The best Christmas market

Christmas is just around the corner. The spirit of the season is already palpable in the streets, shops, and restaurants. Across Europe, hundreds of Christmas markets are sparkling, attracting thousands of visitors. It's a time when travelers choose their favorite markets.

Crafts, local cuisine, decorations, lights, and plenty of magic fill the centers of many European cities. Lonely Planet, through its active community of travelers, asked its Spanish followers on Instagram (@lonelyplanet_es) which is their favorite Christmas market.

With massive participation, more than 44,000 travelers chose from 32 markets, some more popular than others. This year's voting was widely distributed, with selections coming from cities in seven different countries (Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, United Kingdom, Denmark, and France). The most voted destination was Colmar (Alsace, France), which won the final vote with 72% against the runner-up, Edinburgh (Scotland). Other highly rated Christmas markets included those in Salzburg, Nuremberg, Ravennaschlucht, Prague, Budapest, and Copenhagen.

This year, 32 destinations were nominated and competed in a series of elimination rounds: round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals… until reaching the grand final where Colmar (France) and Edinburgh (Scotland) vied for the title of dream destination.

Colmar

To immerse yourself in the true Christmas spirit, few places can compete with Colmar, in Alsace. This picturesque old town, with its charming half-timbered houses and fairytale atmosphere, hosts six unique Christmas markets scattered throughout its streets and squares. In Petite Venise, nestled among charming canals, the children's market captivates little ones with a magical carousel, an animated nativity scene, and a special mailbox for sending letters to Santa Claus. Meanwhile, lovers of antiques, art, and crafts will enjoy exploring the Ancienne Douane market, brimming with unique and creative pieces.

For food enthusiasts, Colmar offers true Alsatian treasures: gingerbread, spiced bredele cookies, delicate anise-scented springerle, and the delicious berawecka, a fruitcake enriched with kirsch. Each makes a perfect gift to take home or enjoy right away.

Besides offering delicious dishes, colorful architecture, wooden galleries, octagonal towers, and murals, Colmar is the ideal starting point for exploring beautiful villages along the various wine routes.

Furthermore, it boasts significant green spaces such as the Champ de Mars, the city center's green lung, a favorite spot for tourists and locals alike to stroll.

For 36 years, it has hosted a book festival. This year's theme was "The Joy of Words," an invitation to discovery, curiosity, and the pleasure of reading. The American writer Douglas Kennedy was the guest of honor in 2025.

This French city is also committed to the environment and has organized compost distribution events using green waste collected at its recycling centers. Transforming green waste into compost is the most beneficial approach for the environment and enriches farmland without the use of chemical fertilizers.

The Collegiate Church of Saint Martin in Colmar, built between the 13th and 14th centuries, is currently undergoing restoration, a process expected to last six years, until 2030. This large-scale, multi-phase project aims to preserve this important example of Alsatian Gothic architecture for future generations.

The stained-glass windows will be repaired and cleaned by master glassmakers to restore them to their former glory.

The restoration project, with an estimated budget of €18.5 million, is based on scientific discoveries and the legacy of those who built and maintained the Collegiate Church over the years. The building has not undergone such a comprehensive restoration in more than 100 years.

Colmar is a place to visit any time of year, guaranteeing a charming journey filled with history, as well as unforgettable sights and flavors.