Wizz Air reveals Europe’s least crowded Christmas Markets

Europe is residence to widespread Christmas market locations like Berlin, Vienna, and Prague, but it surely additionally boasts many quieter, underrated markets that provide distinctive, native experiences with out the bustling vacationer crowds. While winter’s peak brings a festive, energetic ambiance to most markets, it will probably additionally imply packed areas.

So which markets are the hidden gems, and the place are you able to expertise them with out the frenzy? Wizz Air has curated a listing of Europe’s least crowded Christmas markets, excellent on your subsequent festive getaway.

To establish essentially the most and least crowded Christmas markets, Wizz Air analyzed over 35 widespread European markets from varied sources. They used a Keyword Tool to evaluate every vacation spot’s reputation, specializing in searches for ‘[Destination] Christmas Market’  on Instagram, TikTook, and Google, together with Google searches for ‘flights to [Destination]. from October to December 2023.

András Rado, Head of Communications, Government and Public Affairs, commented on the findings, “While many people could also be reluctant to half with the solar, sand, and sea, winter metropolis breaks—particularly these centred round Christmas markets—are extremely widespread. When pondering of those markets, cities like Prague, Munich, and Vienna usually come to thoughts.

“However, Wizz Air aims to help travellers discover Europe’s lesser-known winter treasures. From the charming stalls of a quaint market in Romania to the festive ambience of a hidden market in Poland, there are countless unique Christmas experiences where you can truly immerse yourself in the holiday spirit, away from the bustling crowds.”

Top 10 underrated Christmas markets in Europe

1. Saranda Christmas Market, Saranda, Albania – sixth December 2024 to 2nd January 2025

Our research revealed that the Saranda Christmas Market in Saranda, Albania, is Europe’s most underrated festive market. With simply 900 on-line searches, this Yuletide occasion has lower than 1500 instances the searches of the preferred market.

While Albania is usually celebrated as a summer season paradise, its winter allure could shock you. Saranda’s Christmas Market, although smaller than lots of its extra well-known counterparts, affords a comfortable ambiance that highlights the area’s wealthy tradition and heat hospitality. It’s a singular expertise that invitations you to discover a distinct facet of Albania through the vacation season!

2. Esslingen Christmas and Medieval Market, Esslingen, Germany – twenty sixth November to twenty second December 2024

Next on our record, is the the mediaeval city of Esslingen, Germany. With on-line searches for this historic market low with simply 3,470, you may make sure you get the very best spot to marvel at expert glass blowers and blacksmiths as they craft festive items. You may even take a few of Germany again with you as a bunch of festive workshops can be happening all through.

3. Sibiu Christmas Market, Sibiu, Romania – fifteenth November 2024 to fifth January 2025

Taking third place is the Sibiu Christmas Market in Sibiu, Romania, with 4,620 on-line searches. Set within the coronary heart of Transylvania’s picturesque mountains, this festive celebration takes over the historic Great Square every year. Running from November fifteenth to January fifth, the Sibiu Christmas Market affords an prolonged vacation season, providing you with loads of time to expertise its allure.

In fourth place was one other Romanian Christmas Market, this time within the metropolis of Craiova with 6,000 on-line searches. Known for its beautiful gentle shows and festive ambiance, this market transforms the town’s central sq. right into a winter wonderland from the fifteenth of November 2024 to the fifth of January 2025.

Gdańsk, Poland got here in fifth place. Located within the picturesque Targ Węglowy Square, the honest affords guests a magical ambiance with festive decorations, twinkling lights, and a towering Christmas tree from the twenty second of November to the twenty third of December 2024.

Top 10 Most Overcrowded Christmas Markets in Europe

Whether you benefit from the energetic buzz of a bustling Christmas market or need to keep away from the busiest ones, we’ve listed the highest 10 hottest markets beneath.