A Guide to Exploring European Christmas Markets

Plan the perfect festive excursion with these tips

a christmas market at night with stores, a lit christmas tree and historic church in the background

European Christmas markets are perennial seasonal draws for travelers. A Christmas market in Prague was this writer's first experience with the festive setting.

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Rebecca Deurlein,

AARP

Published October 13, 2025

European Christmas markets have enchanted visitors for centuries. During the festive season, European cities turn into what feels like a living Christmas card. In Prague, which was my unforgettable introduction to the Christmas markets, Gothic spires towered above rows of wooden booths draped in evergreens and glowing with warm lights. Rich aromas of roasted chestnuts and grilled meats mingled with sweet scents of chocolate and mulled wine, while Santa’s ho-ho-ho drifted through the market and children’s laughter mixed with conversations in a dozen languages.

I was part of a crowd seeking the ultimate holiday experience, and that crowd is growing. United Airlines reported a 30 percent surge in bookings to European cities with Christmas markets between November and December 2024. With boomers comprising the wealthiest retiring generation in history, according to the 2025 State of the Cruise Industry Report, it’s predicted that older adults will continue to pursue travel experiences such as river cruises, bringing more visitors to European Christmas markets. That’s because each market is a living, breathing commitment to centuries-old traditions, and travelers have realized there’s nothing like being a part of them.

I discovered that the Czech Republic is a great place to dip your toe into Christmas market travel, as you can visit three Christmas markets in the space of half a mile. But Germany, France, Austria and Poland also draw big crowds, each offering a window into local traditions, foods and experiences.

a christmas lights display at a christmas market in bavaria, germany

One of the writer's favorite markets was in Miltenberg, Germany, which felt local and authentic.

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How to choose the best Christmas market for you

Of the thousands of Christmas markets around Europe, you’ll want to choose one or more that fit your interests, abilities and preferences.

Tina Vodar, franchise owner and travel adviser for Cruise Planners, says your first considerations should be budget and preferred travel style. “Next, consider mobility and activity level, since some tours involve more walking or stairs than others,” she says. “Finally, what specific countries or cities have you always dreamed of visiting? By considering these details, you can pinpoint the ideal Christmas market experience, whether that’s visiting a bustling city market or enjoying the charm of a storybook village.”

Are you a history lover? If so, target cities you would visit even if there were no markets — towns where you can get lost in grand cathedrals, wander museums for hours or visit sites you’ve only read about or seen in movies. Consider Nuremberg, Germany, a city rich with history that also hosts one of the largest, oldest and most popular Christkindlesmärkte in the country.

Is accessibility an issue? Stacey Ray, founder of solo women’s travel group Sisterhood Travels for women 45 and older, says many of the most charming markets are located in historic town centers with uneven streets and a lot of walking. Instead, seek out markets like the one in Amsterdam’s city center at Museumplein — it’s flat and maneuverable, and arrivals and departures are easy via accessible trams and buses. Ray also recommends Munich, Zurich and Vienna.

Do you want to avoid the crowds? Target Christmas markets in smaller cities. One of my favorite markets, Miltenberg, in Germany, was also the smallest. It felt local and authentic, like I was among neighbors, sharing spectacular castle views and the traditional mulled wine, glühwein.

Christmas markets by sea

With small passenger-to-crew ratios, customizable excursions and fully planned itineraries, river cruises make it easy to experience a variety of markets in a week’s time. After a day of touring or shopping, you’ll return to your festive, floating home and feast on local foods and drinks. Established lines like Scenic, Avalon Waterways and Viking River Cruises sail the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers to cities where Christmas market traditions originated.

Ray says that group travel by sea affords opportunities you might not get otherwise. Last year, Ray booked an entire Avalon ship for a group of Christmas market travelers and arranged the same drivers and guides to help guests transition from their pre-cruise hotel and Prague tours to their ship excursions.

Vodar sees a lot of customers 50-plus booking Viking’s river cruises. She says the adult-only atmosphere, combined with an emphasis on comfort, culture and service, keeps customers coming back.

The same applies to lines such as Scenic, known for its exclusive events like castle-based private classical music concerts. Its Freechoice small-group excursions to the markets and beyond are included in the cost of the cruise, and food and beverages are representative of each port of call.

snow covers the historic city of salzburg, austria, at christmas time

River cruises and land tours are some ways travelers can experience Christmas markets in Europe. Here, Salzburg, Austria, is illuminated in a winter scene.

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Christmas markets by land

If you prefer to stay on terra firma, there are benefits to taking a land tour. Vodar says small group bus tours are “generally more budget-friendly, cover a concentrated area and often include some meals.”

For fit travelers, Vodar recommends Collette, which offers well-crafted group itineraries that have a moderate-to-active level of activity. Grand European Travel has Christmas market tour packages across Europe, with an average group size of 33. And Insight Vacations offers group packages such as “Alpine Christmas Markets” that visit France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria for a variety of traditions over nine days.

For clients who prefer an independent, customized itinerary, travel advisers like Vodar work with local partners to create one-of-a-kind experiences. “This approach gives you complete flexibility to choose your travel dates, length of stay and the style of experience that best suits your interests,” she says.

Tips for travel to European Christmas markets

Ray and Vodar stress that planning a year in advance will give you the best selection of itineraries and hotels. Vodar adds that crowds tend to be smaller in late November versus December but that the markets are just as festive.

Ray emphasizes the importance of dressing for the weather. In addition to the obvious—layers, waterproof boots, warm outerwear—she recommends touchscreen gloves so you can keep snapping photos.

Be sure to check event calendars at your destinations. You may find concerts, special parades and tree lightings, all enhancements to the traditional Christmas market experience.

Ahead of your trip, order the appropriate currency from your local bank so you won’t have to worry about various exchange rates in the cities you visit. You will need euros, for example, to use public restrooms and to buy from stall vendors at the markets, as not all of them accept credit cards.

And since safety is always key, Vodar tells her clients about the U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. It “updates you about weather, health … and also helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you if there’s an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest or a family emergency.”

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Rebecca Deurlein is an award-winning travel writer who has covered destinations, properties, dining, and interesting personalities for Travel + Leisure, Forbes, Fodor’s, Wine Enthusiast, Eater and more.

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