Must-visit European Christmas markets with direct flights from Israel
Mulled wine, festive trinket stalls, snow and colorful holiday spirit—a few days in the Christmas market atmosphere can be a true tonic for the soul; here are the nearby holiday destinations still available on Ben Gurion Airport’s limited flight schedule
Vienna
Austria’s capital hosts the "Christkindlmarkt" Christmas Market at City Hall Square, featuring around 150 stalls offering artisanal items and unique decorations. The market sparkles with thousands of LED lights, and nearby Rathaus Park includes a Ferris wheel and carousels for children.
Dates: November 16 - December 26
Flights:From $270 with Arkia
Berlin
Berlin boasts around 80 Christmas markets, including the sprawling "Spandau" market and the charming "WeihnachtsZauber" market at Gendarmenmarkt, considered the city’s most beautiful. Nearby Nuremberg also holds a massive market in Hauptmarkt Square, with gift and decoration stalls.
Dates:November 24 - December 31
Flights:Israir from $402 (Dec 10-17)
Belgrade
The Serbian capital’s Christmas markets open in early December, running through January. The main market at Trg Republike Square features traditional food stalls and special events. Another vibrant market is located in Ranke Square, while Knez Mihailova Street comes alive with holiday decorations, stalls, and other attractions.
Flights:From $248 with El Al
Package:Eshet Tours offers a 3-night stay at the 4-star Mark Hotel with breakfast and transfers for $549 (Dec 13-16)
Batumi
The Georgian port city’s Christmas markets kick off on December 24, lasting until early January. The main market at Orlandi Square includes festive stalls and performances. Batumi’s promenade glows with holiday lights, food stalls, and activities along the shore, while Freedom Square also hosts a bustling holiday market.
Flights:Israir and El Al, starting from $187
Package:Eshet Tours offers a 4-night stay at the 5-star Welmond Hotel with breakfast and transfers for $494 (Dec 22-26)
Tbilisi
Georgia’s capital holds Christmas markets at First Republic Square, featuring theater performances, festive lighting, and stalls with Georgian food.
Dates: December 25 - January 14
Athens
Athens brings holiday spirit to December with Christmas markets, holiday trees, and small stalls. Syntagma Square hosts a towering Christmas tree and festive light displays.
Dates:Early December - December 31
Flights: Israir and Arkia, from $164
Prague
The Old Town Square in the Czech capital hosts a colorful Christmas market with roasted chestnuts, gingerbread, and mulled wine.
Dates:November 24 - January 6
Flights:Israir and Arkia, from $295
Budapest
Hungary’s capital features two main Christmas markets: one in Vörösmarty Square with free concerts, and another in front of the central basilica, offering mulled wine and traditional decorations.
Dates:November 17 - December 31
Flights: Israir and Arkia, from $329
Rome
Piazza Navona hosts Rome’s most popular Christmas market, with a variety of stalls, street musicians, and rides near Bernini’s Four Rivers Fountain. Other markets, such as the one at Piazza Mazzini, offer Italian sweets and toys.
Dates: December 1 - January 6
Flights:Israir and Arkia, from $347
Paris
The “Christmas Magic” market at the Tuileries Garden is a Parisian favorite, featuring an ice rink, Ferris wheel, and gift stalls.
Dates: November 16 - January 1, 2025
Flights: Arkia and El Al, from $785
Warsaw
In Poland’s capital, Christmas markets take place in the Old Town Square and the Praga district, offering wool sweaters, hats, and mulled wine for holiday cheer.
Dates:November 25 - January 6
Flights:Israir and El Al, from $307
Krakow
The market in Krakow’s Main Square (Rynek Glowny) showcases handmade crafts, unique gifts, and ice skating near the Ethnographic Museum.
Dates:November 24 - January 1
Flights: El Al, from $281
Amsterdam
Amsterdam features two main Christmas markets: the “Amsterdam Winter Paradise” in RAI Square with a Ferris wheel and skating rinks, and the “Amsterdam Christmas Market” at Westergas with food trucks and music.
Dates:November 15 - January 5
Flights: El Al, from $679
Brussels
Brussels’ magical Christmas market at Grand Place offers stalls, music, and other holiday attractions.
Dates: November 25 - January 1
Flights:El Al, from $1,256
London
London’s Hyde Park hosts Winter Wonderland, an iconic Christmas market with rides, skating, and an ice bar. Additional markets include those at Leicester Square and the South Bank’s Christmas By The River.
Dates:November 18 - January 2
Flights: Israir, from $600 (late November)
Madrid
Madrid’s Plaza Mayor Christmas market, with about 104 stalls, offers festive atmosphere and special lighting in central plazas.
Dates:November 29 - December 31
Flights: Air Europa, from $389
'Dozens of foreign airlines are not currently operating out of Ben Gurion Airport. This has had a major impact on ticket prices since it means fewer budget flights to Europe as in previous years.'
Shirley Cohen Orkaby, deputy CEO of Eshet Tours, told Ynet that “this time of year is indeed when Europe transforms into a magical winter wonderland with beautiful Christmas markets and a joyful holiday atmosphere. New popular destinations for Israelis this year include Belgrade, Batumi, Tbilisi, and Montenegro, known for their vibrant nightlife and welcoming atmosphere.”
Yoni Waxman, Deputy Chair of Ophir Tours, added, “We’re seeing a steady increase in demand for Christmas holidays in Europe. It has become a tradition for many Israelis eager to experience European charm at this time of year. Christmas markets open as early as November, allowing travelers to plan ahead and save. Each city’s market opens on different dates—Vienna, Prague, and Berlin kick off earlier, while Paris and Amsterdam open a bit later. Our recommendation is to check market opening dates for the chosen destination before booking flights and hotels. This ensures not only an optimal holiday experience but also substantial travel savings.”
Yaniv Lanis, founder of Secret Flights, told Ynet, “Winter flight schedules took effect last week, and dozens of foreign airlines are not currently operating out of Ben Gurion Airport. This has had a major impact on ticket prices since it means fewer budget flights to Europe as in previous years. With reduced options, prices are high, and some flights are already fully booked with no seats left. I recommend booking early with Israeli airlines, as they tend to continue operating in nearly all circumstances.”
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