• Saturday 01 August 2026

The Best Christmas Markets in Europe: Where to Go This Winter

There’s something special about visiting a European city in the run-up to Christmas. Our Christmas market holidays make it easy to escape for a few nights, with flights from Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Knock or Shannon and plenty of festive destinations to choose from.

Click here to view our Christmas Markets page (after reading the blog of course!)

Christmas markets are one of our favourite ways to enjoy a winter city break. Wrap up and wander through the stalls, stop for a glass of warm mulled wine and take your time exploring a city wonderfully dressed up for the festive season.

From the grand squares of Vienna and Brussels to the Christmas lights of Copenhagen and the traditional markets of Krakow, there are plenty of places to choose from. We’ve picked some of our favourite Christmas market destinations for November and December, with short breaks available from Ireland.

Here are some of our favourites, the most iconic spots, advice on what to see, and some tips for the best time to travel:

Krakow Christmas Markets

Krakow is a great choice if you’re looking for a traditional Christmas market break without spending too much. The main market takes place in the heart of the Old Town, with the stalls set around Rynek Główny, one of Europe’s largest medieval squares. Expect handmade decorations, gifts and plenty of tasty Polish food to try as you wander around the market. Krakow also has a lovely atmosphere in December, with the historic buildings and Christmas lights making the Old Town particularly pretty after dark.

Our Krakow Christmas Market break: 3 nights from €480pp, with departures from Shannon.

Budapest Christmas Markets

Budapest is particularly beautiful at Christmas. The main market at Vörösmarty Square is right in the centre of the city, making it easy to combine with sightseeing, shopping and an evening visit to one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths.

You’ll find Hungarian specialities at the market, including chimney cake, alongside handmade crafts and Christmas gifts. Another highlight is just outside St Stephen’s Basilica, where the market atmosphere is combined with the impressive backdrop of the Basilica itself.

Our Budapest Christmas Market break: 3 nights from €499pp, with departures from Shannon.

Vienna Christmas Markets

Few cities embrace the festive season quite like Vienna. The city's Christmas markets appear in some beautiful locations, with the market outside Vienna’s City Hall being one of the most famous. Vienna is also a good option if you want to make your Christmas market trip part of a wider city break. Spend an afternoon exploring the historic centre, visit a traditional coffee house (don't forget the cake!) and then head to the markets as the lights come on.

Our Vienna Christmas Market break: 3 nights from €435pp, with departures from Dublin.

Brussels Christmas Markets

Brussels gets particularly festive in December, when the Christmas markets stretch throughout the city centre around places including Place Sainte-Catherine and the Grand-Place. The famous Winter Wonders market brings together food stalls, handcrafts and festive entertainment, while the Grand-Place provides an impressive setting for an evening stroll. Try some Belgian waffles while you’re there, or warm up with a glass of glühwein.

Our Brussels Christmas Market breaks: 2 nights from €449pp, with departures from Cork.

Copenhagen Christmas Markets

Copenhagen is a lovely choice for a Christmas city break. Tivoli Gardens is transformed for the festive season, with Christmas decorations, market stalls and plenty of seasonal food and drink. The city itself is easy to explore, so you can combine a visit to the markets with Copenhagen’s cafés, shops and waterfront sights.

Our Copenhagen Christmas Market breaks: 3 nights, with departures from Dublin. Contact us for current pricing.

Prague Christmas Markets

Prague’s historic centre provides a beautiful setting for its Christmas markets. You'll fill your camera roll here in no time. The Old Town Square is at the heart of the festivities, surrounded by some of the city’s most recognisable historic buildings. Head to the market for traditional Czech treats and Christmas gifts, then take a walk across iconic Charles Bridge or explore the narrow streets of the Old Town.

Our Prague Christmas Market breaks: 3 nights, with departures from Dublin.

Cologne Christmas Markets

Cologne has several Christmas markets to explore, giving you plenty of choice during a short break. The market beside Cologne Cathedral is one of the city's best-known, with the cathedral providing an impressive backdrop. With four nights included in our featured break, there’s also time to explore beyond the markets and see more of the city.

Our Cologne Christmas Market break: 4 nights from €10 December to 14 December 2026, with departures throughout December.

Amsterdam Christmas Markets

Amsterdam is another good option for a winter city break, particularly if you want to combine Christmas markets with museums & history, restaurants and canal-side walks.

The city takes on a festive atmosphere in December, with seasonal pop-ups appearing around places such as Rembrandtplein, Leidseplein and Westergasfabriek. You can also visit the Christmas market at Museumplein, with the famous Rijksmuseum providing the backdrop.

Our Amsterdam Christmas Market breaks: 2 nights from €350pp, with departures throughout December.

Gdańsk Christmas Markets

Gdańsk’s Christmas market takes over the historic centre during the festive season, with the city’s colourful architecture providing the setting for a few days of Christmas shopping and sightseeing. It’s a destination worth considering if you fancy somewhere a little different for your winter city break.

Our Gdańsk Christmas Market break: 3 nights, with departures from Dublin and breakfast included.

Other Christmas Market City Breaks

There's plenty more destinations to choose from this winter, including Turin, Bologna, Paris, Poznań, Edinburgh, Hamburg, London and Málaga.

If you’re travelling from Cork, Dublin or Shannon, we can help you find a Christmas market break that works with your preferred departure airport and dates. Some places need just two nights, while others give you three or four nights to explore.

And if you fancy something completely different, why not spend Christmas in New York? Fly from Shannon or Dublin and stay in a centrally located Times Square hotel, with the city's famous Christmas attractions close by. Visit Broadway, see the Rockettes and experience a classic New York Christmas. Ask our team for more information.

When is the best time to visit a Christmas market?

Most Christmas markets begin in November and continue through December, so you don’t necessarily have to wait until the week before Christmas. November can be a good time to visit if you want to get ahead of the busiest period, while December is ideal if you want the full festive atmosphere. Whichever dates you choose, it’s worth booking early, particularly for popular weekends.

Ready for a Christmas Market Break?

Whether you fancy sipping mulled wine in Vienna, exploring the Christmas stalls of Krakow or seeing the lights of Brussels, our travel experts can help you find the right Christmas market holiday for you.

We have Christmas market breaks departing from Cork, Dublin and Shannon, with options available throughout November and December.

Browse our Christmas Market holidays or get in touch with our travel experts to start planning your festive city break.

Cork City: 021 4277094 or 01 6965135 | info@shandontravel.ie
Bantry: 027 50341 | bantry@shandontravel.ie
Clonakilty: 023 8833220 | clonakilty@shandontravel.ie