Munich's festive market at Marienplatz is one of Europe's oldest (it dates back as far as the 14th century), and it's big on keeping things traditional: Christmas shopping Bavarian-style is an experience to remember. Stock up on baked apples and spiced mulled wine, handmade pewter and straw decorations, wooden toys and gingerbread. When: 27 November to 24 December. Stay: The Louis Hotel

Vienna has been running 'krippenmarkts' since the Middle Ages, when the city's citizens were first granted permission to trade. Every December, traditionalists gather around the City Hall and warm up with toddies of gluewhien and roasted chestnuts. Stock up on hand-decorated Christmas candles, traditional basketware and hot punch. Dates: 14 November to 24 December. Stay: Altstadt Hotel

During Lille's Christmas Market, the square at Place Rihour is transformed into a winter wonderland dominated by an 18-metre high Christmas tree and a spectacular ferris wheel. It's the perfect place to gorge yourself on crepes and chocolate doughnuts. Stock up on arts and crafts from Russia, Poland and Québec. Dates: 19 November to 30 December. Stay: Hotel UP

With its Medieval architecture, Tallinn was built for Christmas card cosiness. More than 50 stalls pitch up in the Town Hall Square to offer traditional Estonian crafts and festive food. The likelihood is that it will snow too! Stock up on quilts, sea-grass animal ornaments, felted hats and slippers. When: 21 November to 8 January. Stay: The Three Sisters

Prague is icily spectacular in winter and at night it lights up with brightly decorated wooden huts selling all sorts of traditional Czech products. Stock up on Bohemian Crystal, wooden toys, traditional puppets and hot wine (svarak). Dates: 24 November to 23 December. Stay: Clarion Hotel Prague

Hosting one of the UK's largest Christmas markets, Manchester goes into full-on festive mode with several markets popping up in the city. Stock up on international food, traditional crafts, amber jewellery and ornaments. Dates: 14 November to 21 December. Stay: Abode Hotel.

Basel has two romantic Christmas markets located in the heart of the city centre and nestled among the Christmas decorations adorning the historic Old Town in Barfüsserplatz around the historic Barfüsserkirche and in Münsterplatz right next to the cathedral, where there is a magnificent Christmas tree. Numerous traders and artisans present their wares, and anyone looking for gift ideas will be inspired by the huge array of products and fairytale atmosphere. Stock up on waffles, Basel Läckerli biscuits. When: 27 November to 23 December. Stay: Hotel Basel

Each winter the beautiful market square of Bruges is transformed into a Christmas market full of colourful lights and illuminating festive stalls crammed with festive goodies. Around 30 traditional stalls sell gifts, chocolates, sweets and unusual hand-made decorations and an open-air ice rink and Christmas Hobby and Toy Fair offer plenty of family fun. Stock up on Belgian chocolate! When: 21 November to 2 January. Travel with Eurostar from £79 return

Bringing a touch of Alpine charm to the south west, Bath Christmas Market plays host to more than 150 little wooden chalets, brimming with locally made gifts and festive food. Set against the backdrop of Bath's Roman architecture, the city makes for one of the most atmospheric Christmas destinations in the UK. Dates: 27 November to 14 December. Stay: Brooks Guesthouse

Organisers of Budapest's Christmas Market are on a drive to give visitors the most authentic Hungarian experience they can. Expect local folk musicians, puppeteers and lots of traditional crafts. Stock up on hand-made festive decorations, local food. The grand dame of Budapest's fine cafes, the Gerbeaud, even turns into a giant advent calendar for the occasion. Dates: 28 November to 31 December. Stay: Lanchid 19

Take the fairytale romance of Hans Christian Andersen and all the fun of Europe's oldest amusement park and what do you get? Set in the faded kitsch of Tivoli Gardens amusement park, Copenhagen's annual festive market hosts around 50 stalls. The thousands of fairy lights and miniature 'pixie land' really set the scene. Stock up on Danish souvenirs, food and plenty of glogg. Dates: 15 November to 4 January. Stay: Hotel Tivoli

