8-DAY EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKET BLITZ
Belgium, Germany & France at Christmas
Ghent • Bruges • Cologne • Strasbourg • Colmar • Paris
If you have ever dreamed of wandering through glowing Christmas markets with a warm waffle in one hand and hot chocolate in the other, this route is for you.
We packed three countries into eight days, traveled entirely by train, and chased Christmas lights from Belgium to Germany and France. It moves quickly, but each base makes the next part surprisingly manageable.
TRIP OVERVIEW
Route overview
We traveled entirely by train and used Ghent, Cologne, and Strasbourg as home bases. The pace was quick, but each region felt completely different.
Christmas-market route · 8 days
Brussels → Ghent → Bruges → Cologne → Düsseldorf → Essen → Strasbourg → Colmar → Paris
Christmas-market route · 8 days · Days 1–2 · Ghent home base
Belgium
Brussels for the Grand Place market, Ghent after dark, and an easy train day to Bruges for canals, chocolate, waffles, and Christmas lights.
Brussels
Ghent
Bruges
Chocolate and waffles
Christmas-market route · 8 days · Days 3–5 · Cologne home base
Cologne & Day Trips
Cologne's themed markets, then simple train trips to Düsseldorf and Essen without changing hotels.
Cathedral Market
Old Town Market
Düsseldorf
Essen
Christmas-market route · 8 days · Day 6 · Strasbourg home base
Strasbourg & Colmar
A full Alsace day for Strasbourg and Colmar, with half-timbered streets, market squares, regional food, and the lights after dark.
Strasbourg
Colmar
Alsatian food
Evening lights
Christmas-market route · 8 days · Days 7–8
Paris
Holiday windows, market stops, a Seine walk, and a hop-on hop-off bus when everyone needed a break from trains and long walking days.
Tuileries
Holiday windows
Seine
Le Marais
Days 1–2 · Ghent home base
Belgium
Brussels for the Grand Place market, Ghent after dark, and an easy train day to Bruges for canals, chocolate, waffles, and Christmas lights.
Days 1–2
DAY 1
Paris to Brussels to Ghent
After landing in Paris, take the train to Brussels for the Grand Place Christmas Market, wooden stalls, light displays, Belgian waffles, and chocolate.
Continue to Ghent for two nights. Its market had not opened when we arrived, but the canals, medieval buildings, and reflected Christmas lights were still completely magical.
Highlights
Grand Place
Brussels Christmas Market
Belgian waffles
Evening in Ghent
Stay: NH Collection Gent
Eat: Belgian waffles, chocolate, and market food.
Reserve: Verify market dates before buying flights; then book rail-friendly rooms and international trains.
DAY 2
Bruges Day Trip
Take the short train ride to Bruges. It may be one of the prettiest Christmas cities in Europe.
The center is compact, so the market, canals, chocolate shops, and cafes fit without building an hour-by-hour schedule. Return to Ghent for another evening in the old city.
Highlights
Markt Square Christmas Market
Burg Square
Canals
Chocolate shops
Cozy cafes
Stay: NH Collection Gent
Eat: Chocolate, fries, waffles, and warm drinks.
Reserve: No restaurant reservation; verify current market dates and train times.
BELGIUM FAQ
Good to know before you go.
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Ghent is easy by train from Brussels and Bruges, and its canals are especially beautiful after the day-trip crowds leave.
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That happened to us. The old city, lights, canals, chocolate shops, and restaurants still made the stay worthwhile.
Days 3–5 · Cologne home base
Cologne & Day Trips
Cologne's themed markets, then simple train trips to Düsseldorf and Essen without changing hotels.
Days 3–5
DAY 3
Cologne, Germany
Travel by train into Germany and make Cologne your home base.
The cathedral market is the famous one, but it is only the beginning. Spend the afternoon and evening visiting several markets, each with its own decorations, food, and atmosphere.
Highlights
Cologne Cathedral Market
Old Town Market
Harbor Christmas Market
Evening lights throughout Cologne
Stay: Hyatt Regency Cologne
Eat: Bratwurst, roasted nuts, and one new market specialty.
