The holidays are just around the corner, and nothing gets you into the spirit of the season like a pre-Christmas trip to Europe, where so many of our favorite festive traditions originated. Europe’s Christmas markets, many of which have been around since the Middle Ages, are magical places to embrace the holiday spirit and celebrate in the month leading up to Christmas.
Immerse yourself into the Christmas spirit by laying your head just wandering distance from the market, soaking in the ambiance from the festivities, meandering through decorated streets to your home away from home in Europe.
From former palaces to historic bank buildings, these market-adjacent hotels bring their own history, style, and romance to the festive winter season, making for bucket-list-worthy stays at all budget levels.
VIENNA:
Chriskindlmarkt, the famous Viennese Christmas Market, lights up Austria’s capital every holiday season. It extends throughout City Hall Square and features a pop-up ice rink winding through the trees. You enter through a picturesque archway, where they are greeted with a sea of twinkling lights, decorated gift booths and the welcoming smells of mulled wine and freshly baked bread—perfect for a chilly winter night.
Stay at:
Just a 15-minute walk from the market, Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna has a rich history. It was originally designed for the 1873 World’s Fair by revered Austrian architect Theophil Hansen. Previously home to the Police Headquarters and several other municipal offices in Vienna, the Palais Hansen has been brought back to life after a significant renovation.
PRAGUE:
Next stop: Prague, where the Christmas Markets are steeped in tradition and often hailed as the best in the world, mulled wine, gingerbread, and local handmade gifts included in the magic! The Christmas Market in Old Town Square takes place from the end of November til the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, a longer duration than many Christmas markets that fold up on Christmas Eve or even earlier.
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A short 15-minute walk away, the NH Collection Prague Carlo IV is fit for a storybook. This classic Neo-Renaissance building was designed by famed Viennese architect Achille Wölf in the 1890s for the Czech Mortgage Bank. Many of the bank’s unique features were preserved or restored, including the original treasury room, which is now The Vault Bar, a cozy nook to enjoy a festive cocktail and warm up after the market.
FRANKFURT:
The Christmas Markets in Frankfurt offer a true sense of royal history and tradition, dating back to 1393 when they were accompanied by ecclesiastical mystery plays on the Römerberg. Today, the market stalls offer modern merriment—like pretzels the size of a globe—and handcrafted gifts steeped in Germanic tradition.
Stay at:
nhow Frankfurt, located just a short distance from the Christmas Markets, is an artistic and inspiring hotel with an “art of money” theme. Guests enjoy quirky touches, Instagram-friendly furnishings, and an Insider Lounge for VIPs. There, you'll find Germany’s highest rooftop bar, where you can sip a festive cocktail and savor the twinkling holiday lights of the bustling city below.
AMSTERDAM:
Celebrating its 8th anniversary, the magical Christmas Village is located in Museumplein (a quick walk from the hotels) and features an amazing array of culinary delights and shopping from December 12-16. Travelers can top off the night with a canal cruise that showcases the city’s infamous Christmas light displays.
Stay at:
The recently opened Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam, and the historic Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam, are both centrally located in Amsterdam, making them idyllic respites for visitors seeking art and culture in one of Europe’s most exciting winter wonderlands.
MORE CAN’T-MISS MARKETS:
Other Christmas Markets in some of Europe’s most beloved destinations include:
- The Basilica of Budapest Christmas Market (ranked the best in 2020, 2022, and 2023) in Hungary’s capital;
- In the city center of Brussels, the Winter Wonders is host to a lively Christmas Market and events at the Grand Palace.
- Located in Senate Square in Helsinki, the oldest and most popular Christmas market in Finland shares the Christmas spotlight; this country is the real home of reindeer and the home of Santa Claus.
- The Fair of Santa Llúcia at the Barcelona Cathedral is celebrating its 237th anniversary.
- You’ll find more seasonal Latin flavors at the Rossio Christmas Market in Lisbon, Portugal.
START YOUR CHRISTMAS MARKET TRIP!
Image courtesy of Minor Hotels.
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