The best Christmas markets in Europe (and what to buy when you get there)

If you’re considering visiting a Christmas market in Europe, the cities of Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Copenhagen and Lausanne should be on your shortlist. From huge ice skating rinks and glittering Ferris wheels to sprawling food and drinks stalls, these winter wonderlands go all-out when it comes to festive touches. 

From Germany – where the traditional ‘Christkindlmarkt’ originated – to lesser-known locations like Lausanne in Switzerland, each of these markets offers something a little different. We’ve pulled out some reasons why they’re consistently ranked among the best Christmas markets in Europe. Plus, we’ve included which foreign currency you’ll need to take on each trip – whether you want to sip a steaming mug of mulled wine in Berlin, or shop for one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts in Vienna.

European Christmas markets to visit in 2025

Germany: Berlin Christmas Market, Alexanderplatz

Want to visit several German Christmas markets in one trip? Berlin comes to life with more than 100 festive offerings in winter, with some starting as early as October 31. The Christmas market on Alexanderplatz – officially called Berliner Weihnachtszeit – is one of the city’s oldest, with stalls styled like they were back in 1900. Treat yourself to juicy bratwurst, fruit-studded stollen and steaming mugs of glühwein – traditional German mulled wine. And don’t miss a loop around the ice rink that circles the Neptune fountain, and a ride on the panoramic ferris wheel.

Berlin Christmas market 2025 dates: November 24 to December 30

Currency you’ll need: euros

Also visit: the Christmas Market on Gendarmenmarkt – one of Berlin’s most beautiful squares.

 

Czech Republic: Prague Christmas Market, Old Town Square 

While they may not be as big as Germany’s, Prague’s Christmas markets take some beating when it comes to atmosphere – particularly the one on Old Town Square. The Gothic architecture looks like something from a fairytale lit up at night, and the stalls frame a giant Christmas tree in the middle. One of the highlights here is the food, so make sure you have plenty of Czech koruna on hand to snack on smoky Prague ham, gently spiced Czech sausages and soft gingerbread cookies. If you’re lucky, the whole scene will be sprinkled with a blanket of snow.

2025 dates: November 29 to January 6
Currency you’ll need: Czech koruna
Also visit: the other main Prague Christmas market on Wenceslas Square, a five-minute walk away.

Austria: Vienna Christmas Market, Rathausplatz

Another great option with a centre-of-it-all setting, Vienna’s Christmas market on Rathausplatz is the city’s most famous. Almost 100 stalls spread out in front of the ornate city hall amongst carol singers and a huge Christmas tree, and there’s more going on in the adjoining park – including ice skating, a walking trail and a huge ferris wheel. Visit in the evening to see it at its best, fill your bag with hand-carved Christmas decorations, and fill up on Austrian filled dumplings, warm roasted chestnuts and chocolate-coated strawberries.

2025 dates: November 14 to December 23
Currency you’ll need: euros
Also visit: Karlsplatz Christmas market, which specialises in handmade and artisanal items.

 

Denmark: Tivoli Christmas Market, Copenhagen

Considering Copenhagen? Put Tivoli Christmas market on your shortlist. Ranked as one of the world’s best, it transforms Tivoli Gardens into a winter wonderland every year thanks to thousands of twinkling illuminations. As it’s an amusement park for the rest of the year, this one is packed with vintage fairground rides and you can buy an all-access ticket if that’s top of your list. You can also skate around Tivoli lake on the ice rink, shop for hand-blown glass baubles you won’t find anywhere else, and sip on Danish Glogg – mulled wine sprinkled with almonds.

2025 dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Currency you’ll need: Danish krone
Also visit: Nyhavn Christmas Market – an upmarket option and treasure trove of Scandinavian gifts.

 

Switzerland: Bo Noel Christmas Market, Lausanne

For an altogether more modern Christmas market experience, Lausanne’s Bo Noel market should be on your radar. This city on the shores of Lake Geneva puts a different spin on the traditional experience, from contemporary light shows to design-led wares for sale at the market stalls. Head to Place Pépinet for jewellery and accessories made by local designers, and Marché du Terroir for edible souvenirs like regional wines and preserves. You can’t miss the latter – it’s housed in a huge inflatable igloo on pretty Place d’Europe.

2025 dates: Nov 20 to Dec 31
Currency you’ll need: Swiss franc
Also visit: the covered Christmas Market at Place Saint-François, which is sheltered from the elements by a big glass roof.

 

5 top tips for visiting Europe’s Christmas markets

1. Take cash in the local currency. While some bigger markets might be set up to take card payments, many smaller stalls and lesser-known markets will only take cash. Cash is also handy for tipping at cafes and restaurants, and many public toilets in European cities require coins in the local currency. Our guide to travelling with cash includes lots of travel tips.

2. Check the opening dates. While some markets open earlier in the season, you may find many open with a limited offering to begin with – meaning that if you visit too early in the season you’ll miss out on the full experience. Check opening dates for individual attractions, like ice rinks and fairgrounds, to avoid being disappointed.

3. Choose a weekday if you can. Weekends are usually much busier than weekdays, so if you have the option of visiting in the week you’ll find shorter queues and smaller crowds. That said, make sure you check for any closure days in the week – some markets may close on a Monday, for example, after staying open all weekend.

4. Time your trips. Daytime is ideal for shopping – so this is a great time to pick up your souvenirs and one-off Christmas gifts as well as doing some sightseeing, then leave everything back at your hotel. Once the sun sets, head out again to see everything lit up – ice-skate under the stars, see the city sparkle at night from a ferris wheel and warm your hands with a syrupy hot chocolate or mug of spiced cider.

5. Don’t forget your mug… At most Christmas markets, drinks like mulled wine are served in a reusable mug, which you pay a deposit for. You can either return it to get your money back, or take it home. Each market has its own collectible mug – so most people opt for the latter!

Buying currency with M&S Travel Money

Found a Christmas market that takes your fancy? Order your Travel Money for Click & Collect from your nearest participating Marks & Spencer store, with no commission and no hidden fees*. 

*T&Cs apply. Subject to availability.