A jetsetter’s guide to the best Christmas shopping in the world

There’s something undeniably magical about Christmas and how it’s celebrated around the globe. While people revel in the season uniquely, festive shopping is one aspect shared worldwide. So, plan a trip to any of these atmospheric destinations to enjoy a spot of Christmas shopping at street markets – we’re diving into a few of the classics, as well as some lesser-known but no-less special picks.

Our 13 top destinations for Christmas shopping at street markets

In need of a few unusual gifts for your nearest and dearest? Want to plan a unique festive break but feeling stuck for ideas? Arm yourself with an empty suitcase and get set for some serious retail therapy when you go Christmas shopping at these street markets. Our guide is in no specific order, and each market promises something unique and memorable, making them all worth a visit.

Advent Bazilika, Budapest, Hungary

Woven into the heart of Budapest and framed by the arresting St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Advent Bazilika Christmas market will leave you breathless. Famous as one of the most beautiful in Europe, what’s on offer, shopping-wise, is second to none.

Also known as the Advent Feast at the Basilica, the biggest giveaway for what awaits is hidden in its very name. A feast of epic proportions. Wandering its lanes, sweet and savory scents fill the air, leading to countless Hungarian Christmas delicacies. You’ll find something for everyone, from their delectable chimney cakes with mulled wine to goulash and strudel.

The market also brims with dozens of vendors selling various handcrafted goods. Artisans from around the country bring their best, from intricate one-of-a-kind ornaments to traditional seasonal clothing.

Chichicastenango, Guatemala

Those with a wanderlust for a more off-the-beaten-path festive shopping experience should look no further than Chichicastenango in Guatemala. An explosion of color awaits at this historic market, which overtakes the hilltop town every Thursday and Sunday morning.

It’s an impressive place to immerse yourself in the area’s Mayan culture, as many vendors come to sell their wares from the surrounding villages.

Anything you could ever want is available, emphasizing textiles, Mayan handicrafts, and paintings, making truly remarkable Christmas presents. With clothing, shoes, jewelry, and many opportunities to sample local street snacks, it’s a slice of authentic Central America.

Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin, Germany

For a quintessential winter wonderland template that’s always a surefire recipe for success, it’s the WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin, Germany‘s capital. Ranked as one of the world’s best Christmas markets, its festive atmosphere will stay with you long after your visit.

Held within the borders of Babelplatz, among the city’s most picturesque public squares, the holiday market sets up an international stage for the best in fine dining, arts, and crafts. Roam from stall to stall as glass blowers, goldsmiths, candle makers, tailors, wood carvers, and other exhibitors bring a grand display with a luxurious spin on Christmas shopping.

Alongside the blissfully off-kilter artisanal artworks, there’s a world of culinary treats highlighting traditional Bavarian and Austrian cuisine. It’s easy to stumble upon more than a few Bohemian and Berlin specialties and plenty of mulled wine.

Mutrah Souq, Muscat, Oman

While Christmas isn’t an official holiday in Oman, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season. Here, you won’t find traditional Christmas markets, so the perfect way to shop is the way local people do.

Take your festive shopping to Mutrah Souq, one of the oldest marketplaces in Arabia. It offers a dizzying array of exotic goods, from spices to kuma, the traditional, embroidered Omani hats worn by men. The souq is locally known as Al Dhalam, which means ‘darkness’ in Arabic, as the covered corridors don’t let daylight in.

It sounds claustrophobic, but you will be so entranced by the jewel-colored trinkets and textiles that you won’t notice. Look out for renowned Omani silver and frankincense, two authentic local products.

Kejetia Market, Kumasi, Ghana

Relocated into a vast new purpose-built hangar, the Kejetia market in Ghana hasn’t lost any of its ramshackle charm and has gained welcome shade from the new roof and a less chaotic layout.

From afar, the building resembles an alien mothership, but within, there are about 11,000 stalls, making this one of the largest in West Africa. All the classic African souvenirs are on sale here, so look for colorful kente cloth and a wide range of Ashanti crafts.

At such a vast size, this is a massive complex of shopping potential come Christmas time. That said, wandering the market can easily cause sensory overload, yet the atmosphere catches your attention and eases you into the flow of things.

Fira de Santa Llucia, Barcelona, Spain

Alongside the sheer joy that Christmas markets bring to cities, they also, more often than not, carry decades of history with them as well. Dating back to 1786, Fira de Santa Llucia, held in Barcelona, is a shining example of this.

While it began as a one-day event, it has since become a three-week Christmas extravaganza that embraces the season in distinctly Spanish style—perched directly in front of Barcelona Cathedral, its alleyways brim with around 300 stalls every year, where you can find everything and anything you want.

