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News / New index pinpoints best Christmas markets you’ve never heard of
easyJet index unearths the best Christmas markets in Europe that you might not know about
An Alpine town in Italy with cobbled squares, snow-dusted rooftops and air that is laced with the scent of cinnamon, melting cheese and fresh pine has topped an easyJet index of the best European Christmas markets that you might not have heard of.
Aosta, reachable in just over an hour from Turin, boasts Roman gates, medieval towers and Alpine chalets as a backdrop to its annual festive fair – and with mulled wine being served at under £3 a cup,it won’t take long before you’re bowled over by its charm.
Elsewhere in the list, which puts the spotlight on the lesser-known markets where festive cheer comes without the crowds or the high price tags, Innsbruck in Austria has commanded a dominant position thanks to its cinematic setting and wide-range of entertainment which includes the dulcet tones of brass bands playing carols. Salzburg delivers the ultimate Christmas setting, with festive stalls tucked between baroque landmarks creating one of Europe’s most charming winter atmospheres.
The UNESCO-listed old town in Lübeck, Germany, also ranks highly, with regional foods and drinks like marzipan punch recommended by experts, while Ljubljana in Slovenia is recommended thanks to its picture-perfect riverside market which glows with fairy lights reflected in the river. Visitors can enjoy a glass of vin kuhan (mulled wine) for around £3, tuck into local Kranjska sausages, and could even see the ‘Granpa Frost’ procession with Santa Claus taking to a carriage pulled by real Lippizaner horses.
Top 10 Lesser-Known Christmas Markets
Rank | City / Market | Flights from UK | Mulled wine (from) | Sausage (from) | Chance of snow in Dec | Entertainment | Flights from | Package holidays from* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aosta, Italy / Marché Vert Noël | Via Turin (TRN) | £2.55 | £4.25 | High | Alpine crafts, lights, performances | £23.99* | £219 |
| 2 | Innsbruck, Austria / Old Town | Innsbruck (INN) | £3.80 | £4.25 | High | Brass bands, themed markets | £35.99* | £279 |
| 3 | Lübeck, Germany / Hanseatic Markets | Via Hamburg (HAM) | £3.40 | £3.40 | Moderate - High | Choirs | £47.99* | £219 |
| 4 | Salzburg, Austria – Christkindlmarkt | Salzburg (SZG) | £3.40 | £4.25 | High | Choirs, classical concerts | £31.99* | £239 |
| 5 | Grenoble, France / Place Victor Hugo Market | Grenoble (GNB) | #### | #### | Moderate - High | Alpine events | £29.99* | £209 |
| 6 | Naples, Italy/ Pietrarsa National Railway Museum | Naples (NAP) | £2.50 | £3 | Low | Music concerts and gospel choirs | £20.99* | £229 |
| 7 | Ljubljana, Slovenia / Festive December | Ljubljana (LJU) | £3 | #### | Low- Moderate | Concerts, riverside lights | £54.99* | £229 |
| 8 | Toulouse, France / Capitole Christmas Market | Toulouse (TLS) | £2.55 | £4.25 | Low | Music, children’s programme | £26.99* | £219 |
| 9 | Verona, Italy / Piazza Bra | Verona (VRN) | £2.55 | £4.25 | Low - Moderate | Exhibitions, Santa's post office | £23.99* | £249 |
| 10 | Basel, Switzerland / Barfüsserplatz | Basel (BSL) | £3.75 | £5.25 | Moderate | Choirs, seasonal exhibitions | £38.99* | £249 |
Two lesser-known markets in France make the cut in the easyJet Christmas Market Index. Grenoble takes fifth spot thanks to its refreshingly untouristy atmosphere and down-to-earth prices, while Toulouse market basks in the warm, pink-brick glow of Place du Capitole.
Verona’s Christmas market blends romantic Italian flair with rustic Alpine traditions, and Naples offers a distinctly Italian twist on the season, with sparkling street markets and artisan nativity scenes. Meanwhile, Basel is the perfect spot for those who might enjoy a dose of Swiss festive treats and choirs echoing through the old town.
As the largest UK airline and one of the largest airlines in Europe, flying more than 100 million passengers a year on over 1,000 routes across 35 countries, easyJet is making it even easier for travellers to uncover some of Europe’s lesser-known Christmas markets this winter, from hidden festive squares to charming local traditions waiting to be discovered.
easyJet holidays city break packages include flights and hotel, all covered by its Ultimate Flexibility, offering freedom to change a booking, a refund guarantee, and best price guarantee.
The Christmas Markets Index ranked ten lesser-known European festive markets reachable via easyJet flights from the UK. Each was scored on four factors, the price of mulled wine, the cost of a traditional sausage, the likelihood of December snowfall, and whether live entertainment was advertised. Prices and data were sourced from local news, tourism boards, organisers, and recent traveller reports for the 2024–25 season.
*Flights one way per person including taxes
*easyJet holidays packages per person, based on to adults sharing for two nights
