Best Hotels for Christmas in Europe: Festive Breaks

Finding the perfect accommodation can often be the most challenging part of planning a Christmas holiday.

In this guide, I’ve selected hotels that are not only conveniently located near the heart of the Christmas markets and main attractions in each city but also capture the essence of the festive season.

Christmas Hotels in Europe

The options I’ve included cater to a range of preferences, from luxury hotels and boutique stays to family-friendly apartments.

To make your search as smooth as possible, use the dropdown list below to jump directly to the country of interest.

Each hotel has been selected based on strict criteria for location, quality, modernity and comfort, reflecting places I would personally choose for my stay.

Descriptions provide an idea of what to expect, compiled from the latest visitor insights.

This guide is regularly updated to reflect current guest opinions and reviews.

Austria

• Graz – The biggest Christmas market in Graz is located in Hauptplatz, the city’s historic main square.
• Hallstatt – Even though the village of Hallstatt holds a one-day Christmas market, it’s well worth visiting for more than the day. Stay on Marktplatz or by the lake. 
• Innsbruck – Find a hotel close to the Golden Roof, the River Inn and one of the 7 Christmas markets in Innsbruck.
• Klagenfurt – The historic centre of Klagenfurt is located inland from Lake Wörthersee and is known as Innere Stadt. This is where you’ll find the city’s two main Christmas markets. 
• Linz – Old Town accommodation in Austria’s third city.
• Salzburg – Salzburg has many Christmas markets and in this post, I explain where to stay for the best access. 
• Vienna – Find a place to stay near the Museum Quarter.
• Villach – A couple of good centrally located hotels.

Belgium

• Antwerp – Belgium’s best modern cultural city is fun to visit in winter.
• Bruges – There are many hotels near Market Square (Grote Markt), but the city centre is very walkable, meaning you can easily get around, even if you are staying in one of the neighbouring quarters.
• Brussels – The Christmas market in Brussels is held in Grand Place, the beautiful market square in Brussels. We highly recommend staying near here for a historic stay at Christmas.
• Ghent – Ghent Christmas Market is located at Sint-Baafsplein, the square in front of Saint Bavo’s Cathedral. Any hotel near here would be conveniently located. 
• Leuven – Many visit on a day trip, but these are good for overnight stays.

Denmark

• Copenhagen – Copenhagen is a wonderful winter destination with many excellent Christmas markets in the city centre and elsewhere.

Estonia

• Tallinn – Tallinn Christmas Market is held at the Town Hall Square, the large, open main square in the centre of Tallinn’s medieval old town. 

France 

• Colmar – Anywhere in what is known as Vieux Colmar (old Colmar) is a convenient area to stay, but you might also like to stay in La Petite Venise, the beautiful canal district.
• Lille – Place Rihour and Grand Place are the locations of Lille’s small Christmas festivities. We have listed some of the best hotels near these squares. 
• Strasbourg – The most popular Christmas markets in Strasbourg are located on Place Kleber and in front of Strasbourg Cathedral.

Germany 

• Bamberg – Bamberg’s cosy Christmas market is located at Maximiliansplatz, the large central square in the historic old town.
• Berlin – So many great neighbourhoods and places to stay.
• Bremen – Bremen is a Hanseatic city towards the north of Germany. The main Christmas market is held in Market Square and several other markets are within walking distance.
• Dresden –  Even though Dresden’s Christmas markets are spread around the city, we recommend staying in the Altstadt, the city’s historic old town.
• Dortmund – All budgets here.
• Dusseldorf – Stay in the Altstadt near Flinger Straße, Marktstraße or Rathaus Marktplatz.
• Frankfurt – Known for luxury hotels and modern accommodations.
• Munich – There are several boutique hotels near Marienplatz.
• Munster – Munster is home to six popular Christmas markets. The main event is located at the Historic Town Hall and Prinzipalmarkt.
• Stuttgart – Stay near Schlossplatz to be near the action.

Hungary 

• Budapest – Budapest Christmas Market at Vorosmarty Square is located in the 5th District, as are the markets in front of St Stephen’s Basilica and Elizabeth Square.

Ireland

• Dublin – Dublin Christmas Market is located at the indoor market on St Michan’s Street.

Italy

• Bologna – If you’re visiting Bologna this Christmas, I suggest staying in the historic city centre near Piazza Maggiore.
• Milan – Piazza Duomo, the main square in front of the stunning cathedral, is the location of the biggest Christmas market in the city.
• Trieste – Such a beautiful city in winter. One of my favourites!

Latvia

• Riga – Riga’s three main Christmas markets are all within the historic old town. By staying at a hotel near the Christmas markets, you can save time walking around in what can be a very cold city in winter. 

Lithuania

• Vilnius – Vilnius Christmas Market is held on Cathedral Square in Vilnius Old Town, in front of Vilnius Cathedral.

