Most people who travel to Europe in December do so to see the Christmas markets, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. Festivals and Christmas markets celebrate the winter season with lights, ice sculptures, music, and old local rituals passed down from generation to generation.
Shopping, trying local cuisine, sightseeing, local arts and crafts, pageants, parades, and live music and entertainment are all part of these winter festivals. Christmas performances in the cathedrals, brilliantly lit streets, and seasonal decorations in department store windows may be found in any of the cities you’ll see on our list, as well as many more around Europe.
If you use this guide, you can be certain that you’ll be spending Christmas at one of Europe’s finest locations.
Winter in Europe must-haves
Always dress warmly and wear boots or sturdy shoes before venturing outside, since most of these markets and events are held in the winter. And carry a bag or tote with you to the markets, as the gorgeous handcrafted wares they sell there will be hard to resist.
We should also discuss whether you need a visa or not. If you’re from the US, you don’t need a visa to spend 90 days in the EU. However, by November 2024, ETIAS for US citizens will become a must.
Having said that, let’s check out which glorious cities you must see this winter.
Basel, Switzerland
Because of its reputation as one of Europe’s top destinations, a trip to this city during the winter months is almost mandatory. The city is engulfed by the mystical allure of the winter Alps. Plus, there are multiple Christmas markets all around the city.
The Christmas Market on Münsterplatz is the best in the city. There are over 180 stands here, all offering unique items such as candles, wooden toys, and Christmas ornaments.
While you’re here, you shouldn’t miss going on a cruise along the Rhine river and seeing the picturesque city at night. Make sure to bring your warmest clothes, as the temperature is around 1 degree Celsius. Basler Mehlsuppe is a traditional dish, so don’t forget to order it while you’re in Basel!
Prague, Czech Republic
The streets of Prague become a winter paradise over the holiday season, transforming the city into a scene straight out of a storybook. Visitors to the city’s famed Christmas markets may enjoy mulled wine and local specialties like trdelnk, a traditional hot sugar-coated pastry, and spit-roasted hams against a background of the city’s majestic architecture.
The most spectacular Christmas market is in Old Town Square, and it has a stable full of donkeys, goats, and lambs, as well as festive lighting and music. The seasonal treats sold in the quaint wooden shacks range from handmade trinkets to exquisite Christmas tree ornaments.
Colmar, France
Colmar, and all of Alsace, is a popular tourist destination this season. Colmar, the biggest city in Alsace and the region’s tourist hub, is a fantastic vacation spot any time of the year.
However, during the winter holidays, it takes on a fantastical appearance. Everything in Colmar is decorated for the holidays, plus it’s home to a top-notch European Christmas market.
Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb is full of lively markets, where you can feel the fantastic energy of the locals. From November through January, the capital of Croatia comes alive with Christmas decorations, lights, art, performances, music, and more.
The city has a fantastic Christmas mood thanks to the dazzling lights and decorations that will line the streets, stores, malls, and parks.
Zrinjevac Park is an excellent destination for music lovers. Handmade Christmas decorations, ornaments, presents, art, and accessories will also be available at the pop-up carts and booths that will line the park’s promenade. Similarly, there will be stands offering baked goods, including cookies, hot chocolate, pastries, cakes, and pies, all decorated to seem like they came straight out of a log house from the 1930s.
Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg, Germany, is home to one of Europe’s most famous Christmas markets and was the first of its kind to become a tourist hotspot. The city seems like something out of a movie: a vast square with historic structures around it, the centerpiece of which is a domed church drenched in light.
Though you’ll find many traditional local handicrafts at the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, you should also keep an eye out for modern crafts and designs.
Don’t leave without trying the city’s two signature dishes. Spicy gingerbread biscuits called Nürnberger Lebkuchen come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from little icing-decorated hearts to massive gingerbread forts. The second must-try is a Nuremberg Bratwurst, a sausage that is traditionally served as a snack and is served hot off the grill and enclosed in a crusty bun.
