Christmas in Europe is just magical! End of November or beginning of the December it is when Christmas markets season starts.

It is our favorite time of the year because there is so many Xmas markets all around! Food lovers can feast on delicious seasonal artisan food products, while drink lovers can sample a hot chocolate, craft beer, apple cider or mulled wine.

And for the kids? There is plenty for them to see, do and eat! We make it a lovely family day out when we visit a Christmas fair.

Europe is known for having the best Christmas markets in the world. With cities beautifully decorated for the season.

How can you resist those cute Christmas stalls, amazing food, drink and the pretty decoration that includes the smell of pine, Christmassy lights and warmth atmosphere to get you into the spirit of the season?

Plus it is a great chance to get your Christmas shopping done from the local makers and to enjoy all the entertainment available in the Christmas fair.

If you are planning Christmas breaks in Europe you just got to visit as many Xmas markets as you can! You can have weekend breaks or even go on a European Christmas market tours.

What can be better than a Christmas market holidays? Think of all the yummy European treat you can taste, from Belgian chocolate to French crepe and German pretzels… and this is just the start!

If you are wondering what are the best places in Europe for Christmas fair, we’ve got you covered. To get you into the festive season we made a list of European markets that will wow you!

More Family Travel inspiration in this section here!

Best Christmas markets in Europe

German Christmas market

You are never short of options for German Xmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt). Here are some of the best Christmas markets in Germany.

Berlin Christmas market at the Gendarmenmarkt.

Lichterglanz #lichterglanz #weihnachten #weihnachtsmarkt #weihnachtsbaum #christmastree #christmas #christmasdecorations #illuminateworldtour #ig_photooftheday #nikonphotography #night #colourful #ig_christmas #hope #light #mood #christmastime #christmasmood #berlin #igersberlin #berlin2go #berlingram #germany #gendarmermarkt #schauspielhaus #weihnachtszeit #weihnachtszauber @matena_moments

Een bericht gedeeld door Thomas Matena (@matena_moments) op 3 Dec 2017 om 12:16 PST

Dresden Christmas markets

“Christmas Wonderland” ▫️ ??Dresden, Saxony, Germany ▫️ Here is one of my favourite pictures so far of Christmas in Dresden. An amazing view across the Neumarkt and Altmarkt (new market/old market) of Dresden at sunset. Such beauty. ▫️ ▫️Sony A7R2 ▫️29mm / 20.0s / F11 / ISO-50 ▫️Edited in: LR and PS ▫️ Visit my web site for a higher resolution version of todays pic and more pics. Link in bio above. ▫️ #dresden #visitdresden #dresden_sunriseclub #dresdenlife #thebestofdresden #deutschland_greatshots #simplysaxony #meindeutschland #ig_deutschland #deutschlandpix #bestgermanypics #germanvision #germanytourism #loves_united_germany #pocket_germany #ig_germany #드레스덴 #deutschlandkarte #living_europe #europediscovery #citybestviews #allbeauty_addiction #topgermanyphoto #ig_shotz_sunset #ig_sunrisesunset #shotzdelight #worldcaptures #travellingthroughtheworld #purplepassport #germanroamers ▫️

Een bericht gedeeld door Mike Golding (@mikegolding) op 4 Dec 2017 om 5:57 PST

Nuremberg Christmas market at the Christkindlesmarkt

Christmas Market of Nürnberg, Germany With @samsungmobile_de Galaxy S6 . . . . #market #christmas #view #church #nuremberg #street#streetphotography #liveauthentic #visitbavaria#ig_deutschland#deutschland #smartphonepics #oldtown #outdoor#pnw #archilovers #livetravelchannel#buildings #architecture #living_europe#agameoftones #beautifuldestinations#streetphotography #fromwhereistand#huffpostgram #rei1440project#neverstopexploring #nürnberg #germany #SamsungDeutschland

Een bericht gedeeld door Nuremberg & Munich – Germany (@pixandpix) op 1 Dec 2017 om 11:52 PST

French Christmas markets

Some of the best Christmas markets in France.

