Discovering Christmas markets: a long weekend of magical atmospheres

Unmissable Christmas markets in Europe

Christmas markets are the perfect excuse for a winter road trip, discovering the many shades Christmas takes on as the kilometres go by.

Setting off with a bit of curiosity in mind – where is the biggest Christmas tree? The most charming Santa Claus village? The oldest market or the most original one? – is both stimulating and fun. Especially as more and more European cities invest in organisation, history, events and creative ideas, turning their Christmas markets into experiences worth seeing at least once.

Take Strasbourg, in the beautiful Alsace region: its market dates back to 1570 and proudly bears the title of Capital of Christmas. Even older is Dresden’s Striezelmarkt (1434), a benchmark for those seeking an authentic experience in the heart of Europe. Staying in Germany, Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is the quintessential German Christmas market – its historic setting only adds to its charm.

A look at Instagram, however, reveals a “new” trend. This year, Italian travellers are drawn to Alpine and Central European Christmas markets that blend tradition and innovation, mixing candles and LED lights, classic settings and unexpected locations. Every detail feels enchanting, magical and – of course – Instagrammable: from the moving children’s choir in Zurich to the stalls set beneath a great brick viaduct in Ravennaschlucht in the Black Forest; from the flying Santa Claus in Montreux to the town where you fly above the market yourself – Locarno, where a zipline crosses the main square.

No need to go far: Christmas markets in Italy

You don’t have to travel far to find intense Christmas atmospheres and cities animated by Advent. Italy offers a wide range of markets perfect for a short weekend, easily reachable even when travelling electric.

A few suggestions? Bolzano’s Christmas market is among the most popular in Italy, thanks to its history and organisation, with the city transformed into a trail of lights and installations around Piazza Walther and the surrounding streets. Trento offers a pleasant urban setting that’s easy to explore, where cultural initiatives blend seamlessly with stalls and kiosks.

If you’re looking for different settings just a short distance apart, Asti and Govone, with the Magico Paese di Natale, are ideal: a truly spread-out experience connecting the city with Govone Castle.

We head back to the north-east with Vipiteno – a small, intimate Christmas market nestled in one of the most charming Alpine towns, and an excellent place to stop and recharge, thanks to the charging point in K. Michael Gamper Platz.

Perfect as a standalone stop or as part of a wider itinerary, Merano stands out for its unmistakably scenic atmosphere.

In Bressanone, evenings in the beautiful historic centre are brought to life by light installations; here too, the town is ideal for a half-day visit or as a second stop along a South Tyrolean route.

One last suggestion: Como. At Christmas, the city lights up with scenography, installations and a market spread between the lakeside and central squares – a great excuse to explore the lake district.

You can also look further south. In Florence, the Santa Croce Christmas market remains a classic, with a Central European feel that fits beautifully into the historic setting and invites you to wander between the city centre and artisan shops. In Bologna, between Piazza Lucio Dalla and the Quadrilatero, Christmas takes on an urban, food-focused vibe, perfect if you enjoy mixing market browsing with gourmet stops, with the added convenience of EV charging available in Piazza Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
For a more intimate atmosphere, Gubbio once again plays its trump card with the great Christmas tree on Mount Ingino, turning the town into an almost theatrical scene. Moving further south, Salerno’s Luci d’Artista combine markets with a now-famous light trail, ideal for an evening visit. And finally Naples: between San Gregorio Armeno and the historic centre’s squares, it’s less about a single market and more about a lively, chaotic and authentic experience – well worth the trip just to breathe in a Neapolitan Christmas.

The journey experience and the magic of the festive season

An itinerary exploring Christmas markets becomes an opportunity to discover different regions, crossing cities and landscapes that take on a unique character in winter.

Doing so in an electric vehicle makes it even more special. By choosing routes that suit your travel style and the rhythm of electric mobility – with charging stops turning into extra moments of exploration – a winter weekend becomes a chance to truly connect with places, landscapes and atmospheres.

A historic centre to discover or rediscover, a square scented with sweets and cinnamon, a view to admire with fresh eyes. That’s when this time of year truly becomes something special.