While Israelis light the Hanukkah menorah, European cities are switching on the lights of towering Christmas trees. From November through January, Christmas markets turn into a peak tourism season, and more Israelis are seeking a short winter break filled with festive atmosphere, dazzling displays and traditional wooden stalls.
From classic markets in Vienna, Prague and Berlin to rising destinations like Tbilisi, Belgrade and Cyprus, we gathered the major highlights, dates, flight prices and deals worth checking before booking a holiday.
Paris, France: From traditional fair to amusement park
The largest Christmas market in the French capital, La Magie de Noël in the Tuileries Garden next to the Louvre, offers a unique blend of a traditional holiday market and an amusement park.
What to expect: gift stalls, a large food area, a Ferris wheel, ice skating and a winter drinks bar. The atmosphere is family friendly and especially suited for children.
When: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026.
Sample direct flight price: from $347 (November 25–29).
A short trip away: Strasbourg is known as a “classic winter postcard” thanks to its illuminated streets and the central tree in Place Kléber (November 22 – December 30).
Sample Strasbourg deal: a Kishrey Teufa package at the Best Western hotel includes flights, lodging, baggage and breakfast for $1,282 per person in a double room.
Budapest, Hungary: Magic against the backdrop of the basilica
Budapest is especially popular, with two main markets. The Advent Basilica market in St. Stephen’s Square has been named several times as the best Christmas market in Europe.
What to expect: 3D light projections on the basilica façade, traditional Hungarian food stalls (goulash in bread bowls, kürtőskalács and lángos), handicrafts and a small ice rink.
When: Basilica market: November 14, 2025 – January 1, 2026.
Vörösmarty Square market: November 14 – December 31, 2025.
Sample direct flight price: from $308 on Wizz Air (November 25–30).
Sample deal: an Eshet Tours package (December 8–11, 2025) including flights and lodging with breakfast at the Leonardo Hotel Budapest 4, for $555 per person.
Belgrade, Serbia: Serbian celebration with intimate atmosphere
Christmas markets in Belgrade open in early December and run through early January as the city takes on a festive feel. The main market takes place in Sava Square and features traditional Serbian food, mulled wine, handmade souvenirs and live performances by local artists.
In addition, Terazije Square and Republic Square are decorated with colorful lights and offer smaller, more intimate markets. Knez Mihailova Street, the main shopping street, fills with illuminated stalls and children’s activities. A standout attraction is the Belgrade Winter Fest Christmas village, which includes ice skating and amusement rides. Evening visits are especially recommended to enjoy the lights and music.
When: early December – early January.
Sample deal: an Eshet Tours package (December 8–12, 2025) including flights and lodging with breakfast at Belgrade City Hotel for $504 per person.
Prague, Czech Republic: Celebration in the heart of the Old Town
The market in Prague’s Old Town Square is one of the most iconic in Europe, with the entire area resembling a “living postcard” framed by Gothic and Baroque architecture.
What to expect: a giant Christmas tree, comforting Czech street food such as trdelník and sausages, and holiday performances.
When: November 29, 2025 – January 6, 2026.
Sample direct flight price: from $330 (November 25–30).
Sample deals: a Kishrey Teufa package at the Duo Hotel including baggage and breakfast, for $1,003 per person.
A Lastminute.co.il package (December 21–25) at PULSE 8 HOTEL with breakfast, from $706 per person.
Bucharest, Romania: The grand market in Parliament Square
Christmas markets in Bucharest typically open in late November and run through late December. The main and most impressive market is held in Constitution Square (Constitution Square) in front of the Parliament building, and it is considered one of the largest in Romania.
What to expect: traditional food stalls, mulled wine, handmade gifts, live performances and an ice rink.
When: the central market is expected to operate from November 30 to December 26, 2025.
Additionally: Cișmigiu Park hosts a smaller market with a more romantic feel, illuminated decorations and a cozy winter village atmosphere. Evening hours are especially recommended to enjoy the lights.
Sample flight price: from $365 on TAROM.
Sample deal: an Eshet Tours package (December 1–4, 2025) including flights and lodging with breakfast at Hotel Central Trademark Collection by Wyndham, for $318 per person.
Poland: Warsaw and Krakow – magic set against history
Poland offers charming markets that combine rich historical backdrops with lively holiday spirit. The two main destinations are Warsaw and Krakow.
Warsaw’s central fair stretches from the Royal Castle along the old city walls to the Old Town Square, and is considered one of the most enchanting in Poland thanks to its historic setting.
What to expect: wooden stalls, Polish crafts, hot vodka, traditional sausages and an ice rink surrounding the mermaid statue.
When: November 23, 2025 – January 6, 2026.
Sample direct flight to Warsaw: from $331 on El Al (November 25–30).
Krakow hosts a spectacular Christmas market in Rynek Główny, the heart of the city.
What to expect: handmade crafts, unique gifts and ice skating in front of the Ethnography Museum.
