As the days grow shorter and a winter chill fills the air, towns and cities across Europe will come alive as locals begin to celebrate the festive season with family and friends. From November to January, Christmas markets will light up cobble-stoned streets with twinkling lights, brightly decorated trees, and crackling log fires, with stalls serving delicious local food, steaming mugs of mulled wine and a heaped serving of holiday cheer. To help travellers celebrate this festive season, Marriott Bonvoy has rounded up the very best Christmas markets across Europe, paired with some of the most exciting hotels to stay in while visiting. 

Paris | Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris

Romantic and indulgent, it's no surprise that Paris is home to one of Europe’s most charming Christmas markets. Set against the iconic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and bordered by a glistening ice rink, Paris’ Trocadéro Christmas market is perfect for families and couples alike, who can browse charming stalls, enjoy the dazzling lights show and soak in the festive cheer as the market comes alive each night. Be sure to linger in the 16th arrondissement, where the magic of the season can be felt across western Paris’ countless squares, shops, bars, and restaurants. 

When to go: December 8–January 2 

Where to stay: Located in the heart of the 8th arrondissement on Avenue George V, just steps away from the Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe, the 159-guestroom Prince De Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris has delighted guests since it opened in 1929. The property is an elegant and artistic ode to Art Déco movement in Paris, designed with original floor mosaics in the exotic courtyard and rooms fashioned by contemporary French designer, Pierre-Yves Rochon. Its advantageous location makes this elegant property the ideal base to explore France’s storied capital, mere steps from luxury boutiques, the tranquil beauty of the Seine and the renowned Christmas markets. 

Rooms start at £727 per night for Marriott Bonvoy members. For more information, please visit www.marriott.com 

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Geneva | Geneva Marriott Hotel

Home to cosmopolitan cities, bucolic towns and natural landscapes, Switzerland is also one of the most magical places to go to enjoy idyllic Christmas markets. Stroll around the sparkling Noël au Quay located in central Geneva at Quay Mont Blanc or travel around the lake to revel in festive joy the backdrop of glistening snowy peaks at the world-famous Marché de Noël à Montreux. Envision twinkly lights, fire pits and fir trees lining the streets with over 170 stalls offering everything from artisan jewellery to clothes, scented candles and even Swarovski crystals. 

When to go: November 21 – December 24 

Where to stay: The ideal base for both travellers and locals, Geneva Marriott Hotel is nestled between the majestic mountains and Lake Geneva, just moments from the airport and the city centre, perfect for visitors to Noël au Quay. Located in the district of Meyrin, otherwise known as the ‘gates of Geneva,’ the Geneva Marriott Hotel is a trailblazer in reducing environment impact with its ‘think global, act local’ approach that extends from design and amenities to its tasty cuisine and cocktails crafted with regionally sourced produce.  

Rooms start at £164 per night for Marriott Bonvoy members. For more information, please visit www.marriott.com 

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Munich | Koenigshof, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Munich

Munich’s legendary Christmas markets are a holiday favourite steeped in tradition and festive charm. Held right on the city’s scenic Marienplatz, surrounded by historic buildings, the markets feature hundreds of wooden stalls and a huge tree adorned with 2,500 lights that create a spectacular winter wonderland. The stalls sell a range of Bavarian handicrafts such as hand-painted glass ornaments and wooden products from Oberammergau. 

When to go: November 25 – December 24 

Where to stay: Located just a 10 minute walk from the markets at Marienplatz, the Koenigshof, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Munich marks The Luxury Collection’s debut in Germany. With a prime location on Munich’s central Stachus Square, the hotel offers guests a calm oasis across 106 rooms and suites that evoke the feeling of a private residence to relax at after a day at the markets. For a taste of history, head up to The Gold Lounge, a tfranquil, residential-style space on the third floor, which offers a curated selection of books and artwork that showcase Munich’s unique personality as one of the most historic cultural locations in Europe.  

Rooms start at £410 per night for Marriott Bonvoy members. For more information, please visit www.marriott.com 

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Madrid | JW Marriott Hotel Madrid

With roots back to the 17th century, Madrid’s iconic Plaza Mayor transforms each Christmas with markets offering a charming array of trinkets and treats. Set around a vintage carousel, these markets offer everything one would expect from a Spanish Christmas market, blending culinary delights with striking architecture crafted by renowned Spanish artists. 