Strasbourg Christmas market

Christmas is getting nearer and Strasbourg is where the magic happens! Until 24 Dec. you’ll find here one if Europe’s biggest festive markets around Place Kleber and the Cathedral. Book your luxury hotel with Splendia and enjoy exclusive benefits: www.splendia.com #splendia #splendiahotels #luxurytravel #travelinspiration #travelbug #tourism #luxurytourism #traveling #travelling #travelagency #ilovetravel #instatravel #beautifuldestinations #travel #travelgram #tourist #tourism #vacation #trip #luxuryresort #luxuryhotel #designhotel #hotel #resort #strasbourg #instatravel #instagood #travelblog #travelblogger #christmastree #christmaslights #christmasmarket

Een bericht gedeeld door Splendia (@splendiahotels) op 4 Dec 2017 om 8:07 PST

Marché De Noël La Défense

D-day ! ???? #merry #christmas #everyone #landscape #sunnyday #ladefense #paris #winter #potd

Een bericht gedeeld door Corentin® (@cauko_lp) op 24 Dec 2016 om 5:59 PST

Lille Christmas market at the Grand Place de Lille

Christmas Lille ????✨#christmas #christmastree #christmastime #christmasdecor #lille #grandplace #lillemaville #igersfrance #igerslille #igers #panorama #photography #iphoneography #photo #picoftheday #photooftheday #hautdefrance #tourismehautsdefrance #nord #nordpasdecalaistourisme #france #france?? #lillelove #photolille #instadaily #instagood #travel #travelphotography #travelgram

Een bericht gedeeld door Thomas (@tomahawk28) op 4 Dec 2017 om 12:47 PST

Best Christmas markets UK

Winter Wonderland at the Hyde Park – London

One of the best Christmas markets in England.

Por mais de 10 anos, o Winter Wonderland no Hyde Park tem espalhado o espírito de Natal em Londres. O festival de inverno tornou-se um evento histórico para londrinos e turistas. Inicialmente um simples mercado de Natal, hoje o Winter Wonderland tornou-se uma extravagância com patinação no gelo, shows, barracas de rua, bares, música ao vivo e parque de diversão. A entrada é gratuita e ele funcionará até dia 01 de Janeiro de 2018. ☃️??⛸❄️?? @winterwonderldn #londres #london #winterwonderland #winter #inverno #natal #natalemlondres #instalondon #dicasdelondres #amolondres #viajar #turista #melhoresdestinos #viagenseturismo #hydepark

Een bericht gedeeld door Londres para Principiantes ?? (@londresparaprincipiantes) op 4 Dec 2017 om 8:18 PST

Bath Christmas market

Whilst en route to the South East, we couldn’t resist a quick stop in the neighbouring South West to visit Britain’s BIGGEST christmas market in Bath! Open until the 10th of December…get there while it’s on! Enjoy over 200 beautifully decorated chalets lining the streets in Bath’s World Heritage Site. Take your pick of delicious festive artisan food and drink – from scrumptious mince pies and Christmas cookies to hog roasts and warming tipples of all kinds…it’s the perfect shopping spree to spoil your loved ones this Christmas. See you there? . @bathchristmasmarket . #GREATBritishFood

Een bericht gedeeld door Great British Food (@greatbritishfood) op 3 Dec 2017 om 3:03 PST

Birmingham Christmas market

CHRISTMAS had to feature the marzipan and Nutella crepê

Een bericht gedeeld door roo ?? (@boys_en_berries) op 3 Dec 2017 om 11:07 PST

Edinburgh’s Christmas

What a sky we were treated to last night as the Christmas lights lit our way ✨ . . . . . #edinburghchristmasmarket #edinburgh #christmasmarket #germanmarket #festive #christmas #christmastree #sky #winter #sunset

Een bericht gedeeld door Letitia Ringshaw (@beautifulbeasts22) op 3 Dec 2017 om 7:36 PST

Belfast Christmas market

Laverty’s beer tent, Christmas Market, Belfast #northernireland #belfast #belfastcity #cityhall #christmas #christmaslights #laverysbelfast #belfastchristmasmarket #insta_ni #discoverni #captureni #visitni #bestofbelfast #documentbelfast #lovebelfast #christmasmarket #festive #nightout #beer #travel #travelphotography #traveler #wanderer #wanderlust

Een bericht gedeeld door SIX MILE Images (@sixmileimages) op 4 Dec 2017 om 8:29 PST

Austria Christmas market

Best Christmas markets in Austria.

