when planning your European tour of Christmas markets, but we had to mention a few that gave us all the Christmas feels you look for in a Christmas market.

Bath's Christmas market 

Best known for: Promoting the work of talented local artisans. With over 200 chalets filled with homewares, jewellery, local delicacies, and much more, the majority of the stallholders are craftsmen and women from Bath and the south-west of England. 

Must try: Passerbys can’t miss the delightful aroma of seasonal delicacies filling the air. Be sure to try roasted chestnuts, mince pies, and mulled wine. 

Pro tip: If you need to warm up a bit after a few hours out in the cold, try a cup of hot chocolate or sample the famous Bath Gin. Yum! 

Getting there: You can reach Bath by train in 1 hr 40 mins from Birmingham.

Best known for: Doing Christmas right. And by right we mean, in the traditional Scottish way, which is a roaring good time!

Must see: The Castle of Light, which is a seasonal event where the city lights up local castles in festive sparkle and colours. 

Best market: The East Princes Street Gardens boasts the tallest Ferris Wheel in all of Scotland. Imagine the view of the markets from 46 metres above! 

Getting there: Journey time to Edinburgh is around 4 hrs 30 mins from London. Trains in the UK can normally be booked up to three months in advance of departure date.

Take Your Own Christmas Market Train Tour Across Europe

To truly embrace the feel of Europe's Christmas markets, join us in going on a Christmas market train tour using Rail Europe to book your multi-leg journeys. Whether you want to start at an Austrian Christmas market then head to a Swiss one or go from a German ‘Christkindlmarket’ to a French marché, rail travel is always the best way to get there. Not only will you get to and from the different holiday markets quicker, you will also get to watch the beauty of the regions unfold in front of your eyes as you cruise at 200 kilometres an hour.

Want to get there even faster? Why not travel to a Christmas market by Eurostar? With high-speed trips with direct connections between the cities of Brussels, Paris and Amsterdam, the top Christmas markets are at your fingertips. Other cities like Cologne or Strasbourg are accessible by Eurostar too.

So, where are you headed to first? Us, well, we’re still full of too many chestnuts, gnocchi, and mulled wine to continue on this year. But don’t you worry. We will be back again next year to tell you which markets made the list (and which ones didn’t). Until then, happy holidays! 

Photo credits top to bottom: Crowds at Strasbourg Christmas Market iStock ©AMzPhoto, Christmas market in Berlin, toned image, text space, iStock ©anyaivanova, Christmas market in Bozen, South Tyrol iStick ©Juergen Sack, Christmas in Brunico/Bruneck, Italy iStock ©Flavio Vallenari, Bath Christmas Market and Roman Baths iStock ©JamieBayliss Christmas Market in Edinburgh, Scotland iStock ©georgeclerk

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