Remarkable Christmas Markets Worth Visiting

Our expectations were high. Unfortunately, our experience didn’t measure up.

A towering 1000-year-old cathedral, millions of lights, the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread—these are the things that make the Aachen Christmas market.

Dancing fairy lights, the scent of sweet treats, and children laughing as they learn to skate—these are the hallmarks of the winter season in the Netherlands and just a few of the things that make visiting the Amsterdam Christmas markets so much fun.

In the winter, it feels like the entire old town of Luxembourg City becomes a Christmas market.

Markets don’t get more unique than Valkenburg Christmas market in the Netherlands. Primarily set within two historic caves, this popular holiday attraction draws visitors from all over.

Christmas markets in Vienna, Austria, are among the very best in Europe. Against the backdrop of majestic palaces and churches or even set in city parks, they showcase the lights, culinary treats, and artistic treasures of the holiday season.

Christmas in Colmar is a dream. When you take a city that already looks like a gingerbread town and then deck it with wreaths, ornaments, and snow-covered trees, it’s hard to think of anything that feels more appropriate for the holiday season.

In a large square in the shadow of the city’s cathedral, the Helsinki Christmas market is not to be missed. Honestly, we were surprised how …

We experienced Tallinn’s famous Christmas market and a handful of other sites. The dusting of snow on the early December day completed the picture in a way we couldn’t have scripted more perfectly.

For two weeks each year, the squares and streets of Bath transform into the city Christmas market—a festival of food, entertainment, gifts, and holiday decorations.