Sample direct flight to Krakow: from $431 on LOT (November 25–30).
Tbilisi, Georgia: Grand winter celebration in the central square
Tbilisi continues to grow as an attractive urban destination, offering an impressive Christmas season that lasts for more than a month.
The main market: a large Christmas fair in First Republic Square.
What to expect: theater and music performances, traditional food stalls, handmade crafts, winter attractions and elaborate lighting displays throughout the city center. The market draws visitors from across the region.
When: December 12, 2025 – January 14, 2026.
Vienna, Austria: Lights, grandeur and classic charm
Vienna hosts the Christkindlmarkt in front of City Hall, which turns the square into a festive world with about 150 stalls, thousands of lights and the decorated Rathaus Park.
What to expect: Viennese sausages, pastries, live music, and a Ferris wheel and carousels nearby.
When: November 16 – December 26, 2025.
Sample direct flight price: from $662 on Austrian Airlines (November 25–30).
Sample deal: a Kishrey Teufa package (December 8–13) at a 4-star hotel including flights, baggage and breakfast, for $1,211 per person.
Salzburg offers a more classic, relaxed experience near the cathedral (November 22 – January 1).
Spain: Barcelona and Madrid – Catalan and Spanish traditions
Spain offers a slightly different Christmas experience, rooted in local and authentic traditions, less in the classic winter-wonderland style.
Barcelona – Fira de Santa Llúcia: the city’s oldest Christmas market, founded in the 18th century and located in front of the Gothic Cathedral.
What to expect: Catalan holiday traditions, including “Caga Tió” figures, Christmas trees, decorations and religious items. The market gets crowded on weekends but offers a deeply local cultural experience.
When: November 29 – December 23, 2025.
Sample direct flight price: from $310 on Blue Bird (November 25–30).
Madrid – Plaza Mayor: the most famous and largest market in the Spanish capital takes place in the historic Plaza Mayor.
What to expect: about 104 stalls with festive holiday décor, selling nativity-scene figurines, decorations and colorful paper goods.
When: November 25 – December 31, 2025.
Sample direct flight price: from $365 on Air Europa (November 25–30).
Rome, Italy: Tradition meets Christmas theme park
Rome offers a mix of traditional markets and large entertainment complexes.
The famous market: the Christmas fair in Piazza Navona, known for its varied stalls, street performers and amusement rides set against Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers.
The big attraction: Christmas World / Natale all’Auditorium, a vast holiday “park” with themed lighting zones modeled after major world cities (London, Paris, New York), ice skating, shows, parades and food stalls. It is a major Instagram-style experience, less of an intimate traditional market.
When: November 29, 2025 – January 6, 2026.
Sample direct flight price: from $288 on Wizz Air (November 24–30).
Sample deals:
A Flying Carpet package (December 7–11): four nights at the Paris Hotel with breakfast (flight, baggage and hotel), for $609 per person.
A Last Minute deal (December 8–11): TORINO 4* Hotel with breakfast, from $585 per person (includes flights and hotel).
Athens, Greece: Warm holiday and Christmas factory
The main attraction in Athens is the Christmas Factory at Technopolis, a complex that turns into a cheerful holiday village.
What to expect: ice skating, craft workshops, a Ferris wheel, carousels and a chance to meet Santa Claus. Do not miss rakomelo, the local winter drink made with raki, honey and cinnamon.
When: the central market in Syntagma Square runs throughout the holiday season.
Sample direct flight price: from $155 on Wizz Air (December 3–6).
Sample deal: a Lastminute.co.il package (December 7–11): four nights at Crystal City Hotel with flights, baggage and breakfast, for $415 per person.
Germany: From romantic Berlin to historic Nuremberg
Germany is the birthplace of many classic Christmas markets and offers a wide range of experiences, from romantic squares to centuries-old traditions.
Berlin – Charlottenburg Palace Market: a particularly romantic fair set in front of the baroque palace, with special lighting on the façade and gardens. More than 100 exhibitors offer crafts, traditional toys, Berlin dishes and mulled glühwein. The market feels like a timeless Christmas scene.
When: November 24 – December 28, 2025.
Sample direct flight price: from $352 on Blue Bird (November 25–30).
Other recommended markets in Germany:
Nuremberg: a centuries-old market (November 28 – December 24) with marzipan treats, spiced punch and hundreds of wooden toy stalls. The traditional gingerbread cookies are a must. Suitable for all ages and for those who appreciate the holiday’s history.
Düsseldorf: the city fills with seven different markets (November 21 – December 30) spread across the central streets. Expect plenty of local beer, beautiful handicrafts and a festival-like atmosphere. Good for those who enjoy food, shopping and music.
Koblenz: a family friendly, relaxed market (November 22 – December 29) with artisan stalls, sausages, hot soups and mulled wine. Less crowded, with a cozy small-city feel, ideal for families.
