Choose one of my handpicked Christmas market breaks, with flights and hotels included, from €231 per person.
Some cities are best seen in winter, and Christmas market breaks provide the best excuse to visit. Market stalls have the perfect stocking fillers, aromas of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine waft through the crisp cold air, and if you are lucky you might even catch a Christmas concert.
I have searched the web to bring you some of Europe’s favourite cities for Christmas market breaks. All 4 and 5-star hotels are highly rated on TripAdvisor and are centrally located.
I have priced these Christmas market breaks for three-night stays on various dates in December, but if you prefer to travel at a different time, or for a longer or shorter duration, just click on the links below and edit the search to suit your requirements.
1. Budapest, 11th December, 3 Nights, 4-star Hotel, €286pp
Budapest is a super choice for a Christmas market break as there are several Christmas markets in the city centre. Vörösmarty Square is the most popular where Gerbeaud House is transformed into an enormous Advent Calendar, and a new window opens daily at 5pm.
St Stephen’s Basilica is lit up at night time and resembles a Disney-like castle, and make sure to take time to visit the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue, which are all UNESCO world heritage sites.
There are flights available to Budapest from Dublin and Shannon airport this winter. Price for flights and a three-night stay at the highly rated Boutique Hotel Budapest is €286 per person on the 11th of December.
Ryanair fly from Shannon to Budapest, the best value flights are for four nights from Monday to Friday.
Search flights here 11-14 Dec €114pp
View hotel here €172pp
2. Berlin, 11th December, 3 Nights, 4-Star Hotel, €261pp
Berlin has a staggering 50 Christmas markets! Winter World at Potsdamer Platz offers ice skating and tobogganing and is perfect for families, while Alexanderplatz and Charlottenburg have traditional wooden stalls and beer houses.
Most open late November but some close before New Year. Don’t miss the Spandau market where concerts are sometimes held. There are over 500 stalls and a Christmas tree decorating workshop for children. For a full list of Christmas market dates click here.
Try to make time to see some of Berlin’s top sights too, the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate – the list is endless.
Read my city guide to Berlin here.
Fly from Dublin to Berlin on the 11th of December and enjoy a three-night stay in the highly rated Hollywood Media Hotel Kurfürstendamm for €261 per person. This hotel receives excellent reviews on TripAdvisor and is superbly located to explore this vibrant city.
Search flights here 11-14 Dec €114pp
View hotel here €147pp
3. Krakow, 6th December, 3 Nights, 4-Star Hotel, €237pp
The old town of Krakow has Europe’s largest market square, and is packed with market stalls selling local hand crafts and tasty food. The city comes alive at night time with live bands playing in trendy basement clubs.
Krakow is a great choice for a city break at any time of year. The historical centre is very easy to navigate and I loved its relaxed vibe. Take time to visit the stunning Wawel Castle, walk through the Jewish quarter to see Oscar Schindler’s factory, and if you are feeling up to it, visit nearby Auschwitz.
Krakow’s Christmas Markets are open from late November and most finish on the 26th of December.
Fly from Dublin to Krakow on the 6th of December and enjoy a three-night stay in the highly rated H12 Hotel. Centrally located with great reviews on TripAdvisor, this is superb value to enjoy a Christmas market break in Krakow. Flights are also available from Shannon with Ryanair.
Search flights here 6 – 9th Dec €92pp
View hotel here €145pp
4. Vienna, 7th December, 3 Nights, 4-Star Hotel €329pp
Christmas markets in Vienna have been a tradition since 1298 and there are over 20 different markets here. International choir singers perform free of charge and I’m told the Christmas atmosphere is truly magical.
The Viennese Christmas Market in front of the City Hall is the most popular and even offers a specific children’s area, where they can learn how to make Christmas cookies and decorations. Vienna’s markets start a little earlier than most but most close on the 26th of December– see more here.
Fly from Dublin on the 7th of December and enjoy a three-night stay at the 4-star Schani Wien Hotel for just €329. It is highly rated on TripAdvisor , was awarded a certificate of excellence this year and is located just 300 metres from the main train station.
Search flights here 7th – 10th Dec €93pp
View hotel here €234pp
5. Zagreb, 8th December, 3 Nights, 5-Star hotel, €291pp
Image by Marko Tomic from PixabayDid you know that Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, is renowned for having one of Europe’s best Christmas markets? I must confess I wasn’t aware until recently. There are 25 different markets in the city and it was named “Best Christmas Market” by European Best Destinations three years in a row – the maximum number of times for any city.
With return weekend flights from just €114 and low cost hotel prices, it also makes Zagreb a great value destination for a Christmas market break.
The 5-star Westin in Zagreb is just €177 per person for a three-night weekend stay, and Ryanair have flights from Dublin airport from December 1st of December for €114 return.
Search flights 8th-11th December €114pp
View hotel here €177pp
6. Rome, 30th November, 3 Nights, 4-Star Hotel, €286pp
Rome may not offer markets on the same scale as some of its European counterparts, but that does not make it any less attractive. The Piazza Navona houses the annual Christmas market with traditional stalls and souvenirs. Santa usually makes regular appearances and there is a carousel to complete the festival atmosphere.
However, it is the magical crib displays and nativity scenes in numerous churches, that make Rome very special at Christmas time. What better time to visit the Vatican and the beauty of Rome.
I found a great deal in the highly rated Hotel Capo d’Africa – Colosseo, which is superbly located in the heart of the city, beside the Colosseum.
