Discover the 9 Best European Christmas Markets Just a Flight Away from UK Airports

The Christmas market season is upon us. There are some excellent Christmas markets in the UK, including Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, but there’s something about the markets on the continent that are just that bit more magical.

Krakow Christmas Market – Krakow, Poland

Dates: 29th November 2024 – 1st January 2025

With daily direct flights from various UK airports, including Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Edinburgh, Belfast, Glasgow, and several London airports, Krakow Christmas Market is one of the most accessible Christmas markets in Europe. It’s also one of the best, known and loved for its affordability, festive atmosphere, and charm.

Snow-dusted stalls take over Rynek Główny – the largest medieval square in Europe – which is beautifully lit up by the warm glow of fairy lights. Krakow Christmas Market is picture-perfect, but it can also offer cultural experiences. Local music artists take to the stage in the square, as well as folklore performances.

Food-wise, meat is king in Poland. You’re never far from the scent of smoky meat being grilled on an open flame. And in the freezing Krakow temperatures, a hot bowl of soothing soup will be just the thing – or a mulled wine, of course.

Bratislava Christmas Market – Bratislava, Slovakia

Dates: 29th November - 23rd December 2024

Bratislava hosts some of Europe’s best Christmas markets, and it’s just over a 2-hour flight from several UK airports. Leeds, London Stansted, London Stansted, Manchester, and Edinburgh offer direct flights to Bratislava, so you can be tucking into potato cakes and smoked sausages in no time.

Bratislava has a lot to offer festive visitors, but its food is a standout. Roast pork in a bun with caramelised onions (cigánska pečienka) is a local favourite, as well as roasted duck with red cabbage. You’re not short of stalls to try it all, either. Most of the action centres around Hlavné Námestie, which literally translates to the Main Square. Head around the corner to check out the stalls in Hviezdoslav Square, too. This is the best market for kids, where they can enjoy festive workshops and ice skating.

If you can’t get enough of Bratislava’s Christmas markets, find medieval craft stalls, live performances, and even more traditional Slovak food at Bratislava Castle.

Riga Christmas Market – Riga, Latvia

Dates: 29th November 2024 - 2nd January 2025

For a fairytale winter wonderland come to life, it doesn’t get much better than Riga. With direct flights from Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh, Nottingham, and London, you can be among the festive atmosphere and charming setting in no time.

Not only is Christmas in Riga beautiful – made even more magical by the approximate 13 days of snowfall in December – but it’s also one of Europe’s most affordable city breaks. Save your cash for cheesy potatoes, smoked sausage with sauerkraut, and plenty of mulled wine.

Riga Christmas Market is not as big or busy as other European markets, but we think that adds to the charm. Spend time at each stall, admiring handcrafted items and local artisanal products, without huge crowds. On weekends, you can see DJs, choirs, and live folk bands.

Rathausplatz Christmas Market – Vienna, Austria

Average hotel price per night in December: £194

Dates: 16th November - 26th December 2024

Vienna is the picture of elegance. Jet off to the Austrian capital from several UK airports, including Glasgow, Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Leeds, from where you can get direct flights.

Vienna hosts several Christmas markets, but Rathausplatz is the grand dame. It has everything you could want to see, smell, eat, buy, and do. Austrians love potatoes, so you can expect a lot of potato-centred dishes. Enjoy comfort foods like ofenerdäpfel (baked potato, usually topped with sour cream), Wilderer Pfandl (fried potatoes and pork, with horse radish and sauerkraut), and Bauerngröstl (sliced potatoes with onions, roast beef, herbs, and lots of butter).

The Rathausplatz Christmas Market really is the picture of Christmas, with reindeer rides, a Ferris wheel, an ice-skating rink, and a Nativity scene trail. The Art Advent Christmas Market on Karlsplatz is the perfect market to pick up gifts – it focuses on high-quality, locally produced handcrafted items.

WeihnachtsZauber Market – Berlin, Germany

Dates: 25th November to 31st December 2024

Fancy tucking into bratwurst in its home country? After an under 2-hour hop from several UK airports, including Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, and three London airports, you can. Daily direct flights to Berlin make it easier than ever to revel in the festivities, and the German capital’s party reputation ensures it’ll be a fun trip.

There are over 60 Christmas markets in Berlin, but if you’re only going to visit one, let it be WeihnachtsZauber. As the centre of the action, it has everything you could want of a Christmas market – festive entertainment, artisanal stalls, excellent food, and of course, mulled wine. The Spandau Christmas Market is just as magical, with gingerbread-style stalls, a charming Nativity scene, a stage with live music, and a backdrop of Spandau’s pretty timbered cottages.

Advent at the Basilica – Budapest, Hungary

Dates: 17th November to 1st January 2025

Experience the magic of Budapest at Christmas in around 2-and-a-half hours from several UK airports. Daily direct flights jet off to the regal Hungarian capital from Leeds, Edinburgh, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Belfast, and London.

There are several markets dotted around the city centre, but the Advent at the Basilica stands out. Not only is it one of Europe’s most beautiful markets, with the backdrop of the Basilica, but it’s also got all the trimmings for a wonderful Christmas market. Go ice skating, tuck into kürtőskalács (chimney cakes), shop local, artisanal products, enjoy the festive performances, and sip warming mulled wine. For even more festivities, head to Vörösmarty Square.

Prague Christmas Market – Prague, Czech Republic

Dates: 30th November - 6th January 2025

Prague is one of the UK’s favourite city breaks. It’s just a quick 2-hour hop from several UK airports, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, and three London airports. For convenience, affordability, and all-around good Christmas fun, it doesn’t get much better than Prague.

The picture-perfect Old Town Square is straight out of a postcard during Christmastime. The beautiful setting – between the 14th-century Our Lady Before Tyn spire and the 15th-century astronomical clock – explodes into a winter wonderland come November. Stalls fill the square, plying the usual trinkets, as well as delicious comfort food. Try langoš (cheesy flatbreads), perníčky (spicy gingerbread), pulled chicken baguettes, and sizzling sausages. There’s plenty of mulled wine, or you can sample svarak – a citrussy take on mulled wine.

Brussels Christmas Market – Brussels, Belgium

Dates: 29th November - 5th January 2025

When flights are just over an hour long, you can get to Brussels quicker than driving home during rush hour. Direct flights jet off to Brussels from several airports across the UK, including Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and London Heathrow. It won’t be long ‘til you’re feasting on Belgian chocolate and waffles.

Combine your Christmas market trip with seeing Brussels’ best sights. The market stretches 2.5 kilometres across the city, from Grand Place to the Marché aux Poissons, with Place de la Monnaie and Place Sainte-Catherine along the way. The Art Nouveau city hosts magnificent festivities, with a Ferris wheel, an ice-skating rink, a light show illuminating the Grand Palace, and plenty of choirs, carollers, and other entertainment.

Winter Paradise – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dates: 18th December to 4th January 2025

As a firm favourite city break, most major UK airports fly to Amsterdam. In just over 90 minutes, you can fly to ‘Dam from Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds, Belfast, Cardiff, Amsterdam, and several London airports.

Amsterdam’s Winter Paradise is in the RAI Amsterdam, with both indoor and outdoor ice skating, tonnes of food options, a huge Ferris wheel, a 40-metre star flyer, festive entertainment, and much more. And there’s always snow on the forecast at Winter Paradise – ski down a 400-metre-long trail of real snow, and the little ones will love playing in the Snow Garden.

You don’t have to be in the mountains to dabble in après ski, either. The 21-and-over après ski village is always good fun, and the Winter Paradise Karaoke Bar looks more appealing with every drink.