Basel, Switzerland: Clean, elegant, warm experience
Basel is a meticulous and refined destination, offering an elegant winter market ideal for travelers seeking quality and a polished holiday atmosphere.
What to expect: stalls designed with characteristic Swiss precision. High-quality products including winter dishes like fondue and raclette, handmade fabric toys and fine chocolates. A perfect choice for couples or anyone who enjoys a cozy, curated ambiance.
When: November 21 – December 23, 2025.
Sample flight price: from $357 (one-stop flight, November 25–30).
Belgium: Brussels and Antwerp – chocolate, waffles and the Grand Place
Belgium offers enchanting Christmas markets that pair beloved Belgian treats with a vibrant holiday atmosphere, ideal for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Brussels – Grand Place: the city’s most famous market takes place at the Grand Place, a spectacular landmark that becomes a magical Christmas fair with stalls, music and other attractions.
Antwerp: a large city-center market suited for families, couples and travelers who enjoy combining sweets with shopping.
What to expect: Belgian food, chocolates, waffles and a large ice skating area.
When: December 6, 2025 – January 5, 2026.
Sample direct flight to Antwerp: from $668 on Brussels Airlines (November 25–30).
Cyprus: Mediterranean Christmas
For travelers looking for a festive holiday atmosphere without harsh winter weather and only a short flight away, Cyprus is an excellent choice.
What to expect: the Tourism Ministry’s “Christmas Villages” project brings traditional villages such as Agros and Lefkara to life with food stalls, hot drinks and local crafts. In Limassol, the City of Dreams Mediterranean resort hosts a large, festive market.
Sample direct flight price: from $173 to Larnaca on Israir (November 25–30).
Sample deal: a Lastminute.co.il holiday package (December 3–6) at the ATLANTICA OASIS HOTEL 5* with breakfast, from $289 per person.
17 View gallery
Christmas in Limassol - no snow, but there is atmosphere
(Photo: Olga Donchuk / Shutterstock)
New York: Bryant Park – European-style winter village in the heart of Manhattan
Across the ocean, New York offers a central Christmas market right in the city center at Bryant Park, designed in the style of a European winter village.
The main market: Bryant Park Winter Village transforms the square into a magical complex featuring a free ice rink (with paid skate rentals) and the “Jewel Box,” glass pavilions showcasing holiday foods, gifts and artisan designs from around the world.
Atmosphere: one of the city’s most recognized markets, known for its lighting displays and décor, and a perfect spot for Instagram photos.
When: October 24, 2025 – January 4, 2026.
Sample direct flight price: from $1,404 on Delta (November 25 – December 3).
Nir Mazor, Deputy CEO of Kishrey-Teufa, told ynet that “the Christmas market season is one of the most in-demand times of the year, because major cities across Europe and around the world are filled with lights and holiday spirit, and the atmosphere is simply magnetic. We’re seeing steady increases in demand starting in late October, and interest only grows as we approach the market opening dates.”
Yoni Waksman, deputy chairman of Ophir Tours, added: “We’re seeing a significant rise in demand, and rightly so. There are excellent deals for a wide range of destinations. Most markets in Europe open in mid November and continue until late December, giving customers flexibility to choose dates and locations that suit them. Those who are flexible can also enjoy lower prices without giving up the experience.”
Shirley Cohen Orekhavi, deputy CEO of Eshet Tours, said, “We’re experiencing peak demand for Christmas market holidays in Europe, especially during the Hanukkah break. This season is when Europe becomes magical thanks to its beautiful holiday markets and the festive winter atmosphere in cities like Budapest, Bucharest, Vienna, Prague, Berlin and more.”
Assaf Grinberg, marketing director at lastminute.co.il, noted: “This year we’re seeing a dual trend—on one hand, price drops in the classic European destinations, and on the other, rising demand for alternative destinations like Krakow and Baku. Israeli consumers tend to think that booking flights and hotels separately is cheaper, but our data shows that combined packages save an average of about 15 percent, a real shift that can save travelers tens to hundreds of dollars.”
Eyal Shmueli, a co founder of the IMTM tourism expo, said that “Christmas markets, once seen as a rare, one time experience, have become a new winter tradition for Israelis before the war, and now demand is growing again.” According to him, “Since the end of the war and the gradual return to routine, we’re seeing the early stages of recovery in outbound tourism from Israel, especially with the opening of the winter season. The number of direct flights to many destinations across Europe is rising, and many airlines have resumed and even expanded their routes. As a result, destinations that were significantly more expensive during the war have become more accessible than ever.”
Oren Cohen Meguri, deputy CEO for marketing and sales at the Flying Carpet, said that “Christmas markets are one of the highlights of the winter tourism season. Every year we see rising demand for Christmas destinations starting in late November and early December, when European streets begin to light up and the markets open. The opening of the Christmas markets in Europe coincides with the Hanukkah break, when children are out of school, so many families take the opportunity for a holiday.”