A cozy European Christmas market in a historic town square at dusk
Most people think of big cities like Vienna, Prague, or Nuremberg when they picture the best Christmas market in Europe.
But one Australian family found something very different.
After years of sweaty summer Christmases in Australia, they flew to Europe to chase a cold, magical Christmas.
They planned a train trip through seven countries and eight cities, with one goal in mind: visit as many Christmas markets as possible.
In the end, the market that won their hearts was not the biggest or the most famous.
It was the Winter lights Christmas market in Luxembourg City.
Swapping Summer Heat for a Winter Christmas
Back home in Australia, Christmas means blazing sun, hot roast dinners, and sticky clothes.
The family wanted the exact opposite.
They wanted:
- Cold air instead of heat
- Snow instead of sweat
- Hot mulled wine instead of cold drinks by the beach
So they packed coats, scarves, and gloves, then flew from Melbourne to London. From there, they took trains across Europe, visiting Christmas markets in cities like London, Prague, Budapest, Mainz, Nuremberg, Bratislava, and finally, Luxembourg.
Along the way they tried new foods, watched choirs sing, and felt like they had stepped into a Christmas movie.
Eating Their Way Through European Christmas Markets
The family had a simple rule:
“To travel is to eat.”
They made lists of foods to try in every city and used the markets as their guide. Some of their favorite bites included:
- Kartoffelpuffer in Mainz (crispy potato pancakes, hot and golden)
- Klobása in Prague (Czech sausage with mustard and bread)
- Langos in Budapest (deep-fried flatbread, chewy and rich)
- Chocolate-covered fruit sticks for the kids, again and again
This was not a health trip.
It was a “say yes to everything that smells good” trip.
Of course, all this food came with drinks.
That is where they discovered a star of the Christmas market world.
The Fiery Magic of Feuerzangenbowle in Nuremberg
In Nuremberg, the family met a drink that was more like a show: feuerzangenbowle.
Here is how it works:
- A giant bowl is filled with hot mulled wine.
- A metal rack is placed on top.
- Big blocks of sugar, soaked in strong rum, are placed on the rack.
- The sugar is set on fire.
- As it burns, sweet, caramelized sugar drips into the wine below.
Nuremberg even has a special “Feuerzangenbowle Village” by the river, where small huts serve the flaming drink.
Locals were sipping it morning, afternoon, and night.
The family happily joined them. It became a daily stop and a core memory of their whole trip.
Sights, Sounds, and Small Treasures
Food and drink were not the only highlights.
In Mainz, they heard choirs singing near a 1,000-year-old cathedral and saw a life-sized nativity scene made of hand-carved figures.
In Nuremberg, they walked past a dedicated children’s market with charming rides and gentle music.
In Budapest and Bratislava, they fell in love with handmade crafts.
They saw:
- Watercolor paintings
- Handcrafted jewelry
- Unique ceramics
They could not carry everything home, so they created a new family tradition.
In each city, they bought one Christmas decoration.
Now, every year in Australia, they hang those decorations on their tree and remember their European Christmas.
But not every market felt warm and joyful.
When Christmas Markets Become Too Crowded
In London, the family planned to eat dinner at the markets in Leicester Square and Covent Garden.
Instead, they found massive crowds.
People were pressed together, shoulder to shoulder.
Entrances were clogged.
Queues were long.
The energy felt tense rather than festive.
They had once been part of the largest Taylor Swift “Eras Tour” crowd in Melbourne, but even that did not prepare them for London’s Christmas markets on a Saturday night with jet lag.
They gave up and left, choosing calmer streets and a simple meal elsewhere.
Other famous markets in Europe were stunning, but also packed and intense.
Pretty to look at, but hard to enjoy.
That is why what they found in Luxembourg felt so special.
Why Luxembourg Has the Best Christmas Market in Europe
Luxembourg City is not usually the first name people think of when planning a Christmas market trip.
It is a small capital in a small country, and that is exactly what makes it a hidden gem.
The family discovered:
- A tall, glowing Christmas tree in the main square
- Open fires where visitors roasted marshmallows
- Friendly stall holders who were happy to talk
- Live music that felt festive but not too loud
- Space to actually walk, look around, and take photos
The atmosphere felt more like a cozy winter town than a chaotic tourist trap.
They also tried local Luxembourg specialties, like:
- Gromperekichelcher (crispy potato cakes, often with applesauce)
- Kniddelen (soft dumplings with bacon and cream)
- Crémant de Luxembourg (a local sparkling wine similar to Champagne)
What made Luxembourg stand out was balance.
It had:
- The charm and beauty of a European Christmas market
- Great food and drink
- Real traditions
- But without the heavy crowds and stress
It felt relaxed, authentic, and human.
At the end of their trip, after seven countries and eight cities, the family agreed:
Luxembourg City had the best Christmas market in Europe.
What Really Makes a Christmas Market “The Best”?
A European old town square turned into a glowing Christmas market
If you are planning a Christmas market trip, it is easy to focus on the “famous” names.
But this family’s story shows something important.
The best Christmas market is not always:
- The biggest
- The most posted on Instagram
- Or the one with the longest history
Instead, the best market might be the one where you can:
- Walk slowly and actually see things
- Talk to locals at the stalls
- Taste local food you have never heard of
- Feel calm, cozy, and welcome
Luxembourg City offers exactly that.
It is a peaceful, beautiful place where you can enjoy winter lights, warm drinks, and real festive charm, without feeling crushed by crowds.
Extra Reading and Useful Links
If you want to explore more stories and guides like this, you can check:
- BBC Travel for more in-depth travel stories
- Chiang Rai Times for news, travel pieces, and lifestyle articles you can link to from your own blog posts
You can also link from this article to topics like:
- European winter travel
- Christmas traditions around the world
- How to plan a multi-country train trip in Europe
