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Best sunny christmas destinations

Best Sunny Christmas markets in Europe 2022

You love Christmas garlands and decorated streets but you hate being cold, facing an icy wind, or walking on slippery streets? What about a new experience this year?

 

Treat yourself to a city break in one of the best sunny destinations in Europe to celebrate Christmas in 2022. Leave your woollen hats at home and enjoy sunny Christmas markets from Barcelona to Madeira.  

 

Discover the best sunny markets in Europe and book your flights, accommodation as well as your tours & activities at the best price. 

 


Best sunny Christmas Markets in Europe Funchal Christmas Market  - European Best Destinations
Copyright Visit Madeira

1. Madeira

 Portugal

Madeira celebrates to the fullest the arrival of Christmas season, with a traditional Christmas market, held in Avenida Arriaga central walkways, at the heart of its main capital – Funchal.

 

Discover the variety of products in display, exotic flowers and other traditional souvenirs, while experiencing and tasting some of the typical delicacies and drinks of this season, while enjoying the merriment and a very welcoming ambience.

 

Partake in the glee of this season festivities, enjoy the daily activities and entertainment shows, such as Christmas Carols and performances by folklore groups. 

 

Book your flights to Funchal Airport as well as your Christmas accommodation in Madeira and your tours & activities in Madeira as a "Dolphin & Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise".

 

Opening dates: From 1st December 2022 to 8th January 2023.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Madeira and your transfer.

 

Where to stay:  "Quinta da Casa Branca". Set within subtropical gardens.

 


malaga-best-sunny-christmas-destinations-europe
Copyright Matthieu Cadiou / European Best Destinations

2. Malaga

Spain

Malaga is one of the trendiest destinations in Europe. This sparkling and surprising city is a mix of everything you love: sun, beach, culture, authenticity, tradition, shopping.

 

In winter, Malaga is not content with just one small Christmas market in the shade of palm trees but the city has several Christmas markets. Malaga is also known for the quality of its Christmas lights, (among the most beautiful Christmas lights in Europe).

 

Do not waste time, take your sunglasses, sunscreen and a Santa hat with you and book your flights, youraccommodation as well as your tours and activities in Malaga as a a "Sunset Sailing Catamaran Trip"  for a winter holiday in sunny Malaga.

 

Opening dates: From 25th November 2022 to 5th January 2023.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Malaga.

 

Where to stay:  "Malaga Premium Hotel". Located in a pedestrian street in the heart of Malaga.  

 


Best Sunny Christmas destinations in Europe - Madrid Christmas Market  - European Best Destinations
Mattia Bicchi

3. Plaza Mayor's Mercado de Navidad

Madrid - Spain

If Madrid is a little colder in winter (10 degrees on average compared to 17 in Malaga), the Spanish capital offers one of the most beautiful Christmas markets, the "Mercado de Navidad de Plaza Mayor".

 

You will be spoiled for choice: 4 Christmas markets are spread throughout the city but the "Mercado de Navidad de Plaza Mayor" is the most beautiful Christmas market in Spain with its handmade gifts, regional delicacies, local and national specialties. Forget about the traditional mulled wine and treat yourself to a glass of Cava, (the Spanish champagne), in one of the most beautiful squares in the world.

 

Book your flights and accommodation at the best price as well as your tours and activities in Madrid  such as a "Toledo tour with wine tasting".

 

Opening dates: From 25th November to 31st December 2022.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Madrid and your transfer.

 

Where to stay:  "Artrip Hotel". Stay in the heart of Madrid.

 


Best sunny Christmas destinations in Europe - Nice Christmas Market - European Best Destinations
Copyright Francesco Bonino

4. Nice

Provence - France

Open daily from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm (9:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays), the Christmas Village includes sixty chalets displaying a lange range of craft products on a Christmas theme, a "tasting" area, a skating-rink, a ferris wheel, the house of Father Christmas and shows for children.

 

Book your flights and accommodation at the best price as well as your tours and activities in Barcelona such as a "Private Barcelona Foodie, Picasso & Art Tour".

 

Opening dates: From 1st December 2022 to 1st January 2023.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Nice Airport and your transfer.

 

Where to stay: "La Riviera Collection". The Christmas Market is 1km away.

