Europe’s most festive Christmas market revealed
08/11/2024
The top ten most festive markets in Europe have been revealed, with Kraków Christmas Market in Poland ranking in first position.
Travel insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk have created the 2024 Christmas Market Index to help Christmas loving travellers get the most for their money during the festive season.
2024 CHRISTMAS MARKET INDEX
| Rank | Country & Christmas market | Average temperature in December (°C) | Average snowfall in December (mm) | Number of stalls | Length of days the market runs | Distance from Lapland (km) |
| 1 | Kraków Christmas Market, Poland | 0.2 | 51.5 | 100 | 33 | 1998.27 |
| 2 | Budapest Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market, Hungary | 1.8 | 54.3 | 120 | 47 | 2290.22 |
| 3 | Vienna Rathausplatz Christmas Market, Austria | 1.1 | 53.4 | 99 | 42 | 2246.39 |
| 4/5 | Prague Old Town Square Christmas Market, Czech Republic | -0.3 | 35.9 | 79 | 38 | 2074.53 |
| 4/5 | Copenhagen Tivoli Christmas Market, Denmark | 2.5 | 36.6 | 60 | 51 | 1522.97 |
| 6 | Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany | 2.23 | 31.8 | 180 | 26 | 2209.15 |
| 7/8 | Brussels Winter Wonders Christmas Market, Belgium | 3.9 | 20 | 200 | 38 | 2238.5 |
| 7/8 | Edinburgh East Princes Street Gardens Christmas Market, Scotland | 4.2 | 10 | 80 | 51 | 2009.73 |
| 9 | Strasbourg Christmas Market, France | 6.68 | 31 | 300 | 31 | 2378.72 |
| 10 | Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland | 1.4 | 30.1 | 155 | 26 | 2490.5 |
References:
All sources and information correct as of 11/11/2024. Each city was given a nominal score which was totalled up to give a final ranking.
• Average temperature in December – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_average_temperature
*For cities that are not on the list, a result for an average of the country or other city from the country was used in the index.
• Average snowfall in December – https://weatherspark.com/
• Number of stalls / days the market runs:
Germany:
https://www.nuernberg.de/imperia/md/kommunikation_stadtmarketing/dokumente/internet/ckm/e_ckm_information_2024.pdf
Austria:
https://www.visitingvienna.com/sights/christmasmarkets/rathausplatz/
Czech Republic: https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/old-town-square-hosting-a-heavenly-christmas-holiday-market; https://www.pragueexperience.com/events/christmas-markets.asp Belgium:
https://www.brussels.be/winter-wonders France:
https://www.christmas.alsace/strasbourg-christmas-market/; https://www.thetrainline.com/en-us/via/europe/france/strasbourg/strasbourg-christmas-market-france-s-capital-of-christmas Hungary:
https://www.viator.com/blog/Christmas-Markets-in-Budapest/l12197; https://budapest-travel-tips.com/calendar-budapest/christmas-market-in-budapest/ Scotland:
https://secret-edinburgh.com/edinburgh-christmas/ Switzerland:
https://www.basel.com/en/events/christmas/christmas-market Poland:
https://www.christmas.co.uk/krakow-christmas-market/ Denmark:
https://www.christmas.co.uk/copenhagen-christmas-markets/
Distance from Lapland – https://www.gps-coordinates.net/distance
Photo caption – Kraków Christmas Market (Image credit: Shutterstock)
This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.