The best places in Europe to experience the magic of Christmas

Experience the magic of Christmas in Europe (The top places in Europe)

The best places in Europe to experience the magic of Christmas, from Christmas markets to festive holiday displays for an unforgettable trip! Whether you’re strolling through charming streets or enjoying seasonal treats at festive markets, Europe offers a truly magical holiday experience. Get ready to explore the top destinations that will make your Christmas season extra special.

Christmas in Paris

Explore the top things to do at Christmas time in Paris, France 2024 in our extended blog post. From Christmas markets to holiday lights, Paris has plenty of seasonal activities to enjoy. Whether you’re walking along the Champs-Élysées or visiting famous landmarks, the city is full of festive spirit during the holidays.

Our Paris in Christmas Itinerary is a perfect guide to enjoying the holiday season in the City of Lights. This itinerary takes you to the best festive spots in Paris, from Christmas markets to stunning light displays, and even cozy cafes for warming up. It also offers helpful tips on how to get around the city on foot or by public transport, making your holiday trip smooth and stress-free.

Christmas in Belgium

Brussels, Belgium

Christmas Market “Winter Wonders” or “Plaisirs d’Hiver”

Winter Wonders is already set from November 29th, 2024, to January 5th, 2025! It is a 2 km (1.2 mile) long Christmas market with over 200 stalls and entertainment. Starting at Grand Place with a tall sparkling Christmas tree and finishing at Place St-Catherine with a long line of stalls and a carousel and a ferris wheel. You can find more markets and festive entertainment in Place de la Monnaie, Bd. Anspach and Place de la Brouckère.

Light Show in Grand Place

From 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., every hour from Monday to Thursday, and every 30 minutes from Friday to Sunday. No shows on Saturday, December 24 and Saturday, December 31.

Belgian Waffles

Maison Dandoy is a popular place to get Belgian waffles in Brussels, and they are delicious, but it missed the “wow factor” for us. The best ones we had were at Belgian Waffles, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with lots of delicious toppings. Both of these options are by the Grand-Place, so if you’re in the area, why not try both?

If you would rather make your own, you might want to try this Waffle Making Workshop where you learn to prepare, bake and enjoy as many Belgian Waffles you can.

For traditional Belgian food, we recommend ‘T Kelderke and Fin de Siècle. ‘T Kelderke is located in Grand-Place and Fin de Siècle is about an 8 minute walk from the square.

Also, while in Brussels, you must visit the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert. It’s a small but stunning mall where you can find shops and restaurants to buy Belgian chocolates, Christmas gifts or grab some waffles.

Ghent, Belgium

Then we have Ghent—a bit of a hidden gem at Christmas and has an incredible vibe in our opinion. The Christmas market here feels cozy, with charming wooden stalls and twinkling lights along the canals and features a huge ferris wheel.

One thing you have to try while you’re in Belgium is their fries, which as most of you know, they are very famous for. The best we’ve tried are at Fritz Phillipe, a humble stand by the Leie. We highly recommend trying the frieten with Stoofvleessaus (beef stew sauce with chunks of soft beef).

Ghent is perfect for strolling, trying some fries, mulled wine or Belgian beer. Plus, Ghent’s medieval architecture and the tram passing by the market gives the whole scene a fairytale look.

Bruges, Belgium

Speaking of fairy tales, Bruges feels like stepping right into the pages of an illustrated storybook. If you’re after a less crowded spot to enjoy the festive spirit, Bruges is perfect. Full of quaint, cozy streets and an enchanting Christmas market in the main square. You’ll find plenty of delicious bites at the market itself, plus stunning restaurants all around it.

If you like beer, Belgium is the place to be. Bruges has a fantastic beer museum called Bruges Beer Experience where visitors can learn about beer history, sample ingredients and taste different brews.

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Christmas in Alsace

Colmar

Must-do activities in Colmar, Alsace, at Christmastime include strolling through enchanting, storybook-like streets, browsing lively holiday markets, and soaking in the twinkling lights that transform this town into a winter fantasy. Nestled in the heart of Alsace, Colmar comes alive with festive charm. It features half-timbered houses dressed in holiday lights, handcrafted gifts, and mouthwatering seasonal treats. Whether you’re planning a cozy weekend escape or a longer holiday adventure, Colmar’s blend of timeless traditions and holiday magic makes it perfect for Christmas.

In this blog post, we explore what makes Colmar the perfect place to visit this holiday season!

Strasbourg

Top things to do in Strasbourg at Christmas 2024: join us at one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets! The Christmas markets in Strasbourg date back to 1570! Each holiday season, the city attracts over 2 million visitors who come to experience its festive atmosphere. The markets spread throughout the city, featuring more than 300 stalls and chalets that offer a variety of holiday goods. Visitors admire dazzling lights and explore charming timbered streets filled with festive cheer. Known as the “Capital of Christmas,” Strasbourg transforms into a winter wonderland.

For more information on all the markets and events, head over to the extended blog post here!

Eguisheim

Tucked away in the heart of the Alsace wine route, Eguisheim is like a picture-perfect Christmas postcard come to life. Top things to do in Egusheim France at Christmas include strolling through festive markets, sipping on Alsatian wine, and exploring its charming streets. If you’re planning to visit during the holiday season, here’s how to make the most of your time in this enchanting village.

Check out the extended blog post for more things to see and do in Eguisheim!

Riquewihr

Riquewihr, one of Alsace’s most charming villages, transforms into a magical winter wonderland during the Christmas season. Known for its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, this little town comes alive with festive decorations, twinkling lights, and the smell of mulled wine. If you’re looking for a place that feels like stepping into a Christmas postcard, Riquewihr is it. In this post, we’ll cover the best things to see in Riquewihr, Alsace in Christmas, from the stunning holiday decorations to the charming shops and local treats that make it a must-visit destination during the festive season

We have an extended blog post with everything you need to know about Riquewihr here!

