The Best Christmas Markets in Europe: How to Visit Them in One Day.

According to The Sun: Nothing reminds you more of Christmas than a stroll through the market with a cup of hot chocolate in hand, admiring the dazzling decorations and tasting the festive treats.

If you are short on time, there are many places in Europe where you can visit Christmas markets in just one day. Sun Travel has compiled the best options for this.

You can reach the Christmas markets all over Europe in just over an hour Alamy Visit the Christmas market at the Old Town Square for a traditional celebration Alamy

Berlin, Germany

Berlin hosts over 80 Christmas markets each year, so you are sure to find one that you like.

The largest Christmas market in the city is the one in Spandau, located in the historic Spandauer Platz.

A gigantic Christmas tree adorned with thousands of lights, stalls with hot drinks and souvenirs, and a large Ferris wheel - it's hard not to get into the festive spirit here.

Don't forget to try the special mulled wine and mulled beer.

A trip to Berlin from London can be easily planned in one day. On December 11, you can fly from Gatwick to Berlin with easyJet.

The flight departs at 8:55 AM and arrives at 11:50 AM, with the return flight at 9:35 PM landing at Gatwick at 10:40 PM.

Prices for round-trip flights start at £91.

Prague, Czech Republic

From November 29, 2025, to January 6, 2026, you will have the chance to visit the huge Christmas market at the Old Town Square in Prague.

Wooden stalls offering traditional sausages, delicious trdelník, festive ceramics, and wooden toys are set up around the big Christmas tree.

Don’t miss the free events on the main stage with musical performances.

In Cologne, there is a large market at the historic cathedral Alamy

You can fly from London Stansted to Prague with Ryanair on December 13, with the flight departing at 5:55 AM and landing at 8:55 AM.

The return flight is at 8:20 PM, arriving at 9:20 PM - return flights start at £97.

Cologne, Germany

Another festive German city is Cologne, known for its seven major Christmas markets, each with a unique design.

From the Angels' Market with foods and drinks to the Harbour Christmas Market with handicrafts and the Nicholas Village, where you can try German potato pancakes and Kölsch beer.

The Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral is a large market situated right next to the cathedral.

A trip to Cologne from the UK takes just 1 hour and 20 minutes.

On December 11, take a Ryanair flight from London Stansted that departs at 7:50 AM and arrives at 10:10 AM.

The return flight is at 7:55 PM, arriving at 8:15 PM - tickets start at £186.

Salzburg is known for its vintage candy markets and Christmas carols Alamy

Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg has Christmas in its heart; here, the Christmas carol 'Silent Night' was performed for the first time.

The market features vintage stalls, and you can enjoy free concerts in front of the cathedral daily at 5:00 PM or join in the Christmas carols on Tuesdays.

Fly on December 12 with Ryanair from London Stansted at 6:05 AM arriving at 9:00 AM.

The trip takes 1 hour and 55 minutes, giving you plenty of time to stroll around the markets and historic squares.

The return flight can be at 4:06 PM, arriving back in the UK at 5:00 PM - return flights start at £88.

Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb hosts about 25 Christmas markets throughout the city.

The 'Advent in Zagreb' festival takes place here, starting in late November and lasting until January.

During this time, there are numerous festive events, from markets to the illumination of Christmas trees, musical performances, and ice skating.

You can reach Zagreb from the UK in just 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Departing from London Stansted on December 13 at 8:25 AM, arriving at 11:35 AM with Ryanair.

The return flight is at 7:50 PM, arriving at 9:20 PM - return flights start at £56.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is known for its Christmas markets, especially at St. Stephen's Square.

Projections illuminate the historic basilica, with concerts taking place in front of it, and there are stalls and an ice rink.

Other popular markets are located at Vörösmarty Square and in the Obuda district.

On December 12, you can take a Ryanair flight from London Stansted that departs at 7:50 AM and lands in Budapest at 11:25 AM.

The return flight is at 9:20 PM, arriving at 10:55 PM - return flights start at £167.