Netherlands

• Amsterdam – There are a number of Christmas markets in Amsterdam and not all of them are easily accessible or in areas where you might want to stay. Instead, stay at one of these conveniently located hotels with good value for money. 
• Valkenburg – Stay near the historic caves.

Poland

• Gdansk – Gdansk is one of the most festive cities in Poland, with multiple areas decorated with Christmas lights, trees and baubles.
• Krakow – Krakow is home to Poland’s most popular Christmas market, held in the stunning Market Square. There are some outstanding hotels in this area including some budget hotels. 
• Poznan – Poznan Christmas Market is located at Old Market Square and Wolności Square in the historic centre of Poznan
• Warsaw – Excellent hotels close to the Old Market Square in the city centre of Warsaw. 
• Wroclaw – All hotels in the historic city centre (Stare Miasto) are conveniently located, but you could also consider staying around Cathedral Island.

Portugal

• Lisbon – Christmas events are held at Park Edward VII, and the city’s beautifully decorated Christmas tree is at Praça do Comércio, the large square by the water.

Romania

• Sibiu – Sibiu’s market is located at Piața Mare, the main square in the centre of Sibiu’s old town.

Slovakia

• Bratislava – The market is located in Hlavné Námestie and spills into the surrounding streets.

Slovenia

• Ljubljana – Staying near Prešeren Square means you will be within walking distance to everywhere you’ll likely want to go, including the Christmas markets.

Sweden

• Stockholm – The main Stockholm Christmas Market is held at Stortorget (Grand Square in English), the centre square in Gamla Stan. 

Switzerland

• Basel – Basel Christmas Market is held in two locations in Altstadt Grossbasel (the Old Town in Basel). 
• Bern – Central accommodation in the Old Town.
• Geneva – Walk to the markets at the Jardin Anglais.
• Zurich – If you’re unsure of where to stay in Zurich, anywhere between the train station and the Opera House near Lake Zurich would be within walking distance of most places you will likely want to visit.

United Kingdom

England

• Bath – Stay near the Christmas markets, the famous Roman baths, the historic Bath Abbey and the Pulteney Bridge while in Bath this year.
• Birmingham – Find a historic hotel near Victoria Square or a highly-rated apartment in the city centre.
• Bristol – Hotels within walking distance of Broadmead and the Christmas markets. 
• Exeter – Exeter Christmas Market is held on Cathedral Green, in front of Exeter Cathedral and just off the High Street.
• London – Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – Stay within walking distance of the popular Hyde Park event.
• Manchester – The main Christmas events are located around Piccadilly Gardens. I suggest staying in the Northern Quarter for easy access to popular locations.
• Nottingham – Stay in the historic Lace Market district or near the Old Market Square. 
• Winchester – Anywhere between the Cathedral, the Buttercross Monument, Winchester City Museum and the Guildhall would be an ideal location to stay.
• York – Hotels in the heart of York, close to The Shambles and Parliament Street, where the Christmas market begins. 

Scotland

• Edinburgh – Find a hotel near the Mound district and East Princes Street Gardens.

Wales

• Cardiff – There are several decent hotels near Cardiff Castle.

Sustainable Hotels

Here are a few key features to look for when choosing a sustainable hotel:

• Energy-efficient lighting and heating systems: This includes the use of LED lighting, motion sensors, and smart thermostats that conserve energy.
• Use of renewable energy sources: Look for hotels that have installed solar panels, invest in community wind turbines, or use green energy from the grid to power their operations.
• Water conservation efforts: This can include low-flow showerheads, toilets, and taps, rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation systems and landscaping using drought-tolerant plants.
• Waste reduction and recycling programs: A good sustainable hotel will have comprehensive waste management systems in place, including composting, recycling, and upcycling programs, as well as partnerships with local organisations to reduce their waste.
• Sustainable and locally sourced food options: These hotels prioritise locally grown and seasonal ingredients, reducing their carbon footprint and supporting local farmers and producers. But be aware that being locally grown doesn’t always mean lower emissions. What you eat is often more important than where it was grown.
• Food waste minimisation measures: Look for hotels that reduce food waste, such as implementing portion control, using food waste tracking software, and partnering with local organisations to donate surplus food.
• Support for local communities and conservation initiatives: This can include volunteering, community outreach, and funding for conservation projects, as well as promoting local culture and traditions.
• Certification from green organisations: LEED, Green Key, or eco-labels recognise hotels for their sustainable practices and environmentally friendly operations.
• Clear communication and transparency about sustainability efforts: A good, sustainable hotel will be transparent about its practices and actively engage with its guests to educate and inspire them to adopt sustainable habits.

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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research, ensuring high quality and relevance. Descriptions are generated from a comprehensive analysis of guest reviews to offer diverse perspectives and detailed information.