Europe is house to common Christmas market locations like Berlin, Vienna, and Prague, but it surely additionally boasts many quieter, underrated markets that provide distinctive, native experiences with out the bustling vacationer crowds. Whereas winter’s peak brings a festive, vigorous ambiance to most markets, it may well additionally imply packed areas.
So which markets are the hidden gems, and the place are you able to expertise them with out the push? Wizz Air has curated an inventory of Europe’s least crowded Christmas markets, good to your subsequent festive getaway.
To establish essentially the most and least crowded Christmas markets, Wizz Air analyzed over 35 common European markets from varied sources. They used a Key phrase Device to evaluate every vacation spot’s reputation, specializing in searches for ‘[Destination] Christmas Market’ on Instagram, TikTok, and Google, together with Google searches for ‘flights to [Destination]. from October to December 2023.
András Rado, Head of Communications, Authorities and Public Affairs, commented on the findings, “Whereas many people could also be reluctant to half with the solar, sand, and sea, winter metropolis breaks—particularly these centred round Christmas markets—are extremely common. When considering of those markets, cities like Prague, Munich, and Vienna usually come to thoughts.
“Nonetheless, Wizz Air goals to assist travellers uncover Europe’s lesser-known winter treasures. From the charming stalls of a quaint market in Romania to the festive atmosphere of a hidden market in Poland, there are numerous distinctive Christmas experiences the place you’ll be able to really immerse your self within the vacation spirit, away from the bustling crowds.”
High 10 underrated Christmas markets in Europe
Rank | Metropolis/City | Nation | Complete searches throughout Tiktok, Instagram & Google |
1 | Saranda | Albania | 900 |
2 | Esslingen | Germany | 3,470 |
3 | Sibiu | Romania | 4,620 |
4 | Craiova | Romania | 6,000 |
5 | Gdańsk | Poland | 20,840 |
6 | Poznan | Poland | 22,440 |
7 | Gothenburg | Sweden | 27,840 |
8 | Bratislava | Slovakia | 36,900 |
9 | Basel | Switzerland | 43,400 |
10 | Wroclaw | Poland | 53,300 |
- Saranda Christmas Market, Saranda, Albania – sixth December 2024 to 2nd January 2025
Our research revealed that the Saranda Christmas Market in Saranda, Albania, is Europe’s most underrated festive market. With simply 900 on-line searches, this Yuletide occasion has lower than 1500 instances the searches of the most well-liked market.
Whereas Albania is usually celebrated as a summer time paradise, its winter allure could shock you. Saranda’s Christmas Market, although smaller than lots of its extra well-known counterparts, affords a comfortable ambiance that highlights the area’s wealthy tradition and heat hospitality. It’s a novel expertise that invitations you to discover a unique aspect of Albania in the course of the vacation season!
- Esslingen Christmas and Medieval Market, Esslingen, Germany – twenty sixth November to twenty second December 2024
Subsequent on our record, is the the mediaeval city of Esslingen, Germany. With on-line searches for this historic market low with simply 3,470, you’ll be able to be sure you get one of the best spot to marvel at expert glass blowers and blacksmiths as they craft festive items. You may even take a few of Germany again with you as a number of festive workshops can be happening all through.
- Sibiu Christmas Market, Sibiu, Romania – fifteenth November 2024 to fifth January 2025
Taking third place is the Sibiu Christmas Market in Sibiu, Romania, with 4,620 on-line searches. Set within the coronary heart of Transylvania’s picturesque mountains, this festive celebration takes over the historic Nice Sq. annually. Working from November fifteenth to January fifth, the Sibiu Christmas Market affords an prolonged vacation season, providing you with loads of time to expertise its allure.
In fourth place was one other Romanian Christmas Market, this time within the metropolis of Craiova with 6,000 on-line searches. Recognized for its gorgeous gentle shows and festive ambiance, this market transforms town’s central sq. right into a winter wonderland from the fifteenth of November 2024 to the fifth of January 2025.
Gdańsk, Poland got here in fifth place. Situated within the picturesque Targ Węglowy Sq., the truthful affords guests a magical ambiance with festive decorations, twinkling lights, and a towering Christmas tree from the twenty second of November to the twenty third of December 2024.
High 10 Most Overcrowded Christmas Markets in Europe
Whether or not you benefit from the vigorous buzz of a bustling Christmas market or need to avoid the busiest ones, we’ve listed the highest 10 hottest markets under.
Rank | Metropolis/City | Nation | Complete searches throughout Tiktok, Instagram & Google |
1 | London | England | 1,552,300 |
2 | Edinburgh | Scotland | 1,436,600 |
3 | Birmingham | England | 1,165,900 |
4 | Prague | Czech Republic | 409,000 |
5 | Budapest | Hungary | 336,800 |
6 | Vienna | Austria | 325,600 |
7 | Krakow | Poland | 286,500 |
8 | Berlin | Germany | 271,300 |
9 | Cologne | Germany | 204,700 |
10 | Brussels | Belgium | 200,500 |
11 | Copenhagen | Denmark | 181,800 |
12 | Frankfurt | Germany | 119,000 |
13 | Salzburg | Austria | 96,500 |
14 | Stockholm | Sweden | 87,300 |
15 | Nuremberg | Germany | 81,200 |