Visiting Europe for a Christmas market is a tradition many Britons enjoy. The first Christmas markets originated in German-speaking parts of Europe, and the custom largely evolved from Germany. And while German Christmas markets are often thought of as the best, it is a festive market in France that has been named the top option for Britons to visit this year.A new study by European travel specialist Tollwayr has ranked the continent’s Christmas markets for UK travellers in 2025, with Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik coming in first. This was based on a range of factors, including the number of days open, average accommodation prices, the lowest average flight costs from the UK, Google searches and the number of Instagram and TikTok posts.Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik topped the list | VISIT ALSACETop Christmas Markets in EuropeStrasbourg Christkindelsmärik, FranceBudapest Vörösmarty Square, HungaryVienna Christkindlmarkt, AustriaPrague Old Town Market, Czech RepublicParis Christmas Markets, FranceCraiova Christmas Market, RomaniaFrankfurt Christmas Market, GermanyCologne Weihnachtsmarkt, GermanyBrussels Winter Wonders, BelgiumMunich Christkindlmarkt, GermanyFrance’s market received an overall score of 6.83/10 – the highest on the list. This was largely thanks to its online popularity, with the most Google searches (27,000) and the largest number of Instagram posts (36,800).CEO of Tollwayr, Mattijs Wijnmalen, said: “The Christmas market experience always makes the season so much more special and magical, and British travellers are looking beyond the UK for variety in their festive cheer. “Strasbourg reigns supreme, holding the top spot for its authentic Alsatian Christmas charm, accessibility from UK airports, and strong visitor engagement. For social media-savvy travellers, Strasbourg’s and Prague’s Christmas markets rake in high numbers online.”The Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik has the highest number of Instagram posts, and Prague Old Town Market leads the pack for most TikTok posts. These make them perfect for taking the best holiday photos and videos for your feed.”While Frankfurt Christmas Market – the highest-ranking German option – came seventh, it offers the most affordable accommodation, at £68 for a three-star hotel.According to the experts, travel to the Craiova Christmas Market is the cheapest, also at around £68.Frankfurt Christmas Market ranked highest for Germany, and has rooms for £68 | VISIT FRANKFURTHolidaymakers hoping to extend the magic of Christmas might want to visit the longest-running markets: Budapest Vörösmarty Square and Craiova Christmas Market. Both are open for 52 days. Wijnmalen added: “An interesting thing to note is the range of options available. Paris, the city of lights, has markets that run for 51 days and offers flights from just £98. “There’s also Romania’s Craiova Christmas Market, which has flights from just £68 and runs for 52 days. These two are great options for travellers who want the magic but are still mindful of their budget.”With Christmas Day falling on a Thursday this year, Britons could be looking for new places to spend their long weekend. There are plenty of air travel options, but for those who prefer driving from the UK or hiring cars abroad, it’s worth noting which destinations require vignettes, such as Budapest, Vienna, Prague, and Craiova. “Make sure to include this in your travel plans and arrangements in advance, so you avoid cross-border hassles and your festive getaway is seamless.”