It’s almost December, meaning ‘tis the season of mulled wine, mince pies, and twinkling fairy lights. And there’s no better way to immerse yourself in the festive spirit than a trip to the Christmas markets.
While the UK has its fair share of festive fayres, there’s one place in France that has been dubbed the ‘capital of Christmas’ — it’s well worth a trip, with return flights costing around £150 (and one-way, as little as £60).
Every November, the centre of Strasbourg transforms into a fairytale winter paradise, with over 300 charming wooden chalets and elaborately decorated streets.
Home to one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, it dates back to 1570 and for over 450 years, it’s maintained its festive charm.
Today, over 2 million visitors from across the globe head to the market in northeastern France for its ‘magical’ atmosphere, which has been described as a Christmas-time ‘must-see’.
Looking to feel festive and want to know what the fuss is all about? Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip.
How to get to Strasbourg
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Located in eastern France, at the border with Germany in the historic region of Alsace, Strasbourg is easily reachable from the UK.
Just over an hour and a half flight from London Gatwick, the cheapest return tickets in late November will set you back just over £150 with easyJet.
The cheapest seats we could find will see you flying out on Wednesday, November 26 – the day the market opens – and back on Saturday, November 29.
You could also fly into the nearby airport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, just a 90-minute drive from the city – with return flights starting from £57 via Ryanair over the festive period also being shown on Skyscanner.
Alternatively, you could fly to Paris, with flights from London starting at £45 in December, and take an hour and a half train to Strasbourg.
If you fancy going by rail, you can get a direct Eurostar train to Paris from London St Pancras International, then carry on to Strasbourg on another train.
Willing to be flexible on your December dates? You could snag a London to Paris return ticket from £140, then continue on by train from there.
Booking via Eurostar direct to Strasbourg sees tickets start at £200 for a one-way fare in December. However, it’s always worth heading to the Eurostar website to see if they have a deal on.
What to see at Strasbourg Christmas markets
Every year, the Christmas markets light up the city of Strasbourg for four weeks. This year, things get underway on November 26 and finish up on December 24.
One of the city’s most popular attractions during the festive period is Maroquin Street (Rue du Maroquin), also known as the teddy bear street.
In the run-up to Christmas, storefronts are decked out to the max with decorations. Dozens of giant baubles, wreaths, Christmas trees and stars dangle from the walls next to huge teddies.
It is, as you can probably imagine, all over TikTok.
Another worthy attraction is the Grand Christmas Tree in the heart of the city, at Place Kleber. Standing at 30 metres high, the ‘majestic’ and ‘glittering’ tree is one of the tallest decorated natural Christmas trees in Europe.
The Christmas in Alsace website describes it as ‘the star of the Alsatian Christmas’ and claims ‘seeing it for the first time is truly a moment of wonder’.
Strasbourg’s market stalls are dotted around the entire city, with the majority of the wooden chalets located at Place Broglie and around the cathedral (Place de la Cathedrale).
You’ll find plenty of food on offer and since it’s so close to the German border, much of what’s available stems from German culinary traditions, from Bretzels to Bratwurst.
The city also holds the OFF Market, which focuses on sustainability. Here visitors can find recycled and fair-trade products and gifts.
Where to stay in Strasbourg
The Petite France quarter is a popular choice for tourists. Described as the city’s most ‘picturesque district’, it boasts cobblestone streets, canals and half-timbered homes.
The Cour du Corbeau, a four-star hotel, sits in this area and is just a stone’s throw from the cathedral, away from the Christmas markets.
The 16th-century building is one of the oldest hotels in Europe, and its top-floor suites look out across the medieval rooftops. Prices start at £460 per night based on two people sharing midweek in December.
Hotel du Dragon also sits in this district. The four-star hotel lies inside a 17th-century building, just a five-minute walk from the city’s main attractions. Prices start at £340 per night in December.
For those on a tighter budget, there are plenty of chain hotels, including Ibis and Hilton, starting from around £140 per night.
Hotel de l’Orangerie, in the city’s European Quarter, is another wallet-friendly option, with prices starting at £105 per night in December.
More Europe travel inspiration from Metro
- This is what it’s really like to sleep in a snow hotel
- The ‘peaceful’ Mediterranean city with £26 flights and November highs of 22°C
- One of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods is just a £43 train from London
- Italy’s ‘oasis of tranquility’ is a hidden gem with return flights for £33
- Why the ‘Venice of France’ is the best city you’ve never heard of
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This article was originally published in November 2024 and has been updated.
