5 of the best Christmas markets to visit by rail in Europe
Mulled wine, al fresco ice skating and chalets selling woolly socks can only mean one thing: Christmas markets are back.
Christmas isn’t the same without visiting a festive market, fragrant with sweet spices and alive with the chatter of friends and families. Rediscover their magic — and the romance of rail — across Europe this winter with a handful of the continent's best, each one less than five hours away from London terminals by train.
1. Edinburgh, Scotland
St Andrew Square, George Square, Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens, 15 November 2024 – 4 January 2025
Edinburgh’s festive market beat 65 others in 2021 to the title of Europe’s Best Christmas Market — trouncing Manchester and Prague because of its popularity on Instagram, length of days and the average nightly price of a three- and four-star hotel in the city. Missed it? Then visit in 2024, which promises to be even bigger. Stalls return to St Andrew Square, Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens, and there will be an Ice Rink on George Street. Festive illuminations will weave through West Princes Street Garden, which will also host the Festive Family Funfair. Take a spin on the Ferris wheel then warm up over a wild game burger, mulled Irn-Bru or dram of whisky.
How to get there: Direct trains from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh take 4h20mins.
2. Brussels, Belgium
Around Grand Place, 29 November – 5 January 2025
Brussels’ central square transforms into a kaleidoscope each winter as a 360-degree light and sound spectacle illuminates the Grand Place and its 18-metre-tall spruce and nativity scene. Now in its 22nd year, Plaisirs d’hiver takes place in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, with more than 200 cabins winding through Place de la Monnaie, Place De Brouckère, Place Sainte Catherine and Place de la Bourse. Browse stalls selling knitted woollen socks, fire-smoked salmon, fondue and spiced waffles, then wobble your way around the 800sq metre ice rink in Place De Brouckère, which is sheltered by a transparent roof. In previous years, brass bands, choirs, jugglers and stilt walkers have created a festival vibe, so order a glass of genever, or Dutch gin, and make merry.
How to get there: Direct Eurostar trains from London St Pancras International to Brussels-Midi take from 1h53min.
3. Cologne, Germany
Around Cologne Cathedral, Rudolfplatz, Alter Markt and Heumarkt, 21 November – 23 December 2024
Germany is king of the Christmas markets, and Cologne alone has several. The biggest, outside its gothic cathedral, is home to 150 stalls set beneath a canopy of fairy lights. Shop for snow globes and erzgebirge wooden toys and observe artisans painting glass and ceramics to the soundtrack of carols. Two streets south, on Alter Markt and Heumarkt, woodcarvers and metalworkers produce stocking fillers at Heinzels Winter’s Fairytale, a collection of 100 half-timbered huts straight from Hansel and Gretel set around an outdoor rink. At Village of St. Nicholas, on Rudolfplatz, meanwhile, the scent of riebekuchen (grated potato and onion patties with applesauce) hangs in the air. Browse pop-up timbered houses selling handmade soap, watch pyrography demonstrations and look out for a roaming Saint Nicholas.
How to get there: Eurostar trains from London St Pancras International to Cologne take from 4h11min, changing in Brussels.
4. Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Amsterdam Winter Paradise, RAI Amsterdam, 12 – 26 December 2024
A winter wonderland takes over Amsterdam's RAI convention centre with indoor and outdoor ice rinks, seasonal parties and a Ferris wheel that looks Amsterdam's dinky skyline. The rest of the city glows just as bright, thanks to the annual Amsterdam Light Festival. Explore its trail of 30 sculptures en route to Amsterdam Winter Paradise, at RAI Amsterdam, which is set to be transformed into an Alpine village with snowball fights, tubing and cross-country skiing between Christmas trees. Can’t feel your fingers anymore? Then toast marshmallows as you snack on spiced biscuits.
How to get there: Direct Eurostar trains from London St Pancras International to Amsterdam Central take from 4h11min.
5. Paris, France
Tuileries Garden, 16 November 2024 – 1 January 2025
The scent of roasted chestnuts mingled with onion soup fills the air at La Magie de Noël (‘The Magic of Christmas’) in Tuileries Garden, the largest of Paris’s 20-or-so festive markets. Stretching from Place de la Concorde on the lawn’s western side to Rue des Pyramides near the Louvre, it was first held here in 2018. Children will delight in taking the Santa Train, teens can whizz about in bumper cars, while all ages will enjoy the Ferris wheel, which offers views of the capital’s largest Christmas tree, a 500sq metre ice rink and the Eiffel Tower. Once you’ve experienced the rides, explore the 100-plus chalets selling mostly French crafts and produce such as cheese, chocolate and mulled wine, then end your night in a Champagne igloo.
How to get there: Direct Eurostar trains from London St Pancras International to Paris take from 2h16mins.
