Choose one of my handpicked Christmas market breaks, with flights and hotels included, from €168 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.
Read: Top 10 Christmas markets in Europe to visit this year
I have searched the web to bring you some of Europe’s favourite cities for Christmas market breaks. All prices include flights and 4 and 5-star hotels, that are highly rated on TripAdvisor and are centrally located.
I have priced most of these Christmas market breaks for two-night stays, departing early morning and returning in the evening, to maximise your time away. Prague and Cologne are exceptions, and are priced for three nights to coincide with flights.
I have chosen random dates so 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, 4-star Hotel, €197pp
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 two-night stay at the highly rated Boutique Hotel Budapest is €197 per person on the 11th of December from Dublin.
I have chosen an early flight out and a late flight home, this will give you three days in Budapest to explore this great city. Ryanair also fly from Shannon to Budapest, the best value flights are for four nights from Monday to Friday.
Search flights here 11-13 Dec €109pp
View hotel here €88pp
2. Berlin: 10th December, 4-Star Hotel, €235pp
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 10th of December and enjoy a two-night stay in the centrally located Hollywood Media Hotel am Kurfürstendamm for only €235 per person. This hotel receives excellent reviews on TripAdvisor and is centrally located to explore this vibrant city.
Search flights here 10-12 Dec €120pp
View hotel here €115pp
3. Krakow: 3rd December, 4-Star Hotel, €269pp
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 3rd of December and enjoy a two-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, best price available is €163 on the 14th of December for two nights.
Search flights here 3rd – 5th Dec €160pp
View hotel here €109pp
4. Vienna: 26th November, 4-Star Hotel €230pp
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 26th of November and enjoy a two-night stay at the 4-star Schani Wien Hotel for just €216. 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.
See Outbound 26th Nov €54pp
Search Inbound 28th Nov €66pp
View hotel here €110pp
5. Zagreb Weekend: 8th December, 5-Star hotel, €339pp
Image by Marko Tomic from PixabayDid you know that Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, is renowned for having one of Europe’s best Christmas markets? 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.
Why not stay in the best hotel in the city? The 5-Star Esplanade Zagreb Hotel is the place to be seen and is priced at €210 per person for a two-night stay.
Search flights 8 – 10th December €129pp
View hotel here €210pp
6. Rome: 13th December, 4-Star Hotel, from €185pp
Rome may not offer Christmas markets on the same scale as some of its European counterparts, but it a stunning city to visit at any time of year, and Christmas time is no exception!
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.
I found a great deal in the highly rated Condotti Palace, which is superbly located in the heart of the city, close to the Spanish Steps.
Return flights from Cork are available for just €70 with Ryanair and I found return flights from Dublin for €89 – departing early morning with Aer Lingus, and returning late in the evening with Ryanair.
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 13 – 15 Dec ex Cork €70pp
See Outbound 13th Dec €49pp Dublin-Rome
Search Inbound 15th December €40pp Rome-Dublin
View hotel here €115pp
7. Madrid: 4th December, 4-Star Hotel, €229pp
Madrid’s Christmas market will open late November and run until the 31st of December at the Plaza Mayor – Madrid’s vibrant main square.
This is a super choice if you want to combine a Christmas market break with one of the best cities in Spain for Christmas shopping! Flights and a two-night stay in the highly rated 4-star Hotel Soho Boutique Opera is only €223 per person.
Read: Where to stay in Madrid and top things to do
Search flights here 4 – 6th December €97pp
View hotel here €132pp
8. Munich: 13th December, 4-Star Hotel, €220pp
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 27th November through to 24th December. 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 13th of December. The Hotel München City Center affiliated by Meliá is a popular choice and offers great value for a central 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 13 – 15th December €90pp
View hotel here €130pp
9. Prague: 16th December, 3 Nights, 4-star Hotel, €262pp
Prague is a magical place to visit at Christmas time. The old town square, Charles bridge and Prague’s famous castle are all beautifully 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 2nd December to 6th January.
Fly from Dublin on the 16th of December and enjoy a three-night stay at the top rated 4-star Hotel Adler Located just five minutes walk from Wenceslas Square, the location is ideal to enjoy Prague’s Christmas markets.
Search flights here 16 – 19th December €122pp
View hotel here €140pp
11. Cologne: New Year, 29th December, 4-star Hotel, 3 Nights, €286pp
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 open from 20th November to 23rd December, but they also have a New Year’s Market open from 26th December until the 1st of January.
I found flights from €97 return with Ryanair on the 15th of December or and only €87 on the 29th of December. The centrally located 4-star Steigenberger Hotel Köln is €221 per person for a three-night stay on the 15th of December or €199 per person for New Year.
Search flights here 15 – 18th December €97pp; 29th Dec – 1st Jan €87pp
View hotel 15 Dec €221pp
View hotel 29 Dec €199pp
12. Copenhagen: 3rd December, Family Christmas market Break 2ad & 2ch, €1038
Copenhagen’s most popular market is at Tivoli Gardens, and it attracts over 1 million people each year. As well as Christmas market stalls, this winter wonderland comes with reindeer rides and rollercoasters, making it the perfect Christmas market break for families.
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 Eric Vökel Boutique Apartments are highly recommended for families and are within walking distance of Tivoli Gardens. Price for flights to Copenhagen and a two-night family stay is €570 on the 3rd of December.
Prefer to go for New Year? Price for flights and a three-night stay from the 31st of December is €1456 – simply edit the dates via the links below.
Read: My city guide to Copenhagen
Search flights here 3rd – 5th December €117pp
View Apartment €570
13. Malaga: 3rd Dec, Flights & Apartment, €168pp
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 24th of November until the 6th of January – see more here.
I found a great deal flying early morning on the 3rd of December and returning late on the 5th of December so you will have three full days to explore the city. Return flights are just €70 from Dublin with Ryanair, €146 from Shannon and €145 from Cork ( 2nd – 4th ). Weekly flights are also available from Ireland West Knock airport.
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:
View this post on Instagram
Read: Top things to do in Malaga, where to stay and eat
There are many hotel and apartment options to choose from, but the Soho Boutique Hotel offers great value for a central stay. Price is just €98pp for a two night stay, or €147 for a three-night stay.
Search flights here 3rd – 5th December €70pp
View Hotel €98pp
14. Bath: 1st December from Knock, 3 Nights, €342pp
Image by Hulki Okan Tabak, PixabayIf you are looking for a Christmas market break from Knock airport, then look no further. A special thanks to a follower who got in touch to highlight how great Bath’s Christmas markets are. Located just 15 miles from Bristol, which is served by Ryanair from Knock, as well as Dublin and Cork with Aer Lingus, they are a great choice for a Christmas market break.
The World Heritage City of Bath is one of Britain’s prettiest cities. Visit the ancient Roman Baths as well as the Thermae Bath Spa, which houses the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain. If you want to bring the kids along, Longleat Safari Park is just a half hour away.
Bath’s Christmas markets have over 160 chalets as well as a fabulous light display and are open from the 23rd of November until the 10th of December – see more here.
Flights are available from Dublin, Cork and Knock from €75. You can opt for an overnight or two night stay from Dublin or Cork, but a minimum three nights is required from Knock.
Search flights here 1st – 4th December €75pp
View Hotel €267pp
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.
