Imagine strolling through a snow-dusted square, the air filled with the aroma of roasted chestnuts, spiced mulled wine, and fresh-baked gingerbread. Strings of twinkling lights adorn wooden stalls selling handcrafted ornaments, cozy woolen scarves, and intricate toys.
There’s something particularly enchanting about Europe’s Christmas markets. There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than a visit to one of these harbingers of seasonal joy.
Originating in the heart of Germany and Austria during the late Middle Ages, Christmas markets were once humble gatherings for locals to stock up on winter essentials. From Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik, established in 1570, to Nuremberg’s legendary Christkindlesmarkt dating back to the 16th century, Christmas markets have evolved from practical winter markets into a much-loved tradition.
Today, these markets are synonymous with the holiday experience in Europe, drawing millions of visitors from around the globe.
One of Europe’s first Christmas markets dates back to 1296 when the citizens of Vienna were allowed to hold a winter market. Today, you’ll find them all around Europe during the month of December.
My team has put together a selection of dream homes near some of Europe’s best Christmas market towns. Places where the magic of Christmas is just steps from your door…these homes near Europe’s finest markets allow you trade rush hour for mulled wine hour.
Wroclaw, Poland
Listing Price: $110,000
Bronze dwarfs guide visitors through Wrocław’s Market Square beneath the medieval town hall’s astronomical clock.
Wrocław is Poland’s fourth-largest city and the historical capital of Lower Silesia, where Gothic spires and baroque palaces rise above the Odra River’s many branches. Known as the “City of 100 Bridges,” its 12 islands are connected by over 130 bridges, creating a Venice-like atmosphere in this medieval city.
During the festive season, the Market Square is turned into one of Poland’s most enchanting Christmas destinations, centered around its magnificent Gothic Old Town Hall. The market fills with wooden stalls offering traditional Polish crafts, amber jewelry, and seasonal delicacies like pierogi and oscypek (smoked cheese).
What makes Wrocław’s Christmas market particularly special is its whimsical fairytale atmosphere. This is significantly enhanced by over 300 small bronze dwarfs scattered through the city. During the Christmas market season, visitors often embark on “dwarf hunts,” following special winter-themed routes to find dwarfs dressed as Santa’s helpers. Local tradition suggests making a wish when finding a dwarf during the holiday season brings extra luck.
This studio apartment gets you to the heart of Wroclaw for just $110,000. Listing here.
This cozy studio apartment is on the top floor of a historic building in Wrocław’s city center. Newly renovated, it has a living room, separate kitchen, and modern bathroom. Modern amenities include air conditioning, new PVC windows, central heating, and a gas water heater.
Located in the cultural heart of Wrocław, the apartment is within walking distance of the city’s major landmarks including the Wrocław Opera, National Forum of Music, and Polish Theater. The Wroclavia shopping center and Central Railway Station are just steps away, while the recently restored Partisan Hill provides nearby green space.
This apartment is listed at PLN 449,000 ($110,000). See the full listing here.
The 2024 Wrocław Christmas market opened on November 29, 2024, and will run until January 7, 2025.
Budapest, Hungary
Listing Price: $222,000
Between St. Stephen’s Basilica and Vörösmarty Square, the sound of Hungarian folk music fills the air.
Budapest, on the mighty Danube River, was formed by the union of historic Buda and Pest in 1873. The neo-Gothic parliament building and elegant boulevards are testament to a glorious past, contrasting with the scars and stories of a tumultuous 20th-century.
Over the past two decades, creative entrepreneurs have breathed new life into Budapest, reimaging abandoned buildings like the famous ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter (quite simply, these are bars in formerly abandoned buildings). Szimpla Kert was the original ruin bar and opened in 2004 in an abandoned factory. Its founders gathered furniture from flea markets, grandparents’ attics, and even the street, creating an eclectic mix of Communist-era chairs, Art Nouveau sofas, and vintage school furniture. Today there are dozens of ruin bars throughout Budapest.
Centuries-old thermal baths, with their art nouveau architecture, have been similarly restored. Tourists and locals alike visit them to relax in the rejuvenating steaming waters.
During the festive season, Budapest’s Christmas markets center around two main locations: Vörösmarty Square and St. Stephen’s Basilica, where the baroque architecture provides an enchanting backdrop to the celebrations. The markets are known for their Hungarian touches, from traditional baking demonstrations to folk craft workshops. The highlight is the regular 3D light show projected onto the facade of the basilica.
This one-bedroom apartment is right in the middle of Budapest, close to some of the best cafès and restaurants. Listing here.