 


Best sunny Christmas destinations in Europe - Barcelona Christmas Market - European Best Destinations
Copyright Vitaly Karyakin

5. Fira de Santa Llucia

Barcelona - Spain

This may be hard to believe but the Barcelona Christmas market called the Fira  de Santa Llúcia is one of the oldest in Europe. The best craftsmen in Barcelona and Catalonia have been presenting visitors their products for nearly 250 years now. You will see beautiful illuminations, Nativity scenes, hand-made local products but also a plant market, (the temperatures are mild in Barcelona in winter).

 

The Fira  de Santa Llúcia  takes place on the "Avenida de la Catedral" in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter.

 

Book your flights and accommodation at the best price as well as your tours and activities in Barcelona such as a "Private Barcelona Foodie, Picasso & Art Tour".

 

Opening dates: From 25th November to 23rd December 2022 (TBC).

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Barcelona.

 

Where to stay: "Hotel Barcelona Center". Situated in the real heart of Barcelona.

 


Best sunny christmas destinations in Europe - Milan Christmas Market - European Best Destinations
Milan Turismo

6. Milan

Italy

An outdoor seasonal event with over 60 market huts spread around the magnificent Duomo of Milan dedicated to traditional Christmas products (Xmas decorations, baubles for the tree, nativity cribs, Befana stockings for the Epiphany and so on).

 

festive market that joyfully combines culture, tradition, taste and discovery: besides guaranteeing the excellent quality and variety of food, it will enable visitors to rediscover the many artisans who will create and exhibit their artistic wares.

 

Don’t miss out on the fun workshop activities and entertainment for kids, charity initiatives and lots, lots more. 

 

 Opening dates: From 25th November 2022 to 6th January 2023 (TBC).

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Milan as well as your accommodation and tours & activities

 

Where to stay: "Odsweet Duomo", 200m from the Christmas Market.

 


Best sunny Christmas destinations in Europe - Copyright katatonia82
Copyright katatonia82

7. Seville

Spain

Located in the centre of the city of Seville, at the foot of the Cathedral, you will find everything you need for your Christmas gifts but also delicatessen, local wines, to taste on the spot or take away, souvenirs…

 

Book your flights and accommodation at the best price as well as your tours and activities in Seville such as a "Flamenco show with drink".

 

Opening dates: From 25th December 2022 to 6th January 2023.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Seville.

 

Where to stay: "Fontecruz Sevilla Seises" located just 150 m from Sevilla Cathedral

 


Best sunny christmas destinations in Europe - Copyright AWP76 r - European Best Destinations
Copyright AWP76 r

8. Granada

Spain

There are several Christmas markets in Granada. The first one opens on December 1st and all the Christmas markets in Granada close around January 6th. Come and enjoy some local specialties such as "Pan Cadiz" or "Polvoron de Jijona", you will also discover street shows, many activities for young and old.

 

The Granada Christmas Market is situated on Plaza Bib Rambla next to the Cathedral.

 

Book your flights and accommodation at the best price as well as your tours and activities in Granada such as an Alhambra Tour.

 

Opening dates: From 1st December 2022 to 6th January 2023 (TBC).

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Granada.

 

Where to stay:  "Shine Albayzin". One of our top picks in Granada.

 


Best sunny christmas destinations in Europe - Bilbao Christmas Market - European Best Destinations
pablobueno

9. Bilbao 

Spain

Bilbao is a great place to celebrate Christmas. Bilbao, like the world´s most important cities, boasts a fantastic Christmas atmosphere and decorations. Its amazing Christmas lights and the many activities surprise its citizens and visitors. 

 

One of the shopping highlights are the many Christmas markets that take place around the city Old Quarter and Bailén street. Wonder around them and let yourself be seduced by the Christmas spirit. Formed by close to 40 wooden stalls, Bilbao´s Christmas Markets offer a great variety of products: craftsmanship, Basque products, Christmas decorations and of course, gastronomy. It´s a well-known fact throughout the world that when it comes to gastronomy, Bilbao and the Basque County are highly regarded.

 

Opening dates: From 5th December 2022 to 5th January 2023 (To Be Confirmed).

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Bilbao, accommodationtours and activities

 

Where to stay: "Hotel Tayko Bilbao" 400 m from the Christmas Market.

 


 

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