Europe’s biggest Christmas market in Europe has just opened for the season – and it’s not in Austria, France or Germany.
Instead, it’s in Craiova, a colourful commune in southwest Romania.
The Craiova Christmas Market is billed as the largest Christmas event in the continent by area, spanning over 280,000 square metres.
In 2024, it was also voted second-best Christmas market, after Poland’s Gdańsk Christmas Market, in Europe, by European Best Destinations.
Each year, the market – which runs from mid-November through to early January – transforms the city into a glowing winter wonderland, with millions of twinkling lights, dozens of rides and an endless variety of food stalls.
The market, spread over four themed zones, including Santa’s Village, an intergalactic area and a zone based on Beauty and the Beast, boasts plenty of traditional attractions and regional delights.
Over 90 hand-painted chalets sell a range of local crafts, gifts and festive treats, such as gingerbread cookies, mititei (grilled sausages), mulled wine and țuică (a clear brandy made from plums).
Dotted across historic squares and surrounding streets are major attractions such as an ice rink, a panoramic Ferris wheel and Eastern Europe’s highest-flying Santa sleigh.
Entry to the market itself is free, though visitors should expect to pay around €4 to €6 to hop on rides like the small rollercoaster and Ferris Wheel, while Santa’s Elevator – where the little ones can hear a message from Santa – costs around €10.
The Craiova Christmas Market in Romania is billed as the largest Christmas event in the continent by area, spanning over 280,000 square metres
The festive attraction was voted second-best Christmas market in Europe after Poland’s Gdańsk Christmas Market
The market – which runs from mid-November through to early January – transforms the city into a glowing winter wonderland each year with twinkling lights, rides and food stalls
According to Romanian Experience, many of the food and drink options at the market are relatively affordable, with a cup of mulled wine priced at €2, traditional Romanian sausage going for €1.40 and a slice of chimney cake costing €5.
While some vendors accept card payments, cash is preferred, especially for small purchases.
Using Skyscanner data, winter travel specialists Ski Vertigo found return fares from London to Craiova starting from around £53 per person on sample dates, and up to £70 for those who can be flexible with dates.
A spokesperson said: ‘A quick check on Skyscanner shows return flights from London to Craiova can often be found in the budget range when you’re flexible on dates.
‘For many people, getting to Europe’s biggest Christmas market can cost less than a night out back home.’
The only downside to visiting Craiova between November and January is the continental winter it experiences, with typical nighttime temperatures in December plummeting to -2C.
Frost and snow are common during the colder months, so visitors are advised to dress warmly and pack plenty of thermal layers, hats, scarves, gloves and decent boots for the trip.
Ski Vertigo added: ‘It’s beautiful but brisk. We’d strongly advise visitors to wrap up warm so you can stay out for hours, skating on the ice rink, wandering the stalls and soaking up the atmosphere, without having to duck indoors every 20 minutes to defrost.’
Though entry to the market is free, visitors should expect to pay up to €10 for rides and food
The market is spread over four themed zones, including Santa’s Village and a zone based on Beauty and the Beast (pictured)
Dotted across historic squares and surrounding streets are major attractions such as an ice rink, a panoramic Ferris wheel (pictured) and Eastern Europe’s highest-flying Santa sleigh
While some vendors accept card payments, cash is preferred, especially for small purchases
Over 90 hand-painted chalets sell local crafts, gifts and festive treats such as gingerbread cookies, mititei (grilled sausages), and țuică (a clear brandy made from plums)
The only downside to visiting Craiova between November and January is the continental winter it experiences – so visitors are advised to wrap up warm and pack thermals
Meanwhile, a Christmas market expert who’s visited more than 60 locations has revealed which ones visitors need to head to – and which to avoid.
Having grown up in Germany, festive markets have been a huge part of Maren Schullerus’ life – so much so that she’s visited more than 60 in her lifetime so far.
She says her interest was sparked by visiting Christmas markets with her family from a very young age.
Her favourite market of all? The Esslingen medieval market and Christmas market in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany.
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