Return flights are available from Dublin airport and Cork airports this winter. There are many more hotel choices, as well as some top tips for visiting Rome in this post:
Read: Where to stay in Rome, my top picks of 3, 4 and 5-star hotels
Search flights here 30th Nov – 3rd Dec €66
View hotel here €220pp
7. Madrid: 13th December, 4-Star Hotel, 3 Nights, €231pp
Visit the Royal Palace, shop the Gran Via, take the tour of Real Madrid’s stadium, or enjoy a tapas trail around the city – there is so much to do in Madrid.
I found great value weekend flights departing early December. Flights and a three-night stay in the highly located 4-star Hotel Sardinero Madrid is only €210 per person. Highly rated on TripAdvisor, this is a great choice if you want to combine a Christmas shopping break with a Christmas market break!
Read: Where to stay in Madrid and top things to do
Search flights here 13 – 16th December €61pp
View hotel here €170pp
8. Munich: 11th December, 3 Nights, 4-Star Hotel, €299pp
Germany’s Christmas markets are renowned all over the world, and Bavaria’s capital has some of the best. Christmas Markets in Munich are opening this year from 21st November through to 24th December 2022, and there are over 20 Christmas Markets in Munich dotted all over the city, so you will be spoilt for choice!
I found great value flights with Aer Lingus on the 11th of December. The H+ Munchen Hotel is a popular choice and offers great value for a centrally located stay in the city. See more hotel choices and a guide to the Munich Christmas markets here:
Read: The best Christmas markets in Munich and where to stay
Search flights here 11th – 14th December €131pp
View hotel here €168pp
9. Prague, 5th December, 5-star Hotel, 3 Nights, €339pp
Prague’s Christmas markets are the perfect picture postcard. The old town square, Charles bridge and Prague’s famous castle are all magically illuminated. The old town square and Wenceslas Square are transformed with market stalls selling local hand crafts, traditional hearty food and plenty of mulled wine.
Enjoy school choirs performing in traditional costumes, or better still go to a classical concert. Housed in ancient churches and grand concert halls around the city, it will add a touch of style to your Christmas market break. Prague’s Christmas markets are open from 30th November to 6th January.
Fly from Dublin on Thursday the 5th of December and enjoy a three-night stay at the 5-star Michelangelo Grand Hotel Prague Downtown Prague for only €339 – with breakfast included. Located close to the Old Town centre and Wensceslas Square, the location couldn’t be better to enjoy Prague’s Christmas markets.
Search flights here 5th-8th December €118pp
View hotel here €221pp
11. Cologne, 5th December, 3 Nights, 4-star Hotel €290pp
Cologne is renowned as having one of Europe’s best Christmas markets. Many choose to visit the large market near the Cathedral which offers live music and an ice skating rink.
Read: Europe’s Top 10 Christmas Market Breaks
However, there are several other Christmas markets in Cologne including a specific LGBT Christmas Avenue market, which has a great party atmosphere and lots of stage events. Markets are expected to open from 21st November to 23rd December.
I found flights from just €64 return with Ryanair on the 6th of December and the centrally located 4-star Steigenberger Hotel Köln is €226 per person for a three-night stay.
Search flights here 6th-9th December €64pp
View hotel here €226pp
12. Copenhagen: 7th December, 3 Nights, Family Christmas market Break 2&2, €847
Copenhagen’s most popular market is at Tivoli Gardens, and it attracts over 1 million people each year. This winter wonderland comes with reindeer rides, rollercoasters and of course the traditional market stalls.
Some of Copenhagen’s Christmas markets are open from the 26th November 2022 to 31st December, making it a great choice for a pre or post-Christmas market break.
The 4-star Scandic Copenhagen Hotel is recommended for families and is located just eight minutes walk from Tivoli Gardens. It offers free breakfast too! Price for flights to Copenhagen and a three-night family stay is just €847 on the 7th of December.
Prefer to go after Christmas? Price for flights and a three-night stay from the 28th of December is €1006 – simply edit the dates via the links below.
Read: My city guide to Copenhagen
Search flights here 7th – 10th December €56pp
View hotel here €623
13. Malaga, 3rd Dec, Flights & Apartment, €226pp
Visitors flock to Malaga city every December to take part in the festivities and to enjoy its stunning streets lit up with over two million lights. In addition to the lights, there are five Christmas trees, Christmas markets, colourful arches and light shows to complete the festive experience.
The Christmas lights will be illuminated from the 26th of November until the 5th of January – see more here.
I found a great deal flying on Saturday the 3rd of December where return flights are just €67 for three nights from Dublin with Ryanair.
Many of the top things to do in Malaga are located close together so you can see most of the highlights in a Malaga city break. My Malaga travel guide has all you need to know about discovering this great city:
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Read: Top things to do in Malaga, where to stay and eat
There are many hotel and apartment options to choose from, but the Apartments Pinar Malaga Centro offer superb value and are highly rated on both TripAdvisor and Booking.com. They are just five minutes’ walk from the main Square and the famous Larios Street.
Price for a three night stay is just €159 based on two sharing or €107 per person based on four sharing. Flights are also available from Shannon, Cork and Ireland West Airport – Knock.
Search flights here 3rd – 6th December €67pp
View Apartment €159pp
I hope you enjoyed my post on Christmas market breaks, and it helps you enjoy a getaway over the festive season. While every effort is made that the hotel descriptions and facilities are accurate at the time of issue, they are subject to change. This post contains affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.
