If you’re searching for great Christmas Markets in Europe, few routes rival the magic of Germany and Alsace during December. Think half-timbered houses, mulled wine, and cobblestone streets with effortless train connections transporting you between storybook cities.
If this sounds like your idea of a fabulous experience, then this itinerary is for you.
After loads of research, we crafted this European Christmas market itinerary for our first Christmas market trip, which means that we have personally traveled this route. We stayed in walkable areas, tested the trains, and experienced all of the Christmas markets so you can plan with confidence!
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Why This Route is Perfect for Christmas Market Lovers
- Easy, scenic train travel
- Mix of iconic Christmas markets
- Germany, France, and Switzerland in one trip
- Strong cultural credibility (markets date back centuries)
Why Trust This Christmas Market Itinerary?
- This was our personal itinerary, so we know it works
- Written by seasoned, experienced European travelers (us). We’ve been to Europe numerous times, visiting France, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Scotland, the Czech Republic, Croatia, England, Ireland, the Netherlands, and more!
- Updated annually to reflect market opening dates
- No sponsored bias- the affiliate links in this post support site maintenance only (keeps our website up and running)
Great Christmas Markets in Europe Overview
| Day | City | Nights |
| 1-2 | Heidelberg, Germany | 2 |
| 3-4 | Strasbourg, France | 2 |
| 5-7 | Colmar, France | 3 |
| 8-9 | Basel, Switzerland | 2 |
| 10 | Frankfurt, Germany | 1 |
All routes are under 3 hours with frequent departures.
Days 1-2: Heidelberg, Germany – 2 nights
Arrive in Frankfurt, Germany, and take the train from the Frankfurt Airport station to Heidelberg, Germany. Book your train tickets in advance using Omio (book a flex ticket for this journey so you can adjust the time if needed).
Heidelberg is an underrated gem among Europe’s great Christmas markets, and that’s exactly why we chose to visit it.
Set on the Nektar River and overlooked by a historic castle, the old town of Heidelberg is a gem! Spend two nights in the charming Heidelberg, Germany, exploring the Heidelberg Christmas markets and all of the other things to do in Heidelberg.
Don’t Miss
- Marktplatz Christmas Market beneath Heidelberg Castle
- Kornmarkt Market with fairy-lit Renaissance buildings and great food
- Ice skating rink at Universitätsplatz
Sightseeing Tours in Heidelberg
Of course, you will want to explore Heidelberg during your visit. Here are some top tours to consider:
Pro Tip: Don’t miss the opportunity to tour Heidelberg Castle. Ride the funicular from Kornmarkt Square to the castle. The round-trip funicular ticket includes admission to the castle.
Where to Stay:
Stay in Old Town (Altstadt) where everything is walkable!
Getting from Heidelberg to Strasbourg
The train from Heidelberg to Strasbourg takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, with one transfer (or more, but try to book just one).
Pro Tip: Book your train tickets on Omio in advance and reserve seats if possible, as this route can get crowded. We found that the earlier trains were less crowded when traveling in and out of Alsace.
Days 3-4: Strasbourg, France – 2 nights
Capital de Noel (Capital of Christmas)
Strasbourg proudly calls itself ‘Capital de Noel’ (Capital of Christmas), so get ready! The whole town sparkles with twinkling lights, and over 300 traditional wooden stalls are spread throughout the town’s numerous markets. That means that this is one of the most famous (and popular) Christmas markets in Europe,
The Strasbourg Christmas markets are a must-see, and when you combine them with all of the other things to do in Strasbourg, you will definitely fill up your 2 days here!
Don’t Miss
- Christkindelsmärik at Place Broglie
- The massive Christmas tree at Place Kléber
- Alsatian treats: bredele cookies, vin chaud blanc, tarte flambe
Sightseeing Tours
Where to Stay in Strasbourg
Stay in Grande Île (UNESCO World Heritage Site) so that you are in the heart of the Christmas action and walkable to everything!
Getting From Strasbourg to Colmar
The train from Strasbourg to Colmar takes about 30 minutes. While there are frequent departures, I would still recommend booking your ticket in advance.
Pro Tip: Book your train tickets on Omio in advance and reserve seats if possible, as this route can get crowded. We found that the earlier trains were less crowded when traveling in and out of Alsace.
Days 5-7: Colmar – 3 nights
The Most Photographic Christmas Markets in Europe
Old-town Colmar is like stepping into a snowglobe with its half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and charming Christmas markets. We chose to spend 3 nights here so we could take the Christmas shuttle to visit the surrounding Alsatian towns of Equesheim, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, and Kaysersberg.
With six separate Christmas markets, Colmar is one of the most visually stunning experiences for anyone looking for great Christmas markets in Europe.
Don’t Miss
- Little Venice (Petite Venise)
- Koïfhus (Old Customs House)
- Place des Dominicains
- Day trips to the nearby small towns
Sightseeing Tours
Where to Stay in Colmar
If possible, try to stay near Petite Venice so that you are in the heart of the Christmas action.