Vienna Christmas market at the Rathausplatz

? market in Vienna, the perfect Christmas spirit! #christmas #christmasmarket #vienna #gluhwein #weinnachten

Een bericht gedeeld door Jeroen van Delft (@jeroenvdelft) op 4 Dec 2017 om 2:28 PST

Belgium Christmas markets

Bruges Christmas market

??❄️✨? #bruges #christmasmarket

Een bericht gedeeld door Cristina Baeza (@crisbaezaa) op 4 Dec 2017 om 12:10 PST

Brussels Christmas market at the Grande Roue de Bruxelles

#granderoue #brussels #bruxelles #visitbrussels #welovebrussels

Een bericht gedeeld door buldra (@buldra) op 3 Dec 2017 om 9:27 PST

More European Christmas markets

Tallinn Christmas market

One of the most charming Christmas market around and definitely a favorite thing to see in Tallinn, Estonia during the winter.

How is everybody getting back to the normal schedule? We are back from our 3 weeks trip across the Baltic States and I am already missing it! This week I am going to take you back to Tallinn, Estonia – what a gem this place is?! I wish I have had more time to explore the country – I will definitely be back for more! One super highlight if you are visiting in December is The Christmas Market in Tallinn Old Town – easily the cutest, coziest and most charming market we have ever been to?. We went back there every single night because we couldn’t have enough of tasting Glögg (available from 0 to 21% alcohol?), gingerbread cookies and mini donuts. Great vibe and just perfect! Have you been to Tallinn? #storytellersnest #visitestonia #visittallinn #tallinngram #xmaslights #hosted @visitestonia

Een bericht gedeeld door ✈Travel with Kids | Family (@familyoffduty) op 8 Jan 2018 om 11:56 (PST)

Prague Christmas market – Old Town Square

Amazing shot from #prague ?? By @inn_praha . Congratulations ?? Chosen by: @dim__ps #perfect_countries #beautifuldestinations #awesomepix #awesomeglobe #awesome_earthpix #awesomeearth #fantastic_earth #destinationearth #worldcaptures #travellingthroughtheworld #worldtravelpics #ig_travel #discoverearths #vacations #nationaldestinations #travelawesome #earth_fantastics #fantastic_earthpix #earthfocus #travelgram #bestvacations #bestplacetogo #photooftheday #picoftheday #instagood #photographylover

Een bericht gedeeld door Perfect Countries™ ? (@perfect_countries) op 4 Dec 2017 om 8:36 PST

Copenhagen Christmas market

Julestemning deluxe!????✨ #julemarked #julebyen #københavn #sikkendejligdag #ilovecph #aokdk

Een bericht gedeeld door Anne-Lise (@annelisesolheim) op 2 Dec 2017 om 2:18 PST

Warsaw Christmas market

#нетормозистраницуперелестни Вчера отправилась на поиски новогоднего настроения (правда не знаю зачем, все равно Новый год будет в обществе пальм и коров ?): нашла только варежки мечты и вкуснющий карамельный латте в маке всего за 5 зл. Поэтому, если вдруг у кого-то этого самого настроения все ещё нет, то у меня есть список книг, которые с этим помогут ? ?”Рождество и красный кардинал” Фрэнни Флэгг – рождественская сказка, приправленная волшебством ?”Полынная елка” Ольга Колпакова – грустная, но очень трогательная история ? „Волшебная зима” Туве Янсон – самый искренний и тёплый привет из детства ❤️ ? „Куриный бульон для души: 101 рождественская история”- в расшифровке явно не нуждается ? ?”Рождественский мешок” Кевин Алан Милн – одновременно добрая и грустная рождественская история ?”Рождественские рассказы русских писателей” – ещё один душевный сборник А вы что любите читать перед Рождеством и Новым годом? И есть ли вообще желание читать что-то сказочное и атмосферное? . . #vscorus #belinsta #bloggerlife #bloggerslife #todayslovely #bloggerslife #thedayphoto #simplicity #todayslovely #blogerka #kobieta #minskgram #belarusgram #traveltime #travelnow #travelwithme #explоsivecаramеl #wіntеrstorу #streetphotos #streetshots #travellovers #thestreetnetwork #cityexplore #warszawa #winterdays #winterholiday #christmasmood

Een bericht gedeeld door Minsk • Warszawa | SMM, Travel (@katyaslayr) op 4 Dec 2017 om 2:00 PST

So, what do you think about our list? Do you know any amazing European Xmas market? Let me know in comments below.