From Brussels to London: these are the Christmas markets you can fly to from Zaragoza

When winter embraces Zaragoza, the city is transformed into a Christmas fairy tale. The streets are adorned with twinkling lights, shop windows come alive with festive decorations, the streets are filled with Christmas 
markets and the aroma of roasted chestnuts perfumes the air. But the magic is not limited to our beloved city alone, all of Europe dresses up during these very special dates.

Cities such as Brussels and Paris put on their Christmas lights and trees , turning these destinations into fairy-tale settings. There, you can visit Christmas markets set up in historic squares, surrounded by wooden stalls offering unique crafts, culinary delights and the unmistakable aroma of mulled wine. Each market has its own personality, reflecting local traditions while sharing the universal Christmas spirit that unites us all.

From Zaragoza Airport, it is possible to embark on a magical journey to these festive destinations directly. That is why, in this article we show you the five most charming European Christmas markets that you can fly to from Zaragoza.

BRUSSELS CHRISTMAS MARKETS

From 29 November 2024 to 5 January 2025, the Belgian capital will be transformed into a winter fairytale with its famous “Plaisirs d’Hiver” (Winter Pleasures) event. This spectacular Christmas market, one of the biggest and best in Europe, will display more than 200 stalls along a nearly 3-kilometre route in the heart of the city, offering an immersive experience that attracts more than 2 million visitors each year.

The centre of Brussels, with its majestic Grand Place as its epicentre, will be decked out in sparkling lights and festive decorations, creating a magical atmosphere at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of attractions, including an impressive Christmas tree, a Ferris wheel with panoramic views, an ice rink on Place De Brouckère, and numerous entertainment activities for all ages. The market will be open daily from noon to 10pm, with special opening hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

In addition to Christmas shopping and typical gastronomic delights such as mulled wine and Belgian waffles, the market offers unique experiences such as curling and virtual reality attractions. Must-see spots include the Bourse area, Place de la Monnaie, Place Sainte-Catherine and the Marché aux Poissons. With its mix of tradition, modernity and festive charm, the Brussels Christmas market promises to be an unforgettable experience for Spanish visitors this winter.

London Christmas Markets

London is home to an impressive array of Christmas markets, each with its own distinctive charm and character. From the iconic Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, opening from 21 November 2024 to 5 January 2025, to the charming Southbank Centre Christmas Market on the banks of the Thames, visitors will find plenty of ways to get into the Christmas spirit.

Among the most notable markets is Leicester Square, located in the heart of the West End, which offers its festive atmosphere from 8 November 2024 to 7 January 2025. Here, among traditional wooden stalls, visitors can find handmade gifts, Christmas decorations and the unmissable Santa’s grotto. Meanwhile, Covent Garden is decked out with more than 40 golden bells, 12 majestic Christmas baubles and an impressive 18-metre tree, creating a perfect setting for unforgettable selfies and Christmas shopping in its many shops and daily markets.

We can’t forget the Trafalgar Square market, home to the city’s most iconic Christmas tree, an annual gift from Norway that will be lit up on December 5th, officially marking the start of the festivities. For food lovers, the Borough Market, although open all year round, is transformed into a festive paradise with its decorated aisles and a special offer of Christmas products. With options for all tastes and budgets, London’s Christmas markets promise visitors to Zaragoza a magical and unforgettable experience, full of lights, flavours and traditions that capture the essence of British Christmas.

BUCHAREST CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Bucharest transforms into a winter fairy tale during the Christmas season, with festive markets becoming the heart of the celebrations. The most famous ones, located in University Square and Constitution Square, offer a unique experience with artisanal products, gastronomic delights and attractions for all ages. From the Ferris wheel in Herastrau Park, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the illuminated city, while the ice skating rink in Constitution Square invites you to immerse yourself in the magic of the Romanian winter.

Moreover, Bucharest’s Christmas cuisine is a feast for the senses, with unique aromas and flavours filling the streets and markets. Travelers can indulge in traditional dishes such as mamaliga, sarmale, and cozonac, while exploring street stalls located near major tourist attractions. Hot soups, such as ciorba de perisoare and ciorba de burta, are a must-try to beat the winter cold and immerse yourself in authentic Romanian culinary tradition.

Christmas in Bucharest is also a visual and musical spectacle. Iconic buildings such as the Palace of Parliament and the Romanian Athenaeum are illuminated with festive decorations, creating a dazzling backdrop for evening strolls. The historic centre of Lipscani, with its mix of architectural styles, becomes a luminous canvas that captivates visitors. To complete the experience, Christmas concerts at venues such as the National Opera, the Palatului Hall and the Romanian Athenaeum offer an immersion in the rich Romanian musical tradition, creating unforgettable memories for travellers who choose Bucharest as a Christmas destination.

CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN PARIS

Paris, the city of light, is also transformed at this time of year by its many Christmas markets, the most notable of which is the “Magie de Noel” in the Tuileries Garden . Considered the best in Paris, this market opens its doors from 16 November 2024 to 7 January 2025, offering 90 stalls, a fairground with a Ferris wheel and an ice rink, creating an incomparable festive atmosphere.

For those looking for a more traditional experience, the Alsatian Christmas Market at the Place du 11 novembre 1918 (Gare de l’Est) is a must-see. From 1 to 17 December 2024, visitors will be able to sample typical French Alsatian products such as bredele, foie gras, gingerbread and local wines. Meanwhile, the Village de Noël La Défense , the largest flea market in the Ile de France region with nearly 300 stalls, will be open from 16 November to 27 December 2024, offering a Christmas experience surrounded by the towering skyscrapers of the financial district.

Art and culture lovers can’t miss the Christmas market next to the Pompidou Centre, known as the Marchè de Noël de Beaubourg, which will be open from December 1 to January 2. For a unique experience, the Bir Hakeim Christmas market, located next to the Eiffel Tower, will offer more than 40 food and craft stalls with views of the iconic monument from December 20, 2024 to January 5, 2025. With direct flights from Zaragoza, travelers can easily immerse themselves in the Parisian Christmas spirit, enjoying a variety of markets that combine tradition, gastronomy and the unparalleled charm of the French capital.

MILAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS

The heart of the Milanese Christmas experience is in Piazza del Duomo, where the city’s main Christmas market will take place from 1 December 2024 to 6 January 2025. More than 60 wooden huts surround the majestic cathedral, offering a wide range of artisanal products, gastronomic delights and festive decorations. The imposing Christmas tree in the centre of the square adds a magical touch to the setting, creating a perfect postcard of Italian Christmas.

For a more complete Christmas experience, visitors should not miss the “Oh Bej! Oh Bej!” market, the oldest in Milan, held from 7 to 10 December in Piazza del Castello. Furthermore, for families with children, the Villagio delle Meraviglie in the Giardini Indro Montanelli offers an enchanting experience with a skating rink, a merry-go-round and Santa Claus’s House. These markets, together with the city’s festive decorations and shopping opportunities in the fashion quadrilateral, make Milan an incomparable Christmas destination, easily accessible to Zaragozans thanks to direct air connections.

With direct flights from Zaragoza, these cities become perfect settings to create unforgettable memories, enjoy centuries-old traditions and savour the gastronomic delights of the season. Each destination promises a unique experience, from British elegance to Eastern European charm, Italian sophistication and French romance.