Christmas markets in Europe: magical journey in a motorhome

Sunday afternoons in front of the fireplace, Christmas gift shopping, delicious family meals... The magic of Christmas comes with many different traditions, such as the annual visit of the Christmas market. Join us on a roadtrip to our 10 favorite Christmas markets in Europe.

1. Christmas market Grotte
2. Lisbon christmas market
3. Vienna Spittelberg & Altwiener Christkindlmarkt
4. Porto
5. Colmar
6. Highest Christmas market in Europe
7. The Santa Lucia Christmas market in Barcelona
8. Santa Pauli - Weihnachten auf dem Kiez
9. Winter Wonders Brussels
10. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland in London

Cave christmas market in the Netherlands

in Valkenburg in the Netherlands, the Fluweelengrot and Gemeentegrot caves are home to two cave Christmas markets. In addition to numerous kitsch and arts and crafts stalls, the smell of bratwurst lures visitors to the underground Christmas markets. In the Roman part of the Gemeentegrot, warm drinks are served to Christmas music. The Grotto Christmas Markets in the Gemeentegrot and Fluweelengrot Grottoes are open from 14 November to 23 December. Visitors can stroll through the caves from 11 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday and from 10 am to 9 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. On Tuesday, 12 December, the caves close at 6 pm. Admission is 5 euros.

An overnight stay in a double room at the Novotel Maastricht hotel costs from 80 euros per person per night.

The Christmas market in Lisbon

For those who have already visited Lisbon during the Christmas season know that you can't miss the Lisbon Wonderland located in the park Eduardo VII, right in the heart of Lisbon. In this Christmas market you can find different tents with handicrafts and regional products where you are sure to find the right gift for Christmas. On your way to the Christmas market in Lisbon you can try the ice-skating rink or even have your photo taken with Father Christmas.

Wonderland Christmas market in Lisbon is from 1st December 2021 to 2nd January 2022

Wien trumpft nicht nur mit einem, sondern gleich mit zwei Weihnachts- oder wie die Österreicher lieber sagen, Christkindlmärkten auf, die es verdient haben, in unsere Liste aufgenommen zu werden. Zum einen wäre da der Weihnachtsmarkt am Spittelberg inmitten des 7. Wiener Stadtbezirks. Eingenistet in das Künstlerviertel der österreichischen Landeshauptstadt bummelt man hier durch atmosphärische Pflastersteingassen, während man leckeren Punsch schlürft und sich dabei die großteils von individuellen Künstlern hergestellten Waren ansieht. Wer auf der Suche nach einem ganz besonderen, garantiert einzigartigen Weihnachtsgeschenk ist und obendrein lokale Handwerker und Künstler unterstützen möchte, der sollte hier unbedingt vorbeischauen. Der zweite Wiener Markt, den wir erwähnen wollen, ist der Altwiener Christkindlmarkt bei der Freyung im 1. Bezirk. Dieser ist etwas kleiner als der Weihnachtsmarkt am Spittelberg, zeigt dafür allerdings den Wiener Advent von seiner traditionellsten Seite – typische österreichische Speisen und Getränke inklusive, versteht sich.

Christmas Market in Porto 

During the Christmas season, the entire city of Porto is filled with Christmas lights. In its heart there is a Christmas market in Praça da Batalha, which offers different stalls with handmade products, books or decorative objects and, of course, gastronomy. 

The Christmas market in Porto is from 1 to 24 December 2021

Colmar Christmas market

If you are a christmas market enthusiast, you probably already heard of the beautiful markets in Alsace. Although the Christmas markets in Alsace are magical, for us the one with the most charm is Colmar. Voted the best Christmas lights in Europe in 2018, the town is beautifully decorated and offers 6 different Christmas markets! The new one is located in Place de la Cathédrale and focuses on gastronomy where you can taste the gastronomic delights prepared by different chefs.

