© iStock

Frankfurt Christmas market - This elaborate Christmas market is one of the largest in Germany. It's set out along the Römerberg and St Paul's Square.

© iStock

Prague Christmas market in Wenceslas Square - Enjoying one of the most scenic locations anywhere in Europe, Prague's Christmas market is hosted in historic Wenceslas Square. A neighboring market takes place at the Old Town Square.

© iStock

Dresden Christmas market -

The spectacular Dresden Striezelmarkt is one of Germany's oldest Christmas markets. The first one took place way back in 1434.

© Getty Images

Colmar Christmas market - Colmar's Christmas market is found in the "Little Venice" district. The medieval atmosphere of this picturesque town in the Grand Est region of France lends it a wonderful fairy-tale appeal.

© iStock

Nuremberg Christmas market - Set in the heart of Nuremberg's Old Town, this splendid Christmas market dates back 400 years and is one of southern Germany's great festive traditions.

© iStock

Munich Christmas market - The Bavarian capital's Christmas market is always eagerly anticipated. The stalls are set in and around the city's charming Marienplatz.

© iStock

Graz Christmas market - A seasonal highlight, this is one of Austria's most elaborate Christmas markets. The facade of City Hall in Hauptplatz is illuminated by decorative candy-colored lights.

© iStock

Strasbourg Christmas market - Strasbourg's Grande Île, a World Heritage Site, is the ideal setting for this especially majestic French Christmas market.

© Shutterstock 

Sibiu Christmas market - Head east in central Romania for the country's favorite traditional Christmas celebration. Sibiu is located in Transylvania and exudes a beguiling medieval atmosphere.

© iStock

Wrocław Christmas market - Wander across Wroclaw's central square and along Oławska and Świdnicka streets, and soak in the Yuletide atmosphere of one of Poland's grandest Christmas markets.

© iStock

Berlin Christmas market - Germany is celebrated for its Christmas markets, and its capital city upholds the seasonal tradition by hosting several across the city. One of the most ornate takes place at Gendarmenmarkt (pictured).

© iStock

Tivoli Gardens Christmas market -

Copenhagen's magical Tivoli Gardens are the perfect venue for Denmark's most colorful and attractive Christmas market.

© Getty Images

Brussels Christmas market - If you're spending Christmas in the heart of Europe, what better place to rub shoulders with its citizens than in Belgium's vibrant capital?

© Shutterstock

Bath Christmas market - The historic city of Bath in Somerset, England, hosts a very scenic Christmas market comprising dozens of twinkling chalets set in a handsome Georgian square.

© iStock

Tallinn Christmas market - Tallinn, Estonia's capital city, is believed to be the first European city to display a Christmas tree, an event that took place in 1441. These days, a tree is the central attraction of the city's annual Christmas market.

© Shutterstock

Metz Christmas market -

The second-biggest Christmas market in France after that of Strasbourg, Metz's seasonal fun-fest is played out in front of the stunning Gothic building Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Metz.

© Getty Images

Budapest Christmas market - The Hungarian capital's Vorosmarty Square positively sparkles with festive cheer during the annual Christmas market. Budapest also hosts a second market at St Stephen's Square.

© iStock

Merano Christmas market - Upholding a cherished South Tyrol festive tradition, the Christmas market at this quaint northern Italian town celebrates the arrival of winter in this mountainous region.

© iStock

Bolzano Christmas market - Italy's South Tyrol is also the setting for the Bolzano Christmas market, when this pleasant Alpine town—the region's capital—is bathed in the glow of romantic lights and flickering candles.

© iStock

Bucharest Christmas market - A lively winter fair radiating festive spirit, the Bucharest Christmas market is the Romanian capital's premier Yuletide get-together. It's held in Constitutiei Square.

© iStock

Mulhouse Christmas market - Place de la Réunion is transformed into a winter wonderland for this French city's seasonal extravaganza.

© iStock

Würzburg Christmas market - Würzburg, in Germany's Bavaria region, organizes one of the country's most spirited Christmas markets, a tradition that stretches back to the early 19th century.

© iStock

Edinburgh Christmas market - Previously voted the UK's best Christmas market, this is a hugely popular event in Scotland's wintertime festival calendar, and is a great warm-up for the city's Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) celebrations.

© Shutterstock

Krakow Christmas market - Krakow's central square is festooned with fairy lights and festive decorations for a Christmas market that is sometimes extended to January 6, the city's Epiphany Festival.

© iStock

Gothenburg Christmas market - Several Christmas markets take place in cosmopolitan Gothenburg, Sweden's lively seaport destination. The city's Liseberg amusement park is one such venue, which is known for its five million Christmas lights!

© Shutterstock

Innsbruck Christmas market - Innsbruck is Austria's premier winter sports destination, but the city's Old Town is the destination of choice for many in December when the city's various Christmas markets open.

© iStock

Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas market - Annaberg-Buchholz in Germany's Saxony region is a popular ski vacation destination. But make a point of visiting its understated Christmas market. The local vibe is quite enchanting.

© iStock

Erfurt Christmas market - The backdrop of medieval architecture and snow-dusted rooftops lend genuine winter cheer to this most scenic of Christmas markets, set in Erfurt's historic old town.

© iStock

Goslar Christmas market - A World Heritage Site, Goslar is an eye-opener any time of year. But at Christmas, this beautiful German town is simply spellbinding. The market features 80 decorated chalets set along winding medieval streets.

© iStock

Vienna Christmas market - Of all Vienna's Christmas markets, indeed all of Austria's, it's the one in front of the town hall (Rathausplatz) that truly captures the imagination of the public. This is quite simply one of Europe's most magical winter festivals.

© iStock

Montbéliard Christmas market - The French town of Montbéliard celebrates the festive season by staging an unusual Christmas market to honor the traditions of Württemberg, a historical German state.

© iStock

Aachen Christmas market - Aachen's grand, 13th-century town hall provides a suitably historic backdrop to this German city's famous Christmas market, another one of Europe's favorite Yuletide events.

© iStock

Zagreb Christmas market -

The Croatian capital has Christmas all wrapped up with its Zagreb Christmas market, which has been voted Europe's best three years in a row.

See also: Beautiful Christmas tree displays you have to see to believe.

© Shutterstock