Anyone who’s ever visited Prague will agree – there’s a fairytale-like magic to the city that lends itself perfectly to Christmas. The city’s two main markets in old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are only five minutes’ walk from each other and definitely conquerable in one hit. Visitors can grab a klobása (Czech sausage) and wash it down with a Pilsner Urquell in the afternoon, then hang around for the main tree to be lit up on Old Town Square.

Running from late November until Christmas eve, the Piazza Santa Croce market is the perfect place to pick up stocking fillers and treats while soaking up the ambience of Florence’s historic city centre. It draws on the tradition of German markets – with the typical small wooden houses – and offers different items from crafts to food products, small furniture and Christmas decorations. For an added yuletide vibe, head to Piazza del Duomo for the nativity scene and Christmas tree, lit up on December 8 as part of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

There are plenty of Christmas Markets to choose from in the German capital, but if you only have time for one, make a beeline for Gendarmenmarkt. The imposing architecture of the Deutscher Dom and Französischer Dom loom over lovingly decorated wooden huts. In the market’s large crafts’ tent, visitors can see wood carvers, belt makers, dress makers, comb makers and other craftspeople make their wares in real time. Not far away, talented graphic artists, photographers, stonemasons and painters display their works. Be sure to check out the nightly concerts, ranging from a cappella performances to jazz.

Claiming to be Europe’s ‘capital of Christmas’, Strasbourg is home to one of the oldest Christmas markets, the Christkindelsmärik, which was first held in 1570. With its 300 stalls, spread out over 12 locations in the city centre, the authenticity, warmth and generosity of Strasbourg at Christmas form an Alsatian tradition that has been successfully maintained ever since. Explore arts and crafts, pick up some traditional Alsatian Christmas decorations or, if food’s your thing, tuck into some local culinary specialities.

The Austrian capital’s first Christmas Market was held in 1298 and today the city has more than 20 events to choose from. The piece de resistance is the Viennese Christmas Market in front of City Hall, with more than 151 stalls plus a huge ice-rink for skating, reindeer rides for kids and a classic nativity scene. On the ground floor of the City Hall is an area dedicated to children where they can learn how to make Christmas cookies or candles. You can also listen to international choirs singing carols with free entrance on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.