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Europe’s Most Instagrammable Christmas Markets 2025
The UK has 4 of the 10 most instagrammable Christmas markets in Europe for 2025. Discover where they are and see our full list to plan your festive escape.
Christmas markets are one of Europe’s most magical winter traditions – and in recent years, they’ve also become huge social media sensations.
From grand city-centre spectacles to fairy-tale old towns glittering under thousands of lights, some markets have become true icons of the season. They don’t just draw visitors; they dominate social feeds worldwide.
To uncover this year’s biggest festive hotspots for travelers, the Holafly research team analysed thousands of hashtags across Instagram in English and local languages, ranking Europe’s top markets by total hashtag volume.
Europe’s Top 5 Most Instagrammable Christmas Markets
1. Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb claims the top spot with an impressive 112,438 hashtags, cementing its status as Europe’s most Instagrammable Christmas market. Set across the city’s historic centre, the market transforms Zagreb into a glowing winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, ice sculptures, and charming wooden stalls. Its sprawling layout gives visitors endless photogenic backdrops, from Zrinjevac Park’s illuminated trees to Strossmayer Promenade’s sweeping city views.
2. Manchester, England
With 73,443 hashtags, Manchester’s Christmas market takes second place thanks to its impressive scale and atmosphere. Spread across several squares, the market is known for its iconic giant Santa, European-style chalets, and colourful light displays. The combination of bustling crowds, diverse food stalls, and glowing city streets creates dynamic photo opportunities. Its mix of modern city energy with traditional Christmas aesthetics makes it a consistent social media favourite.
3. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh’s world-famous Christmas market ranks third with 61,898 hashtags, drawing global attention for its dramatic setting beneath the city’s Old Town. The market’s location in Princes Street Gardens provides incredible views of Edinburgh Castle, adding a cinematic backdrop to festive photos. Known for its carousel, Ferris wheel, and German-style stalls, the market’s rich atmosphere blends old-world charm with a touch of spectacle, making it one of the UK’s most Instagrammable winter attractions.
4. Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg, often called the Capital of Christmas, ranks fourth with 43,037 hashtags. Its market is one of Europe’s oldest, and this heritage is reflected in its beautifully preserved half-timbered houses, glowing cathedral square, and warm golden lighting. The market feels like a traditional fairy tale brought to life, which explains its strong Instagram presence. Visitors are drawn to the market’s cosy visuals, festive storefronts, and its iconic Great Christmas Tree, which towers above Place Kléber.
5. Bath, England
With 39,917 hashtags, Bath’s Christmas market secures fifth place thanks to its uniquely picturesque setting. Nestled among the city’s Georgian architecture, the market surrounds landmarks like Bath Abbey, creating a stunning contrast between warm Christmas lights and historic stone buildings. Its artisan-led stalls, traditional decorations, and atmospheric narrow streets provide idyllic backdrops for festive photography. Bath’s combination of authenticity and visual appeal makes it one of the UK’s most charming holiday destinations.
Top 10 Most Instagrammable Christmas Markets in Europe
Following Bath in fifth place, the remaining markets in the top ten each bring their own distinct charm to the festive season. In sixth place, Vienna offers a grand and elegant Christmas atmosphere, with 28,131 hashtags capturing its ornate architecture and traditional Austrian stalls that glow against the city’s imperial backdrop. Birmingham takes seventh place, driven by its bustling Frankfurt-style market, which attracts thousands of visitors and 23,801 Instagram tags thanks to its lively German-inspired atmosphere.
Colmar ranks eighth with 21,807 hashtags, its cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses creating one of Europe’s most picturesque settings for festive photography. Berlin follows closely in ninth with 21,434 hashtags, benefitting from its numerous markets, each with its own style, from traditional to alternative, resulting in a wide variety of shareable scenes. Completing the top ten is Budapest, whose 20,096 hashtags highlight the market’s dramatic setting beside St. Stephen’s Basilica, where architectural grandeur and warm festive lighting combine to create one of the most visually striking Christmas markets in Central Europe.
Top 25 Most Instagrammable Christmas Markets in Europe
Make the most of your Christmas Markets experience
Europe is packed with incredible places to explore, and Instagram is full of inspiration for the best spots to visit. Just remember to pack an extra charger because taking photos, recording videos, and using navigation apps can drain your battery quickly.
Make sure your mobile data plan can handle your communication and social media needs abroad. Using a data calculator can help you estimate how much data you will need for your trip. And if you are travelling across multiple countries, consider installing a Europe eSIM so you can stay connected everywhere without juggling separate plans.
Methodology
To determine Europe’s most Instagrammable Christmas markets, the Holafly data team analysed hashtag usage across Instagram for English and local-language variations. Example hashtags included:
- English: #manchesterchrirstmasmarkets, #bathchristmasmarket, #birminghamchristmasmarkets, etc.
- Local-language variants: #adventzagreb, #weihnachteninleipzig, #kölnerweihnachtsmarkt. etc
Additional notes:
- Hashtag counts were combined across variations for each location.
- Markets were ranked by total hashtag volume.
Plans that may interest you
Born and raised in the UK, I discovered content creation as a journalist while studying at the University of Manchester. I've since covered a range of roles, both editorial and SEO, across the travel, hospitality, and professional services industries. I spend my weeks ensuring Holafly's content is relevant, insightful, and helpful, and my weekends exploring new destinations to satisfy my ever-growing travel bug.
