Two Week Itinerary for the Christmas Markets of Europe

Trying to plan a Christmas market trip through Europe can feel overwhelming. With hundreds of markets scattered across the continent, from big-name cities like Vienna and Munich to small towns with cave markets or medieval charm, how do you choose where to go and how to get there?

In 2024, I set off on a multi-week Christmas market journey through Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, and France with a couple of friends. We didn’t try to see everything. Instead, we focused on:

Minimizing travel time between stops
Visiting some of the top-rated Christmas markets in Europe
Including a few truly unique or lesser-known destinations
Allowing time to enjoy each city beyond just the markets

If you’re dreaming of a European Christmas market trip, this two week Christmas Market itinerary offers a perfect mix of festive fun, city exploration, and smart travel routing.

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Planning Tips for a Christmas Market Trip in Europe

Before we dive into the day-by-day, here are a few key lessons we learned:

Stay Regionally Focused: Europe looks small on a map, but long travel days can eat up precious time and energy. Concentrate your route within one region. Our trip spanned the central-western corridor of Europe.

Give Cities Time to Shine: It’s tempting to hop from one Christmas market to the next, but every city on this list has something beyond its Christmas stalls. From cathedrals and museums to amazing restaurants and beautiful riverside walks, give yourself breathing room.

Pick a Few Big Cities + a Few Surprises: Combine blockbuster markets (Cologne, Antwerp) with more unique spots (Valkenburg’s cave markets, Luxembourg’s fairy-lit plazas) to keep your itinerary exciting.

Trains Work Great But Plan Ahead: We mostly used trains, which were efficient and comfortable. Just book popular routes ahead of time, and note that strikes or delays can happen in winter. For routes to less traveled places, like Lille, France, we did book a bus.

Now, on to the festive fun…

Day-by-Day European Christmas Market Itinerary

This Christmas market itinerary in Europe is built at a fast pace hitting lots of key cities and markets. Keep in mind that I am well traveled and have been to many of these countries and cities before, so it was a highlight trip in many ways. If you want to see everything each place has to offer, I recommend spending an extra day or two in each city.

Day 1: Arrive in Cologne, Germany

Start your adventure in one of Germany’s Christmas market capitals. Cologne is home to multiple themed markets spread across the city, including:

Cathedral Market (the most iconic, set against the massive Gothic Dom)
Heinzels Wintermärchen in the Old Town
Harbor Market by the Rhine with maritime flair
Angel Market in Neumarkt with twinkling white lights

If you arrive early enough, spend your evening sampling Glühwein and German sausages under the stars.

Day 2: Cologne

Dedicate a full day to enjoying Cologne, not just its markets, but also its impressive cathedral, quirky museums, and beautiful riverfront. Consider hopping on the seasonal Christmas Market Express train that links some of the city’s best markets or get ready to trek around the city from market to market!

Pro Tip: Cologne is a great place to try Reibekuchen (crispy potato pancakes with applesauce) and explore artisanal gifts like wooden toys and blown glass.

Day 3: Travel to Valkenburg, Netherlands

Today, cross into the Netherlands for one of the most unique Christmas markets in Europe the Valkenburg’s cave markets. Set in ancient marlstone caves, these indoor markets are full of twinkle lights, murals, and winding tunnels lined with holiday stalls.

Settle into your hotel and catch the evening light parade or walk the illuminated route known as the Christmas City of Valkenburg.

Day 4: Valkenburg

Spend the day exploring both of Valkenburg’s cave markets. We booked our tickets in advance as this was recommended. This also means you have to pick your times in advance. Fortunately, they are both walking distance to downtown.

Gemeentegrot (Municipal Cave) is the largest and most atmospheric.
Fluweelengrot (Velvet Cave) is more artistic and has access to castle ruins above.

If you’re coming this way, both are worth a visit, even though they have an entrance fee. There’s also a cute town center above ground with cute restaurants and festive decorations.

Day 5: Travel to Luxembourg City

Say goodbye to the Netherlands and head south to Luxembourg City. This was a surprisingly beautiful and scenic stop. The city’s compact size and hilly layout make it great for wandering on foot.

In the evening, visit Winterlights, Luxembourg’s official Christmas market, with skating rinks, live music, and stalls tucked into the many squares of the city.

Day 6: Luxembourg City

Give yourself the full day to explore Luxembourg. Wander through Place d’Armes, Constitution Square, and Place de Paris, all decked out for the holidays. Luxembourg’s market feels upscale and less touristy, and the city’s casemates and cliffs offer great views.

