12 Hidden Gem Christmas Markets in Europe You Won't Believe Are Still Under the Radar

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If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the most famous Christmas markets, you need to visit one of the hidden gem Christmas markets in Europe. While millions visit Europe’s most iconic ones yearly, these often aren’t as good as the lesser-known Christmas markets.

Europe’s lesser-visited Christmas markets offer travelers a magical festive experience without the large crowds, high price tags, and tacky market stalls. Instead, you can enjoy more authentic traditions, locally sourced products, and unique activities and events.

Here are 12 hidden gem Christmas markets in Europe you must visit at least once in your lifetime. Stick around to find out more.

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market, Breitnau, Germany

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Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market in Breitnau, Germany, is one of Europe’s best-hidden gems for travelers who want to escape the hustle and bustle and less authentic stalls of Germany’s more famous markets. This fascinating Christmas market is only small but not to be missed.

It occurs in a forest underneath a 131-foot (40-meter) tall stone arched viaduct. As you can imagine, this is the perfect scene for a Christmas market. The market has 40 unique traditional wooden stalls selling homemade decorations, souvenirs, food, and drinks. It is also covered in bright lights and Bavarian-style decorations to create an alluring atmosphere. Make sure you buy a bratwurst and a cup of Gluehwein.

Graz Christmas Market, Austria

The Graz Christmas Market makes this list of the well-kept secret Christmas markets in Europe because it offers travelers more unique attractions than other markets around Europe. For example, one of the market’s significant highlights is the Advent calendar projection at the town hall. That’s not it, as the city also has a life-sized Nativity scene made entirely out of ice.

Besides these unique attractions, the Graz Christmas market also has a traditional market that features arts, crafts, food and drink stalls, live performances, and ice skating. Meanwhile, the bright lights, tall Christmas trees, and unique decorations give the city a festive atmosphere. We don’t know about you, but that sounds like the perfect Christmas market.

York Christmas Market, England

The United Kingdom is home to many of Europe’s best unexplored Christmas markets, especially England, because most people head straight to London during the festive period. However, if you head up north, you’ll find York, a medieval city famed for its Viking history. York is a beautiful place to visit year-round but is even more spectacular at Christmas.

From late November, York’s iconic streets are adorned with festive decorations and toy-filled shop windows. There’s even a dedicated Christmas shop down the Shambles. Meanwhile, 75 alpine chalets line Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square. At the market, you can pick last-minute gifts for family and friends, sip mulled wine, eat German-style hot dogs, meet Santa Claus, and ride the vintage carousel.

Caves of Valkenburg Christmas Market, Valkenburg, Netherlands

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One of Europe’s most unique Christmas markets is in the Caves of Valkenburg in Valkenburg, Netherlands. Yes, you read that right—this Christmas market is located inside a set of tunnels underground. Valkenburg is only a small town in the southern Netherlands, so few people know about this magical Christmas market. We want to change that!

At Christmas, this labyrinth of tunnels is dressed in festive attire, creating a winter wonderland like no other. Besides the bright lights and unique surroundings, this cave market also features Christmas stalls, miniature villages, food and drink stands, and a Santa’s grotto. Better yet, the streets of Valkenburg also feature Christmas decorations and market stalls.

Bruges Christmas Market, Bruges, Belgium

At Christmas, the medieval city of Bruges takes on a fairytale appearance, complete with gingerbread houses, Christmas lights, colorful Christmas trees, and exciting market stalls. The Bruges Christmas Market runs from late November to early January, giving travelers plenty of time to visit. Known as ‘Winter Glow,’ this market offers something for everyone.

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Food and drink enthusiasts can eat and drink their body weight in Belgian chocolate and mulled wine. Families with children can have fun following the light experience trail. Couples can enjoy romantic skating across the ice rink, and last-minute shoppers can purchase presents for their family and friends. You can also visit some of Belgium’s most famous attractions, such as the Belfry of Bruges and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

Tallinn Christmas Market, Tallinn, Estonia

Like many of Europe’s hidden travel gem Christmas markets, Tallinn offers a fascinating combination of festive cheer and medieval architecture. Every year, the Estonian capital’s Old Town becomes a thrilling Christmas market. Bright lights and Christmas decorations illuminate the centuries-old buildings, while shop windows feature festive displays. However, the main draw is the primary market.

