8 of the best Christmas markets in Europe and 5 to visit in Ireland

Europe’s Christmas markets are within reach again. Jillian Bolger selects her favourites, while Denise O’Donoghue has some options closer to home

Munich sparkles in the run-up to Christmas, with more than 20 festive markets dotted throughout

Travel is well and truly open, and while a few destination Christmas markets have been Covid casualties for a second successive year, most of the main markets are back in action.

While the Swiss, Austrian, and German markets are always popular, Yvonne Boyle, commercial director of Travel Department reports that Irish travellers are favouring niche destinations like Transylvania and Lake Garda this year.