There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a good old-fashioned Christmas market — and we’d go so far as to say that Europe has the world’s best. We highlight the best markets across four countries as well as other festive activities in central and eastern Europe.
Berlin & Dresden
Berlin, the German capital, has over 80 markets that blanket visitors in festive cheer, but there are three to know. Winter World on Potsdamer Platz (Nov. 3 to Dec. 31) is the only market in the city that opens from the beginning of November. It literally transforms the public square at the center of Berlin into a festive wonderland.
Meanwhile, the Alexanderplatz market (Nov. 27 to Dec. 26) has a walk-in Christmas pyramid decorated with 5,000 lights. Adjoining stalls hawk pottery, carved Christmas pyramids, bratwurst, gingerbread and mulled wine.
Then there’s Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Roten Rathaus (Nov. 27 to Dec. 29), which could also double as an amusement park. It has an ice-skating rink and a Ferris wheel.
For a sense of history, head to Germany’s oldest Christmas market in Dresden (Nov. 29 to Dec. 24). Dating back to the 15th century, the Dresden Striezelmarkt fuels visitors with Christstollen (cake) to fuel purchases of wooden crafts, blown glass, textiles and pottery — all made in the region.
Last year’s terrorist attack on a Christmas market near Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz was an unspeakable tragedy. But the German people did not let it defeat their spirit, and their justifiably famous Christmas fairs are back in action this season with added security.
Vienna
The city that gave birth to the waltz has Christmas markets in nearly every plaza, with each setting providing a dramatic backdrop. The Christmas Market on Stephansplatz (Nov. 17 to Dec. 26) hosts only (yes, only!) 40 booths at the foot of the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, whose reverberating bells and distinctive roof tiles set this Gothic church apart from the surrounding assortment of upscale stores.
The imperial setting of the Christmas market in front of Schönbrunn Palace (Nov. 18 to Dec. 26) offers a stark contrast to traditional handicrafts and handmade Christmas decorations on display. For something more meditative, try the grounds of the city’s Belvedere palace (Nov. 24 to Dec. 26), which has its own Christmas village with traditional merchandise.
Prince Eugene of Savoy built this Baroque getaway as a summer residence, and seeing the gardens strung with lights and decorated with booths give the Belvedere another feeling altogether.
With the exception of the Schönbrunn Palace, these markets are all within walking distance of each other. The Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz (Nov. 22 to Dec. 26), for example, is on the beautifully manicured plaza between the city’s most famous art museum (Kunsthistorisches) and the natural history museum.
It has 70 booths selling Viennese handicrafts, all to the tune of choirs singing carols in the background. It’s possible to hit up this fair as well as those at the Belvedere palace and St. Stephen’s on the same day.
Some of the city’s finest hotels have created their own intimate Christmas fairs. The Ritz-Carlton (from $329) is turning its rooftop bar into a winter village with an urban chalet vibe (Dec. 17 to 26). Sip some mulled wine and take in views of the city’s Baroque majesty.
Budapest
Two prominent Christmas fairs keep Budapest shoppers busy throughout the holiday season. The Christmas fair at Vörösmarty Square (Nov. 10 to Dec. 31) is the oldest in the city. (It’s been operating for about two decades.) Food stalls sell Hungarian street food like sausages and desserts like chimney cake (kürtoskalács) and the traditional Christmas candy szaloncukor (fondant covered in chocolate and wrapped in colorful foil).
As gifts go, the emphasis is on the modest and handmade. Folk art, knitwear, candles, pottery, leather items and even lace goods are on display. St. Stephen’s Square, the plaza in front of the glorious basilica of the same name, is the backdrop for another fest: the Budapest Basilica Christmas Market (Nov. 24 to Jan. 1). For about $50, take a 2¹/₂-hour tour of both markets that also includes a wine tasting.
And the nearby Corinthia Hotel (from $140) offers an array of Christmas attractions, including an “Advent in Alsace” brunch on Dec. 10 for $41 per person, and, from Nov. 26 to Dec. 26, a life-size gingerbread house in the lobby, which doubles as a souvenir stand with charming gifts.
Prague
Traditional Christmas markets in this city of castles, palaces and the world’s most beautiful astronomical clock run from Dec. 2 all the way until Jan. 6. Among the most famous is the open-air winter Dyzajn Market, which exhibits on the weekends of Dec. 9 to 10 and Dec. 16 to 17 in a series of covered booths in the plaza adjacent to the majestic National Theatre.
Local Czech designers sell hats, scarves and sweaters as well as handmade jewelry and marionettes.
Pick up a chimney cake (trdelník, in local parlance) to nibble on as you wander from stall to stall. Farther down the Vltava river, glass nativity scenes are on display at the Charles Bridge Museum. From Nov. 26 to Feb. 4, the City of Prague Museum celebrates the history of Christmas celebrations from Advent to Candlemas, including period toys and cookies.
And the Mandarin Oriental (from $360) offers a “Christmas Markets” package that includes a welcome drink at Spices Bar, a buffet breakfast for two at Spices Restaurant, a one-hour tour of the city in a vintage convertible with a Bohemian toddy and Czech pernik (or gingerbread) cookies.
Room amenities include mistletoe, traditional Christmas sweets and a handy Christmas markets map.