One of the largest markets in Copenhagen is the one in Tivoli Alamy

Copenhagen, Denmark

The Christmas market in Tivoli, Copenhagen, is one of the largest in Denmark, where the Ferris wheel and fireworks twine around the trees.

There are also ice rinks for traditional skating and lots of mulled wine with cinnamon, known as Glögg in Denmark.

Children can visit Santa Claus and take a ride on the Elf train.

On December 12, you can take a Ryanair flight at 8:20 AM from London Heathrow to Copenhagen.

The return flight is at 10:45 PM, arriving at 11:40 PM.

The trip takes 1 hour and 55 minutes, and return flights start at £76.

Dublin has a vintage carousel in the castle grounds Getty Try waffles and Belgian beer at the Christmas markets in Brussels Alamy

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is only an hour and a half from London.

Here, every year a major event called 'Christmas at the Castle' takes place, where 30 alpine stalls and a vintage carousel are set up in the courtyard.

Be sure to visit one of the local pubs during your stay - they are festively decorated to celebrate the holidays.

On December 11, take a flight from London Stansted that departs at 6:30 AM, arriving in Dublin at 7:50 AM.

The return flight departs at 9:30 PM, arriving at Stansted at 10:50 PM - return flights start at £103.

Brussels, Belgium

The annual Christmas festival 'Winter Wonderland' in Brussels turns the city into a true fairy tale from mid-November.

Various locations, such as Grand Place, Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine, and Marché aux Poissons, host numerous events and markets.

Expect festive melodies, light shows, a giant Christmas tree, and a kilometer-long row of 200 wooden huts.

Here you can sample waffles, mulled wine, and Belgian beer.

On December 12, you can fly with British Airways from London Heathrow at 6:35 AM to Brussels, arriving at 8:50 AM.

The return from Brussels is at 9:20 PM, arriving at 9:40 PM - return flights start at £97.

Alternatively, you can choose the Eurostar, departing from London St. Pancras at 6:16 AM and arriving in Brussels at 9:13 AM.

The return from Brussels is at 8:56 PM, arriving in London at 9:57 PM - a return ticket with Eurostar costs £180.

You can reach Paris in just two hours from London St. Pancras Alamy

Paris, France

Another Eurostar trip - Paris, which takes just over two hours.

Besides classic sights such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame, you can immerse yourself in French culture with delicious cheeses, sausages, and chocolates.

Some of the most famous Christmas markets in Paris are located opposite Notre-Dame, at Place Viviani next to the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and in the Tuileries Gardens.

On December 11, take the first train at 6:01 AM, arriving in Paris at 9:21 AM.

For the return trip, depart at 9:02 PM, arriving in London St. Pancras at 10:30 PM - the price for a return ticket is £104.

The city of Amsterdam has a special Christmas charm during the holidays Alamy

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is known for its beautiful buildings and canals as well as its classic Christmas markets.

In Amsterdam, there are stalls selling cribs, food, mulled wine, and hot chocolate, so you will quickly feel the Christmas spirit.

On December 11, you will take a direct train from St. Pancras at 6:16 AM and arrive at 11:20 AM.

The return is possible with the last train at 6:40 PM, arriving at 9:57 PM - the price for a return ticket is £104.

Ride the festive carousel in Lille Aalmy

Lille, France

Thanks to the short journey on the Eurostar, Lille is the perfect spot for a two-day trip.

Although its Christmas market may not be the largest, it offers everything you need.

Visit the Place Rihour, where you will be welcomed by a large Christmas tree and a Ferris wheel next to a small snow village.

If you want a snack, head to the Grand Place, also known as Place du Général de Gaulle, for restaurants and cafés.

On December 11, you will board the direct train to Lille from St. Pancras at 7:04 AM, arriving at 9:26 AM.

The return is at 9:35 PM, arriving back in London at 9:57 PM.

The journey takes only 1 hour and 22 minutes, and the price for a return ticket is £134.

Don't forget that you cannot take festive souvenirs home with you when returning from Europe.

To discover additional Christmas attractions in the UK, consider these options, ranging from sleigh rides to festive hotel rooms.

You can visit Christmas markets in Europe and return in one day Alamy