There are plenty of Festive European Markets around Christmas 2025. There are also spas to enjoy on your visits
Christmas Markets Cologne Germany
Many Christmas markets invite you to stroll along and enjoy yourself
This year the Christmas markets in Cologne opened their gates around November 17, and are welcoming visitors with delicacies such as mulled wine and waffles. You can explore the many markets in the course of a mulled-wine tour through the cathedral city.As you make your way through the city this winter, you’ll discover not only the Christmas markets but also Cologne’s finely crafted Nativity scenes, the Christmas Ferris wheel at the Chocolate Museum and wonderful Christmas events. If you don’t wish to tour this blaze of lights on foot, the Christmas Market Express operated by Wolters Bimmelbahnen is just the right thing for you. It will take you restfully from one Christmas market to the next all over the city.
Christmas Magic of Strasbourg France
26 November to 24 December 2025. Treat yourself to an unforgettable festive getaway in Strasbourg, home to the oldest Christmas market in France, dating back to 1570. As one of Europe’s most historic markets, Strasbourg’s Christmas celebration is truly something special.
During December, the city transforms into a magical wonderland. Streets and buildings are adorned with intricate decorations, and sparkling shop windows invite you in with festive displays. The air is filled with the scent of cinnamon, spices, and mulled wine, while Christmas carols echo from the city’s charming churches, creating a nostalgic and heart-warming atmosphere.
Enchanting lights
Strasbourg is also one of the most illuminated cities in Europe during the holiday season. Each year, the streets, houses, and balconies twinkle with enchanting lights and ever-more imaginative decorations. In Place Kléber, a majestic 30-metre Christmas tree, the tallest decorated tree in Europe, takes centre stage, shimmering with beautiful ornaments—a proud symbol of Strasbourg, the “Capital of Christmas.”
The city’s Christmas market boasts over 300 charming wooden chalets, where local merchants and artisans offer a wide array of festive goods. Whether you’re searching for unique Christmas gifts, handmade decorations, or traditional treats like “bredle” Christmas biscuits and steaming cups of mulled wine, Strasbourg has something for everyone.
This fairy-tale setting, steeped in centuries of tradition, continues to captivate visitors year after year. Come and experience the enchantment of Strasbourg, where Christmas magic has been reinvented and cherished since 1570!
Christmas markets in Gothenburg Sweden
In November and December, there are plenty of atmospheric Christmas markets in Gothenburg and the surrounding areas. Among the vast selection, you’re guaranteed to find a market that suits you and your companions—whether you’re looking for traditional craftsmanship, unique design, or delicacies for the Christmas table.
Mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and Christmas trees. There are so many to choose from in Gothenburg. Here are some favourites, from cosy Haga to majestic Tjolöholm Castle.
Christmas in Haga
The Christmas market in the cosy neighbourhood Haga is a seasonal highlight. Market stalls line the cobbled street Haga Nygata, the shops are decked out with Christmas decorations, and the sounds and scents of Christmas are all around.
Christmas at Liseberg
The amusement park Liseberg is one of Sweden’s most popular tourist attractions, and the park’s Christmas market is one of the yearly highlights in Gothenburg. Stroll through the park, surrounded by millions of lights and browse through stalls selling everything from crafts to sweets.
Christmas market at Tjolöholm Castle
Bring family and friends to the Christmas market at Tjolöholm Castle in Kungsbacka outside Gothenburg. In addition to discovering the Tudor-style castle, take part in a Christmas gift hunt, experience fire shows and taste Christmas-inspired food and drink.
Tallinn Christmas Market
Christmas Market at Tallinn Town Hall Square 21.11–28.12.2025
The traditional Tallinn Christmas Market returns – this time from 21 November to 28 December. Step into a winter wonderland filled with a diverse cultural programme, a brightly lit Christmas tree, unique handicrafts and delicious festive treats.
The city’s oldest square will once again be adorned with a captivating Christmas tree, decorated with thousands of lights and sparkling ornaments. Around it, the market stalls will offer handmade crafts, Christmas goods, gifts, and warming food and drinks.