My team found this stylish one-bedroom apartment, directly opposite the Opera House in central Budapest. Located in a beautifully preserved historic building with original frescos, the fully renovated duplex features high ceilings, large windows, a modern American-style kitchen, and a bathroom with jacuzzi. The apartment includes indoor parking and is in a prime location, surrounded by the city’s finest cafes, restaurants, and cultural landmarks.
The apartment is for sale at $222,000 and the listing is here.
The 2024 Budapest Christmas Markets opened on November 15, 2024, and will run until January 1, 2025.
Nuremberg, Germany
Listing Price: $272,400
Beneath Gothic spires, Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets.
Nuremberg is the second largest city in Germany’s Bavaria region and is a medieval jewel. The city’s impressive skyline is dominated by the Imperial Castle, which rises above a wonderfully preserved Old Town with its distinctive, red-roofed buildings and ancient city walls. Despite heavy damage during World War II, much of the city has been meticulously restored to its former Gothic grandeur.
The city is famous for its Christkindlesmarkt, one of Europe’s oldest and most celebrated Christmas markets. Each year, the main market square transforms into a winter wonderland with nearly 200 wooden stalls adorned with red and white striped awnings, while the famous Christkind (a local young woman dressed as the Christmas angel) presides over the festivities. The market is a stickler for tradition, prohibiting modern merchandise in favor of handcrafted goods, traditional Nuremberg bratwurst, and the city’s famous lebkuchen (gingerbread).
In this old building in a desirable part of town is a one-bed apartment listing for $272,400. Listing here.
My team found this elegant one-bedroom apartment in a protected historic building from 1903, in Nuremberg’s sought-after Himpfelshof district. Located on the second floor and accessed by a well-maintained staircase, the home features a central hallway that leads to a living room, adjacent bedroom, a bathroom, and a fully equipped kitchen. A west-facing balcony extends from the kitchen.
The apartment has herringbone parquet flooring throughout the main rooms and comes with a private basement storage unit.
The apartment is listed for €260,000 ($272,400) and you can view the listing here.
The 2024 Nuremberg Christmas market opened on November 29, 2024, and will run until December 24, 2024.
Strasburg, France
Listing Price: $895,300
Half-timbered houses watch over France’s oldest Christmas market which takes place in a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Strasbourg, on the border with Germany in France’s Alsace region is a charming blend of both French and German cultures. The city’s historic center, the Grande Île, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with distinctive half-timbered houses, winding cobblestone streets, and the awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral whose single spire reaches high 466 feet into the sky.
Known as the “Capital of Christmas,” Strasbourg’s yuletide market tradition dates back to 1570, making it France’s oldest Christkindelsmärik. During the festive season, the city becomes a winter wonderland with over 300 chalets spread across several locations, including the magnificent Place Kléber with its towering Christmas tree, and the picturesque Petite France quarter where canals reflect thousands of twinkling lights.
This mansion has five bedrooms and comes with a sauna and a wine cellar. Listing here.
This spacious five-bedroom home is set on a wooded lot of just over half an acre in Strasburg. The first floor has a west-facing double living room with veranda access, a separate kitchen with pantry, and an office area. The second floor has two children’s bedrooms, a home office, a bathroom with laundry facilities, and a primary bedroom suite with a renovated shower room and sauna.
The attic level has a large open-plan space with mezzanine sleeping area plus an additional bedroom with en-suite shower room and toilet. There’s a full basement that includes a garage, wine cellar, laundry room, and storage space. The property also has an outdoor parking space.
The home is listed at $895,300. Listing here.
The 2024 Strasbourg Christmas market opened on November 29, 2024, and will run until December 27, 2024.
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
P.S. If you’re interested in any of these listings you should hire an attorney and do your own due diligence. We haven’t done any due diligence on them.
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Your Daily Dream Home
Livadero, Drama, Greece
This charming three-bedroom house is located less than a mile from the center of a local village. It spans three levels and has a living room with fireplace, kitchen, bathroom, attic, verandas, and double-glazed windows with screens. The home is to be sold furnished and comes with an attic and a small balcony.
The house is in Livadero, a small village in the region of Drama, northeastern Greece. The surrounding area has forested mountains, scenic rivers, and traditional stone-built houses, ideal for hiking, cycling and enjoying time outside. Livadero is located around 13 miles from the city of Drama, which has a well-preserved historical center, cultural sites, as well as bars, restaurants, supermarkets, medical centers, and an international airport.
