Europe's top Christmas markets accessible by train
How about enjoying the magic of Christmas outside our borders this year? From Vienna to Copenhagen to Berlin: after the French Christmas markets, here's a tour of Europe's most beautiful Christmas markets accessible by train!
1. Christmas market in Vienna (Austria): the enchantment of Christmas
From mid-November to Christmas, the Christmas markets turn Vienna into a winter fairytale. The most famous of them all, the Wiener Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz, is famous for its local crafts, the smell of hot punch and roasted almonds wafting through the air, its gigantic illuminated Christmas tree, its ice rink, its ice shows, its sumptuous decorations and its Austrian culinary specialties. Find out more here (official website).
When?
Dates: Friday, November 15 to Thursday, December 26, 2024 for the Rathausplatz Christmas Market.
Opening hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on December 24).
How to get there?
2. Zurich Christmas Market (Switzerland): the warm one
Zurich's main railway station is home to Europe's largest indoor Christmas market, with a 10-meter Christmas tree decorated with Swarovski crystals and 120 stalls! Find out more on Zurich's official tourism website. More info here (official website).
© christkindlimarkt.ch
When?
Dates: Thursday, November 21 to Tuesday, December 24, 2024.
Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday to Saturday.
How to get there?
3. Zagreb Christmas Market (Croatia): the typical one
This Christmas market has been voted several of the best in Europe! Every year, Zrinjevac Park is transformed into a festive Christmas village with food stalls, live music, magnificent illuminations and the must-see ice rink in King Tomislav Square. Find out more here.
When?
Dates: Saturday, November 30, 2024 to Wednesday, January 7, 2025.
How to get there?
4. Stuttgart Christmas Market (Germany): the traditional one
With over 300 beautifully decorated chalets, the Stuttgart Christmas Market is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. Every year, it draws crowds for its daily Christmas concert from the balcony of the town hall, its local specialities (such as Schupfnudeln) and its ice rink. The perfect place to soak up the festive spirit! Find out more here.
When?
Dates: Wednesday, November 27 to Monday, December 23, 2024.
Opening hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
How to get there?
5. Budapest Christmas Market (Hungary): craftsmanship
Budapest's oldest and most popular Christmas market, the Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market is renowned for its handcrafted, local products. The ideal place to enjoy spiced mulled wine, Hungarian cinnamon cookies or apple and date pastries, while admiring the light shows on the facades. More info here (Budapest tourism website).
When?
Dates: Friday, November 15 to Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays (closes at 2 p.m. December 24, closed December 25).
How to get there?
6. Berlin Christmas Market (Germany): the elegant one
Berlin has over 60 Christmas markets! But the Gendarmenmarkt is particularly popular for its elegant atmosphere. You'll find handcrafted creations and daily entertainment in a sumptuous architectural setting. Find out more here (official website).
When?
Dates: Monday November 25 to Tuesday December 31, 2024.
Opening hours: 12pm to 10pm Sunday to Thursday, 12pm to 11pm Friday to Saturday (12pm to 6pm on December 24 and 12pm to 1am on December 31).
How to get there?
7. Copenhagen Christmas Market (Denmark): Scandinavian enchantment
Every year in Copenhagen, as Christmas approaches, the Tivoli gardens take on a fairytale atmosphere, with brightly lit decorations, stalls selling Danish specialities and fireworks. The must-do activity if you go: skating on the frozen lake! More info here (official website).
When?
Dates: Friday, November 15 to Sunday, January 5, 2024.
Opening hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
How to get there?
The ultimate Christmas market itinerary by night train in Europe (7 days)
Why settle for just one Christmas market when you can discover 7 in one week? If you want to extend the magic of Christmas for a week of 100% fairytale fun, we've put together the ultimate itinerary for you to discover these Christmas markets in 7 days without spending a single euro in a hotel!
Of course, if you can, we advise you to stay at least 2 or 3 days in each city to really have time to discover them all.
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