Embrace the Holiday Spirit at These European Christmas Markets

Family travelers considering a last-minute winter trip to Europe can’t miss some of the most lavish and fun-filled Christmas markets. Whether looking for holiday gifts or wanting to taste seasonal treats and drinks, these European Christmas markets beckon families to explore its stalls and many offerings.

Winter Escapades Across Vienna, Ljubljana and Zagreb

Families can immerse themselves in winter wonderland magic across Austria, Slovenia and Croatia with Insight Vacations’ eight-day Christmas Markets of Croatia, Slovenia and Austria itinerary. Begin in Zagreb and explore the city’s Christmas Market and Zrinjevac Park, as well as take a funicular to St. Mark’s Church and Lotrščak Tower. Travelers also get to venture to Postojna caves in Slovenia before heading to the medieval city of Ljubljana to visit Christmas markets and sample delicious food and drinks. Other stops include Bratislava and its festive markets before ending in Vienna for the famous Ring Road and above-and-beyond Christmas festivities.

Winter Wonderlands in Germany, Switzerland and Austria

Go on a magical journey through these three countries on an eight-day trip with Trafalgar. Dive headfirst into the markets of Vienna with a local specialist to peruse handmade toys, gifts and tasty treats. Continuing onto Munich, visitors will enjoy a traditional Bavarian restaurant before shopping amongst twinkling lights at the city’s holiday market. Travelers are then welcomed into Innsbruck, a storybook village with mountain views and traditional Bavarian architecture. The tour ends in Lucerne where families will love walking the wooden market stalls and taking a spin on the Christmas carousel.

Magical Christmas in Germany

Ideal for families with teenagers 18 and up, Contiki’s tours allow travelers to experience the beauty of Germany during the holidays. The company’s seven-day German Christmas Markets itinerary starts in Frankfurt where travelers are immediately presented with their first Christmas market where artisanal goods and street markets await. Travelers then pop over to Cologne to visit the cathedral meant to house the Three Wise Men before exploring even more Christmas markets in the city. The tour continues to Stuttgart where travelers admire stunning architecture and markets brimming with antiques and handmade toys and gifts. Travelers will even have the chance to work on their Yuletide skills with a gingerbread-making class in Nuremburg. The adventure ends in Munich with a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle and one last Christmas market.