Open: Colmar Christmas market from 26 November to 29 December 2021

Highest christmas market of Europe: Austria/Slowenia

Inmitten einer verschneiten Winterlandschaft auf 1700 Meter Seehöhe befindet sich auf dem Südkärntner Hausberg der Adventmarkt auf der Petzen. Neben traditionellem Weihnachtsschmuck und Glühwein sorgen verschiedene Musikdarbietungen auf der verschneiten Open-Air-Bühne für Weihnachtsstimmung.
Besucher erreichen den höchst gelegenen Christkindlmarkt Europas mit einer 15-minütigen Gondelfahrt. Die letzte Talfahrt ist um 21 Uhr. Geöffnet ist der Adventmarkt an drei Adventsamstagen: am 06.12.2014, am 13.12.2014 und am 20.12.2014 jeweils von 16 bis 21 Uhr

Der Preis für die Berg- und Talfahrt zum Adventsmarkt beträgt 12€ (inkl. Begrüßungsgetränk und ein Petzenhäferl)

Eine Übernachtung im Doppelzimmer im Hotel "Menüwirt am Klopeinersee" gibt es ab 38 Euro pro Person und Nacht.

The Santa Lucia Christmas market in Barcelona 

Tourist magnet, top summer holiday destination and yes, beautiful christmas market just in front of Barcelona Cathedral. Known as the Fira de Santa Lucia by the locals, it hosts around 300 stalls a year, the perfect place to try the typical Spanish sweets like Polvorones or the classic chocolate churros, perfect for warming up. 

Try to attend some events and discover the regional traditions and Catalan culture through dances and shows and you cannot miss visiting the cathedral and seeing the nativity scene with life-size figures. 

Open: St Lucia Christmas Market is from 27 November to 23 December 2021

Hamburg and its Christmas markets by motorhome

If you’re not afraid of the cold, you should consider visiting Hamburg and its Christmas markets. First of all, if you have not yet visited the charming port of Hamburg, we advise you to go there. During the festive season, the city is more alive than ever!

The main Christmas market is held on the town hall square and has stalls with traditional sweets and toy artisans. However, each neighbourhood in Hamburg has its own different market and atmosphere. The most unusual is the market "Santa Pauli - Weihnachten auf dem Kiez" where Christmas magic meets Hamburg's amazing nights! Don't miss Father Christmas who appears three times a day in the town hall and the wonderful Christmas parade, considered the highlight of the celebrations.

Hamburgs "geilster" Weihnachtsmarkt „Santa Pauli“ findet mitten auf der Reeperbahn im Stadtteil St. Pauli statt. Besucher finden eine Mischung aus konventioneller Weihnachtstradion und frivolem Kiezleben vor. Begleitet von täglicher Live-Musik auf der Showbühne sorgen heiße Engel und junge Wichtel im Santa Pauli Strip-Zelt für den gewissen Reeperbahn-Faktor. Als Souvenir erwerben Besucher erotische Geschenke

Geöffnet ist "Santa Pauli" vom 20.November bis zum 23.Dezember montags bis mittwochs jeweils von 16 bis 23 Uhr, donnerstags von 16 bis 24 Uhr und freitags, samstags von 13 bis 1 Uhr und sonntags von 13 bis 23 Uhr. Im "B&B Hotel Hamburg-Altona" gibt es das Doppelzimmer ab 36 Euro pro Person und Nacht.

Hamburg's Christmas market is from 22 November to 30 December 2021

The enchanting Brussels Christmas market in a motorhome

If you travel Europe's Christmas markets by motorhome, don't miss the one in Brussels, also known as Winter Wonders. It is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity and, despite being new, it is a must-see. Its greatest asset is that it brings together the gastronomy and folklore of many European countries, to be discovered in its 200 chalets. Don't miss the great novelty: a sound and light show that will take you into the world and the works of Van Gogh.

Winter Wonders Market is from 26 November 2021 to 2 January 2022

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland in London

Anyone who has visited London at Christmas or seen the film Love Actually knows the magic of winter in this metropolis. The London Christmas market in Hyde Park is magical with its Christmas atmosphere. In this market you can find different activities such as a Ferris wheel, ice skating rink and circus shows. Young and old alike will have a magical time guaranteed! Added to this experience is the traditional Christmas market, where you will find sweets and a plethora of ideas for Christmas presents.

The Winter Wonderland Christmas market from 19 November 2021 to 3 January 2022

If our Christmas market list interested you, why not hire a motorhome and set off to discover the Christmas markets? Visit the Yescapa website and find the ideal vehicle for your trip.