“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go”.
Crank your favorite holiday song, Christmas time has arrived in Eastern Europe!
If you’re wanting to visit the European Christmas markets, don’t forget to add countries in Eastern Europe to your list. These German-inspired markets in Eastern Europe are filled with loads of holiday joy.
The bright Christmas lights, the piping hot mulled wine, and the sweet smelling cabbage and sausages will all have you wanting to visit each city over and over again. With its budget friendly travel, these countries in Eastern Europe are some of the best places for winter travel during the holiday season.
P.S. Thanks Santa for my present!
After all, these cozy and chipper Christmas markets will give you that Christmas joy amongst a beautiful holiday background. Some markets are located in cities that are great choices for adventure winter travel destinations, while other markets have healthy food options for a healthy holiday.
Still others are perfect for a romantic holiday set in a more intimate setting, while some have the best light festival to bring out that inner child.
So, how do you choose a Christmas market in one of the many countries in Eastern Europe? Well, that depends on what things you looking to do in Europe during the holidays.
How to choose the best countries in Eastern Europe for Christmas
Here’s three easy steps for choosing the perfect Christmas vacation idea for an Eastern European holiday, and a travel packing list to get you started.
Step 1: Decide what type of Christmas market in Europe you want to see
Are you wanting a holiday for health or a romantic holiday? Do you need a city that has various plant-based options for your well-being or are you searching for a connective trip with the locals?
Are you traveling with your family and need kid-friendly activities? All of these are great questions to ask before you decide which market to attend.
I personally was looking for every aspect, including the kid-friendly activities for that inner child in me. Christmas is my favorite time of year, so any place that feels like a fairy-tale, sign me up!
Those Santa trams rides that rode around the luminous town center were magical. If only I could fit in all of them, I would have been the first in line.
Step 2: Make sure your dates align
Second, decide what dates you want to travel. While most Christmas events or festivities in the US begin around Thanksgiving time, in Eastern Europe some markets don’t open till mid-December.
Once you have selected your tentative dates, check the locations below to see if your dates align. If they do, the second step is complete!
I know it can be tricky to make sure your dates align, but its important. We almost made this mistake when booking our tickets to see Zagreb’s market.
We planned to book for November 23rd and we were leaving on the 29th. If we didn’t double check the market dates and times, we would’ve missed the market entirely!
Step 3: Book tickets and accommodations
Since you’ve selected your preferred places to travel and dates, it’s time to book them!
Tip: One of the benefits of traveling in the off season is ticket prices and accommodations are both cheaper. If you’re planning to book through Airbnb, check to see if your host is offering a winter discount. Then book away!
The best countries in Eastern Europe with Christmas markets:
Zagreb, Croatia
Reason to visit: This holiday market is best for the foodies and those who love Christmas activities/shows. There are vegan-friendly options, health food restaurants, traditional roasted meats, and numerous events to keep you happily entertained.
Dates: November 30 – January 7
Times: 11:00 – 11:00 pm, Fridays and Saturdays the markets are open till 1 am (times do vary depending on the day and location so check the schedule in the link below.)
Tucked away in the Croatia capital is the beautiful Zagreb Christmas market. This market is a three time award winner for being one of the best Christmas markets in Europe as deemed by European Best Destinations.
While it’s technically not Eastern Europe (I included it since it’s outside the Schengen Area), this celebration is one of the largest in Europe with a variety of holiday markets, festivities, and activities. During Advent in Zagreb, the center turns into a spectacular Christmas party.
At this famous Croatia festival you can find 16 different Advent locations. From an outdoor ice skating rink at King Tomislav Square to a giant decorated Christmas tree in the center of Ban Josip Jelačić Square, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
They even have an Advent tunnel! This tunnels feels like you’ve been transported to a white winter wonderland at a Christmas lights drive-though with upbeat holiday music.
Not to mention, the “Merry Christmas” tram flying up and down the street provides a seasonal transportation down the main-street. The holiday cheer and Christmas joy create an authentic and friendly Christmas ambiance. It’s extraordinary!
Zagreb’s Ambiance
In Zagreb, every crafts-person at the Advent markets are extremely welcoming and kind. Our entire visit during the Christmas festival was met with heartfelt smiles and warm eyes sharing Christmas wishes for us and our loved ones. It was touching to feel the sincerity of the love and happiness they were openly giving all the visitors.