Kaysersberg-Vignoble

Kaysersberg-Vignoble in Alsace is a magical destination for Christmas. Its market runs from November 24 to December 24, 2024. The market features 30 wooden chalets selling handcrafted gifts, decorations, and local treats.

Try vin chaud, a spiced mulled wine, or warm up with bredalas, festive cookies. Kougelhopf, a sweet brioche cake, is another must-try. The marché paysan offers jams, cheeses, and syrups for sale.

The town’s decorations are stunning, with lights and plush toys adorning medieval buildings. Be sure to catch the Christmas concerts at Sainte-Croix Church on Advent Sundays.

Christmas in Madrid Spain

Looking for things to do in Madrid at Christmas 2024? Enjoy holiday cheer with festive lights, bustling markets, and seasonal treats. Whether you want to join in local traditions or just enjoy Madrid’s winter charm, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

In this post, we’ve shared all the details, dates for Christmas markets and events, where to see the Christmas lights and all the must-do festive experiences in Madrid.

If you’re planning a festive trip, the Madrid in Christmas Itinerary is a perfect guide to experiencing the holiday magic of Spain’s capital. This itinerary includes top recommendations for activities, from viewing light displays to tasting traditional holiday treats, plus practical tips on navigating the city on foot or by public transport.

Christmas in Germany

Cologne

When it comes to Christmas, Germany knows what they’re doing. You just can’t go wrong with a road trip hopping between German Christmas markets. Our favorite ones are in Cologne and Freiburg (which we’ll get into after we talk about Cologne).

Cologne is a stunning city with a lot to offer during the holidays. With many different magical Christmas markets to explore. First of all, we have the one in the main square, in front of the Cologne Cathedral, which you must see inside, called Weihnachtsmarkt. It starts on November 18th to December 23rd. It features a massive Christmas tree surrounded by countless red huts selling loads of festive treats, gifts and decorations. Since you’re in Germany, don’t leave without trying some warm and sizzling German sausages. Cologne has another great market called Heinzels Winter Fairytale. It starts on November 25th to January 5th. It has a spectacular ice rink to ice skate or play ice stock curling (you book tickets on their website), along with various themed alleys and presentations by skilled craftsmen from all over Europe.

There are many other markets in this city like the one by the port, in front of the Lindt Chocolate museum, which we highly recommend you visit, where you can learn about Lindt and create your own chocolate bar.

Freiburg im Breisgau

Starting with the pros, the Freiburg im Breisgau Christmas Market (November 21st to December 23rd) in the heart of the Old Town offers a lovely, intimate feel. The stalls are full of unique, handmade crafts, workshops, decorations, and classic German Christmas treats. Located near the stunning Freiburg Cathedral, the market feels even more magical with the cathedral as a backdrop, especially when it’s all lit up at night. On the downside, Freiburg’s market may feel smaller compared to larger German cities like Munich or Nuremberg, so if you’re after a big, bustling market, this one might feel more low-key. That said, this also means you’ll have more room to explore without being overwhelmed by the crowds.

A visit to Freiburg isn’t complete without snacking on some roasted caramelized almonds if you’re craving something sweet.

For drinks, there’s plenty of Glühwein (mulled wine), which is extra special here because they often use wines from the region’s vineyards. They also serve a white version of Glühwein that’s worth a try if you’re up for something different.

Christmas in Basel Switzerland

Experience the magic of Basel at Christmas (Christmas in Switzerland). The two main Christmas markets in Basel are the Barfüsserplatz Christmas Market and the Münsterplatz Christmas Market, both offering festive experiences in the heart of the city.

Basel Christmas Markets

Münsterplatz Christmas Market

Located in Münsterplatz beside the Basel Münster Cathedral, this Christmas market offers stunning views of the city and the Rhine River. Open from November 28 to December 23, 2024, it welcomes visitors daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This Christmas market feels especially festive, with a huge Christmas tree and fairy lights twinkling above the wooden stalls. It’s also where we had the most delicious crispy potato fritters—soft on the inside and covered in the sauce of your choice. We went with applesauce, which perfectly contrasted the salty, crispy fritter.

Don’t forget to take one of their ceramic mugs home as a souvenir after enjoying your mulled wine. They also offer a warm, non-alcoholic spiced apple drink that’s perfect for the whole family.

Barfüsserplatz Christmas Market

The Barfüsserplatz Christmas Market is set in the heart of Basel’s Old Town, creating a festive atmosphere from November 28 to December 23, 2024, with daily hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Here, you’ll find Swiss delicacies like raclette and cheese fondue, alongside German Stollen. Stroll through the market with roasted chestnuts or enjoy Swiss chocolate treats. Don’t miss Basler Brunsli cookies, a traditional Christmas treat made with almonds, cocoa, and a hint of Kirsch, offering a true taste of Basel’s holiday charm.

More Magical European Destinations for Christmas

Get ready for the magic of Christmas markets! From the festive lights of Madrid at Christmas to the charm of Riquewihr, Alsace, Eguisheim, and Strasbourg. You won’t want to miss the beautiful markets in Colmar or the festive atmosphere of Paris. I’ve rounded up the best things to do and see in each city for an unforgettable holiday experience!

If you’re planning a road trip through Europe, you might find this blog posts helpful for more travel inspiration and tips: 9 Road Trip Tips: Plan a Road Trip Around Europe for essential advice on making the most of your journey.

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