Last minute Christmas markets

This year, step up your game and fly out to one of the many beautiful markets easily reachable from London City Airport for the perfect weekend getaway. We’ve put together our top 4 destinations and some of the surprises you can find there! If you’re still not quite convinced, remember you’ve got a shopping list to get through, so really it’s a necessary trip…

Prague

30th November 2019 - 6th January 2020

With a towering Christmas tree and nativity scene right outside the scenic backdrop of the Church of Tyn, Prague Christmas markets are the perfect place to get photos with friends and family (or a selfie, the lighting is perfect!).

Don’t miss out on… Havel’s Christmas market, one of the oldest markets in Prague dating back to the 1200s, combines the touristy and traditional. Open all year round, it pulls out all the stops come Christmas and is a must in your list of places to visit in Prague during Christmas.

Look out for… Painted pottery, a traditional feature of not only Prague Christmas markets, but the city itself. Often adorned with detailed scenes from folklore, this is the perfect present for the fussy people on your shopping list. Just remember to wrap it well before your flight back...

Try… Trdelník, or chimney cake, a sweet treat you’ll find on a lot of Christmas stalls throughout Prague. You’ll find it in most places to eat in Prague as this caramelised sugar coated bread is loved by tourists and locals alike.

Explore a bit more… If you want a photo that looks like it’s from a dream, head over to St. Vitus Cathedral. Gargoyles sit around the turrets, watching over visitors, and in winter impressive icicles form, like a scene from Narnia.

Fly... This is the perfect place for an impromptu escape as we offer flights to Prague every day of the week except Saturdays. Flights leave just before lunch meaning you can be in Prague for evening in time to grab a drink in one of its many traditional markets.

Find out more: Check out our guide to Prague or browse for flights.

Frankfurt

25th November 2019 – 22th December 2019

A centre of business it may be, but Frankfurt goes just as all-in on Christmas as any other German city. Spread across five separate locations around the city, Frankfurt’s Christmas market is one of the biggest and oldest in Europe.

Don’t miss out on… The Grand Bell ringing of Frankfurt am Main, a city wide event with 10 churches. Starting at St.Paul’s Church, 50 bells bring the city to life in an enchanting performance that will make you feel as if you’ve walked onto a film set.

Look out for… The 300-year-old ‘honey house’ on the steps of St.Paul’s Square. This timber-framed building sells products made of local honey and beeswax, and is one of many historical places to visit at Frankfurt’s Christmas market.

Try… Traditional gingerbread pendants called Lebkuchen. You’ll see these intricately decorated cookies hanging from the eaves of most stalls in the Frankfurt Christmas markets. Often including charming messages, they make an endearing present, or just a tasty snack!

Explore a bit more… If you’re looking for a bit of magic, head to the town of Hanau just outside Frankfurt. As the birthplace of the Grimm brothers, it is home to a fairytale themed market. Relive your childhood as you twirl around a traditional carousel and explore scenes of the legendary tales...

Fly... Our flights to Frankfurt leave daily during the week, meaning it’s the perfect weekend getaway! With a flight time of only an hour and a half, you can leave on a spontaneous trip after work and be right in the heart of Frankfurt’s Christmas markets in no time.

Find out more: Check out our guide to Frankfurt or browse for flights.

Berlin

25th November 2019 - 29th December 2019

Come December, Christmas markets cover Berlin like a blanket of snow. There are over 80 markets to explore, each with their own enchanting personality and charm!

Don’t miss out on… The giant Rodelbahn (Luge) at Winter Welt in Potsdamer Platz. Race your friends down the slopes on a tire or glide (or wobble) across the ice rink - a fun way to burn off all those pretzels!

Look out for… Little rotating wooden decorations called Weihnachtspyramide, or Christmas pyramids. These intricately carved carousels spin using the warm air from a candle. Keep an eye out for the life size ones around Berlin Christmas markets, though they’re less likely to be turning (thankfully)!

Try… ‘Fire tong’ punch, or Feuerzangenbowle. Made by setting a rum soaked sugar cube on fire and letting it drip into mulled wine, its high alcohol content is sure to warm you up on a cold winter’s day.

Explore a bit more… Located on the outskirts of Berlin, the town of Spandau hosts Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market, deemed to be the most beautiful market around. With glassblowing and origami stands lit by over 1000 fairy lights, everything about this market is delicate and dream-like.

Fly… You can fly to Berlin from London City Airport on one of our four flights every week. If you decided on a weekend break, we can fly you out on a late afternoon flight on the Friday in time for suppertime in Berlin! Just one of the many surprises London City Airport has in store...

Find out more: Check out our guide to Berlin or browse for flights.

Warsaw

24th November 2019 - 6th January 2020

If you’re looking for a Christmas market surrounded by stunning historical settings, Warsaw Christmas market is the perfect destination for you. After exploring sights such as Warsaw Royal Castle, let the Christmas lights guide you around the beautiful markets surrounding it.

Don’t miss out on… The nativity scenes in local churches. Venture into Old Town to discover the wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary nativity scenes put on by each church. Children will love spotting all of the hidden little details in each scene as you stroll along with gluhwein in hand!

Look out for… A range of local woolen crafted items. This can be from fleeces to sheepskin slippers, popular with locals and tourists alike. If you’re really lucky, you’ll even be able to find some locally made alpaca wool and cashmere socks - you’ll have toasty feet in no time!

Try… Craft beers, especially Grzane Piwo. This quintessential Christmas market beverage, combines ginger syrup, clove, cinnamon and mulling spices to create that festive feeling in a cup. You can grab a pint at the many traditional stalls at the market. Bottoms up!

Explore a bit more… The Royal Garden of Light at Wilanów Palace is probably one of the most magical places to visit in Warsaw. Thousands of eco-friendly LED lights illuminate the gardens, often in storybook scenes. Wrap up warm and wind your way through the paths and tunnels of the Royal Garden.

Fly… Flights to Warsaw set off twice a day throughout the week, then one on Saturday mornings and another on Sunday evening. The flight is only two and a half hours, so the perfect amount of time to watch a Christmas film (or two!) before arriving in Warsaw.

Find out more: Check out our guide to Warsaw or browse for flights.