Kicking off in late November and running until Christmas Eve, the festival features typical festive decorations, nativity figurines, and other handicrafts. Other vendors, however, showcase exquisitely made one-off items ranging from musical instruments to jewelry.

Vienna Christmas Market, Vienna, Austria

Few cities in the world truly steep themselves in the spirit of Christmas as deeply as Vienna, Austria, does, and that sets quite the expectation. Luckily, the Vienna Christmas Market is one of many holiday attractions that testify to this.

What sets this market apart is how it encapsulates the entire city in some way, shape, or form. Stalls and vendors burst from around every corner of the festival grounds, which span a few city blocks.

Offering everything you could imagine and then some, you’ll quickly stumble on cultural items, seasonal treats, and picturesque decorations. With the Vienna City Hall as a majestic backdrop, indulge in roasted chestnuts and mulled wine as dazzling light displays illuminate the night sky.

Gdańsk Christmas market, Gdańsk, Poland

Held within the city’s historic Old Town, the Gdańsk Christmas market has risen to fame as one of the best holiday markets in Europe. And, rightfully so. Running from the end of November until just before Christmas Eve, if there’s one place in Poland to go Christmas shopping at street markets, it’s here.

Encompassing five areas of the district that are conveniently right next to one another, almost 200 stalls and vendors line the streets. From the Christmas pyramid at the Foregate, where delicious mulled wine flows, to the artisanal stalls covering every inch of Bogusławskiego Street, there’s a gift for every taste.

Head for The Coal Mine, home to a majority of the food stalls for the market. Beyond eating and drinking, souvenir shopping takes center stage at the Visit Gdańsk building, bursting with a vast selection of authentic Polish gifts.

Otavalo market, Ecuador

South America’s largest market takes place every Saturday (and to a lesser extent on Wednesdays) in the highland town of Otavalo, around two hours north of Quito. The market is remarkable for its indigent stallholders in traditional dress, many of whom travel from miles around to sell their wares.

The textiles, carved wooden items, and ceramics here are outstanding. Whatever you are hunting for, you will probably find it in this sprawling shopper’s heaven. Considering what’s on offer, visit the animal market, where most food vendors are, before diving into a treasure trove of potential Ecuadorian Christmas gifts.

Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, Prague, Czech Republic

Few cities lend themselves to Christmas as well as Prague, and with both of its most popular Christmas markets within five minutes walking distance of each other, it’s a showstopper.

At the heart of Old Town Square, a Christmas tree of glorious scale is a mere taste of what awaits. Shopping here is a kaleidoscope of traditional Czech foods and crafts. Indulge in various trdelník pastries or opt for a more savory option, the klobása, a Czech sausage.

Moving on to Wenceslas Square, Prague’s visual spectacle for the season comes to fruition. Taking full advantage of the wintery conditions, the square is a show of dazzling lights and a host of captivating designer booths.

Christkindelsmarkt, Nuremberg, Germany

Another must-visit Christmas market in Germany, this time, the attention falls on the Christkindelsmarkt in Nuremberg. Being one of the oldest holiday markets in the world, it’s charmingly called “the little city of wood and cloth”.

In and around the city’s main square, the Hauptmarkt, you’ll find countless stalls and vendors peddling their wares in the shadow of an imposing medieval church. Expect to see a wide selection of handmade decorations and, of course, plenty of food options.

After spending time at Christkindelsmarkt, venture a few minutes north of the square to attend the Market of the Sister Cities. Here, retailers from the sister regions surrounding the city showcase their wares.

Night market at Luang Prabang, Laos

You’ve come to the wrong place if you are looking for something vast and bustling. But if it’s local handicrafts and a mellow atmosphere you’re after, this is the market for you, especially when holiday shopping.

Vendors set up shop at about 5 pm, arriving from the surrounding countryside to sell traditional attire, handicrafts, textiles, and accessories such as bags and purses. It is all uniquely Laotian and, overall, a pleasantly civilized experience.

Browsing the nearly 300 red and blue stalls, you’re bound to find the ideal souvenir, regardless of your budget, which makes the market even more of a fan-favorite.

Medina, Fez, Morocco

Labyrinthine and ancient, the medina of Fez is an adventure for the senses. Intricately tiled walls and elegant gateways are interspersed with dark and crumbling alleyways, where donkeys plod by and scooters buzz past.

Inside the medina are sectors specializing in certain goods, such as leather, spices, henna, musical instruments, and precious metals. Giving off a rough and raw atmosphere, this Christmas shopping takes what you know about the seasons and shakes things up. This happens in the best way possible, as Morocco’s culture is abundant on display.

Make it happen

Our knowledgeable local experts are ready to take you to these exciting markets around the world. Get in touch with them now for more tips to plan your next festive break, filled to the brim with Christmas shopping at street markets. Happy shopping!