Parents News Forum
Festive European Markets 2025 & Spas
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.
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 |