EU Christmas Markets
Christmas Markets are so fun in Europe and there are so many that exploring them all would be impossible. Christmas markets started in Germany during the Middle Ages so that people could buy essential foods and supplies before winter. Later, the addition of seasonal treats, decorations and the social aspect of them, grew them into beloved holiday traditions. This December, I had an opportunity to be in several countries of the European Union (EU) and decided to focus on exploring more. Previously, I had been to some in Milan, Lake Como and Madrid. This year I was able to hit the following epic Christmas Markets:
Palma, Mallorca, Spain
Munich Airport, Germany
Nuremberg, Germany
Frankfurt, Germany
Dublin, Ireland
Copenhagen, Denmark
Bruges, Belgium
Maastricht, Netherlands
Valkenburg, Netherlands
Sittard, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Lieden, Netherlands
Palma, Mallorca – Apparently, Christmas Markets on the island of Mallorca are new, but they have done a great job of creating a festive environment with loads of decorations and lights. Santa was there to visit, and there were numerous stalls of food, drinks, crafts and gifts. We enjoyed strolling around the market and sampled our first hot, mulled wine, securing our first Christmas mug. Christmas market mugs started as a reusable, functional and “green” way to serve Gluhwein (mulled wine) in Germany. Now, many markets design mugs for each year and collecting mugs has become quite a craze. Not all markets and countries have them, but they are fun to scope out. I had to set a limit on the number I was bringing back so I was very selective about which mugs I chose. But basically, if you order the wine, it comes in a mug, and you pay a deposit on that mug. If you choose to keep the mug, no worries. If you don’t want to keep it, simply return it when you are finished and they will refund your deposit. We did discover that a deposit was sometimes required with plates as well and even some undecorated reusable cups.
Munich Airport – We had not anticipated stopping in Munich as it was just a connection airport for us, but due to our flight delay, we had to pivot to plan B and that included grabbing a room for the night in Munich and continuing our trip via train the next morning. As we left the airport, in search of transportation to our hotel, we walked right into a Christmas market! It was small but decorated and the wooden stalls featured all the usual. There were some large trees and even an ice-skating rink. We had to stop and grab a few goodies and photos but unfortunately, it was quick because it was time for the market to close up for the day. Note, most of the markets close around 9 pm. If they had been open later, we would have headed down to Marienplatz Square to check out the main market, but we had to content ourselves with the MAC Forum market, located between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Still, it was a fun surprise to experience it briefly!
Nuremberg, Germany – This was a massive market! In fact, there were several markets, all within easy walking distance to the main market, which was held in the beautiful, old main city square, Hauptmarkt. It was a Saturday and the place was packed! There are over 180 wooden stalls, with red and white cloth roofs, offering crafts, gifts, gingerbread, sausages, potato cakes, nuts, mulled wine and “Zwetschgenmannle” – prune figured people! We really enjoyed the surrounding buildings and churches, especially along the Pegnitz River. The old-timber homes, charming bridges and historic buildings really added so much to this market feel. I just loved this market because you really felt like you had stepped into another world and time. I did secure my favorite mug of the trip here and we enjoyed the German food like Nurenburg sausages, pork and sauerkraut, which were so satisfying and warm after a long day of exploring this market.
Frankfurt, Germany – This was also a large market but was spread out to flow through the city and Old Town and down to the River Main. There were over 200 decorated stalls here, selling sweets, foods, gifts, toys, crafts and the like. There were also several carousels, kids’ rides, and a Ferris wheel. We tried a “Speisekate”, which was very much like a thin, flatbread pizza but of course the sausages were the stars of the show. We enjoyed this market and the backdrop of the beautiful Old Town buildings and River Main.
Dublin, Ireland – Although the city is nicely decorated for the holidays, the only market we found was the kid’s market – Smithfield “Twinkletown”. It was a small market but did have food, drinks, rides, a Ferris Wheel and an Ice-Skating Rink. I had heard there was a market previously at Dublin Castle, but in 2025, that market did not exist. Outside of the city center, I did see signs for the lights at the Botanic Gardens and a “Christmas at Swords Castle” event. However, there were many “pockets” of festive cheer throughout the city with decorations and a huge beam of light, “The Spire”, and fun lights on many of the bridges across the River Liffey.
Copenhagen, Denmark has several Christmas Markets, my favorite one being in the Nyhavn area – probably because I love that area with its historic charm, being on the edge of the water and canal and all the boats. We stayed at the cutest, boutique hotel, 71 Nyhavn Hotel, which also has an amazing restaurant and its location is perfect for walking around the nearby market. There was a large ice-skating rink and lots of decorations along with the stalls of food, nuts, gifts, nougat, meats, salmon, and Christmas tree waffles. There is a hot drink called “Clogg” – a Scandinavian Christmas drink – but not the same as the mulled wine of other countries. (And no souvenir cups)
There are other smaller Christmas markets around and of course Tivoli Gardens Amusement Park has a ticketed event.