When to go: November 23 – January 7 

Where to stay: For an unforgettable stay during Madrid’s magical Christmas markets, the JW Marriott Hotel Madrid offers the perfect blend of luxury, culture, and wellness. Located in the vibrant Canalejas zone near Puerta del Sol, this urban sanctuary captures the essence of the city while providing guests with a serene retreat. With 139 luxurious rooms, most featuring terraces with stunning city views, the hotel offers personalised wellness experiences, including in-room yoga, curated bath rituals, and botanical gardens where ingredients used by the restaurant and cocktail bar are grown. Michelin-star chef Mario Sandoval's restaurant, ‘QU,’ elevates Spanish cuisine, making JW Marriott Hotel Madrid a feast for the senses this festive season. 

Rooms start at £369 per night for Marriott Bonvoy members. For more information, please visit www.marriott.com 

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Edinburgh | W Edinburgh

While Edinburgh’s historic landscape of winding hills and cobbled streets is captivating year-round, it truly shines at Christmas. Stretching across the scenic East and West Princes Street Gardens, the renowned Edinburgh Christmas Market delights visitors from mid-November to early January with local crafts, warm mulled wine, and festive fairground rides. Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s most popular attraction, is illuminated for the Castle of Light event, while the city’s most iconic Christmas lights can be found just a short walk away along George Street. Finish off the evening at Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens, which are adorned with over a million twinkling lights for the festive season. 

When to go: November 17 – January 6 

Where to stay: W Edinburgh is located in the heart of the St James Quarter, a stylish lifestyle district where guests can benefit from world-class retail on their doorstep. Just a few moments’ walk from the Christmas markets, the hotel offers visionary design, eclectic gastronomy and a socially driven spirit drawn from its creative surroundings. From the Ribbon Building to James Craig Walk and the Quarter House, each of the 199 rooms and 45 suites, many with outdoor terraces, offer a new perspective on the city. Interior designers Jesica + Whiles have reimagined the best of Scotland with locally rooted influences and creative collaborations throughout the design.  

Rooms start at £218 per night for Marriott Bonvoy members. For more information, please visit www.marriott.com 

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Krakow | Garamond a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

In Poland’s storybook city of Krakow, winter magic comes alive. Whether it’s gliding across an ice rink, sipping mulled wine, or savouring spiced gingerbread, travellers can enjoy the city’s quiet beauty in candlelit churches and peaceful galleries. As Europe’s largest medieval square, Rinke Glowny is where all the action takes place full of vibrant stalls selling local handcrafted wooden ornaments. 

When to go: November 29 – January 1 

Where to stay: Poland’s first Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Garamond, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is a prime location for exploring the heart of Kraków this festive season. Just a stone’s throw from the Market Square, the property is less than 10 minutes on foot to the local artisans and cultural treasures that await. Housed in a building from 1938, this unique 53-room hotel once served as the editorial office of Poland’s most iconic daily newspaper, Austrian Kuryer Codzienny. Whether you're strolling through the Christmas markets or catching a train from the nearby station, the city’s most charming corners are at your fingertips. 

Rooms start at £90 per night for Marriott Bonvoy members. For more information, please visit www.marriott.com 

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London | Sheraton Grand London Park Lane

London is always brimming with energy, but the city truly comes alive at Christmas, draped in twinkling lights, artisan markets, and an irresistible air of festive cheer. Shopping for gifts and savouring a warm cup of mulled wine is a holiday ritual, and the city’s vibrant markets and fairs offer endless opportunities for both. At the heart of it all is Winter Wonderland sprawled across Hyde Park. From the UK’s largest outdoor ice-skating rink to captivating circus performances and over 100 charming stalls, Winter Wonderland is a celebration like no other. 

When to go: December 8 – January 2 

Where to stay: With its central Mayfair location and historic charm and design, the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane is the ultimate base for a winter adventure. Just an 8-minute walk from the lively action, the 305-room property offers timeless elegance and a chic atmosphere combined with stylish amenities such as signature suites, exclusive Club Lounge access, and award-winning dining options. Travellers can enjoy afternoon tea served in the exquisite Palm Court, be transported to the bustling markets of Italy at Mercante Restaurant or sample London's finest craft beers in Smith and Whistle. The Sheraton Grand London Park Lane is also only a 15-minute stroll from Bond Street, an area packed with illustrious names and some of the most beautiful Christmas lights in the whole of the city. 

Rooms start at £291 per night for Marriott Bonvoy members. For more information, please visit www.marriott.com 

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