As always, local producers are in focus, many of them already familiar to returning visitors. Santa’s helpers will find the perfect gifts here – special items that can’t be found in ordinary shops. Visitors can meet the artisans in person, discover the best selection of Christmas decorations, and explore new patterns and designs in handmade products. A wide range of alpaca wool items makes ideal gifts for those who value luxury, sustainability, and Estonian design.
Good news for those who have been longing for the market’s famous handmade truffles: they are back again this year, and only at the Tallinn Christmas Market! The beloved Sweet House will also return, easy to find by following the delicious aroma – freshly baked cinnamon and cardamom rolls are made right on the spot. Visitors can also enjoy eclairs, macarons, cakes, cookies, and many other sweet delights.
For those seeking something more filling, the Tallinn Christmas Market offers a wide selection of Christmas dishes as always – from blood sausages and roasted meats to sauerkraut, potatoes, and many new and exciting snacks.
In keeping with the season, there is always a rich selection of hot drinks. The mulled wine menu expands each year with new flavours such as cranberry-cherry, limoncello, raspberry-blackcurrant with Setomaa honey, and sea buckthorn-mandarin. It can be said with confidence that the Tallinn Christmas Market has one of the most extensive mulled wine selections in Europe.
Bremen’s 2025 Christmas markets
The Hanseatic city‘s two big Christmas markets open their doors on 24th November and will continue to delight locals and visitors alike until 23rd December. There is plenty to look forward to, with the historic market square and the picture-postcard Schlachte Promenade transformed into a winter wonderland with a uniquely charming atmosphere.The Christmas market on the market square, in the heart of the old town of Bremen, is set against an impressive backdrop of historical buildings, including the town hall, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city’s trademark ‘Bremer Roland’. There are more than 170 stalls in festive finery to explore, selling hand-crafted gifts, delicious treats and Christmas decorations, among other things. A piece of ‘Bremer Klaben’ goes perfectly with a glass of mulled wine or punch. This traditional raisin bread is eaten all year around in Bremen but is especially popular during the festive period.
Italian Christmas Market Guide
Heather Green, Head of Product at Citalia, shares her insight on the best destinations in Italy for Christmas markets and festivities.
Verona Christmas markets: November 17th – December 26th
The Piazza dei Signori Christmas market, inspired by Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, fills the streets with the scent of Biscotti speziati (gingerbread) and vin brulé. Enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides past illuminated palaces, but make sure not to miss the illuminated star installation at Piazza Bra for the perfect festive photo. 13 December, when Piazza Bra hosts one of the region’s biggest Santa Lucia fairs. It’s a day of feasting, with over 200 stalls and slices of pandoro (fluffy sweet bread). Enjoy live music, theatrical performances and traditional processions dedicated to the cultural and spiritual significance of Verona.
Naples Christmas Markets: November 30th – January 6th
Vibrant presepi (nativity scenes) line Via San Gregorio Armeno and stalls filled with sweet struffoli (honey coated dough balls) and spiced roccocò (hard almond, citrus biscuits). Just outside the city, the castle at Lettere becomes a fairytale market, where you can browse local crafts and sip novello wine.
Turin Christmas markets: December 1st – January 6th
Visitors can skate at the Palaghiaccio Massari ice rink, enjoy Christmas concerts in the Church of San Carlo, or take a stroll along Via Roma and Piazza San Carlo to admire the city’s light installations of the Luci d’Artista. Venture into the Piedmont region for hidden festivities, like the mountain markets of Santa Maria Maggiore in the Vigezzo Valley, where nativity scenes float on water.
Milan Christmas Markets: December 6th – December 9th
Milan brings a stylish twist to the festive season, blending high end shopping with the charm of traditional Christmas markets. The Piazza del Duomo market sparkles beneath the city’s towering Christmas tree adorned with over 700 glowing spheres. The Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair, Milan’s oldest Christmas celebration, takes place around Castello Sforzesco. Dating back more than five centuries, this lively event fills the streets with stalls selling traditional sweets, handcrafted toys, artisanal gifts and festive decorations.