Each venue is surrounded by several stands where you buy a variety of festive foods and warm drinks. The invigorating smells of spicy plum mulled wine, freshly baked gingerbread, and sausages and potatoes fill the streets during the holiday season.
Some stands will even let you sample their tasty products!
In particular, there’s sugar roasted almonds and subtle bittersweet dark chocolate liquor. They were both warm with an enticing nutty smell and our favorite products to sample. It had us coming back for more on other days!
You will also find live music events, choirs, homemade souvenirs, and Croatian delicacies to buy.
On days you’re not attending the market, consider taking a day trip in Croatia to the blue eastern shore of Split or to the dusty white wonderland of Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Ultimately, Zagreb’s tasty food, friendly people, and fun-filled atmosphere made it one of my favorite markets to visit.
Be sure to check out the tourist office as there is a physical map and schedule of all the shows and events for the Advent season.
A digital Advent map can also be downloaded on the Advent Zagreb website. More information about the markets in Croatia, Zagreb can be found by clicking this link.
Kiev in Ukraine
Reason to visit: This market is for the foodie, and for those wanting a cozy snowy market. There’s several ride attractions, traditional Ukrainian food perfect for those plant based whole food diets and hardy dishes for the carb lovers.
Dates: December 15-January 13 (St. Sophia Square) and January 20 (Kontraktova Square)
Times: (10-12 am) -10 pm
Kiev’s Christmas market opens a little later than the typical Christmas markets in Europe. Since the Orthodox churches in Ukraine use the Julian calendar and not the Gregorian calendar, they also celebrate Christmas on January 7th.
This means the holiday market opens late December and ends mid January. The later dates give you a chance to enjoy other Eastern Europe markets, take a day trip to Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and Pripyat, before ending with this winter wonderland.
Market food found in countries in Eastern Europe
Similar to Zagreb’s Christmas festival, there are several locations to feel that contagious holiday glee. There’s holiday music for when you’re strolling around the markets, delightfully decorated stalls to buy local goods from craftspeople, and a wide selection of appetizing market food.
If you’re gluten-free or vegan, explore the tasty restaurants in Kiev’s downtown, or enjoy the bountiful healthy food options at Kontraktova Square.
Here, you’ll find food ranging from slightly charred eggplants, bell peppers, and zucchinis to zesty candied nuts for a warm vegan dessert. For the meat lovers, there’s ribs, sausages tucked in warm breaded blankets, fish soup and pungent rice with succulent beef as well as tangy grilled chicken and salmon skewers.
All of these options can be found at St. Sophia Square or Kontraktova Square as each have a big gastronomy section.
Tip: On a budget while traveling, bring your own food, or healthy snacks! There’s several high tables set up to have a picnic on the many holiday nights. This was actually one of our favorite things to do! It allowed us to soak up the lively atmosphere while making sure we ate some budget-friendly foods for a healthy diet.
Another special thing about the Kiev Christmas markets is they feature incredible DJs. Kiev is known for its amazing nightlife in the summer, but in the winter that nightlife shows up at the Christmas markets on Saturday and Friday nights.
The weather in Ukraine during winter is also ideal for those looking for a snowy Christmas market. With white fluffy snow or frosty winter skies, Kiev has the unique ambiance to feel that holiday joy. Bundle up and bask in the incredible holiday music while sipping away on mulled wine to stay warm.
Finally, the markets in Kiev also have several ride attractions. In fact, Kontraktova Square offers a giant Ferris wheel, ice-skating rink, and a sledding slide.
Meanwhile, you can find a small Ferris-wheel and merry-go-round at St. Sophia Square. The rest of the thrilling attractions are located at the Expocentre of Ukraine.
Follow this link for more market information.
Timisoara, Romania
Reasons to visit: This market is for the romantics, kid-friendly travelers, and foodie. It’s also great for those who enjoy live music.
Dates: December 1 – January 3
Times: 10 am-10 pm
Timisoara is a spectacular city with rich culture and in 2021 it will be a European Capital of Culture. It’s vibrant, colorful buildings and big open squares help create a fairy-tale feeling for this Christmas market.
The main Christmas festival will take place at Victoriei Square. At Victoriei Square you can find numerous porcelain or hand made goods, artisanal foods, and lots of chimney cakes coated with sugar, nuts, or chocolate.
