A melange of tantalisingly delicious aromas waltz in the Vienna night air as we queue for traditional hand-rubbed noodles topped with gloopy cheese from a raclette. Sampling seasonal food and drink is what Christmas markets are all about.
In nearby wooden huts reminiscent of Alpine cabins, bratwursts sizzle gently over glowing charcoal next to käsekrainer – sausages packed with cheese. Ignoring temptation, I sip steaming glühwein from a cute, boot-shaped mug.
The Austrian capital’s dome-topped Art History Museum towers to our left and the Museum of Natural History, one Austria’s largest museums, is on the far side of Maria-Theresien-Platz.
During the day, we explore museums and institutions, including the Prater Park’s historic Ferris wheel.
At dusk, Advent markets call and we browse stalls for handcrafted gifts and regional delicacies.
The server asks if we want a bacon topping. Absolutely! Bacon improves everything – even the magic of Christmas markets.
New destinations
Vienna is one of the 50 Jet2CityBreaks European Christmas market destinations available from 12 UK airports; Cologne, Gdansk and Prague are among the others.
“With many people searching for something memorable to mark the occasion, travelling abroad to a Christmas market delivers just that, offering the chance to experience new cultures and traditions, sample festive treats and to soak up seasonal cheer in an incredible festive destination,” says Zoe Towers, Head of Product at Jet2holidays.
“Interestingly, Christmas destinations are evolving as travellers seek something a little different, opting for alternative locations like Tallinn, Malmö and Bratislava as well as the usual festive favourites.
“In response to this growing demand, Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks have expanded their choice,” she continues, explaining that the company has programmed 10 new destinations for winter 2025-26.
A couple enjoy the cheer on a Shearings trip
Ashley Dellow, Head of Retail Sales at Leger Shearings Group, adds: “Christmas markets are always a firm favourite with customers, appealing to all generations due to their uniqueness; our festive bookings are always strong and consistent. There is now so much choice across so many destinations and Christmas markets can really boost year-end sales.”
Leger Holidays offers 29 tours and Shearings has 31 to Christmas markets across Europe, including domestic options and river cruises.
New for 2025 is Leger’s seven-day ‘Osnabruck, Munster, Dusseldorf and Cologne Christmas Markets’ tour, priced from £1,139pp, while Leger’s five-day ‘WW2 Battlefields and Christmas Markets’ tour starts from £559pp. It visits stalls at Valkenburg and Aachen and combines military history with festive fun.
Austrian traditions
The Salzburg Christmas market at Hellbrunn Palace
Salzburg’s Christkindlmarkt is Austria’s longest continually running Christmas market. Appealing across generations, it features the blessing of the Advent crown and horn-blowing on Saturdays. Nearby, Hellbrunn Palace’s windows are utilised as a giant Advent calendar.
Surrounding Salzburgerland offers skiing and is home to Oberndorf, the pretty village with a market where Silent Night was written.
Boat tours on Lake Wolfgang connect Saint Gilgen, Strobl and Saint Wolfgang, where a 16-metre peace lantern illuminates the water.
A Christmas market in Vorarlberg, image by Petra Rainer, Vorarlberg Tourismus
“Vorarlberg is Austria’s westerly most state. Our Christmas markets are special because they are traditional, in beautiful settings, and focus on regional handicrafts and cuisine,” says Sandra Schacherer of Vorarlberg Tourismus.
Insider tips for exploring the region include experiencing ‘Christmas Town’ at Feldkirch, seeing newborn Montafon stone sheep lambs at Verner’s Hofladen in Bartholomäberg and sailing on the Christmas ship to experience the markets in both Lindau and Bregenz.
Many mature travellers appreciate the comfort of river cruises.
Priced from £1,753pp, Riverside Luxury Cruises’ five-day ‘Christmas Atmosphere along the Danube with Wachau Valley’ sails from Vienna to Passau, while the four-day ‘Fairytale Christmas on the Rhine’ cruise to Frankfurt starts from £2,174pp.
Fresh takes
Hamburg in Germany has a strong festive market offering
The pretty market in Sibiu, Romania
Vegans may appreciate the Christmas market at Berlin’s Fehrbelliner Platz. More than 60 stalls serve alternatives to often meat-heavy festive fare. It has live music and ethically sourced wares likely to appeal to eco-conscious travellers.
Germany’s capital is dotted with Christmas markets and is an easy train ride from the almost 600-year-old Striezelmarkt in Dresden.
In Estonia, Tallinn’s rooftop Christmas market in the Telliskivi district appeals to a younger demographic, thanks to design-led pods, DJs, heated igloos and pop-up saunas. The Christmas market in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Old Town opens on November 21.
With 60 stalls, it’s where Europe’s first public Christmas tree was displayed in 1441. Folk dancers and choirs participate in the cultural programme, making it ideal for travellers seeking a more authentic festive immersion.
Visiting Tallinn presents opportunities to go husky sledding in the nearby Korvemaa Nature Reserve or Järvselja Forest. Regent Holidays offers four-day packages including flights, transfers and excursions for £745pp.Iceland’s winter festival, Jól, runs from December 23 until January 6. It’s a good recommendation for those looking to get away over the holiday period and, subject to the weather, offers opportunities for seeing the northern lights.
Austurvöllur Christmas Market is ideal for sampling Icelandic dishes such as Laufabrauð while Hafnarfjörður’s Christmas village warrants a weekend long excursion.
Book it
Priced from £1,299pp, Great Rail Journeys five-day ‘Bavarian Christmas Markets’ tour visits Nuremberg, Regensburg and Rothenburg. It includes rail and coach travel, B&B and guided tours and excursions.
greatrail.com