For more information on Italy’s festivities, visit: https://www.citalia.com/blog/how-to-celebrate-christmas-like-an-italian/
Europe’s Best Spa & Christmas Market Destinations Revealed
From steaming thermal pools to snow-dusted market squares, these are the cities where wellness meets winter magic.
As temperatures drop and festive lights go up, wellness seekers are ditching sun loungers for soul-soothing spa retreats and Christmas market escapes. Former spa owner and beauty expert Danielle Louise, on the Fresha platform, the world’s leading booking system for salons, spas, and wellness professionals, reveals the top European destinations offering both deep relaxation and festive charm this winter.
“Winter is when our bodies crave warmth, stillness, and connection,” says Danielle. “These destinations let you reset in the spa by day, then wrap up for a mulled wine and lights-filled market by night.”
Top-Rated Spa & Christmas Market Cities in Europe (2025 Season)
|
City / Region |
Country |
Signature Spa |
Christmas Market |
Combined Winter Hook |
|
Vienna |
Austria |
Aqua Dome – Tirol Therme Längenfeld ? 4.7 / 5 |
Vienna Christkindlmarkt (14 Nov – 26 Dec 2025) |
A short train from the Alps to the capital, soak under the stars, then shop under the lights |
|
Budapest |
Hungary |
Széchenyi Thermal Baths ? 4.6 / 5 |
Basilica & Vörösmarty Square Markets (22 Nov – 1 Jan 2026) |
Iconic thermal pools meet twinkling festive stalls, the ultimate “soak then stroll” city break |
|
Zurich / Lucerne |
Switzerland |
Bürgenstock Alpine Spa ? 4.8 / 5 |
Zurich Christmas Market (21 Nov – 24 Dec 2025) |
High-end wellness above Lake Lucerne with festive markets just an hour away |
|
Cologne |
Germany |
Neptunbad Spa ? 4.7 / 5 |
Cathedral Christmas Market (25 Nov – 23 Dec 2025) |
Steamy saunas and cathedral lights — Germany’s perfect wellness weekend |
|
Barcelona |
Spain |
AIRE Ancient Baths ? 4.6 / 5 |
Fira de Santa Llúcia (29 Nov – 23 Dec 2025) |
Candle-lit baths and Catalan Christmas charm — ideal for a warmer winter escape |
|
Innsbruck / Tyrol |
Austria |
Aqua Dome – Tirol Therme Längenfeld ? 4.7 / 5 |
Innsbruck Christmas Market (15 Nov – 23 Dec 2025) |
Alpine air, mountain spas, and fairy-tale market views all in one trip |
New and emerging Christmas markets 2025
Global Work & Travel reveals the most exciting new and emerging Christmas markets across Europe – proving winter city breaks don’t have to be traditional to be magical.
Amsterdam Light & Winter Market (Netherlands)
A first-of-its-kind fusion between Amsterdam’s Light Festival and a festive market. Think floating food stalls, indie designers, glowing canals, and candlelit boat rides through the Jordaan. Perfect for travellers wanting a festive vibe without the clichés.
Set just outside Reykjavík near the Grotta Lighthouse, this atmospheric pop-up is a chance to shop local crafts under the aurora borealis (weather permitting). Expect Icelandic street food, geothermal foot baths, live folklore storytelling and fire-lit seating areas.
Berlin Vegan Christmas Market (Germany)
Plant-based meets party season at Fehrbelliner Platz. This fully vegan market has over 60 stalls serving up meat-free festive eats, mulled wine, and ethical gifts – with DJs and sustainable workshops on rotation. A must-visit for eco-conscious travellers.
Located in Tallinn’s edgy Telliskivi district, this rooftop Christmas market swaps cobbles for city views and wooden huts for design-led pods. With local DJs, sauna pop-ups, and heated igloos serving Nordic drinks – it’s fast becoming one of Europe’s coolest winter hangouts.