2025 Christmas Markets & Krampus

Posted by hulagirl on 01/24/25 01:38 AM

I'm starting to plan a European Christmas Market trip. One thing I am curious about is the Krampus parade in Salzburg. Is it worth it or over-hyped? I am weighing a river cruise vs. creating my own itinerary. I'd like to hear from others who put together their own itinerary for the markets. What was the best? What didn't you like? I've got Vienna > Salzburg > Zurich> Basel > Strasbourg. This is an initial list which will get refined based on more research (which includes comparison to a cruise).

P.S. I have a friend in Zurich which is why it's on the list - it's not a deal breaker in regards to itinerary.

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

01/24/25 02:00 AM

6068 posts

Zurich main train station has the largest indoor market in Europe.
I'll attach my 2019 Trip Report. It was a magical adventure. We loved exploring and shopping doing the day, and experiencing the lights and energy of the evenings. I think you miss many of the evening lights on the river cruises.
Enjoy, and it's never too early to reserve lodging. I found many hotels fully booked by June.
Safe travels!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/christmas-markets-switzerland-france-germany-2019

Posted by Paul

NYC area

01/24/25 02:03 AM

3031 posts

We were in Berchtesgaden for the Krampus night a month ago. The one in Berchtesgaden was the same night as the one in Salzburg. It does get a bit “wild” but we’re glad we were there. I’d think Salzburg would have been more crowded and crazy, so Berchtesgaden was good for us.

Posted by MarkK

Schwerin

01/24/25 03:56 AM

3538 posts

I would add a few good German Chistmas markets instead of this Krampus thing.

Posted by jkh

Northwest Arkansas

01/24/25 05:46 AM

794 posts

Like you, I am in the process of planning a 2025 Christmaket trip. Right now, I am evaluating three options. A self-guided Munich, Salzburg, Vienna ininerary. A Rhine cruise. A Danube cruise. I look forward to reading what others have to say in response to your post.

Posted by KGC

Alsenborn, Germany

01/24/25 07:45 AM

1762 posts

The Krampus festivities normally only happen one specific night of the year. If you plan to attend that you'll need to build your whole trip around it. They have Krampus visit in other places too, so you're not confined to just Salzburg, although I think that city has a good Christmas market so that may be reason enough to visit. With or without the market I love Salzburg.

I was in Zurich last December and yes, the market in the main train station is large, it's directly in the path of anyone trying to move through the station and consequently jammed with a large portion of the public who has no interest in the stalls but is instead trying to move their luggage through the crowd. Zurich has smaller displays scattered throughout the city. The ones I found best were at the Landesmuseum, which is near the train station, and the smaller one in Sihlcity.

The Christmas markets at Strasbourg are, IMHO, the only real reason to visit this city. They are extensive and can easily take 3-4 days to see them all. You can do all the other cultural attractions during the day, and the markets at night.