There’s also a huge gastronomy section with traditional Romanian foods, and a view of people dressed in traditional Romanian clothing.
The other venue of the market is held at Libertății Square. At Libertății Square, there’s a children’s section with an ice skating rink, a train ride, a merry-go-round, and other smaller ride attractions. This market is great for those traveling Romania with little ones, or for those who want to bring out that inner child.
Surrounding the children’s area you will find a couple stunningly decorated stalls or large food carts where adult beverages and hearty snacks are available for purchase.
My personal favorite was the bright red semi-shimmery Santa stall. Every time I walked bye this stall, Santa Clause seemed especially jolly. He would eagerly wave with a joyous smile. If only he laughed, “Ho Ho Ho,” that would have been the icing on my “holiday cake adventure” in Timisoara.
Click here for more info.
Sibiu, Romania
Reason to visit: For the traveler craving an intimate and romantic Christmas festival with lots of artisanal stalls to buy handcrafted gifts and goods.
Dates: November 15 – January 3
Times: 10 am – 10 pm
Sibiu is another one of the cities of Romania that has a Christmas market. This market has one of the earliest opening dates of all the markets in Romania.
It opens November 15th and is one of Romania’s biggest Christmas festivals. With over 100 stalls to explore from, there are artisanal handcrafted goods, mulled wine, roasted sugar nuts, and savory sausages and vegetables.
Visitors will also find a “Santa’s tram ride” that will take them down the city center to the holiday market. You are easily able to walk to the market from the downtown area, but the “Santa’s tram ride” makes for a festive entrance into the beautiful glistening festival.
The market takes place at the Piața Mare square, right in the middle of downtown. It features a giant Ferris wheel packed with a mini light festival for all to enjoy.
There is also an ice skating rink where you can watch an ice skating competition. This intimate, yet spirited market is a popular holiday travel destination for Romanians to experience festive holiday bliss.
Tip: Romania has several well-known holiday markets throughout the country. I’ve listed only two but there are also markets in Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest, Brasov and Oradea. More information on these can be found on the Romania-Insider and here.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Reason to visit: For the traveler wanting a lively, yet intimate market with photo booths, and many yummy sweet desserts stalls.
Dates: November 22 – December 21
Times: 11 am – 9 pm
This Christmas event is one of the more intimate German Christmas markets in Eastern Europe and is located in the Bulgaria capital.
Every year this bright festival happens in the largest square in Sofia, Bulgaria, called Knyaz Alexander I Square. This square is about a ten to fifteen minute walk from the famous Vitosha Boulevard and is next to the National Art Gallery.
Sofia’s Christmas market is extremely entertaining with shows almost every night from local musicians and singers. On the opening day the market is open an hour later until 10 pm.
While at the market, you will find a variety of foods with robust flavors to devour and nearby restaurants in Sofia to explore. These include German style sausages, fresh French fries and onion rings, steamy mulled wine, and hot cocoa.
For the sweet lovers there is popcorn (salty or sweet), waffles loaded high with fluffy marshmallows, sprinkles, and chocolate drizzle. There’s also Spanish-style churros con chocolate (churros with chocolate).
Side note: Did those chocolate con churros make you dream about visiting Spain? Well if it did, here’s a Barcelona vegan dessert guide and Barcelona City guide.
And there you go — the five best Christmas markets found in countries in Eastern Europe! With so much to offer through tasty foods, illuminated streets, and winter wonderlands, Eastern European holidays can be an excellent winter destination. Just make sure to pack layers cause it gets cold!
Resources for traveling to countries in Eastern Europe
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So many beautiful Christmas markets!
I’ve spent the last two years in Australia and New Zealand so I haven’t had a proper Christmas in a while. Can’t wait to come back and experience the stunning markets again at home 🥰
Have always wanted to visit the Christmas Markets in Europe! Thanks for listing them out and including dates of when they’re on!
Wonderful list of to dos, will definitely check these out!! Thank you!
I really love Croatia and I love Christmas, so I am so excited to have a to-do list for when I go in the future. Your post made me feel like I was there in the hustle, bustle and smells of it all. Thanks for the tips!
I have always wanted to visit the European Christmas Markets, but always thought I would stick to Germany. These are great alternatives! This is such a helpful guide that I will save for a future plan 🙂 Thanks for sharing!