Getting from Colmar to Basel
The train ride from Colmar to Basel is about 45 minutes if you book a direct train (which we recommend). As mentioned above, book your ticket in advance with Omio, and reserve a seat if possible.
Pro Tip: Colmar get REALLY CROWDED during the holiday season. If possible, try to avoid visiting on weekends. If you want to see the town without the crowds, get up easly a day or two (like at sunrise) and explore.
Days 8-9: Basel, Switzerland – 2 nights
Basel is home to numerous museums, delicious fondue, gourmet chocolate, and fabulous Christmas markets. I will warn you, though, Switzerland is expensive (hence the reason we only stayed two nights here.
If you want to skip this, then add these nights to Frankfurt or add extra nights in one of the other cities listed above.
Don’t Miss
- Barfüsserplatz
- Münsterplatz, set beneath Basel Minster
- Swiss specialties: fondue, swiss chocolate, Läckerli biscuits
- Views of the Rhine at night
Sightseeing Tours
Where to Stay in Basel
For the best access, we suggest staying in Grossbasel (Old Town). We stayed at Motel One and loved it. The Christmas market was literally right outside the hotel door.
Getting from Basel to Frankfurt
A direct train from Basel to Frankfurt takes about 3 hours. If you are only doing the one night in Frankfurt, as we did, I suggest taking an early-morning train so you can maximize your time there. Again, book your ticket in advance using Omio and reserve your seat.
Day 10: Frankfurt, Germany – 1 night (or more if you have time)
Spend your last night or two in Frankfurt, Germany, touring the City’s Christmas markets and exploring the Frankfurt attractions.
Frankfurt’s Christmas markets contrast medieval charm and modern skyscrapers, making it one of Germany’s most distinctive.
I have to be honest, Frankfurt wasn’t my favorite city, so I was glad we only planned one night here. We arrived around noon and had plenty of time to explore the city’s Christmas markets and do some souvenir shopping. Of course, if you want to explore more of the things to do in Frankfurt, then you might want to adjust the itinerary accordingly.
Don’t Miss
- Römerberg Christmas Market
- Frankfurt’s giant Christmas tree
- Local specialty: Bethmännchen marzipan cookies
Sightseeing Tours
Where to Stay in Frankfurt
Staying in the city center (Old Town) is the best option for walking to the Frankfurt Christmas Markets. We stayed at Motel One Frankfurt during our trip.
Best Time to Visit the Christmas Markets in Europe
Timing is really important when planning to visit the Christmas markets in Europe. Some markets open mid-November (Vienna, Prague, Budapest, etc.), but most don’t open until the end of November. The majority of the markets stay open until December 24, and a few remain open after Christmas Day.
Be sure to know the opening dates prior to planning your trip. I would hate for you to miss the markets during your visit!
If choosing the perfect week, I would recommend the first week in December. This ensures that the markets are open and the crowds aren’t too overwhelming yet.
Being from the United States, I generally have the week of Thanksgiving off, so we used that week and the week after (the first week of December) to plan our trip.
Pro Tip: Try to avoid visiting Dec 23-26 as many of the markets are closed.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Christmas Markets in Europe
- Bring cash in the local currency (many stalls don’t accept cards, and those that do have a minimum spend)
- Dress warmer than you think. The sun sets early (like 4:30 pm), and it gets cold. Bring layers and follow our suggested Europe in winter packing list.
- Book accommodations and train tickets as far in advance as possible
- Share food at the markets. The portions are big, and sharing means you get to try more things!
What to Eat and Drink at the Christmas Markets
Here are a few of the food we personally tried and loved during our Christmas market trip:
- Gluhwein/Vin Chaud– hot wine mulled with various spices
- Feuerzangenbowle– Gluhwein with melted rum sugar in it
- Heiße Schokolade– hot chocolate
- jus de pomme chaud– hot apple juice
- Bratwurst (and other various German sausages)
- Reibekucken– potato pancake
- Lángos– fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese
- Raclette– melted cheese on bread
- Flammkuchen or tarte flambe– flatbread with creme friache, cheese, onions, and bacon
- Schaumkuss or Schokokuss– marshmallow fluff covered in chocolate
- Crepes
Final Thoughts: Are These the Greatest Christmas Markets in Europe
If you want great Christmas markets in Europe without exhausting travel days or over-crowded mega-cities, this itinerary hits a sweet spot.
It’s festive, fun, and magical, and we loved it!
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Michelle Snell– Founder/Writer
Michelle is a Texas-based travel creator who has spent years exploring Texas, Europe, Mexico, and destinations across the U.S. She shares thoughtful, experience-based travel guides focused on great scenery, good food, and easy, enjoyable trips.
Born and raised in Texas, Michelle Snell graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Master’s Degree from Texas Wesleyan University. Her passion for travel has taken her all over the world. She has received multiple awards for her writing. She has been featured in numerous publications, including Travel Awaits, Fort Worth Magazine, Fort Worth Weekly, NewsBreak, Voyage Dallas, Ella Inspires Magazine, and more. You can view her complete profile on MuckRacks and explore the section on this website, Why Trust Us?