European Christmas - where should we go?

I wouldn’t do Brussels. What about Poland?

Prague.

All of those places you mentioned are wonderful and Paris is my favorite city in the world, but if you haven’t been to Prague, go there.

I was just there in April (Vienna too). It has the largest and most atmospheric and well preserved medieval old town I have been to. We were there the week after Easter and they had the big Easter market going on in the town square where they hold the Christmas markets in December.

Stay as close as possible to the Charles Bridge. We stayed at the Hotel Augustine which was a 12th century monastery and is still a working monastery.

Viking river cruise Christmas markets edition

Thanks, I’ll look into those things. With teenagers the Viking cruise doesn’t work, but sounds like a great way to se those spots otherwise.

Couple of thoughts...

What are "Christmas Holidays". Dates? It can make a difference up to an including staying over Christmas Day?

Generally...

1. That time of year is magical as you can experience the Christmas Markets. With Teenagers, I'd say pick a spot or two and don't make them have to pack/unpack a lot. Nothing worse!

I've been to all those Cities, and a number of other cities durning Christmas while on Viking Cruises and post-cruise trips. I'd certainly recommend looking into a river cruise. We've done many at Christmas, most recently:

• Danube Waltz - November 2024 (Took son and new wife)
• Rhine Getaway/Amsterdam to Basel - 2023 (With friends)

They do it all and hit some of the best markets in Europe. Great food, wine, unpack once. It'd be a GREAT option IF you think they wouldn't mind being on a river boat with people in their late 50's and 60's. Nothing wrong with that. (Note: Viking doesn't allow anyone under 18, so that might be an issue. AmaWaterways and Avalon do on certain cruises and are great alternatives!)

Cruises for families!

AmaWaterways’ “Iconic Christmas Markets” on the Danube is a festive favorite. This 7-night itinerary sails from Nuremberg to Budapest, with stops in Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna, and finally Budapest, all decked out in holiday charm. Teens are welcome (minimum age is 4), and Ama offers active excursions like biking and hiking, plus cozy market visits with treats like lebkuchen and glühwein. The ships are elegantly decorated, and onboard traditions include holiday feasts and caroling. It’s a warm, immersive way to experience Europe’s most magical season — perfect for families who want culture, comfort, and a little sparkle.

Self Directed...My vote is Prague, Vienna or Colmar France. Been to all of these and they were magical at Christmas time!

Christmas markets in Europe offer magical experiences in 2025. Prague's charming stalls in Old Town and Wenceslas Square run from November 29 to January 6, daily from 10:00 to 22:00, featuring Czech treats like trdelník and festive music. Vienna boasts several markets: Rathausplatz (Nov 14–Dec 26), Schönbrunn Palace (Nov 6–Jan 6), Stephansplatz (Nov 8–Dec 26), and Belvedere Palace (Nov 14–Dec 31), generally open from 10:00 to 21:00. Colmar in France hosts six themed villages from November 25 to December 29, with weekday hours from 11:00–19:00 and weekends from 10:00–20:00, offering artisan crafts and gourmet specialties in a fairytale setting.

Prague Christmas Markets

Vienna Christmas Markets

Colmar Christmas Markets

Prague is cool but is cold as a witch's tit during December. I enjoyed Vienna more because it was more cosmopolitan, had better restaurants, and had more Christmas Markets which had a neighborhood feel rather than an overtly tourist vibe. More variety overall in Vienna.

Christmas markets -really depends on the dates of your travel so make sure to check out the dates of the markets before going this route In smaller towns there may not be much open between xmas and new years.

There are always multiple markets in the larger cities so make sure to wander to them all

Markets not mentioned
Cologne
Ljubljana market that stretches along the river

quote:

---

Self Directed...My vote is Prague, Vienna

---

Would you recommend a trip like 4 days in Prague, train to Vienna and then 4 days there type of trip?

I've considered flying into one of them, spending 4 days, train to the other, 4 days, then flying home.

Germany is the very easy answer for Christmas/Christmas Markets.

Bavaria

For the people saying that Prague is not a great restaurant city, I will say that it is a far cry from Paris, but there are some very good restaurants there.

The best meal we had was at Kampa Park Restaurant. It is on a small island in the river almost under the Charles Bridge. They have large picture windows overlooking the bridge which is illuminated at night. Delicious food in beautiful surroundings.