Europe does Christmas best, no contest: wood chalets, medieval cities, snow-capped cathedrals, delicious food on every street corner, amazing light displays and a vat of mulled wine wherever you go. If you want to soak up some of that magic in person, there’s still time to book an Xmas break or New Year’s Eve getaway to one of these festive fairy-tale cities. 

Lille, France

Where: Place Rihour

Muddy loves: What it lacks in size it makes up for in convenience: it takes just 90 minutes on Eurostar to reach this magical market, so you can even make it a day trip! This is a total food-lovers paradise and there are around 90 chalets brimming with goodies to meander around, plus Father Christmas, concerts, face painting, a huge Christmas tree and Ferris wheel near the Grand Place. Runs until 30 Dec. 

Go there: Eurostar travels to Lille from £89 in Dec. 

Geneva, Switzerland

Where: Noël au Jardin in the Jardin Anglais

Muddy loves: The Swiss city makes a perfect festive break, as the Jardin Anglais (the English Garden) transforms annually into a magical market packed full of the best artisans and designers selling everything from clothes to candles. Kids will love it too as there’s a carousel, fondue chalet for gooey cheesey heaven and a daily programme of live entertainment, while adults will appreciate a glass of mulled wine at the Christmas Pub, which has a live DJ if you want a party vibe. Runs until Dec 24.

Go there: Hop on the Eurostar from £62. 

Budapest, Hungary

Where: Vörösmarty Square

Muddy loves: Often voted the most beautiful Christmas market in Europe, Hungary’s main Xmas fest has more than 100 stalls selling everything from jewellery to pottery, but it’s the food that’s really got us keen to visit – think freshly made Hungarian dishes like chimney cake (kürtőskalács) and goulash (gulyás). Other markets in the city include St Stephen’s Basilica market, which has an ice skating rink and amazing light display. Runs until 31 Dec. 

Go there: Wizz Air flies to Budapest from £74 return in Dec.

Krakow, Poland

Where: In the centre of historic Old Town.

Muddy loves: Poland’s number one Chrissy market dates back to the 13^th Century, so these guys really know what they’re doing when it comes to Xmas and New Year. Local artists set up their own timber stalls and sell a huge variety of Christmas decorations, gifts, toys, food and booze. There’s lots of free entertainment too, like choirs and bands and Krakow also hosts an annual competition, which sees locals compete to create a nativity scene (szopkas) and the winning creation earns a spot in Krakow’s historical museum. Runs until 26 Dec. 

Go there: Easyjet flies to Krakow from £37.99 in Dec.

Rome, Italy

Where: Various locations throughout the city.

Muddy loves: Christmas holidays in Rome are so special. This year the Christmas Market returns to Piazza Navona, with giant tree, carousel, puppet show for kids and market stalls galore. Even though the temperature in Rome averages at about 13 degrees right now, the Christmas lights and mulled wine will still feel festive. Runs until 6 Jan. 

Go there: Ryanair flies to Rome from £16.99.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Where: Tivoli Gardens.

Muddy loves: Getting our hygge on in a magical land of ice skating, Christmas trees and cinnamon infused mulled wine, called gløgg in Danish. Tivoli Gardens are enchanting year-round but come into their own as Xmas, this year expect to see Santa and his reindeer, a fir tree lit up on the Tivoli Lake, 60+ stalls and the garden decorated with 70,000 Christmas baubles and more than 1,000 Christmas trees completely covered in lights. Runs until 5 Jan.

Go there: easyJet flies to Copenhagen from £26.99 in Dec.

Sofia, Bulgaria

Where: Various locations

Muddy loves: The budget-friendly choice, Sofia’s German Christmas Market is small yet charming. Open until 10pm and buzzing with live music, market stalls and loads of delish German and Eastern European food to try, including, of course, sauerkraut! There’s also the Sofia Christmas Fest outside the National Palace of Culture where you can find stalls, choirs and more. Runs until 22 Dec. 

Go there: Ryanair flies to Sofia over Christmas from £16.99.

Oslo, Norway

Where: Winter Wonderland in Spikersuppa, Karl Johans gate

Muddy loves: If you want the ultimate freezing air and twinkling Christmas lights experience then best get to Oslo, where Spikersuppa takes place by the skating rink near the Royal Palace. It’s full on Xmas fun, with stalls, food, Ferris wheel and ice rink. And if the chilly temperatures start to bite, there’s always the indoor market not far away at Youngstorget, a plaza in downtown Oslo. Runs until 22 Dec.

Go there: Ryanair flies to Oslo from £14.95.