Crowded night market with neon lights and ferris wheel creating a festive atmosphere.

A 10-Day Christmas Market Adventure Through Europe’s Hidden Gems

February 25, 2025 Francesca 8 min read

For those who live for the scent of mulled wine, twinkling fairy lights, and the hum of carols, Europe’s Christmas markets are pure magic.

But skip the crowded squares of Vienna and Nuremberg—this 10-day train journey uncovers lesser-known markets in fairytale towns, each with unique traditions, handcrafted treasures, and festive flavors.

From medieval villages in Germany to Alpine chalets in Switzerland, hop aboard Europe’s winter trains for a yuletide adventure that’s as much about the journey as the glühwein.

Days 1–2: Germany – Medieval Magic & Underground Mines

Destination 1: Esslingen Medieval Christmas Market (Baden-Württemberg)

Festive evening at Nuremberg Christmas market with illuminated stalls and traditional gingerbread.

Intro: Step into a Brothers Grimm tale at Esslingen’s Medieval Christmas Market, where blacksmiths, jesters, and falconers bring the 13th century to life.

Held in one of Germany’s best-preserved half-timbered towns, it’s a world away from plastic Santas.

Start Point: Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, Arnulf-Klett-Platz 2, 70173 Stuttgart
End Point: Esslingen am Neckar Station, Bahnhofplatz 1, 73728 Esslingen
Train Distance: 15 km (20 minutes via S-Bahn S1)
Experience Duration: Evening (3–4 hours)
What Makes It Unique: Sip Feuerzangenbowle (flaming rum punch) from a clay mug, watch live sword fights, and shop for hand-forged iron ornaments. Don’t miss the “Dragon’s Lair”—a candlelit tunnel beneath the town hall.

Pro Tip: Take the Stuttgart S-Bahn back at 10 PM to catch the market’s nightly closing ceremony: a trumpeter playing Stille Nacht from the church tower.

Destination 2: Berchtesgaden Advent Market (Bavaria)

Intro: Nestled in the Bavarian Alps, Berchtesgaden’s market offers snowy peaks, salty pretzels, and a subterranean salt mine tour.

Start Point: Munich Hauptbahnhof, Bayerstraße 10A, 80335 Munich
End Point: Berchtesgaden Station, Bahnhofplatz 4, 83471 Berchtesgaden
Train Distance: 160 km (2.5 hours via Meridian train)
Experience Duration: Full day
What Makes It Unique: Ride the Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden mine train (Salt Mine Tour), sliding down wooden chutes and crossing an underground salt lake lit by Christmas lights. Above ground, warm up with Dampfnudeln (sweet steamed dumplings) at the market’s Alpine huts.

Days 3–4: Austria – Alpine Stars & Silent Nights

Destination 3: Innsbruck’s Golden Roof Market (Tyrol)

A bustling Christmas market with a large decorated tree and people enjoying the winter festivities.

Intro: Framed by the snow-capped Nordkette mountains, Innsbruck’s market centers around the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), a Gothic landmark shimmering with 2,657 fire-gilded tiles.

Start Point: Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, Südtiroler Platz 1, 5020 Salzburg
End Point: Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, Südtiroler Platz 7, 6020 Innsbruck
Train Distance: 190 km (2 hours via Railjet RJX)
Experience Duration: Evening (2–3 hours)
What Makes It Unique: Board the Hungerburg Funicular to Nordkette’s Seegrube Station (1,905m) for a “Stars & Snow” dinner—fondue under the Milky Way, followed by a torchlit descent.

Market Highlight: Hunt for Tyrolean Perchten masks, worn to scare off winter ghosts.

Destination 4: Advent in Graz (Styria)

Intro: Austria’s second city, Graz, swaps crowds for cozy charm. Its Schlossberg Christmas Market sits atop a hilltop fortress, reached by a fairy-lit funicular.

Start Point: Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof
End Point: Graz Hauptbahnhof, Europaplatz 3, 8020 Graz
Train Distance: 380 km (4.5 hours via Railjet)
Experience Duration: Afternoon to evening
What Makes It Unique: Sip Sturm (fermented grape juice) in the castle courtyard, then join a gingerbread decorating workshop at the 16th-century Landhaushof.

