Hotels
Christmas market breaks: 12 European cities and where to stay
Mulled wine in hand, lights over the square and your hotel just round the corner. These are the cities with Europe’s best Christmas markets, and the hotels we would book.
Christmas market breaks: stay as close to the stalls as you can
You smell the roasted almonds and cinnamon before you see the stalls. Somewhere a brass band is playing, and the lights hang over the square like a ceiling. A Christmas market is at its best when you can walk there from your hotel, warm up in your room and head out again as darkness falls.
We have picked 12 cities where the Christmas market is reason enough to travel, from the classics in Vienna and Prague to the fairytale towns of Alsace and the old mining town of Røros in Norway. For each city we have chosen hotels within walking distance of the market. If you would rather spend Christmas itself at a hotel, see 21 festive hotels for a Christmas to remember.
The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to choose your Christmas market city
Atmosphere and history: Strasbourg, Colmar and Innsbruck have old towns that look like Christmas cards.
City break and shopping: Vienna, Berlin and London combine the markets with museums, concerts and shops.
Easy long weekend: Copenhagen, Bruges and Edinburgh work well for a short break.
A Nordic Christmas: Røros offers a Christmas market in the snow, far from the crowds.
The Central European classics
Vienna: Hotel Sacher
Vienna takes Christmas seriously. The biggest market fills the square in front of City Hall, while the smaller markets in Spittelberg and at Schönbrunn make for a quieter evening of punch and handicrafts.
Hotel Sacher sits opposite the State Opera and is the home of the famous Sachertorte. From here you can walk to the markets in the centre and come back to a hotel where Christmas feels like an old tradition.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Hotel Sacher
Prague: Augustine Prague
In Prague the Christmas tree stands in Old Town Square, surrounded by the astronomical clock and church spires. It is one of the finest Christmas scenes in Europe, and Wenceslas Square has its own market a few minutes away.
Augustine is a former monastery in Malá Strana, on the other side of Charles Bridge. Cross the bridge at blue hour and you will reach Old Town Square before your mulled wine is ready.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Augustine Prague
Prague: Four Seasons Hotel Prague
Four Seasons sits on the Vltava, a couple of minutes from Charles Bridge and a short walk from Old Town Square. Choose it if you want the market close by and the castle in view.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Four Seasons Hotel Prague
The Christmas market in Prague
Old Town Square with its tree and stalls is one of Europe’s best-known Christmas markets.
Berlin: Hotel de Rome
Berlin has more Christmas markets than you can visit in a weekend, from the markets in Mitte to the one in front of Charlottenburg Palace.
Hotel de Rome occupies a former bank building on Bebelplatz, with a roof terrace above Unter den Linden. Several of the central markets are within walking distance.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Hotel de Rome
Berlin: Hotel Adlon Kempinski
The Adlon stands right by the Brandenburg Gate and is Berlin’s classic hotel. Unter den Linden is just outside, and the lobby is a fine place to thaw out with a hot chocolate after a cold evening.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Hotel Adlon Kempinski
Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin
The classic by the Brandenburg Gate, with Unter den Linden right outside.
The Alps and Alsace
Innsbruck: Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz
In Innsbruck the Christmas market fills the old town beneath the Golden Roof, with the mountains rising behind the houses. It is a Christmas market with an Alpine backdrop.
Weisses Kreuz is on the pedestrian street in the old town, so the market is right outside the door. A historic hotel for anyone who wants to stay inside the Christmas card.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz
The Christmas market in Innsbruck
Stalls in the old town with the Alps as a backdrop.
Strasbourg: Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile
Strasbourg calls itself the capital of Christmas, and its Christkindelsmärik is considered one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, with roots going back to the 16th century.
The Sofitel is on the Grande Île, the old town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can walk to the cathedral and the markets without thinking about trams or taxis.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile
Colmar: L’Esquisse Hotel & Spa
Colmar is a short train ride from Strasbourg and looks like something out of a fairytale. The markets are spread across the old town and along the canals of Petite Venise.
L’Esquisse is a design hotel with a spa, a welcome retreat after a cold evening among the stalls. Combine Colmar and Strasbourg on the same trip.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at L’Esquisse Hotel & Spa
The Christmas market in Colmar
Half-timbered houses, canals and lights: Colmar is the fairytale town of Alsace.
