10 Christmas Markets Around Northern Italy Worth Visiting | 2018
Christmas in Europe is a winter wonderland dream. Christmas markets, mulled wine, cold weather, and snowy mountain peaks. That’s what it was like here in Italy last December for our first holiday in our new home. I’ve always been like a little kid when it comes to all things Christmas, but I never realized just how much I loved the holiday until moving here and visiting the Christmas Markets in Italy, often referred to as Mercatini di Natale. There’s something in the air, or maybe it’s the hot wine, that is just different in Europe.
Last year, my husband and I managed to visit as many Christmas Markets as we could on the weekends within a few hours of driving distance. This year, we are willing to drive further and even see some in other countries. For those reasons, I’ve put together a list of the Christmas Markets that are at the top of my list. Some I’ve been to and I will be recommending below, and others I’m just giving out information so we can both go experience them for ourselves!!
As with all dates and times, things change and I do my best to get the dates right. I am adding a link below each so you can check before heading there that the times are, in fact, correct!
Table of Contents
1. Merano (Meran), Italy
Merano’s Christmas Market is one you’ll find in many articles if you google the best Christmas markets in Europe, and for good reason! At the base of the famous Italian Dolomites, the town of Merano sits along the river. The Christmas Market encompasses both sides of the river and is full of Christmas spirit – from the fully lit trees to the skating rink and bands singing holiday cheer. We spent Christmas Eve in Merano last year at Hotel Flora, with a balcony covered in lights that faced the river. It’s incredibly romantic and the town of Merano is seriously one of my favorites. I will be making a stop at their Christmas Market again this year!
Opening Times:
23 November – 6 January
Sunday – Thursday 10:00 – 19:00
Friday – Saturday 10:00 – 20:00
*Gastronomy stands open later
Special Opening Times:
24 December 10:00 – 15:30
25 December CLOSED
31 December 10:00 – 15:30
1 January 10:00 – 20:00
6 January 10:00 – 18:00
Website:
2. Asiago, Italy
Asiago holds a special place in my heart because it was my very first Christmas Market with Stephen. We collect snowglobes and this was the first one in our collection. I also had horse stew here for the first time. Whew, all the firsts. Asiago is famous for their cheese, their Christmas Market, and they have awesome ski slopes – or so I’ve heard! This one is on my list again for the upcoming holidays.
Read my previous post on Asiago’s Christmas Market from 2017 here.
Opening Times:
10 November – 6 January
Saturday 10:30 – 12:30 & 15:00 – 19:00
Sunday 10:30 – 19:00
22 December – 6 January 10:30 – 19:00
Special Opening Times:
7 – 9 December 10:30 – 19:00
14, 21 December 15:00 – 19:00
25 December 15:30 – 19:00
Website:
3. Arco, Italy
Just north of Lago di Garda lies the beautiful town of Arco with a castle that sits atop the hill. We visited Arco over Christmas in 2016 during my first trip to Europe. I didn’t even know what a Christmas Market was at the time and it was my first experience with vin brule (mulled wine). I’ve been drinking it ever since! The Arco Christmas Market times are complicated & there doesn’t seem to be a pattern to them, so good luck trying to remember all of these!
Opening Times:
17 November – 7 January
17, 19, 24, 26 November 10:00 – 19:00
18, 25 November 10:00 – 20:00
1, 7, 8, 10, 15, 21, 22, 26-29 December 10:00 – 19:00
2, 16, 23, 30 December 10:00 – 20:00
9 December 10:00 – 22:00
3, 10, 17, 31 December 10:00 – 19:00
1, 2, 4, 5 January 10:00 – 19:00
Special Opening Times:
24 December 10:00 – 18:00
25 December CLOSED
31 December 10:00 – 18:00
3 January CLOSED
6 January 10:00 – 20:00
7 January 10:00 – 19:00
Website:
http://www.mercatininatalearco.com/
PDF booklet: http://www.mercatininatalearco.com/mercatino-natale-arco.pdf
4. Trento, Italy
Outside of the Buonconsiglio Castle in Trento is a charming Christmas Market, which you’ll find in Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti. As soon as we walked up to the square, we could hear Christmas music playing and breathe in the smells of amazing food. People were eating plates full of hot meat and sauerkraut and drinking vin brule out of the Trento Christmas Market mugs. You’ll find two squares full of Christmas Market booths and plenty of things to be purchased and consumed!
