The holidays present seemingly endless photo opportunities — from twinkling lights to festive foods — but few experiences can beat photographing the holiday markets in Europe. These small villages of wooden stands bring cozy cabin vibes and festive holiday cheer to the streets of Europe’s largest and smallest cities. Colorful Ferris wheels, steaming mulled wine, and elaborate decorations further add to the allure.
With city upon city boasting its market as the best, how does a photographer even begin planning a market photography trip? I have you covered. After visiting and photographing at least a dozen markets on a road trip last year, I’m breaking down the most photogenic holiday markets you can’t miss for your own holiday-themed photo road trip.
Bruges, Belgium
I fell in love with these markets on my first day in Bruges. This charming Belgian town is picturesque as it is; rows of neo-Gothic architecture reflect perfectly on still canals. Add holiday charm to the mix, and wow — it’s tough to leave! Bruges’ main square is filled with little wooden stalls every December through early January. Waffles with the bokeh from colorful lights is one of many must-capture pictures from this experience.
Brussels, Belgium
Most European cities transform their main square with holiday cheer. In Brussels, the entire town gets in on the fun. We spent hours navigating the different stops on Brussels’ holiday market map. Photo opportunities like an illuminated Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula or the light show on the Grand-Place will keep you busy capturing holiday content all evening long.
Cologne, Germany
Walking into Cologne’s Christmas market is like stumbling upon Santa’s workshop. The main market has rows of red-roofed stalls set beneath the already photogenic Cologne Cathedral, not to mention a brightly-lit tree that towers over the village. Cologne’s holiday markets are open until December 25.
Munich, Germany
Every December, Munich turns into a dazzling winter wonderland with evergreen roping and holiday lights illuminating the city’s Bavarian architecture. Marienplatz, the city’s main square, is a photographer’s dream during the market season. With trees, buildings, and stands lit up, the opportunities for soft, glowing bokeh abound. Munich’s holiday market runs up until December 25.
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Let me start this off by saying Luxembourg City in and of itself is perhaps one of my favorite photography spots in all of Europe. The entrance to town looks like a scene straight from Beauty and the Beast, which is one of the reasons I had at least 100 photos before I reached the main square! Once you’re inside Luxembourg City, the photo opportunities only increase. The city’s market fills a huge portion of downtown with wooden stalls, skating, and holiday lights that make you feel warm despite Luxembourg’s chilly December weather.
Paris, France
Paris is nothing if not photogenic (it’s filled with photo-ready spots), and come the season, the City of Light gets even more picturesque — in large part because of the views. I had the best Paris vantage point of my life while photographing from atop the Ferris wheel at the Tuileres Garden market. I captured the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and the Champs-Elysees from an entirely new and aerial perspective (and thankfully I had my zoom lens packed with me!). The Parisian markets alone weren’t as picturesque as other parts of Europe, but Paris is always a good idea — especially for these limited-time views.
Remember: travel photographs are only as good as the lens you use. That’s why we’ve compiled a guide on how to choose the perfect lenses for your upcoming travel adventures.
Feature photo by Olivier Depaep on Unsplash