Northern Europe and the Baltics
Tallinn: Hotel Telegraaf
Tallinn’s Christmas market stands in Town Hall Square in the medieval old town, with a large tree in the middle. The old town is compact and made for winter evenings.
Hotel Telegraaf occupies the old telegraph building, a few minutes from Town Hall Square.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Hotel Telegraaf
Tallinn: Schlössle Hotel
Schlössle is a small luxury hotel set in medieval houses in the old town. It is a short walk to the market and a quiet place to come back to.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Schlössle Hotel
The Christmas market in Tallinn
Town Hall Square in the medieval old town, with its tree and stalls.
Copenhagen: Nimb Hotel
Christmas in Tivoli is Copenhagen’s big Christmas market, with lights in the trees, stalls and fairground rides. Nyhavn and Højbro Plads have their own markets too.
Nimb is inside Tivoli. Walk straight from the hotel into the lights, and back again when the gardens close.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Nimb Hotel
Nimb Hotel, Copenhagen
The hotel sits inside Tivoli, in the middle of Copenhagen’s biggest Christmas market.
Røros: a Christmas market in the old mining town
The Røros Christmas market is held in early December and turns this Norwegian mining town into one big market, with local food and handicrafts along the old streets. Many consider it Norway’s most atmospheric Christmas market.
Stay in the centre so you can walk between the stalls and back when it gets cold. Hotels fill up early for the market, so book well ahead.
Book your Christmas market break: See hotels in Røros
The Christmas market in Røros
The old mining town in the snow, with lights in the windows and a market in the streets.
Bruges and the British Christmas cities
Bruges: Dukes’ Palace
In Bruges the Christmas market fills the Markt and Simon Stevinplein, with the belfry towering over the stalls.
Dukes’ Palace is set in a medieval palace, a few minutes’ walk from the Markt.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Dukes’ Palace Bruges
Dukes’ Palace, Bruges
A medieval palace a few minutes from the Christmas market on the Markt.
Edinburgh: The Balmoral
Edinburgh’s Christmas market is in Princes Street Gardens, with the castle on its rock above.
The Balmoral sits at the end of Princes Street, beneath its clock tower. The market is just across the road.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at The Balmoral
The Balmoral, Edinburgh
Beneath the clock tower, with the Christmas market in Princes Street Gardens across the road.
London: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
London has Christmas markets everywhere, but two stand out: Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and the winter market on the Southbank by the Thames.
Mandarin Oriental is in Knightsbridge, right on the edge of Hyde Park. Winter Wonderland is a short walk away, and Harrods is close by.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
London: Corinthia London
Corinthia is just off Whitehall, close to the Thames. Cross Hungerford Bridge to the market on the Southbank and come back via Trafalgar Square.
Book your Christmas market break: See rooms at Corinthia London
A Christmas market in London
From Hyde Park to the Southbank, London has Christmas markets in every corner.
When should you book?
December weekends go first: hotels near the best-known markets fill up early, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.
Travel midweek: a midweek trip means quieter markets and often a better choice of rooms.
Check the opening times: most markets open in late November and many close just before Christmas. Check the dates for your city before you book.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas market breaks
Which city has the best Christmas market in Europe?
It depends on what you are after. Vienna and Prague are the classics, with big markets and beautiful squares. Strasbourg has one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, and Colmar looks like a fairytale. For an easy long weekend, Copenhagen, Bruges and Edinburgh are all good choices.
When do the Christmas markets in Europe open?
Most Christmas markets open in late November and run until just before Christmas. Some markets, especially in the big cities, stay open until New Year. Dates vary from city to city and from year to year, so check the market you plan to visit before you book.
Where should I stay for a Christmas market break?
Stay in the old town or city centre, as close to the market as possible. That way you can walk between the stalls, warm up in your room and head back out when the lights come on. In Edinburgh that means Princes Street, in Prague the Old Town or Malá Strana, and in Copenhagen Nimb is inside Tivoli.
How many nights do you need for a Christmas market break?
Two to three nights is enough for most cities. That gives you the markets in the evening and time for museums, coffee and shopping during the day. If you want to combine two places, such as Strasbourg and Colmar, allow at least three nights.
When should I book a hotel for a Christmas market break?
Book as early as you can, ideally several months ahead. Hotels near the best-known markets fill up quickly, especially at weekends in December. If you travel midweek, rooms are often easier to find and the markets are quieter.