Bruges, Belgium had a beautiful traditional market in Market Square. It is small but has everything you expect. The city buildings around the square were the real highlight. There is a second market, in Simon Stevin Square, just a short walk away. It was smaller but was very lively with lots of locals having a snack and drink and men playing a game where they must pound a nail into a tree stump. It was just a fun glimpse into the local holiday spirit. There were many buildings, throughout the city, that had been decorated to the hilt and there was a lighted winter walk throughout the town at dusk. You simply follow the blue lights and enjoy the winter glow stroll. The city itself is so pretty that just strolling through the city is a delight. I especially enjoyed the canal areas. Don’t forget when you are in these cities to spend time seeing the actual city itself.
The Netherlands Christmas Markets note – not all cities host markets open all month long. Some cities, such as Haarlem, Leiden and Utrecht simply chose one weekend, so make sure you do a little homework before setting your itinerary.
Amsterdam, Netherlands is one of my favorite cities and there is a small Christmas market set up in Museum Square called Christmas Village. There are stalls with food, gifts and sweets. The highlight is the ice-skating rink set up with a Dutch bridge crossing it. There is also the Amsterdam Light festival with illumination displays that light up in the evenings along the canals, and you are encouraged to take a canal boat ride to see the lights. Of course, the city is decorated throughout.
Maastricht, Netherlands is in the southern part of the country and had a nice Christmas market in Vrigthof Square, filled with a Ferris wheel, an ice-skating rink, a curling sheet, a fun house and all the stalls of food, drinks, snacks, sweets, crafts and nuts. Opposite one side of the square is a long street, filled with restaurants that have table service set up along the sidewalk. And the opposite side of the square is filled with the beautiful St. John’s Church and the Basilica of St. Servatius. It is a beautiful square and there are so many people that if you can find a table that offers a view and a heater nearby, it is a great place to enjoy a hot beverage or a meal and watch. Steps away from the market are streets filled with shopping and an awesome bookstore, “Boekhandel Dominicanen”. It was once a church, and the stained-glass windows and vaulted ceilings make the bookstore almost magical.
Valkenburg, known as the Christmas Capital of the Netherlands is about a 20-minute train ride outside Maastricht and is quite unique because it is in a cave! There are two cave markets here, Kerstmarkt Gemeentegrot, (municipal cave) and Kertmarkt Fluweelengrot (velvet cave). This was the only market where I had to purchase a ticket to enter. I purchased it online and it was dated and timed. But I had to check out a Christmas Market in a cave and I’m glad that I did. However, I only wanted to purchase one ticket, so I chose the municipal cave. It was much larger than I had anticipated but was fully lit and decorated. There was even a small restaurant area with a live band. Of course there were plenty of other foods, sweets, crafts and gifts and a nice nativity scene. There were loads of trees with lights and ornaments and I learned that you could purchase an ornament (a plastic, see-through globe) for a small fee and write a wish to place inside the ornament and place on the tree. The fees collected are then donated to a charity. The city itself was very cute and lively with people. There were plenty of shops and restaurants. It was a beautiful city for a stroll, especially around the River area.
Sittard, Netherlands was a small town where we spent a few nights in the local Hilton hotel, which turned out to be quite a highlight as it was a boys boarding school in 1908 and still maintains that school feel and history. It was a quick walk to the train station and a perfect launch to both Valkenburg and Maastricht. The town had a small square with a few stalls, decorations and a curling sheet. We found an amazing tapas restaurant, Olijk, near the square and enjoyed a great dinner.
Leiden, Netherlands had a couple of markets going on – a small Christmas market and a farmer’s market. We enjoyed several groups of carolers and a “floating” ice-skating rink – the rink being on a barge on a canal, which was fun and unique. Leiden is a cute city and a great city for exploring on foot. And be sure to check out the canal street (it is called the “city of canals” and windmill, Molen de Valk, which is now a museum, on the river!
General thoughts to make your Christmas Market trip epic:
- If you plan to sample all the foods then go hungry
- Have some cash, as some vendors accept cash only
- Take a coin for public bathrooms
- Schedule time to explore, play and observe
- Don’t forget to enjoy the city itself
- A phone charger can be helpful if you use maps all day
- Each market and country have their own unique vibe and flavor so just embrace them
- Leave a little room in your luggage if you decide you want to do any shopping or collect any Christmas mugs.
- Expect to pay a deposit for glassware, dishes, etc., which is refundable upon return.
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