A Very Honest Guide to European Christmas Markets

life
Written By Erin O'Leary

Cheers to finding the only stall that was selling mugs in Strasbourg!

As someone who has been to quite a few Christmas markets the past few years, I can confidently say this: Christmas markets are a thing in Europe. A big thing. A “plan your entire December around them” thing. And I get it! I’ve spent the last three years taking a girls’ trip specifically to visit different markets, plus all the local ones in Malmö and Copenhagen, and I’ve got thoughts. Lots of thoughts.

Not quite a review, not quite a travel guide… let’s call this a friendly reality check with a side of glögg.

So… what are Christmas markets, really?

At their core: charming little pop-up villages filled with twinkly lights, cute (sometimes garish) food stalls, handmade crafts, questionable hats, and mugs of hot wine that somehow taste better when you’re freezing.

And here’s the truth no one tells you: Once you’ve seen one, you’ve kind of seen them all.

Dont’ get me wrong… I love them! BUT — and this is important — the cities they’re in are what make each experience different. That’s why we keep going. Every market has its own flavor, its own specialties, its own mug (yes, I collect them — judge me not), and its own vibe.

Here’s my ranking of the markets we’ve visited so far, along with what I actually thought of them. I’ve left out my local Malmö and Copenhagen markets as they aren’t as big or elaborate as the ones in mainland Europe. I enjoy them, but for some reason they don’t have the same vibe as the other markets I’ve been to and feels like they all have the same food offerings as other festivals during the year.

1. Basel, Switzerland — My Unexpected Favorite

A Christmas carousel next to the red sandstone Basel Cathedral with people strolling through the market stalls

Basel Christmas market by the church

The Basel Minster towering over a festive carousel and Christmas market stalls as visitors walk the cobblestone square

Basel Christmas market at night

The miniature Hoosesagg Museum in Basel, decorated with Christmas garland and warm lights around the small window.

Cute tiny museum window

Reflection of a cathedral and Christmas market scene captured in a shiny gold ornament hanging on a decorated tree.

Reflections at the Basel Christmas market

Three women smiling in front of winter vineyards in the Alsace wine region under a bright, partly cloudy sky.

Our walk to Germany! Photo by Melissa Gould

Two women walking down a quiet, foggy street in Basel’s old town, lined with pastel buildings, shutters, cobblestones, and winter vines on the façades.

Exploring the streets of Basel. Photo by Melissa Gould

Basel surprised me in the best way. The market was a great size, the food was solid, and the layout made it feel festive without being chaotic.

What made it a standout:

  • We stayed three days and actually got to know the city.

  • Took a walking tour around the city (Tours by Locals) — highly recommend.

  • Visited museums (Basel has incredible art!).

  • Walked to Germany for lunch because… you can.

  • Perfect balance of cozy Christmas market + actual destination.

Basel felt less like “market tourism” and more like a full winter getaway that happened to have a great market. It was also our first, so we went in with no expectations.

2. Colmar, France — A Literal Storybook

A peaceful canal in Colmar lined with historic half-timbered buildings, reflecting the sky and clouds on the water’s surface

Little Venice in Colmar

Colorful half-timbered houses reflecting in the calm canal in Colmar’s Little Venice district on a cloudy day.

Colorful Buildings

Crowds exploring the brightly lit half-timbered houses and festive stalls at the Colmar Christmas market at night

Colmar Christmas Market at night

Three women smiling in front of a large illuminated “COLMAR” sign at a Christmas market at dusk, with glowing ornaments hanging from the trees and people walking in the background

Obligatory photo in front of the city sign. Photo by Melissa Gould

Three women holding mulled wine cups in front of colorful half-timbered buildings at the Colmar Christmas market, with festive decorations and people exploring the old town.

Our first Vin Chaud of the trip! Photo by Melissa Gould

Colmar is like walking into a Hallmark movie set directed by someone who said, “What if we maxed out every Christmas decoration in existence?” Think:

  • Pastel buildings

  • Cobblestone streets

  • A canal running through the old town (which they call Little Venice)

  • Markets sprinkled everywhere

  • Wine tasting rooms, good food, and pure magic once the lights come on

It’s charming, festive, and an amazing home base for the region. Honestly, this one ties with Basel. It’s not overwhelmingly large, which I loved. The crowds build throughout the day, but even at it’s peak, it’s manageable.

3. Lake Garda Region + Verona, Italy — Small, Charming, Very Chill

Outdoor Christmas market beside a historic stone tower with mountain peaks glowing pink in the distance at sunset.

Riva del Garda Christmas market

“View of the Adige River and Verona’s skyline framed through the brick window of Castelvecchio, on a cloudy winter day.”

View of Verona from Castelvecchio Bridge

Two women holding hot drinks and smiling in front of a Christmas market stall beside Lake Garda with bright blue skies

Garda Christmas Market. Photo by Melissa Gould

Christmas market stalls lined up along a lakeside promenade under a bright blue sky in Italy

Lazise Christmas Market

Vibrant Christmas light projections illuminating the waterfront buildings in Riva del Garda, reflecting across the dark lake at night

Riva del Garda at night

Crowds walking through the Verona Christmas Market under a red banner reading 'Mercatini di Natale Verona

Verona Christmas Market. Photo by Melissa Gould

A Christmas market set up in front of a historic stone church near Lake Garda, with wooden stalls, palm trees, and visitors walking among the booths under a bright blue sky.

Arco Christmas Market

This trip was our first bus tour experience, which honestly? Kind of amazing. We stayed at Lake Garda (magical), and then we bused to the surrounding markets.

