This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK).

Christmas isn’t the same without visiting a festive market, fragrant with sweet spices and alive with the chatter of friends and families. Rediscover their magic — and the romance of rail — across Europe this winter with a handful of the continent's best, each one less than five hours away from London terminals by train.

1. Edinburgh, Scotland

St Andrew Square, George Square, Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens, 15 November 2025 – 4 January 2026

Edinburgh’s festive market beat 65 others in 2021 to the title of Europe’s Best Christmas Market — trouncing Manchester and Prague because of its popularity on Instagram, length of days and the average nightly price of a three- and four-star hotel in the city. Missed it?

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