How to Plan a Magical European Christmas Market Vacation for Your Family

Planning a family vacation to Christmas markets in Europe sounds exciting and overwhelming. Lisa is joined by her guest, Jaems, from Time Zone Travelers who shares all of her tips and knowledge about traveling to European Christmas markets with families. We talk about the best time to go, how long to visit, how to get around, where to stay, what to eat, and what to expect at the markets.

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There are a few things to consider when planning a family vacation to European Christmas markets but the planning really can be simple and fun.

How far ahead should you start planning?

You really don’t need to plan very far in advance. Airfare is will be a consideration in timing so watch pricing flying into a few target European cities. Be ready to book when the price is right! Munich, Frankfurt, London, andParis are great cities to fly to for the start of your vacation.

What is a realistic budget for this trip?

Of course, this is a tricky question! Do you like to fly first class and stay in 5-star hotels or are you willing to bargain shop for economy flights and stay in hostels? My guess is that you fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum.

Flights and hotels will be your biggest expense. Consider staying in Airbnb or other apartment-style accommodations if you are traveling with a family since most European hotels generally only sleep 2 - 3. Getting multiple hotel rooms each night will really add to the cost of the trip.

If you are renting a car, plan on this expense. This is a great way to get around and to be able to visit multiple markets in a day.

Set aside money to spend while you are at the markets. Food and souvenirs will be the main items that will be purchased.

How long should my Christmas Market vacation last?

If you are heading to Europe with the sole purpose of exploring and enjoying the Christmas markets, then 4 - 5 days will be a nice amount of time. If you also want to add sightseeing and exploring of new cities, then 1-week to 10-days would be appropriate.

If you are traveling with kids who need to be in school, you could do a long weekend to minimize the missed days of school and still have a great Christmas market experience.

How should I pack for a Christmas market vacation?

Jaems recommends bringing a hard case carry-on suitcase with your clothes plus a collapsible duffle bag. . You can move your clothes to the duffle bag and check it with the airline when you fly home. Put all of your fragile purchases in your carry-on suitcase and keep that with you on the flight.

What cities have the best Christmas Markets?

Different people will prefer different markets so it’s hard to say where to find the best markets. Many of the big cities have large markets and some of the cities have multiple markets. There are small cities with littler markets that you can visit in under an hour. Visit big and small markets to enjoy the different vibes at each one.

Here are a few of the places Jaems and her family have loved visiting with Christmas markets they loved:

Germany. This is where the markets began. Including Germany in your itinerary will give you the classic feel of what you’d hope for from a European Christmas Market. Cologne, Munich, and Frankfurt are great stops in Germany.
Paris. As if you needed another reason to add Paris to your vacation itinerary! They have some great Christmas Markets.
London. They have several large markets. Do a quick web search to see the options this year.
Rothenburg Ob der Tauber. A walled city with cobblestone streets!
Reames, France market has an amazing lights show.
Luxembourg City.

What types of food can be found at the markets?

Warm beverages are very popular. Jaems loves the hot chocolate and her husband loves the Glühwein (a German mulled wine with citrus and spices.) There is also a kid-friendly version of warmed cider.
Drinks are served in collectible mugs that are unique to each market each year. You can keep the mug or sell it back to the vendor.
Brats! They are different in each market, so why not try one everywhere you go?
Marshmallows covered in chocolate.
Yeast dumplings.
Try anything that is unique and local. It’s all part of the experience!

Where to Stay?

This is mainly be determined by your preferences. Airbnb is always a favorite option for our family. You can book ahead of time or if you are feeling adventurous, you could book each day once you know where you will end up that night.

Jaems loves to use the Hotels Combined site/app to book hotels in Europe.

If you have any questions about visiting Christmas Markets, reach out to Jaems! She loved to share tips and knowledge with others. Don’t be shy.

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