Christmas in July! My Favorite European Christmas Markets

Written By Krista Nannery

If you need some Christmas spirit, a European Christmas market is where it’s at!

What’s Actually Happening in July

I have so many clients traveling this month that I made it a point to not go anywhere! I have clients who just checked out of Amangiri and had an amazing time, clients who just got back from a fun self-drive trip to Iceland, clients back from a family cruise to Alaska, clients in London and Dublin, clients in Barcelona and Greece, clients just back from The Amauris in Vienna, clients in Canada, a group heading out on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and more! I love all the happy trip reports I receive along with the nice reviews of my services. I know airports and flights are stressful, but once you get to your destination, travel is FUN, and I am so here for it!

Now Let’s Talk about Christmas…

I love a good Christmas market. But not all Christmas markets are created equal. Some are pure magic. Others are basically a bunch of sad wooden huts selling socks. If you’re flying across the ocean in December, you want the magic—the twinkle lights, the roasted chestnuts, the mulled wine, the whole shebang. And you also want to sleep somewhere with an omelet station, a spa, and preferably heated bathroom floors.

Did you know that in college, I spent a year living in Innsbruck, Austria? We would take the train to Vienna on weekends. (And before they would allow us to attend classes in Innsbruck, we had to survive two weeks of super intensive German classes in Salzburg!) After college, I spent six months living in Munich, Germany. It still ranks as one of the best summers of my life! My office was across from Kaefer, the gourmet grocery store, where I bought lunch most days. I didn’t realize how good I had it!

I know this part of the world really well and am ready to help you with your trip, by river cruise or by land. Ready to talk Deutschland oder Oesterreich? (Hopefully Deutschland is clear but the latter is Austria.) Book your complimentary vacation consultation here.

Salzburg at Christmas time, when everyone is out and about

Salzburg, Austria

Why it’s great: Salzburg is everything you want a Christmas market destination to be—baroque architecture, horse-drawn carriages, and an actual Silent Night connection (it was composed nearby). The Christkindlmarkt in Cathedral Square has been around since the 15th century, and it still delivers: local choirs, real pine garlands, and zero inflatable Santas.

What to eat: Grab a bag of roasted chestnuts, sip on some glühwein (spiced mulled wine), and don’t skip the Bosna—a spicy Austrian sausage in a bun with onions and mustard that’ll warm you up faster than your down parka.

Where to stay: The Hotel Sacher Salzburg. River views, chandeliers, and a slice of Original Sacher-Torte whenever you want it. Old-school luxury, no nonsense. Fun fact: When I stayed here last year, Sarah (Fergie), the Duchess of York, was also there! We saw her twice. The Hotel Sacher is a Virtuoso property; book through me for complimentary breakfast, a hotel credit, and more.

One of Vienna’s many Christmas markets

Vienna, Austria

Why it’s great: Vienna doesn’t just have one Christmas market—it has dozens. From the grand market at Schönbrunn Palace to the ultra-cozy one in Spittelberg, you can pretty much wander from market to market for days. And the entire city leans into the festive season in a very Viennese, very elegant way.

What to eat: Käsekrainer (cheese-stuffed sausages), hot punsch (often made with rum and citrus), and lebkuchen (gingerbread with actual depth of flavor—not the dry kind you used to make in school).

Where to stay: The Park Hyatt Vienna, in a former bank building with marble everything and a subterranean spa. (I’m a top-producing Hyatt advisor so book through me for all the extras.) Or the Hotel Imperial if you’re in the mood for imperial drama (and a harpist at breakfast). The Imperial is a Marriott property so I can secure complimentary breakfast, hotel credits, and more.

Strasbourg has one of the most famous Christmas markets

Strasbourg, France

Why it’s great: Strasbourg calls itself the “Capital of Christmas,” and to be honest... it kind of earns it. The whole old town turns into a Christmas village. Half-timbered houses, candles in the windows, and 300+ stalls across multiple markets. Yes, it gets crowded. But if you go midweek, it’s manageable—and beautiful.

What to eat: Tarte flambée (Alsatian flatbread), vin chaud (the French cousin of glühwein), and bredele—tiny spiced Christmas cookies that come in approximately 47 varieties.

Where to stay: Maison Rouge Hotel & Spa is the only 5-star hotel in central Strasbourg, and while it’s not dripping in gold leaf, it’s got charm, comfort, and location, location, location.

Munich never gets boring for me!

Munich, Germany

Why it’s great: Munich knows how to do Christmas right, with traditional Bavarian flair. The market in Marienplatz is one of Germany’s oldest, and there’s also a medieval Christmas market near Odeonsplatz if you’re into knights and fire-roasted meats. Bonus: You can actually get some decent Christmas shopping done in between mugs of mulled wine.

What to eat: Schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle), reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), and, of course, glühwein. If you see the stand selling feuerzangenbowle—mulled wine with a rum-soaked sugarloaf lit on fire—get it. Trust me.

Where to stay: The Rosewood Munich is discreet, luxurious, and just steps from the action. Or go grand at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, a historic institution with an excellent rooftop bar (even in winter).

Want to Hit Multiple Christmas Markets Without the Hassle? Try a River Cruise.

If the idea of unpacking once, sipping mulled wine, and watching snow-dusted villages drift by sounds like your kind of holiday magic, then a Christmas market river cruise might be exactly what you’re looking for. These itineraries—mostly on the Danube and Rhine—let you float effortlessly between Europe’s best markets, with no trains to catch, no bags to schlep, and no risk of booking the wrong hotel in the wrong neighborhood.

I work with high-end cruise lines like AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, and Tauck, all of which do a beautiful job this time of year. Think twinkle lights on the ship, festive décor, hot cocoa after excursions, and curated walking tours through markets that feel straight out of a snow globe. Many of these cruises stop in places like Vienna, Salzburg, Budapest, and Passau—all cities I’d happily visit any time of year, but they’re next-level charming during Advent.

And here’s the kicker: it’s not just for retirees anymore. I’ve sent Gen X families, multi-gen groups, and even a few "I never thought I’d like cruising" skeptics—and they all come back raving. The cabins are stylish, the food is excellent, and the logistics are seamless. You just show up, enjoy, and let the magic happen.

If you're even considering this type of trip, let’s talk. These cabins go fast, especially on the better ships. Book your complimentary vacation consultation here.

Thinking of going? Don’t wing this.

Christmas market season may feel spontaneous, but trust me—hotels and river cruises book up fast, and not all of them are created equal. Some markets are genuinely charming; others are tourist traps with microwaved pretzels. I can help you get the good stuff: the right hotel, the right flights, and all the little extras (private airport transfers, behind-the-scenes tours, etc.) that make the trip feel magical instead of maddening.

And yes, I’ll even help you figure out how to pack for the weather.

Ready to go? Let’s plan it together. Book your complimentary vacation consultation.

About Krista

I’m a Virtuoso luxury travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to moving to Florida to take care of my elderly mom with Parkinson’s Disease, I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England. My career and personal travel have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others as a Virtuoso travel advisor. I offer a 30 minute complimentary vacation consultation for anyone looking to plan their next trip.

Ways I Can Help You

Krista Nannery
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