Days 5–6: France & Belgium – Timbered Tales & Light Festivals

Destination 5: Colmar’s 7 Christmas Markets (Alsace)

Beautifully decorated half-timbered house in Colmar, France, adorned with Christmas decorations.

Intro: Colmar’s storybook canals and pastel houses host seven themed markets, including a “Children’s Christmas” in a Venetian carousel pavilion.

Start Point: Strasbourg Station, Place de la Gare, 67000 Strasbourg
End Point: Colmar Station, Place de la Gare, 68000 Colmar
Train Distance: 70 km (30 minutes via TER train)
Experience Duration: Full day
What Makes It Unique: Explore Petite Venise, a canal district where vendors sell bredele (Alsatian spiced cookies) from flower-decked boats. At dusk, the “Light Route” illuminates buildings with animated projections.

Pro Tip: Stay at Hotel Le Maréchal (4-5 Place des Six Montagnes Noires), a 16th-century inn with canal views.

Destination 6: Bruges Winter Glow (Belgium)

Intro: Bruges’ Winter Glow festival trades crowds for ice rinks, light sculptures, and a floating market on the Minnewater Lake.

Start Point: Brussels-Midi Station, Avenue Fonsny 47B, 1060 Brussels
End Point: Bruges Station, Stationsplein 5, 8000 Brugge
Train Distance: 100 km (1 hour via IC train)
Experience Duration: Evening (3 hours)
What Makes It Unique: Skate under the Belfry Tower, then warm up with kniepertjes (thin waffle cookies) and Belgian hot chocolate. The “Snow & Mirror” installation at Burg Square turns the square into a glittering kaleidoscope.

Days 7–10: Switzerland & Czechia – Mountain Stars & Ghost Stories

Destination 7: Montreux Christmas Market (Swiss Riviera)

Family strolls through a festive Christmas market in Zürich, capturing the joy of the winter holidays.

Intro: Stretching along Lake Geneva, Montreux’s market features 180 chalets, lakeside fondue, and daily jazz concerts honoring the town’s festival legacy.

Start Point: Geneva Airport Station, 1215 Geneva
End Point: Montreux Station, Avenue des Alpes 72, 1820 Montreux
Train Distance: 100 km (1 hour via IR train)
Experience Duration: Sunset to evening
What Makes It Unique: Ride the Christmas Train (Dec 1–24) to Rochers-de-Naye (2,042m), where Santa’s Grotto and panoramic views await.

Must-Try: Vin chaud infused with Swiss herbal liqueur Absinthe.

Destination 8: Český Krumlov Advent (Czechia)

Intro: This UNESCO-listed town’s medieval market unfolds beneath a 13th-century castle, with live nativity scenes and ghost tours.

Start Point: Prague Hlavní Nádraží, Wilsonova 8, 110 00 Prague
End Point: Český Krumlov Station, Nádražní 243, 381 01 Český Krumlov
Train Distance: 175 km (3 hours via RegioJet)
Experience Duration: Full day
What Makes It Unique: Join the “Bohemian Shadows” night tour, where costumed guides share tales of alchemists and restless spirits. By day, craft your own pivní sýr (beer cheese) at a market workshop.

Practical Tips for Christmas Market Train Travel

Rail Pass: The Eurail Global Pass covers all countries except Czechia (use RegioJet for Prague-Český Krumlov).

Timing: Markets open late November–Dec 23 (some until Dec 30). Avoid weekends.

Eats: Bring reusable cups for drinks (most markets charge a deposit).

Gifts: Look for regional certifications like Alsace’s Étoffes d’Alsace (handwoven textiles) or Tyrolean Holz Design.

Where Festive Hearts and Rails Align

Europe’s Christmas markets aren’t just about shopping—they’re windows into centuries-old traditions.

By train, you’ll glide from Alpine villages to Gothic towns, each stop a new chapter in a winter tale.

Whether carving ornaments in Esslingen or sipping absinthe-spiced wine in Montreux, this journey proves that the best gifts aren’t under the tree… they’re outside your train window.