Our Top 10 Christmas Market Destinations.
Exploring Christmas markets is particularly enchanting when they're set against breathtaking backdrops. We've chosen several family-friendly destinations where you can not only browse the markets but also take in the beauty of the surroundings. We've outlined some average costs to assist with your decision and provided links for planning. These are budgeted for the period between the 10th and 15th of December, which means that those with school-aged children would miss only three days of school, or six sessions.. If you don’t want the kids to miss school it may come in more expensive as its closer to Christmas but still a possibility. These have been listed in no particular order below.
Basel, Switzerland.
Basel Christmas market, Nestled at the top of Switzerland on the French boarder.
The Basel Christmas market on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz is considered to be one of the prettiest and largest in Switzerland.
The Christmas market is open daily from 28th November to 23rd December 2024 from 11.00 am to 8.30 pm. On 23rd December 2024, the Christmas Market on Barfüsserplatz closes earlier at 8.00 pm and the one on Münsterplatz at 6.00 pm.
Visit city hall to add a little magic…
You’ll find a giant book filled with Advent wishes, lists to Santa, or wishes for hope peace and health from people from all over the word. Why not add yours?
Our 5 day average costing based on a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 2 and over.
Accommodation: per night- £200
Return flights: into Basel
Heathrow: £350
Gatwick: £280
Stansted: £200
Food: £50 per adult £30 per child per day
Total Average Family Cost: £2350*
*based on average for 4 night of accommodation and averaged flight cost between airports
Check out the free Basel card which gives free bus and trams around Basel which will be given for any Hotel or Apartment stay for free. It also offers 50% off local attractions. BaselCard (guest card) | exclusive advantages | basel.com
Colmar, France.
Colmar a French village that appears to have jumped out of a fairytail, becomes more magical at Christmas time.
From 26th November to 29th December visit a place that looks like its jumped of the pages of Beauty and the Beast and come to life. This Enchanting town has 6 Christmas markets to visit each with their own local craftsmanship on offer. A place which can make you feel like a child again whilst bringing the magic of Christmas to your own children. If your foodies like us then enjoy the Gourmet Market for some dishes from 9 chefs specially selected to share the best they have to offer.
Opening hours
Monday to Thursday: 11am to 7pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10am to 8pm
24 December: 10am to 5pm
25 December: 11am to 7pm
26 December: 11am to 7pm
Opening hours of the Gourmet Market :
Monday to Sunday: 11am to 10pm No public holiday exceptions
For a touch of magic….
On certain days you can see children singing carols on boats on the river in what has been dubbed little Venice. This is a free event.
Our 5 day average costing based on a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 2 and over.
Accommodation per night: £300
Return flights into Basel Switzerland
Heathrow: £350
Gatwick: £280
Stansted: £200
Food: £50 per adult £30 per child per day
Train from Basel to Colmar: £145 return
Total Average Family Cost: £2418*
*based on average for 4 night of accommodation and averaged flight cost between airports
Strasbourg, France.
Strasbourg France, Find the giant teddies that decorate some of the buildings as you explore gorgeous markets and taste some of the great food on offer.
Step into the magic as not only does Strasbourg come to life with Christmas markets between November 27th until December 27th, but there’s a whole world of magic just a few steps outside the centre as the neighbourhoods all bring their own festive touches to life. You can indulge in craft workshops, cooking classes, with shows and concerts also on offer.
Fancy some Christmas Activities..
Visit the Advent village for some festive activities games and story telling.
Our 5 day average costing based on a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 2 and over.
Accommodation per night: £180
Return flights into Basel Switzerland
Heathrow: £350
Gatwick: £280
Stansted: £200
Food: £50 per adult £30 per child per day
Train from Basel to Colmar: £120 return
Total Average Family Cost: £1916*
*based on average for 4 night of accommodation and averaged flight cost between airports
Florence, Italy.
Florence Italy, Northern Italy's beautiful city has its main market around the stunning backdrop of the Cathedral where a German style market offers festive fun.
Christmas in Florence is a little less visited and has a smaller market than some of the others on this list. However Italy is just and experience in itself and adding some Christmas magic makes this a great time to visit. This market typically runs from around November 18th to December 17th last year so expected to be November 16th to December 16th this year. The Italians are not Known for planning but its all part of the adventure. Not only can you have your Christmas treats but get to try some amazing Italian food in the local area too. It would be rude not to have a gelato or two in the place where it all started.
Our 5 day average costing based on a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 2 and over.
Accommodation per night: £185
Return flights into Florence
Gatwick: £350
Food: £50 per adult £30 per child per day
Train from Basel to Colmar: £120 return
Total Average Family Cost: £1890*
*based on average for 4 night of accommodation and averaged flight cost between airports
A little family fun….
Home to one of the largest ice rinks in Europe you can get some skates on and enjoy the view . Prices yet to be released last year but for a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children under 10 it was £34 (€40) in 2023
Gothenburg, Sweden.
Gothenburg Sweden, Magical family rides amongst market stalls or more cosy winter walks through cobbled streets with festive delights on offer. who could resist?
Fancy visiting somewhere new to explore and not somewhere most would think of then beautiful Sweden and its markets may be just for you. Not only is there the usual fair of mulled wine, Christmas trees and roasted chestnuts but there is a magical snow proofed adventure at Liseberg park with rides and some more kid friendly fun or for some more cosy up and explore feelings why not visit Haga a cosy market near central Gothenburg with cobbled lines streets and Christmas scents all around.
Our 5 day average costing based on a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 2 and over.