Pro Tip: Luxembourg is a multilingual city. Don’t be surprised to hear French, German, and Luxembourgish all in one conversation.

Day 7: Day Trip to Trier, Germany

Hop over the border to Trier, Germany’s oldest city and a hidden gem. Its medieval square, Roman ruins, and the Porta Nigra make for a perfect day adventure.

Add to it Trier’s Christmas market, and its well worth the journey! It’s just a short train ride and you’ll be greeted with a small but incredibly atmospheric market. It had excellent food and had quite the crowd. Return to Luxembourg and consider one last market stroll.

Day 8: Travel to Ghent, Belgium

Travel northwest to Ghent, one of Belgium’s most underrated cities. Ghent’s Christmas market wrap around the cathedral and medieval core. The illuminated streets, castle views, and Belgian beer bars create an unforgettable setting.

The city is festive but less hectic than Bruges or Brussels. It makes for a perfect slower-paced market day. Best of all? It gives you time to discover the actual city of Ghent.

Pro Tip: If you’re into beer, don’t miss a stop at Dulle Griet. This local bar makes you surrender a shoe or boot for a “Yard of Ale” served in a fancy glass. It’s a fun and quirky place to go for a drink.

Day 9: Ghent to Bruges

It’s a quick hop to Bruges, a storybook city that feels made for Christmas. Here you can wander the cobbled streets, hop on a canal boat if it’s not frozen, and visit the main market in Grote Markt, complete with the iconic tower backdrop.

Bruges is also known for its chocolate shops and cafés. While you could just make a day trip of it, we chose to stay here for the night.

Day 10: Bruges to Lille, France

For another fun adventure, cross the border to Lille, France. This adds a dash of French holiday fun. The city blends Flemish and French influences with elegant buildings, adorable restaurants, and a market that was quite busy but also inviting.

The Place Rihour Christmas Market features a giant Ferris wheel, festive lights, and food that leans more toward crêpes and vin chaud than bratwurst. Personally, we had to find tarte flambee as its something one of our friends in North Carolina cooks and its from this region. If you see it, try it!

Day 11: Lille to Antwerp, Belgium

Continue on to Antwerp’s Christmas market. While it often flies under the radar, it shouldn’t. Honestly, Antwerp was potentially the most “underrated” city we visited. The city’s architecture is amazing and it lights up with holiday spirit along the riverfront, cathedral square, and old town.

The massive Christmas tree and the light tunnel are must-sees, and there’s even an ice skating rink and curling lanes in Groenplaats. Antwerp also has some of Belgium’s best holiday shopping.

Day 12: Antwerp

Use your second day to relax. Explore Antwerp’s boutiques and diamond district, sip hot chocolate along the Scheldt River, or just revisit your favorite market stalls. This slower day helps avoid burnout and gives space for spontaneous fun.

Day 13: Travel to Amsterdam, Netherlands

End your journey in Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most famous cities. While its Christmas market scene is more dispersed than in Germany or Belgium, it makes up for it with incredible ambiance.

Stroll through Museumplein’s Ice Village, visit the Amsterdam Light Festival, or skate under the Rijksmuseum. Then explore the city’s canals and cozy brown cafés by night.

Ultimately, we didn’t plan much time in Amsterdam as I’ve been a handful of times before, including just a couple years ago when we RVed through Europe along the Rhine River.

Day 14: Amsterdam

Spend your last full day soaking up everything that makes Amsterdam so special. Whether you’re into art, food, or simply watching bikes fly past snowy bridges or taking a river boat tour, this is the perfect finale to your Christmas market adventure in Europe.

Day 15: Depart from Amsterdam

Time to head home, ideally with your suitcase a little heavier (hello, ornaments and mugs) and your heart a lot fuller.

The Map View

See where this Christmas market itinerary takes you on the map below. It will help you understand where you’ll be and what you might want to add, or remove, from the trip.

Explore More of Europe

This two week Christmas market itinerary around Europe covers five countries, major cities, and small towns, all while avoiding unnecessary backtracking or exhausting long-haul travel days. It’s a great model for anyone wanting to experience the magic of European Christmas markets without burning out.

If you’re planning your own route, remember:

Focus on one region at a time
Don’t try to see every famous market in one trip… it’s impossible
Give yourself time to explore beyond the stalls
Mix big cities with hidden gems for a well-rounded experience
And most of all, bundle up, slow down, and savor the season

Need more help? Here are some other Christmas market posts:

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Two Week European Christmas Market Itinerary: Central-Western Europe

Planning Tips for a Christmas Market Trip in Europe