It may feel too early to talk Christmas plans, but if you're looking to secure a festive break then planning ahead could land you the best bargains.
There's nothing quite like the European Christmas markets; think beautifully decorated log cabins, mouthwatering festive treats from gingerbread houses to mulled wine and a brilliant atmosphere with funfairs and live performances.
Then of course the markets can be the perfect place to pick up handmade gifts, new decorations for your tree, and even local fare to add a twist to your Christmas dinner.
There are heaps of incredible markets to be found across Europe, so the choice can be a little overwhelming, but to give you a helping hand we've rounded up the top European Christmas markets that need to be on your radar.
Check out our top picks below for jingle bells, mulled wine and gifts galore!
Looking for more? We've also got tips on where to find Christmas market deals including day trips to help you stick to a budget.
1. Munich, Germany
Munich is famed for its annual Christmas market on Marienplatz, in the city centre.
Here you'll find hundreds of snow-topped lodges, glowing market stalls and plenty of delicious treats such as roasted nuts, grilled German sausages and spiced cider.
Oh, and of course the giant Christmas tree covered in twinkling lights adds to the overall Christmas magic.
Get there: easyJet offers flights from £24.99 each way.
Stay there: Lastminute.com can be a good source for cheap Munich hotels with prices from £42 per night.
2. Mt Pilatus, Switzerland
Situated approximaetly 7000 feet above sea level, Europe's highest Christmas market is one of the world's only spots where you can follow your festive shopping with a spot of snowboarding.
It's the place to be if you're after the ultimate festive shopping spree, with stalls renowned for the handcrafted gifts to be found.
Oh, and of course there are plenty of views of the snowy Swiss Alps!
Get there: Zurich airport is about 57km from Mt Pilatus and is your best bet for cheap flights – Skyscanner has returns from £64pp.
Stay there: TripAdvisor has a handy guide to the area's best hotels with prices starting from £109 per night.
3. Berlin, Germany
The German capital hosts over 70 Christmas markets in the lead-up to Christmas, so you'll be spoiled for choice.
The largest can be found in the old town of Spandau, where you'll find plenty of lodges and tents offering everything from traditional local fare to arts and crafts stalls.
Never been before? Check out our Berlin city guide with top tips on attractions not to miss, where to find the best deals and even the restaurants that need to be on your radar.
Get there: British Airways has flights from £42 each way in December.
Stay there: Booking.com has a guide to the best budget hotels in Berlin.
4. Lille, France
A giant Ferris wheel is the centrepiece of Lille’s dazzling Christmas market, which takes place in the picturesque Place Rhiour town square.
The French city sums up the magic of Christmas, with rows and rows of fantastic stalls, where you’ll find everything from artworks to hand crafted wooden toys.
After deciding what to include in Santa’s sack, pay a visit to one of the many bars or eateries to enjoy authentic French cuisine – baked Camembert is a must – and a well-deserved glass of champagne.
Get there: Eurostar offers a direct service from London to Lille and often hosts sales where you can find fares from £29 each way.
Stay there: Lastminute.com has cheap hotels in Lille with prices from £47 per night.
5. Bruges, Belgium
With its medieval buildings and quaint cobbled streets, the fairytale setting of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is sure to get you into the seasonal spirit. Bruges' wonderful chocolate shops are a great excuse to stock up on prezzies as well as treating yourself.
Take a turn round the ice rink then stop off for waffles with hot chocolate while enjoying the street entertainment and fairground attractions.
Get there: If you're on a budget it's worth bagging cheap flights to Brussels and taking a train on to Bruges. You can find return flights from £27pp on Skyscanner.
Stay there: Hotels.com can be a good source for cheap Bruges hotels.
6. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Croatia's Dalmatian Coast may not seem like the most obvious Christmas market destination, but it does rise to the occasion during the winter months.
Fabulous decorations and displays adorn Dubrovnik and illuminate its historic landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites – even the city’s 13th century city walls get a makeover.
The market itself boasts a vast array of stalls and shops, specialising in handmade gifts, goodies and authentic Croatian food, like arancini and kontonjata (a sweet Christmas candy made with quince).
Get there: We've got a guide to finding cheap flights to Croatia with hacks for getting the best deals.
Stay there: Check out our top picks of the best cheap hotels in Dubrovnik.
7. Stockholm, Sweden
If you're after a snowy winter wonderland, then the Swedish capital needs to be on your radar.
Expect plenty of Scandinavian magic with traditional treats like Swedish meatballs and pear cider all on offer, go exploring some of Stockholm's best things to see and do, and wander through the markets to pick up plenty of handmade trinkets.
Get there: Ryanair has direct flights from €15.28 each way.
Stay there: Airbnb has a pretty impressive selection of properties in Stockholm.
8. Madrid, Spain
Add a Spanish twist to your festive break with a trip to Spain's bustling capital. The weather can be relatively mild, there's plenty of festive sparkle and it's a must-visit for foodies with delectable dishes including chorizo, churros and mulled wine.
You'll have ample opportunity to sample the cuisine at the plethora of stalls, not to mention it's a great spot for getting some Christmas shopping done.
Get there: easyJet has fares from £22.99 each way.
Stay there: TripAdvisor has a guide to the best Madrid hotels with prices from £27 per night.
9. Innsbruck, Austria
From the middle of November until January, the Tirolean capital’s Old Town market is a truly festive sight.
Surrounded by medieval houses, Christmas tree lights twinkle beneath the city’s famous Golden Roof with the snow-dusted Nordkette mountains as a seasonal backdrop you can browse round more than 60 stalls displaying wooden toys and hand-carved nativity scenes.
Oh, and keep an eye out for fairytale figures such as Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty adorning the alleyways!
Get there: British Airways has flights from £41 each way in December.
Stay there: Booking.com has some great Innsbruck hotels to suit a wide array of budgets.
10. Prague, Czech Republic
It’s fitting Wenceslas Square, named after the Czech patron saint, is home to one of the two key Christmas markets, while it's just a five-minute walk to go exploring the other.
Refresh yourself with a glass or two of mulled wine or a Czech beer. Suitably fortified, join in with carol singing around the giant Christmas trees.
For those looking to get their shopping done, there are plenty of great trinkets and arts and crafts to be found.
Get there: Wizz Air offers flights from £61 each way.
Stay there: HomeAway can be a good source for budget-friendly holiday rentals in Prague.
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