Reserve: No restaurant reservation; verify current market dates and train times.
DAY 4
Cologne Market Crawl
Dedicate the day to Cologne's different Christmas markets. Some are traditional, some modern, some built around fairy tales, and others focus on food or handmade gifts.
Take your time, warm up often, and try something different at each stop. This became one of our favorite Christmas experiences anywhere in Europe.
Highlights
Multiple themed markets
Hot chocolate
Roasted nuts
Bratwurst
Local holiday treats
Stay: Hyatt Regency Cologne
Eat: Try something different at each Cologne market.
Reserve: No restaurant reservation; verify current market dates and train times.
DAY 5
Düsseldorf & Essen
Take the train from Cologne to Düsseldorf for elegant shopping streets and market squares, then continue to Essen for another large German market before returning to Cologne.
This day works because both cities are easy by rail. Check the final train back before lingering over one more market snack.
Highlights
Düsseldorf Christmas markets
Königsallee lights
Essen Christmas market
Final evening in Cologne
Stay: Cologne
Eat: Market food in Düsseldorf and Essen
Reserve: Confirm both market dates and the evening train back to Cologne.
COLOGNE & DAY TRIPS FAQ
Good to know before you go.
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Do not turn the day into a race. Pick a few that sound different, stop for food, and revisit your favorite after dark.
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Yes. Both work by train from Cologne. Check current market dates and late-evening rail times before committing to both in one day.
Day 6 · Strasbourg home base
Strasbourg & Colmar
A full Alsace day for Strasbourg and Colmar, with half-timbered streets, market squares, regional food, and the lights after dark.
Day 6
DAY 6
Strasbourg & Colmar
Take the train into France and use Strasbourg as the next home base. After checking in, continue to Colmar for the half-timbered streets, canals, decorations, and market squares.
Return to Strasbourg for the evening. Seeing the cathedral area and lights after dark was worth saving energy for.
Highlights
Strasbourg Christmas markets
Colmar old town
Alsatian food
Strasbourg after dark
Stay: Strasbourg
Eat: Alsatian market food and hot drinks in Strasbourg or Colmar
Reserve: Confirm market dates and the Colmar return train before the trip.
STRASBOURG & COLMAR FAQ
Good to know before you go.
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They can, but start early and decide where you want the evening. Colmar is compact; Strasbourg has more ground to cover.
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Stay near Strasbourg's historic center or a direct tram line, with straightforward access to the station for Colmar and Paris.
Days 7–8
Paris
Holiday windows, market stops, a Seine walk, and a hop-on hop-off bus when everyone needed a break from trains and long walking days.
Days 7–8
DAY 7
Strasbourg to Paris
Enjoy one last Strasbourg morning, then take the train to Paris.
A hop-on hop-off bus is a practical way to see the holiday lights while giving everyone a break from the Metro and a week of walking.
Highlights
Tuileries Garden market
Champs-Elysees decorations when offered
Hotel de Ville
Galeries Lafayette windows
Stay: Paris.
Eat: Paris market food and a bakery stop.
Reserve: No restaurant reservation; verify current market dates and train times.
DAY 8
Paris at Christmas
Use the final day for any market you missed, a Seine walk, decorated department stores, and the dinner you planned in Le Marais.
There are few better places to end a Christmas-market trip than Paris dressed for the holidays.
Highlights
Paris Christmas markets
Seine walk
Decorated department stores
Dinner in Le Marais and one final pastry
Stay: Paris.
Eat: Au Bourguignon du Marais for the dinner we booked, plus one final pastry.
Reserve: Reserve Au Bourguignon du Marais for a fixed dinner time and confirm the airport plan separately.
PARIS FAQ
Good to know before you go.
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Market locations change from year to year. Confirm dates first, then choose the ones closest to the neighborhoods and holiday windows you already want to see.
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It gave everyone a rest while we saw the lights and major streets. For this fast winter route, that break was worth paying for.