In 2023, I embarked on a wild festive ride across Europe to dive headfirst into seven Christmas markets in seven days – all chosen by you!
My Europe Christmas Market Crawl kicked off in style at the Budapest Christmas Market. I reviewed each market I visited and dropped daily videos over on Instagram and TikTok, so you can binge watch my search for the Best Christmas Market in Europe.
Continue reading for snapshots of my journey, as well as videos where you can see exactly what it’s like at each of these Europe Christmas Markets, and get my honest review!
I also discovered the cheapest Christmas Market in Europe on a game of Christmas Market Bingo! Find out which city took the title.
Markets I've visited:
- Budapest
- Vienna
- Kraków
- Berlin
- Cologne
- Basel
- Strasbourg
How it Worked
The fun part was, YOU were in charge!
Through daily polls on my Instagram stories, you shaped this whole adventure. Every day, you were given a one-hour window to vote on the next market and country you want to see. Then it was my job to find a way – be it by train, bus or plane – to hit up the market that scores the most votes.
Once there, I dove headfirst into the festive vibes, getting all the deets on everything from the best mulled wine to the tastiest German sausages, and delivering the inside scoop on the whole market scene.
A quick summary
Before the actual review, he’s a quick summary of the one of the most important parts of a Christmas market. How much are the sausages? And how much is the mulled wine?!
The Prices:
🌭
🍷
Budapest
£13.51
£3.82
Vienna
£6.34
£4.72
Kraków
£3.57
£4.95
Berlin
£5.12
£3.86
Cologne
£3.86
£3.86
Basel
£7.27
£4.54
First Stop: Budapest Christmas Market
Chosen thanks to its place as the ‘number one Christmas Market in Europe in 2023’, I thought Budapest’s Advent Feast at the Basilica would be the perfect place to get this show on the road.
Here’s my full review of Budapest Christmas Market for you to have a read through.
Second Stop: Vienna Christmas Market
That’s right, you voted that I should head to the Capital of Austria next!
Here’s my full review of the Vienna Christmas Market for you to have a read through.
Visit our Christmas Markets section for my top picks of the best value, most festive spots in Europe this Christmas.
Third Stop: Kraków Christmas Market
My Christmas Market Crawl took me to the city’s biggest festive attraction – Kraków Christmas Market held in the main square.
Forth Stop: Berlin Christmas Market
Day four of our Christmas Market adventure brought me to Berlin, and there were PLENTY of markets to choose from in Berlin, but which one did I go to?!
Fifth Stop: Cologne Christmas Market
We stayed in Germany, but this time in Cologne, where I explored the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market and the Heinzels Wintermärchen.
Sixth Stop: Basel Christmas Market
I explored Switzerland’s Basler Weihnachtsmarkt. With two Christmas Markets in the mix, it’s a Basel hotspot that lures in visitors from all over Europe!
Seventh Stop: Strasbourg Christmas Market
The last stop on my epic Christmas Market Crawl were the jam-packed Strasbourg festivities. No seriously – this French city boasts over 15 Christmas markets scattered throughout its streets!
What European Christmas Market Was the Best?
Take a look at my ranking of the Christmas markets I visited, starting from the least impressive to the absolute best!
