During this time of year, European Christmas markets offer an unmissable experience of tradition, gastronomy, culture, and craftsmanship.
Visiting local Christmas fairs and markets and traveling between them lets you enjoy unforgettable Christmas moments. In this article, we accompany you on a tour of some of the most famous markets of the old continent, where tradition and tourism merge to create some of the year’s most magical scenes.

Best Christmas markets in Europe
Dozens of Christmas markets are held from November to December—some known for their size, others for their location, and nearly all for their enchanting decorations.
On this trip, you’ll experience much more than traditional Christmas shopping. These markets create unique settings that blend art and history.
You can enjoy private dinners with exclusive menus, as many markets are nestled among top-tier restaurants; private visits to artisan workshops and guided shopping sessions with experts who showcase the finest handcrafted pieces.
Wander through illuminated streets to discover each city’s artistic and architectural heritage, or join private tastings of the best local wines and champagnes.
The most famous and traditional Christmas markets have deep roots in Europe, where this custom began centuries ago. This is why cities like Vienna, Munich, and Strasbourg draw countless visitors yearly and are some of the best places for Christmas markets.
Join us as we guide you through some of the prettiest Christmas markets in Europe, where you’ll enjoy high-quality handmade products, local gastronomy, and the enchanting magic of holiday decorations.
Rathausplatz Christmas Market in Vienna
The Rathausplatz Christmas Market in Vienna, known as the Wiener Christkindlmarkt, runs from November 15 to December 24 in front of the iconic Vienna City Hall and is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe.
With around 100 stalls offering Christmas crafts, food, and drinks, it’s known for its impressive arch of decorative lights. Visitors can enjoy nearly 3,000 square meters of ice skating and stop by the special Christkind post office, where children can send Christmas wish letters.
Just a few blocks away, you’ll find the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz and Café Landtmann, the historic Viennese café frequented by Sigmund Freud, perfect for a traditional Viennese coffee.


Christkindelsmärik in Strasbourg
Strasbourg has earned its reputation as the European Christmas capital. The Christkindelsmärik takes place from November 22 to December 24 on the Grande-Île, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the old town. Over 450 years old, it is one of the oldest and biggest Christmas markets in Europe.
With more than 300 wooden stalls lining Strasbourg’s streets, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a glass of mulled wine and sample bredele, traditional Alsatian Christmas cookies.
Just a few minutes away from the Christmas market in Strasbourg, you can visit the stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral with its 142-meter spire or explore Les Ponts Couverts, a series of bridges over the River Ill that offer enchanting views of the city’s Christmas decorations.
Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz in Munich
The Marienplatz Christmas market in Munich, is one of Bavaria’s most iconic Christmas markets. The market is located on Marienplatz, Munich’s historic central square, and the stalls are open from November 25 to December 24.
This Christmas German market features a stunning Christmas tree nearly 30 meters tall, adorned with thousands of lights at the center of the square. Throughout the market, you can enjoy carol concerts and workshops for children.
While waiting for the famous Glockenspiel—a clock in the town hall with moving figures depicting historical scenes—to chime, savor authentic lebkuchen, traditional gingerbread, and stollen, a Christmas cake made with candied fruit and almonds.
Winter Wonders Christmas Market in Brussels
The Winter Wonders Christmas Market in Brussels, known locally as Plaisirs d’Hiver, is one of the largest in Belgium. It is held on the Grand Place, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from November 29 to January 5.
This market features over 250 booths and a giant Ferris wheel in Place Sainte-Catherine, along with an ice rink in Place de la Monnaie, a stunning Christmas tree, and a spectacular light show.
Among the stalls, you can sample traditional pastries like waffles and handmade chocolates, or enjoy typical frites with a Belgian beer while you ride the Ferris wheel for panoramic views of the entire illuminated market.
All these Christmas markets are a must for Christmas lovers. A tour of them is easily possible with a private chauffeur service that plans your route starting from Brussels, through Strasbourg and Munich, and ending in Vienna.
This allows you to enjoy a dream week without worrying about catching flights, organizing transfers, or planning routes.

An unforgettable Christmas experience without interruptions
Traveling on the roads can be challenging this time of year, especially if you plan to tour some European cities with Christmas markets over a few days.
In most European cities, traffic increases significantly during the holiday season, making the choice of transportation critical for ensuring your trips to these markets are comfortable, safe, and discreet.Having a private chauffeured service during your visits to the Christmas markets will guarantee you:
- Comfort: if the Christmas market is located outside the city or if you plan to travel between several locations, you’ll likely spend a significant amount of time in the vehicle. This makes it important for the interior to be comfortable, spacious, and heated to battle the cold winter. Additionally, having Wi-Fi access will allow you to enjoy entertainment during your trip or continue working as needed.
- Safety: one of the most important aspects of traveling with peace of mind is ensuring safety on board. It’s vital that the driver has experience in the area and adheres to all safety regulations. Additionally, during the winter months, weather conditions can be unpredictable, so the driver must remain vigilant and drive with caution.
- Privacy and discretion: when traveling to a crowded place like a Christmas market, privacy and intimacy can be hard to come by. With a private transportation service, you can be assured that your transfers will be conducted with complete discretion. The chauffeurs are trained in protocol to maintain a low profile and provide you with all the privacy you need on board, whether to relax or engage in personal or business conversations.
- Personalization and planning: a private chauffeur will tailor their services to your schedule, planning routes based on your needs. They will provide personalized attention, recalculate routes, and adjust the tour if there are any plan changes or additional requests.
- Worry-Free Travel: from the very first moment, your driver will handle all logistical aspects of the trips, coordinating reservations and access permits so you won’t have to worry about anything.
Experience a Christmas fairy tale without the hassle of transfers, planning, or worrying about weather conditions. Drivania Chauffeurs will accompany and guide you at every step, ensuring you receive personalized attention and don’t miss any details of this special journey visiting the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe.