December 2, 2024
Beat the rush: the world’s quietest Christmas markets
Visiting a Christmas market is always a popular day out through November and December, taking a relaxing stroll through the market stalls with a hot mulled wine (or Glühwein or glögg, depending on where you are in the world)! But sometimes it can get so busy, making it harder to enjoy your visit as you squeeze through the crowds - especially if you are traveling over Christmas and exploring a new city.
At DiscoverCars.com, we have put together a list of our ultimate Christmas markets around the world for a quieter day out, using data such as the length of time the market runs for, as well as the number of visitors compared to the number of locals in each city. We also took the geographical size of each city into account.
At DiscoverCars.com, we have put together a list of our ultimate Christmas markets around the world for a quieter day out, using data such as the length of time the market runs for, as well as the number of visitors compared to the number of locals in each city. We also took the geographical size of each city into account.
Methodology
We started with a list of 100 cities based on the Euromonitor Most Visited Cities list and a popular travel website’s list of top destinations.
Each city was scored on its number of visitors compared to locals, with less visited cities receiving a higher score. Cities were also ranked based on how long the market runs for, with longer-running markets receiving a higher score. Each city was also given a score based on its size in square kilometers, with larger cities ranking higher. Finally, the cities were also ranked by number of visitors per km2.
Populations were collated from GeoNames and represented populations of each city rather than the greater metropolitan area. The number of visitors was collected using official tourist statistics, local news media, Statista, CEIC data, and other sources.
Each city was scored on its number of visitors compared to locals, with less visited cities receiving a higher score. Cities were also ranked based on how long the market runs for, with longer-running markets receiving a higher score. Each city was also given a score based on its size in square kilometers, with larger cities ranking higher. Finally, the cities were also ranked by number of visitors per km2.
Populations were collated from GeoNames and represented populations of each city rather than the greater metropolitan area. The number of visitors was collected using official tourist statistics, local news media, Statista, CEIC data, and other sources.
The top five least crowded Christmas markets
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Berlin, Germany
2024’s number one least crowded Christmas market can be found in Berlin, with the city scoring 97 out of 112. The German capital has the fourth lowest ratio of visitors to locals, with 102 visitors for every 100 people who are local to Berlin. Berlin also has the lowest number of visitors per km2, at 0.3. The length of its Christmas markets is pretty squarely in the middle, at 35 days.
Berlin has a number of Christmas markets, each offering visitors something different. The Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace, because of its setting in front of the beautiful 17th-century palace, is especially grand and photogenic. It lives up to its setting, with pretty wooden stalls - it also has a children’s fairground and open air restaurants.
One unusual Christmas market in Berlin is the Sirius Christmas market at the Forsthaus Paulsborn in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf - running since 2012, it’s especially for dogs and their owners!
Berlin has a number of Christmas markets, each offering visitors something different. The Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace, because of its setting in front of the beautiful 17th-century palace, is especially grand and photogenic. It lives up to its setting, with pretty wooden stalls - it also has a children’s fairground and open air restaurants.
One unusual Christmas market in Berlin is the Sirius Christmas market at the Forsthaus Paulsborn in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf - running since 2012, it’s especially for dogs and their owners!
Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw landed in second place for its Christmas markets, as the Polish capital scored 92 out of 112. This city had the third lowest number of visitors compared to locals, with 81 visitors in the city per 100 locals. Warsaw also has the second lowest number of visitors per km2, at 0.4. Christmas markets run here for 31 days, giving ample time for people to come and wend their way around the stalls.
The Christmas market on Castle Square is the city’s largest, in the beautiful, historic Old Town. Did you know this entire area of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? You can also find an ice rink nearby, which opens every winter by the Palace of Culture and Science.
On the other side of the river, the Praga District also holds its own lovely Christmas markets, where you can browse the stalls for goodies with a hot drink in hand.
The Christmas market on Castle Square is the city’s largest, in the beautiful, historic Old Town. Did you know this entire area of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? You can also find an ice rink nearby, which opens every winter by the Palace of Culture and Science.
On the other side of the river, the Praga District also holds its own lovely Christmas markets, where you can browse the stalls for goodies with a hot drink in hand.
Madrid, Spain
The Spanish capital is in third place with a score of 86 out of 112. Madrid has a somewhat higher proportion of visitors compared to the local population, with 184 tourists per 100 locals - a higher number than we have seen so far for this metric. However, the number of visitors per km2 is 0.8, which is the fourth lowest. The markets run for 32 days, meaning people hoping to see the markets can pick and choose which day they’d like to visit.
The city’s grand central square, Plaza Mayor, is home to the biggest Christmas market in Madrid - shoppers flock here to look for festive decorations, including nativity scenes, which are very popular in Spain.
Families with children might also like to visit the Navidad en el Río market, held near Madrid Río, which has plenty to keep kids entertained, including an ice skating rink.
The city’s grand central square, Plaza Mayor, is home to the biggest Christmas market in Madrid - shoppers flock here to look for festive decorations, including nativity scenes, which are very popular in Spain.
Families with children might also like to visit the Navidad en el Río market, held near Madrid Río, which has plenty to keep kids entertained, including an ice skating rink.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna is next, with the capital of Austria scoring 81 out of 112. This city is a bit more busy with tourists than the other cities in the top five, with 269 visitors per 100 locals. On the other hand, the markets are the fourth longest running in the whole list, at 41 days. Vienna has 1.7 visitors per km2, the eighth lowest number.
The Christkindlmarkt, on the central Rathausplatz square in front of the city hall, is Vienna’s biggest and most popular Christmas market. This year, there will be around 99 stalls, with plenty of traditional, local food on offer. Another great thing about this market is that it’s right next to the park, which becomes a winter wonderland at this time of year, with lights, decorations, and an illuminated ice rink.
Another lovely market is held in the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace, which focuses on arts and crafts and presents for children - this is a great spot to pick up artisanal decorations.
The Christkindlmarkt, on the central Rathausplatz square in front of the city hall, is Vienna’s biggest and most popular Christmas market. This year, there will be around 99 stalls, with plenty of traditional, local food on offer. Another great thing about this market is that it’s right next to the park, which becomes a winter wonderland at this time of year, with lights, decorations, and an illuminated ice rink.
Another lovely market is held in the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace, which focuses on arts and crafts and presents for children - this is a great spot to pick up artisanal decorations.
Krakow, Poland
We also have another major Polish city, Kraków in our top five! It also scored 81 out of 112, drawing with Vienna. Kraków has 156 visitors per 100 locals. The city has 1.2 visitors per km2. The city’s Christmas markets run for 33 days, meaning there’s just over a month for shoppers to come and take it all in.
Kraków’s most famous Christmas market takes place on the main square, Rynek Główny, which is one of the biggest and most impressive medieval squares in Europe - during the festive period, it fills up with dozens of stalls, and a gigantic Christmas tree. As well as the customary mulled wine, you can also pick up a cup of mulled beer, sweetened with honey and flavored with citrus and spices!
Elsewhere, at the city’s Galician Advent Fair, you can find live music and an ice-skating rink, for family fun.
Kraków’s most famous Christmas market takes place on the main square, Rynek Główny, which is one of the biggest and most impressive medieval squares in Europe - during the festive period, it fills up with dozens of stalls, and a gigantic Christmas tree. As well as the customary mulled wine, you can also pick up a cup of mulled beer, sweetened with honey and flavored with citrus and spices!
Elsewhere, at the city’s Galician Advent Fair, you can find live music and an ice-skating rink, for family fun.
Rome, Italy
In fifth place, it’s the Italian capital, with 80 points. Rome has quite a high number of visitors per local, with 251 tourists coming to this historic city for every 100 local people. However, because Rome is such a large city, there are only 0.5 visitors per km2. The city’s Christmas markets run for 30 days.
Perhaps the most popular Christmas market in Rome is the Piazza Navona, which combines plenty of stalls selling handicrafts and gifts with a merry-go-round and carnival games for children. And it all takes place in this beautiful square with a backdrop of magnificent fountains!
One alternative Christmas market in Rome is Giftland, La città del Regalo — a stylish covered market where you can shop for artisanally made decorations and artwork, plants, and vintage clothes. You and your little ones can also meet Santa here.
Perhaps the most popular Christmas market in Rome is the Piazza Navona, which combines plenty of stalls selling handicrafts and gifts with a merry-go-round and carnival games for children. And it all takes place in this beautiful square with a backdrop of magnificent fountains!
One alternative Christmas market in Rome is Giftland, La città del Regalo — a stylish covered market where you can shop for artisanally made decorations and artwork, plants, and vintage clothes. You and your little ones can also meet Santa here.
The rest of the top ten
In sixth place is Budapest, with a score of 78 out of a total of 112.
Stockholm follows, with the capital of Sweden earning 76 points out of 112.
Next, we have Sydney, Australia - on the other side of the world from every other country in our top ten, it scored 74 out of 112.
In ninth place, Prague scored 73 points out of 112.
And finally, we have a second German city in our top ten, Munich — this city scored 65 out of 112.
Stockholm follows, with the capital of Sweden earning 76 points out of 112.
Next, we have Sydney, Australia - on the other side of the world from every other country in our top ten, it scored 74 out of 112.
In ninth place, Prague scored 73 points out of 112.
And finally, we have a second German city in our top ten, Munich — this city scored 65 out of 112.
Driving to the Christmas markets
We hope our list of the top ten least crowded Christmas markets has put you in a festive mood, and maybe provided you with some inspiration for a winter holiday.
If you buy anything delicate or breakable ornaments or gifts at a Christmas market abroad, remember to wrap them up carefully for your journey home, whether you’re driving or flying. If you’re travelling by plane, you might prefer to store them in your carry-on bag.
If you are driving to a Christmas market this year, our advice is to plan your journey in advance - if you are headed to a market you know will be especially busy, why not consider parking a little further away and taking the last leg of your journey by public transport? That should take the stress out of finding a spot!
At DiscoverCars.com, we can help you find the perfect rental car for your next trip - we compare car rental deals from different companies to find the best deal for you. We operate in more than 145 countries and 10,000 locations, so wherever you’re headed this winter, please consider choosing us!
If you buy anything delicate or breakable ornaments or gifts at a Christmas market abroad, remember to wrap them up carefully for your journey home, whether you’re driving or flying. If you’re travelling by plane, you might prefer to store them in your carry-on bag.
If you are driving to a Christmas market this year, our advice is to plan your journey in advance - if you are headed to a market you know will be especially busy, why not consider parking a little further away and taking the last leg of your journey by public transport? That should take the stress out of finding a spot!
At DiscoverCars.com, we can help you find the perfect rental car for your next trip - we compare car rental deals from different companies to find the best deal for you. We operate in more than 145 countries and 10,000 locations, so wherever you’re headed this winter, please consider choosing us!
Top Related Locations
Here are some places where you should watch your speed when you travel! We've also included the closest airports.
- Milan, Italy (Malpensa Airport): Traditional Italian treats and crafts by Sforza Castle.
- Copenhagen, Denmark (Copenhagen Airport): Tivoli Gardens hosts a festive market with Scandinavian treats and enchanting decor.
- Edinburgh, Scotland (Edinburg Airport): A lively market in Princes Street Gardens, complete with rides, crafts, and festive foods.
- Frankfurt, Germany (Frankfurt Airport): Classic market with mulled wine and handcrafted gifts in Römerberg.
- Brussels, Belgium (Brussels Airport): Winter Wonders market includes a skating rink, Ferris wheel, and international holiday foods.
- London, England (London Heathrow Airport): Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland offers an expansive market, ice skating, and festive entertainment.
- Amsterdam, Netherlands (Amsterdam Airport): Ice Village at Museumplein offers cozy stalls, skating, and Dutch treats.
- Melbourne, Australia (Melbourne Airport): Festive markets with local crafts, food, and Christmas lights at Federation Square.
- Naples, Italy (Naples Airport): Famous for handcrafted nativity scenes and festive treats on Via San Gregorio Armeno.
- Paris, France (Charles de Gaule Airport): La Défense hosts a large market with French holiday cuisine, gifts, and twinkling lights.
- Dublin, Ireland (Dublin Airport): Festive stalls, local crafts, and live music at the Docklands Christmas market.
- Nuremberg, Germany (Nurnberg Airport): Famous for its Christkindlesmarkt, featuring traditional wooden stalls, handcrafted gifts, and delicious gingerbread.
- Cologne, Germany (Cologne Bonn Airport): Multiple markets, including the one by the cathedral, offer stunning lights, Glühwein, and crafts.
- Zagreb, Croatia (Zagreb Airport): Award-winning Advent in Zagreb includes concerts, food, and a cozy holiday atmosphere.
- Salzburg, Austria (Salzburg Airport): The market at Mirabell Palace is filled with Alpine charm and traditional Austrian gifts.
- Tallinn, Estonia (Tallinn Airport): A fairytale-like market in Town Hall Square, with traditional crafts and a cozy Christmas vibe.
- Basel, Switzerland (Basel Airport): Festive markets at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz with Swiss treats and beautiful ornaments.
- Helsinki, Finland (Helsinki Airport): Senate Square hosts a charming market with Finnish crafts and warm glögi.
- Barcelona, Spain (Barcelona Airport): Fira de Santa Llúcia offers Catalan crafts, nativity figures, and festive decor near the cathedral.
- Lisbon, Portugal (Lisbon Airport): Wonderland Lisboa features food stalls, skating, and Portuguese holiday treats in Parque Eduardo VII.
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.