The vibes:

  • Smaller markets = less overwhelming

  • Verona was the busiest, but still manageable

  • Great for people who want the idea of Christmas markets without the shoulder-to-shoulder chaos

  • The food? Delicious, obviously (it’s Italy)

Italy is a fantastic choice if Christmas markets aren’t the only reason you’re visiting. The region is stunning — we spent a day hiking and wandering around Lake Garda and it was breathtaking.

4. Riquewihr, France — Like walking onto a Disneyland set

A brightly painted yellow medieval building in Riquewihr covered in whimsical Christmas decorations, garlands, and ornaments, with cobblestone streets below.

Wine Tasting rooms everywhere you turn

A picturesque cobblestone street in Riquewihr lined with colorful half-timbered homes covered in Christmas decorations, with crowds walking toward the market.

Main city street decorated to the full exent

Selfie of three women smiling in front of Riquewihr’s half-timbered houses and Christmas market crowds on a festive winter day.

View from the top of the city hill

Riquewihr is tiny, adorable, and absolutely PACKED. You need to go early because by midday the tour buses arrive and suddenly you can't move. The market itself is quite small, but the town’s shops and decor make up for that!

Why it’s worth a stop:

  • It’s unbelievably cute

  • Wine everywhere (Alsace region!), seriously. A tasting room every other shop.

  • Like a movie set but real!

  • Perfect for a half-day adventure

5. Strasbourg, France — The Famous One… and My Least Favorite

Image of Strasbourg’s massive Gothic cathedral towering over a packed Christmas market, with wooden stalls and bundled-up visitors filling the square.

The crowds the market by the cathedral

Festive Christmas carousel in front of Strasbourg Cathedral, surrounded by holiday lights, evergreen garlands, and crowds of visitors at the market.

More from the cathedral market

Outdoor Christmas market set along a riverside park in Strasbourg, with wooden food stalls, winter trees decorated with oversized ornaments, and groups of people exploring.

The market in little Paris area

Outdoor Christmas market in Strasbourg with wooden stalls and covered seating tents, surrounded by pastel buildings and crowds browsing crafts and food.

We found a less crowded market to eat lunch at. Photo by Melissa Gould

Crowded pedestrian street in Strasbourg decorated with holiday lights, with historic buildings, shop displays, and tourists exploring the Christmas markets.

Navigating the busy streets of Strasbourg

Two women looking at a map and laughing in front of the ornate Palais Rohan in Strasbourg, with winter coats, a French flag flying above the building, and Christmas market stalls nearby.

Trying to decide which market to hit next photo by Jen Noice

Three women smiling in front of Strasbourg’s large decorated Christmas tree in the central square, surrounded by crowds and historic buildings

The iconic christmas tree at Strasbourg

Strasbourg is one of the oldest Christmas market in Europe, dating back to the 16th century. It’s also one of the biggest, with 8 markets spread throughout the city center.

We went on a Saturday (mistake), and it was:

  • Shoulder-to-shoulder crowds

  • Lots of waiting just to move

  • Beautiful in theory, overwhelming in practice.

I barely saw anything because it was too crowded to focus, and I took almost no photos — which tells you everything. If you hate crowds? Skip weekends entirely. Go midweek if you must.

There were some amazing-looking food stalls, but the lines were so long we didn’t bother. We grabbed lunch in a smaller market and it was just fine. Not memorable.

I’m glad I went once, but it’s not on my must-return list.

What Every Christmas Market Has in Common

Aka: what you can expect no matter where you go - because let’s be honest, they’re all very similar.

  • Cozy wooden stalls

  • Handmade crafts + mass-produced randomness - there is always at least one booth full of stuff you could get at a souvenir/gift shop

  • Sausages, pretzels, pastries, roasted nuts, cheese - lots of cheese - and all in all good food in general!

  • Hot wine — vin chaud, mulled wine, glögg — red or white, they also had christmas beers!

  • Regional specialties

  • The CUTEST souvenir mugs - if you can find them! We had a harder time this year hunting them down.

Truly, we go for the atmosphere, not the shopping.

What to Pack (Trust me, this matters)

  • Layers, layers, layers — base layer + sweater + coat. (Uniqlo HeatTech is elite!)

  • A medium-weight coat - I like a nice wool coat (big puffers get too hot!) and I also pack a rain jacket that fits over the coat in case of rain!

  • Scarf, hat, gloves — tech gloves or flip top mittens are your best friend

  • Comfortable shoes- you’ll be on cobblestone all day

  • Warm socks - or boots that don’t freeze your toes

  • Pants roomy enough for tights underneath - an easy alternative to wool base layers

You want to be warm… but also not sweating through your coat because you’re wedged into a crowd of 4,000 people waiting for a pretzel.

Should You Do a Tour or Go Solo?

If you’re visiting one market = DIY is totally fine. If you want to hit multiple markets = tours are the way to go.

Why?

  • No parking stress

  • No navigating winding medieval roads

  • No trying to figure out train schedules during the busiest month of the year

  • You save so much time and energy

We’ve done tours that shuttle you to and from markets but let you wander freely — my favorite combo. If you prefer a more guided experience, there are tours for that too.

Final Thoughts

Christmas markets aren’t about shopping or checking another destination off your list. They’re about:

  • Enjoying a new city in its coziest form

  • Drinking something warm while freezing

  • Wandering without an agenda

  • Spending time with people you love

  • Kicking off the holiday season in a magical way

After three years and a dozen markets, my biggest takeaway is this: Go for the atmosphere, not the expectation. The magic comes from the place, the company, and the moment — not the market itself.

 
 
Erin O'Leary
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Surviving the Dark Winters in Sweden (Without Becoming a Hermit)