Europe's most magical six weeks
From the last week of November to New Year's Eve, the old squares light up and the whole continent smells of cinnamon. Tell me your dates and I'll build the route around the markets worth the detour.
Three ways to string it together
Experiences I'd actually book
Which square is worth the stop
Which December is yours?
Where to come in from the cold
When to go
Most markets run late November to 23 December, then a handful reopen for New Year. If you want both markets and NYE, aim your last nights at a city that keeps its market open - Vienna and Budapest are safe bets.
Opening week
Markets light up, crowds are thin, everything feels new.
The sweet spot
Full swing, still calm midweek. Kaira's pick for markets.
Peak & Christmas
Busiest and priciest; many markets close on the 24th–25th.
New Year run
A few markets reopen; cities gear up for midnight.
Your visa, handled
One Schengen visa covers this whole trip - apply through the country where you'll spend the most nights. We prep the paperwork, check every document, and submit for you. No embassy queues.