Germany is the king of Christmas markets and the city of Cologne bursts into light every evening during December, with a total of eight festive markets altogether. Don't miss the festivities at the Alter Markt in the heart of the old town. Stock up on gingerbread, wooden handicrafts and mulled wine. Dates: 24 November to 24 December. Stay: Stern Am Rathaus

At Christmas, the Slovakian capital comes into its own. The Bratislava Christmas Market has all the hallmarks of a classic European one: the emphasis is firmly on celebrating local produce. Stock up on traditional honey cakes, strudel and mugs of mead. Dates: 21 November 23 December. Stay: Mama's Design Hotel

Set in Edinburgh's city centre against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the Christmas markets include the ever-popular European Christmas Market with its delightful gifts and treats, and the Scottish Market which offers the best food, drink and craft Scotland has to offer. Stock up on unique chocolate, Gin, Scottish crafted jewellery and woodwork at the Scottish Market. When: 21 November to 4 January. Stay: The Rutland Hotel

Mixing a warm sense of tradition with contemporary Swedish design, Gothenburg lights the way to Christmas – literally. Liseberg Amusement Park hosts Scandinavia's biggest Christmas market decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights and with over 70 stalls for you to browse. Stock up on glogg, smoked sausages and reindeer meat. When: 15 November to 29 December. Stay: Book a package with Best Served Holidays

Head to the beautiful town of Valkenburg in Holland and discover the unique Velvet Cave Christmas market. During the festive period the historic cave is filled with stallholders selling everything from Christmas wreaths to children's gifts. While you're there, check out the impressive mural paintings, sculptures and romantic 18th century chapel in the cave. Stock up on Dutch pancakes and mouth-blown glass decorations. When: 14 November to 23 December. Stay: Hotel Tummers

Set against the beautiful backdrop of Exeter Cathedral, the Christmas market offers something for all, from handmade gifts to decorations and warm food. Although it is inspired by continental markets, it represents the best of what Britain and the South West has to offer. Stock up on crafts, unique gifts and decorations. Dates: 20 November to 20 December. Stay: The Magdalen Chapter

With snow-capped mountains as its backdrop, Innsbruck plays host to one of the most magical Christmas markets in Europe. The medieval Old Town provides the perfect setting with stalls laid out beneath Innsbruck’s famous ’Golden Roof’ and next to the giant, festively lit Christmas tree. Weave your way through the stalls to browse unique Christmas tree decorations and embroided table linen. Stock up on traditional wooden toys and gingerbread. When: November 15 to December 23. Stay: Romantikhotel Schwarzer Adler

Held in Fusterie Square every year, the International Geneva Christmas Market features hand-made folk arts and crafts from all over Switzerland, as well as numerous tasty food stalls. The market is set in the heart of the city's central shopping centre among jewellery shops and chic cafes, and housed in quaint wooden chalets. Stock up on figurines, paintings and culinary specialities from around the world. When: late November to 24 December. Stay: Hotel Bristol

Savour a warm spiced mince pie and browse the traditional market stalls of Jersey. The Christmas markets showcase some of the best local arts, crafts, food and drink on offer. Enjoy a glass of hot mulled cider as you stroll through the Spirit of Christmas Market in Liberation Square. Stock up on locally-crafted Christmas gifts and Jersey cider. When: December 4 to 7. Stay: Atlantic Hotel

Few places scream Christmas like Stockholm. There are festive markets all over the archipelago and the best two are Skansen, with its cobbled streets, stocking fillers and stallholders dressed in 19th century outfits, and the old town’s daily Stortorget, a lantern-lit food fair with homemade sausages, spices, mustards and jams. Gorge on saffron buns, gingersnaps and glogg (mulled wine) as you go. Stock up on candy, cheeses and spices. When: 22 November to 23 December. Stay: Berns Hotel

Germany is rightly known for its Christmas markets and Nuremberg's 'Little Town from Wood and Cloth' is probably the most famous. Be among the expected two million visitors to stock up on bratwurst, gingerbread and 'Nuremberg Plum People', little figures made from prunes. When: 28 November to 24 December 2-13. Stay: Le Meridien Grand Hotel.