Accommodation per night: £163
Return flights into Gothenburg
Heathrow: £1000
Stanstead: £220
Food: £50 per adult £30 per child per day
Total Average family Cost: £2060*
*based on average for 4 night of accommodation and averaged flight cost between airports
Liseburg Park
Add a little extra Christmas magic, with rides, ice rinks, market stools and a sprinkling of magic opens from November 16th to January 5th.
Tickets go on sale in November.
Vienna, Austria.
Vienna Austria, take a step back in time and add in the smell of strudel and baked goods filling the air as you see twinkling lights and beautiful stalls filled with stunning craftmanship.
Discover a dozen Christmas markets with some cute and cozy to grand and elegant. The city of Vienna comes to life with market stalls and delightful eats to try. The markets start to open on November 8th until January 6th. Prater Gardens offers a great entertainment program suitable for all ages. Here, you can indulge in a variety of amazing foods, from soup served in bread bowls to a comforting warm strudel. For those who enjoy a hot alcoholic drink, there's punch or Glühwein available, and even a non-alcoholic kinderpunch for the children to enjoy.
If the kids are getting tired…
Using the ‘hop on hop off’ busses and trams is a great way to see some Christmas lights and give those legs a break.
Our 5 day average costing based on a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 2 and over.
Accommodation per night: £225
Return flights into Vienna
Heathrow: £480
Gatwick: £450
Food: £50 per adult £30 per child per day
Train from Basel to Colmar: £120 return
Total Average family Cost: £2165*
*based on average for 4 night of accommodation and averaged flight cost between airports
Stuttgart, Germany.
Stuttgart Germany, A true Bavarian market with some extra delights for the kids. Its for sure got plenty to keep all ages entertained.
From the 27th of November to the 23rd of December, the event boasts a children's fairyland complete with miniature trains and heart-shaped gingerbread ready for decoration, a must see for the little ones. With 300 stalls brimming with all the gifts you could desire and food you can't wait to taste, it's a shopper's paradise. For an added touch of festive enchantment, consider visiting the Old Palace courtyard, where carols will be sung by various choirs and music groups from Stuttgart and the surrounding regions.
Live Nativity…
Visit and interact with a real-life donkey, lambs, and sheep that you can pet. For adults, just across the way, there's a stall from the state sheep association that cares for these animals, offering cheeses and woollen clothing for sale.
Our 5 day average costing based on a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 2 and over.
Accommodation per night: £165
Return flights into Stuttgart
Heathrow: £625
Food: £50 per adult £30 per child per day
Total Average Family Cost: £2085*
*based on average for 4 night of accommodation and averaged flight cost between airports
Brussels, Belgium.
Brussels, Belgium. What goes better than Christmas markets and chocolate?
Each December, Brussels undergoes a magical transformation, becoming a fairy-tale city. The enchanting atmosphere immerses you in the Christmas spirit. With festively adorned squares, ice-skating rinks, Ferris wheels, and dazzling light shows, it fulfils all your dreams of a magical holiday season. Plus, the city boasts the largest Christmas market in Belgium! From November 29th until January 5th you can visit these amazing markets.
Chocolate…
When visiting a country renowned for its chocolate production, it would be considered impolite not to try a variety of its offerings. Try some of these delights from many of the chocolate shops and chocolatiers.
Our 5 day average costing based on a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 2 and over.
Accommodation per night: £250
Return flights into Brussels
Heathrow: £450
Food: £50 per adult £30 per child per day
Total Average Family Cost: £2250*
*based on average for 4 night of accommodation and averaged flight cost between airports.
Copenhagen, Denmark.
Copenhagen, Denmark. Cosy markets filled with the spirit of Danish hygge, and plenty of gløgg.
From the 15th November all the markets will be open until 5th January. Head to Tivoli Gardens for some more fun with inside the amusement park there is a charge to get in but it captures so much of the Danish spirit its worth a visit. Through all the markets you’ll find delightful treats and artisan gifts as you wander around Copenhagen.
Christmas comes to life in Copenhagen Zoo…
At the zoo, you can visit Santa Claus in his grotto and enjoy a ride on the zoo train, which has been converted into the Christmas train for the season. Additionally, there's an opportunity to create Christmas crafts in Santa's grotto, where children can construct straw animals and even assist in feeding the farm animals at the Children's Zoo.
Our 5 day average costing based on a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 2 and over.
Accommodation per night: £175
Return flights into Copenhagen
Heathrow: £450
Gatwick: £400
Food: £50 per adult £30 per child per day
Total Average Family Cost: £1900*
*based on average for 4 night of accommodation and averaged flight cost between airports.
Cologne, Germany.
Cologne Germany, It has been said that once you vitis Cologne no other market compares. There is simply so much on offer.
Open from November 18th until December 23rd The Christmas season in Cologne is enchanting, with the city aglow in festive lights that cast a warm glow over the streets. Filled with Festive delights and make sure you try the waffles. There is a train you can take between Christmas markets but its often more efficient to take public transport if legs need a little rest. They each offer something unique and its worth trying to visit them all.
Take a 25 minute tram ride to Siegburg…
Offering entertaining medieval-themed games and activities for children, complemented by an impressive array of food stalls, this spot provides a break from the bustling crowds of Cologne's Christmas markets.
Our 5 day average costing based on a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 2 and over.
Accommodation per night: £170
Return flights into Cologne
Heathrow: £800
Stanstead: £555
Food: £50 per adult £30 per child per day
Total Average Family Cost: £2160*
*based on average for 4 night of accommodation and averaged flight cost between airports.