Tallinn’s Town Hall Square and its cobblestone streets are lined with wooden market stalls at Christmas. You’ll find everything from mulled wine and bratwurst to Christmas decorations and handcrafted jewelry here. Alongside the market stalls, carol singers sing Christmas songs, folk dancers perform a traditional performance, and Santa sits in his grotto, ready to meet well-behaved children.

Porvoo Christmas Market, Porvoo, Finland

Just across the Gulf of Finland from Estonia is a city called Porvoo, where you’ll find another one of Europe’s lesser-known Christmas towns. Just an hour from the capital, Helsinki, Porvoo Christmas Market offers an enchanting experience for the entire family, starting with vibrant Christmas decorations that line the streets and fill shop windows.

At this Christmas market, you’ll likely spend most of your time shopping for traditional gifts, eating festive foods, drinking mulled wine, and having fun at one of the many events the city hosts throughout December. It might also be worth noting that the real-life Santa Claus tends to make an appearance, something children love. Many of the cafes and restaurants around the town also offer Christmas-themed menus.

Merano Christmas Market, Merano, Italy

The magic of the Christmas season in the spa town of Merano, Italy, is in full flow from November to January when the town hosts one of Europe’s undiscovered Christmas markets. Everything, from the picturesque snow-capped mountains and frosty river surrounding Merano to its vibrant decorations and festive atmosphere, is perfect for a Christmas break.

The promenade along the Passirio River is jam-packed with Christmas stands every year. If you don’t immediately love the scent of cinnamon and spice or the carol-singing choirs, you’ll undoubtedly fall in love with the handcrafted gifts, decorations, foods, and drinks sold at the market. You can buy homemade cakes, nutcrackers, musical boxes, and, most importantly, mulled wine.

Rothenburger Reiterlesmarkt, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

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Another of Europe’s best-hidden gem Christmas markets is also found in Germany, this time in the fairytale-esque destination of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This gorgeous medieval town in Northern Bavaria is famed for its breathtaking architecture, which serves as the perfect setting for a traditional Christmas market. In winter, it’s common for the town to be covered in snow.

Rothenburger Reiterlesmarkt is open daily from late November until December 23rd. The town is smothered in Christmas decorations during the event, while the streets are lined with festive market stalls. When you’re not buying presents for your friends and family, drink mulled wine, listen to the brass band, meet Santa, and admire the annual Advent window.

Lille Christmas Market, Lille, France

The Lille Christmas Market might be smaller than Europe’s most famous markets, but it makes up for its size by packing one almighty festive punch. Open daily from November 23rd to December 30th, this market has something for every kind of traveler. You’ll find the Lille Christmas Market on Place Rihour.

Less than two hours by train from London, the English capital, there are many things to see and do at this market, including approximately 90 stalls selling everything from handcrafted decorations and toys to homemade gingerbread and mulled wine. Other noteworthy points of interest in this market include the pony rides, Ferris wheel, carousel, and Christmas tree display. What’s not to like?

Glasgow Christmas Market, Glasgow, Scotland

Most travelers seeking festive fun in Scotland visit the capital, Edinburgh, and its markets, making Glasgow Christmas Market one of the best off-the-beaten-path Christmas markets in the United Kingdom. Glasgow is a vibrant city with much to see and do year-round, but it truly comes to life in December when the center is transformed into a winter wonderland.

Bright Christmas lights, towering trees, festive shop windows, and colorful decorations will meet you at every turn. You’ll also find several extraordinary winter wonderland Christmas markets bursting at the seams with arts and crafts stalls, festive food and drink stands, and fun and games. You don’t want to miss the Christmas markets in St Enoch Square and George Square.

Trondheim Christmas Market, Trondheim, Norway

Trondheim Christmas Market only took place for the first time in 2003, which might explain why it’s still one of Europe’s best-hidden gem Christmas markets. However, that doesn’t mean the market has little to offer. This is arguably one of the best Christmas markets in Europe regarding things to do.

Participate in one of the seasonal events when you’re not exploring the many market stalls, eating festive cuisine, or drinking mulled wine. You don’t want to miss the live concerts, horse and sleigh rides, theater productions, and the blue hour, known locally as den blå timen. During den blå timen, the city glows a dark blue color. This sight is impressive from the Ferris wheel.