Christmas Markets
Experience the magic of Europe's enchanting Christmas Markets with Tully's Travel, your trusted Irish travel agency for unforgettable festive getaways
Christmas Markets
Experience the magic of Europe's most enchanting Christmas Markets with Tully's Travel, your trusted Irish travel agency for unforgettable festive city breaks. From the traditional markets of Germany and Austria to the festive charm of Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Kraków, we can help you plan the perfect Christmas Market holiday from Ireland.
Browse beautifully decorated wooden stalls, shop for handcrafted gifts, savour seasonal treats, and enjoy the festive atmosphere created by twinkling lights, Christmas music and warming mulled wine. Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a festive shopping break or a family escape, Europe's Christmas Markets offer something for everyone.
At Tully's Travel, our experienced team will help you find the best flights, quality accommodation and tailor-made Christmas Market packages to suit your budget. Let us take the stress out of planning so you can enjoy a magical festive city break and create memories to treasure.
Latest Offers
Our latest Christmas Market offers include festive city breaks to Germany, Austria, Prague, Budapest, Kraków and other magical European destinations. Choose from weekend escapes, guided tours, rail holidays and tailor-made festive itineraries, with flights, hotels, transfers and optional excursions all arranged to suit your budget, travel style and the time you have available.
Christmas Markets
Vienna Christmas Market - 3 Nights | 4 Days
Prices from €415 pp
Prague Christmas Market - 4 Nights | 5 Days
Price from €315 pp
Barcelona Christmas Market - 3 Nights | 4 Days
Price from €429 pp
Venice Christmas Market - 3 Nights | 4 Days
Price from €225 pp
Verona Christmas Market - 2 Nights | 3 Days
Price from €299 pp
Bucharest Christmas Market - 3 Nights | 4 Days
Price from €425 pp
Visa
Irish passport holders can travel freely to most Christmas Market destinations across Europe without a visa, making festive city breaks quick and easy to arrange. As many Christmas Markets are located within the Schengen Area, Irish travellers can enjoy hassle-free travel with just a valid passport or passport card, allowing more time to soak up the festive atmosphere, browse traditional markets and enjoy seasonal celebrations.
Climate
Europe's Christmas Market destinations experience a true winter climate, creating the perfect festive atmosphere with twinkling lights, cosy cafés and seasonal celebrations. Understanding the weather can help you pack appropriately and make the most of your Christmas Market break.
Late November to December is the most popular time to visit, as Christmas Markets are in full swing. Temperatures typically range from -2°C to 8°C, depending on the destination, with crisp days, chilly evenings and the chance of snowfall adding to the festive charm. Warm clothing, comfortable walking shoes and a good winter coat are recommended.
Whether you're exploring the famous markets of Germany and Austria or enjoying festive city breaks in Prague, Vienna or Budapest, Tully's Travel can help you choose the perfect Christmas Market destination for an unforgettable winter escape.
Transport Options For The Christmas Markets
Christmas Markets in Europe are best planned with proximity in mind, as rail travel, short-haul flights, river cruises, local buses, private transfers and even walkable city centres all play a role depending on whether you’re focusing on a single festive city break, combining a few nearby countries, or planning a wider multi-destination winter itinerary across the continent.
Air Travel
Short-haul air travel is often the most practical way to reach Europe’s Christmas Markets, with strong connections into major hubs like London, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. These airports offer easy onward links to classic market cities such as Vienna, Munich, Prague and Strasbourg. Multiple daily flights across European carriers make it simple to combine two or three Christmas market destinations in one trip. This allows travellers to maximise time on the ground while keeping journeys efficient and well-connected.
Train
Train travel is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore Europe’s Christmas Markets, with excellent high-speed and regional rail links between cities like Vienna, Munich, Prague and Strasbourg. Efficient cross-border networks make it easy to combine multiple festive destinations in a single itinerary. Journeys are often short and scenic, allowing travel between markets without losing time in transit. For many travellers, the rail journey itself becomes part of the seasonal experience, not just a transfer.
Bus
Bus and coach travel can be a budget-friendly way to reach Christmas Markets, with services linking major cities and regional destinations across Europe. They are often useful for organised tours or where rail connections are limited. Journey times can be longer, so planning is important when combining multiple markets. For many itineraries, they work best as a flexible or supporting option alongside faster rail or air travel.
Car Rental
Car hire is a flexible way to explore Europe’s Christmas Markets, especially when combining smaller towns and regional cities not always well connected by direct rail. It works well for festive road trips through areas like Bavaria, Alsace, the Black Forest and the Austrian Alps. Travellers can move at their own pace, stopping at multiple markets and scenic villages along the way. However, city centres can be busy and parking limited, so it’s best used alongside rail or park-and-ride options.
Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
- Don't try to visit too many markets: It's better to fully enjoy one or two festive cities than spend your break rushing between destinations.
- Wrap up warm: Temperatures can drop below freezing, particularly in the evenings, so pack layers, a warm coat, gloves and comfortable waterproof footwear.
- Book early: Christmas Market breaks are extremely popular, with flights and centrally located hotels selling out well in advance.
- Carry some local currency: While cards are widely accepted, some smaller market stalls may prefer cash, especially for food, drinks and handcrafted gifts.
- Leave room in your suitcase: From handmade decorations and festive treats to unique Christmas gifts, you'll almost certainly want to bring home a few souvenirs.
Travel Tips for Experience Explorers
- Choose quality over quantity: Focus on one region or two nearby cities to enjoy the festive atmosphere rather than trying to visit too many Christmas Markets in one trip.
- Stay close to the markets: Booking centrally located accommodation lets you experience the markets during the day and after dark, when they're at their most magical.
- Travel by rail where possible: Europe's excellent rail network makes it easy and scenic to travel between many Christmas Market destinations without the hassle of driving.
- Book early for the best choice: Popular Christmas Market destinations and centrally located hotels often sell out months in advance, especially for weekends.
- Allow time to explore beyond the markets: Discover festive concerts, Christmas light displays, historic old towns and local cafés to make the most of your winter city break.
Christmas Markets Built for Christmas Magic
Twinkling market squares and historic old towns to festive food & mulled wine
Europe’s Christmas Markets offer a magical mix of tradition, atmosphere and variety, bringing together historic cities, twinkling lights and festive celebrations across the continent. From romantic riverside towns and grand capital cities to fairy-tale old quarters and Alpine settings, each destination has its own unique seasonal charm.
For Tullys Travel customers, Christmas Markets in Europe are ideal for festive breaks that combine culture, food and atmosphere in one easy trip. Whether it’s Vienna for classical elegance, Prague for storybook streets, Budapest for thermal winter warmth, or Germany for traditional wooden stalls and mulled wine, Europe delivers unforgettable Christmas experiences full of warmth, wonder and festive spirit.