Opening Times
24 November – 6 January
24 November – 24 December 10:00 – 19:30
27 December – 31 January 10:00 – 19:30
2 January – 6 January 10:00 – 19:30
Special Opening Times:
25 December CLOSED
26 December 12:00 – 19:30
1 January 12:00 – 19:30
Website:
https://www.trentino.com/en/calendar
5. Verona, Italy
Surprisingly, I’ve only been to Verona once before, for a pet photo shoot and it was a charming city. We only live about 30 minutes away so the Christmas Market is definitely on my list for this year. It’s said to be one of the most romantic places – the city of love and the home of Romeo & Juliet
Opening Times:
16 November – 26 December
Sunday to Thursday 10:00 – 21:30
Friday, Saturday 10:00 – 23:00
Special Opening Times:
24 December 10:00 – 17:00
25 December 10:00 – 16:00
26 December 10:00 – 18:00
Website:
Visit here
6. Bolzano, Italy
We have driven by Bolzano a million times on our way up to the Dolomites, but have never once managed to stop here. I’ve heard their Christmas Market comes in close second to Merano’s!
Opening Times:
22 November – 6 January
Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 19:00
Special Opening Times:
7 December 10:00 – 21:00
24 December 10:00 – 14:00
25 December CLOSED
1 January 12:00 – 19:00
2-6 January 10:00 – 19:00
Website:
7. Bressanone (Brixen), Italy
I honestly don’t know much about Bressanone, but I’ve heard a few people speak of their Christmas Market and I’m always willing to try new places. I love the small and quaint markets just as much as the big and busy ones! Looking forward to visiting this one during the upcoming holidays with family and friends.
Opening Times:
23 November – 6 January
Monday – Thursday 10:00 – 19:00
Friday – Saturday 10:00 – 19:30
Sunday & holidays 9:30 – 19:00
Special Opening Times:
24 December 10:00 – 16:00
25 December CLOSED
31 December 10:00 – 16:00
1 January 12:00 – 19:00
6 January 10:00 – 18:00
Website:
www.mercatinonatalizio-bressanone.com
Other Christmas Markets Around Europe (Austria, Czech Republic)
For our holiday leave this year, we’re planning yet another road trip, but this time up through Central Europe to visit the most epic Christmas Markets. I’ve been to most of the places listed below, but not at Christmas! So, if you’re headed that way this year, be sure to make a stop in to see these beautiful cities as their Christmas Markets are some of the most idolized and famous ones in Europe!
**Related post: Read about our summer road trip through the Balkans here
8. Innsbruck, Austria
For those looking to cross the border and head outside of Italy, Innsbruck is one of the most picturesque towns with a beautiful Christmas Market. It’s an easy drive from Vicenza or a great train ride from just about anywhere in Europe. The city of Innsbruck itself has multiple Christmas Markets in different squares, but I recommend the Old Town Christmas Market.
Opening Times:
15 November – 23 December 2018
Daily Hours 11:00 – 21:00
Website:
Visit here
9. Salzburg, Austria
At the tip-top of my list for Austria is Salzburg, a place I’ve only seen in photos and dream of going to this Christmas! Plus, Austria is beautiful seriously any time of the year. If you don’t believe me, look here!
Opening Times:
22 November – 26 December 2018
Monday – Thursday 10:00 – 20:30
Friday 10:00 – 21:00
Saturdays & Holidays 9:00 – 21:00
Sunday 9:00 – 20:30
Special Opening Times:
7 December 10:00 – 21:00
24 December 9:00 – 15:00
25 December 11:00 – 18:00
26 December 11:00 – 18:00
Website:
Visit here
10. Prague, Czech Republic
I went on a solo trip to Prague in April of this year and caught just the end of the Easter Market. It was phenomenal. I can only imagine what the Christmas Market will be like!
Opening Times:
1 December – 6 January
Stands with Products: 10:00 – 22:00
Stands with Refreshments: 10:00 – 24:00
Website:
Visit here
I hope you found this post informative and make it to visit these incredible Christmas Markets in Italy and surrounding areas. If you do, send me a picture or tag me in it on Instagram! I’d love to see where my posts take you.
Do you have any other suggestions for MUST SEES this upcoming holiday? Let me know in the comments below.
3 Comments
Sarah
Great suggestions. I love a good Christmas market. I’ve never actually been to one in Italy though, so should probably add that to my bucket list. If you are wandering into Austria, Vienna is definitely also worth a visit. Will be heading there again this December for a mother daughter weekend. Can’t wait.
Summer
Hope you get the chance to visit an Italian one! Thanks for the tip, we’ll have to stop at Vienna along the way.
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