Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets 2023

Archive material. Date of change on the old site: 2023-10-06. Prices, dates and conditions are retained from the original and may be out of date.

Christmas and New Year in Europe are a special time when every city becomes a fairy tale with lights, gingerbread aromas and a festive atmosphere. If you plan to travel in 2023, we suggest visiting Europe’s best Christmas markets, recognised as the best by European Best Destination:

Budapest, Hungary:
Advent Basilica in Budapest is a true fairy tale running from 18 November to 1 January. In front of St Stephen’s Basilica, there are 120 stalls with crafts and gastronomic surprises, as well as New Year performances.
Gdańsk, Poland:
Gdańsk is famous for its Christmas atmosphere and unique decorations. From 18 to 23 December, the streets of the historic centre turn into a Christmas town with decorations, an artistic programme and food stalls.
Craiova, Romania:
The Romanian Christmas market has entered the list of Europe’s best for the first time. From 11 December to 8 January, the municipality of Craiova comes alive with various events, shopping, an ice rink, concerts and creative workshops. The city is decorated with more than a million LED lights.
Vienna, Austria:
From 19 November to 26 December, Vienna turns into a shining fairy-tale land. One of the best-known Christmas markets is Vienna’s Advent Magic, which transforms Town Hall Square into a shining fairy-tale land. A festive market in front of Schönbrunn Palace also offers a variety of goods and workshops for children.
Montbéliard, France:
Montbéliard has been recognised as Europe’s fifth most beautiful Christmas market. The city turns into a fairy tale illuminated by more than a million LED lights. The market’s 140 stalls offer various goods and gastronomic delights.
Essen, Germany:
Essen’s International Christmas Market, running from 12 November to 23 December, is considered the best in Germany. It spreads throughout the city centre and offers goods from different countries around the world.
Valkenburg, Netherlands:
Valkenburg turns into ‘Christmas Town Valkenburg’, running from 18 November to 8 January. Here you can enjoy the special atmosphere of Christmas and New Year.
Madeira, Portugal:
The islands of Madeira and Porto Santo in Portugal invite you to Christmas celebrations from 1 December to 8 January. The festive market and illuminations make this place truly magical.
Govone, Italy:
Govone is considered the best Christmas market in Italy. From 12 November to 19 December, the town turns into Santa Claus’s kingdom with a rich gastronomic and cultural programme.
Madrid, Spain
Madrid’s Christmas antiques and art fair is a true paradise for collectors and lovers of vintage treasures. This year it will once again delight visitors with more than 12 thousand unique exhibits. Here you can find vintage items from the 1960s to the 1980s, archaeological finds, masterpieces of painting and many other fascinating things.

Choose any of these wonderful places to celebrate Christmas and New Year and enjoy Europe’s best Christmas markets in 2023. Here you will find not only gifts and delicious food, but also unforgettable experiences and a magical festive atmosphere.