Travel Director Tim’s Ultimate Souvenir Guide to Europe’s Christmas Market Destinations

From mid-November, Europe starts to get distinctively twinklier. Across cobbled streets and market squares from Kraków to Zurich market stalls start popping up like illuminated toadstools, adorned with festive lights, trinkets and edible treats. It is the season of glüwein, nutcrackers and Christmas cheer, when Europe’s most picturesque cities become real-life snow globe scenes – and the Christmas markets are at the heart of it all. But with such a profusion of festive mementos on offer – from wearable light-up reindeer antlers to hand-crafted cuckoo clocks – it can be tricky to know how to best spend your souvenir budget.

Travel Director Tim Pendlebury knows Europe (and it’s Christmas markets) like the back of his hand.

That’s why we’ve enlisted the help of Travel Director Tim Pendlebury, who has over a decade’s worth of experience of leading Insight Vacations groups around Europe’s best and biggest Christmas markets. We asked him to select one or two souvenirs for each of Europe’s 9 Christmas market destinations that best represent each country’s traditional crafts and customs – and, crucially, that you’ll very likely be able to find at Christmas market stalls.

So, without further ado, here’s Tim’s ultimate souvenir guide to Europe’s Christmas market destinations:

1. Poland

“There are so many interesting things to find in Poland’s wonderfully traditional Christmas markets,” says Tim. “But one of my top picks would probably be Kraków Szopka, which are miniature Nativity scenes uniquely crafted from paper, wood and foils and combine the Nativity with the city’s architecture. The locals hold a competition in the first week of December and the city is adorned with these beautiful, bright nativity scenes. I’d also highly recommend picking up some oscypek cheese – it’s a traditional, firm smoked sheep’s cheese from the Tatra Mountains. The rind is intricately carved with a folk pattern – you can’t miss it- best eaten hot off the grill with some sweet cranberry jam!”

Kraków’s Rynek Główny square is the fairytale-like stage for the city’s Christmas market.

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2. Austria

“In Austria, hand-bound evergreen wreaths with four small candle holders are the quintessential souvenir. They’re laid flat and look charming and festive as the centre piece of a dinner table. Admittedly, they’re not the easiest things to transport back home – and you must check with your home country’s customs regulations before you pack it into your suitcase. Otherwise, pick up a wooden Krampus mask – devilish, folkloric and darkly whimsical – are unique to Austrian and Bavarian culture.”

3. France

“Christmas markets in the Alsace region of France can feel quite similar to those across the border in Germany, but there are some notable differences. For one, the gingerbread you’ll find in France is less of a cookie, and more like a cake in texture. Called pain d’epices (or ‘spiced bread’), it is sweetened with honey and spiced with aniseed, cinnamon and cloves. For a unique local souvenir, look for ‘etoiles en paille’, which are small, decorative stars made out of straw to add rustic, folksy charm to your Christmas tree.”

France’s Alsace region is famous for its chocolate-box medieval buildings

4. Germany

“Germany is arguably the home of the European Christmas market, hosting the most Christmas markets of any country in the world with up to 3,000 during the holiday season. It’s also home to the oldest Christmas market in the world: Striezelmarkt in Dresden, which has been running since 1434. When it comes to authentic local gifts, there’s not much you can’t find in Germany – but for a truly unique and show-stopping souvenirs, pick up an authentic Black Forest cuckoo clock from Freiburg’s charming huddle of stalls. My favourite Christmas gifts and souvenirs from Germany- the famous hand carved wooden Christmas ornaments and Nutcrackers by Käthe Wohlfahrt who are based in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria, the home of Christmas!”

Germany’s Christmas markets are always visually spectacular.

5. Switzerland

When you picture Europe at its snow-dusted best, it’s hard to look past the Swiss Alps as the epitome of fairytale-like prettiness. What Switzerland might lack in the numbers of markets and their size, compared to countries like Germany and Austria, it more than makes up for with its sky-scraping backdrop of ice-white mountain peaks. As for souvenirs with a uniquely Swiss twist, you’ll find brass-plated cowbells of varying sizes, complete with hand-stitched leather collars. Or you might find a stall selling carved wood Nutcracker figurines with Swiss motifs, which are less mass-produced than typical tourist versions. Or keep an eye out for Swiss beeswax candles – warm, fragrant and very Swiss.

6. Czech Republic (Prague and Beyond)

“There’s something truly enchanting about the Czech Republic’s Christmas markets,” says Tim. “One of my favourite finds is hand-blown Bohemian glass ornaments. Prague has a centuries-long glassmaking tradition, and many stalls sell delicate baubles shaped and painted by artisans whose families have worked in the craft for generations. They’re vibrant, heirloom-quality pieces you’ll treasure long after the trip. I also love the hand-carved wooden toys and marionettes you’ll spot in Old Town Square. They’re whimsical, beautifully detailed, and wonderfully Czech – a nod to the country’s long love affair with puppetry. And whatever you do, don’t leave without trying trdelník hot off the spit. Not exactly a souvenir, but absolutely an essential festive treat!”

Prague’s baroque architecture adds to the fairytale atmosphere at Christmas.

7. Croatia

“Zagreb’s Christmas markets have such a warm, homely charm,” Tim says. “One thing I always encourage travellers to look for is licitar hearts – those bright red, intricately decorated gingerbread ornaments that are practically a symbol of the city. They’re handmade, totally traditional, and make brilliant keepsakes. Another favourite of mine is cravat-inspired crafts, a fun nod to Croatia as the birthplace of the necktie. You’ll see beautifully stitched textile pieces using the same historic patterns. And for something delicious to take home, try Croatian honey or rakija from small producers. Many vendors infuse rakija with festive flavours like fig, quince or herbs. It’s Croatia in a bottle – guaranteed to warm you up long after winter ends.”

Hot and sunny in the summer, at Christmas Croatian capital Zagreb is transformed into a winter wonderland.

8. Slovenia

“One of the most authentic souvenirs you’ll spot at Slovenia’s Christmas markets is Idrija lace,” says Tim. “It’s a UNESCO-protected craft made using centuries-old bobbin-lace techniques. Many stalls sell small lace ornaments or snowflake patterns perfect for a Christmas tree. You’ll also find beautifully carved wooden crafts from the Alpine regions, often featuring traditional motifs of mountains, shepherds or local folklore – they have a lovely rustic elegance. And I always look out for jars of Slovenian forest honey. Beekeeping is a huge part of Slovenian culture, and the honey – especially the dark, flavourful spruce variety – is exceptional. Paired with a festive pastry from the market, it’s the perfect taste of Slovenia to bring home.”

9. Slovakia

“In Slovakia, it’s in its capital Bratislava that you’ll find the best Christmas market. One of the most unmistakably Slovak souvenirs is modrotlač, an indigo-dyed textile decorated using centuries-old resist-printing techniques. You’ll often find it as table runners, scarves or small decorative pieces – it’s striking, authentic and wonderfully regional. I also love the hand-crafted wooden nativity figurines carved in the folk style of northern Slovakia; they have a simple warmth that feels timeless. And then there’s mead – medovina – which Slovaks have been making since the Middle Ages. Market stalls often sell bottles infused with cinnamon, clove or forest herbs. It makes a brilliant winter gift, or the perfect excuse to raise a festive toast when you’re back home.”

Bratislava is one of Europe’s most underrated Christmas destinations.