Europe’s biggest Christmas market has just lit up for the season – but it’s not found in Germany or Austria, but in Craiova, a colourful city in southwest Romania. Spread over roughly 280,000 square metres (over three million square feet) of lights, rides and festive decorations, Craiova’s Christmas market is billed as the largest in Europe, turning the entire city centre into a glowing winter wonderland.

Having opened on November 14, it will run until January 4, 2026, giving Brits plenty of time to squeeze in a long weekend before or after Christmas. Craiova’s market has earned a number of impressive titles, including the “Most Beautiful Christmas Market in Europe” by a panel of travellers, surpassing renowned destinations like Germany’s Munich market or Vienna’s Christkindlmarkt. In this Romanian city, visitors can enjoy the highest-flying Santa sleigh in Eastern Europe, a huge panoramic wheel or even a dance on the ice rink. 

Once you’re there, it’s full-on storybook stuff, according to Ski Vertigo. The historic squares and surrounding streets are packed with traditional wooden chalets selling handmade gifts and decorations, food stalls serving mulled wine, hot chocolate, grilled sausages and sweet chimney cake, a big ice rink and fairground rides for families and themed areas with oversized decorations, music and nightly performances.

“Think millions of twinkling lights, photo spots on every corner and that mix of old European architecture and over-the-top Christmas décor you usually only see in films.”

Winter travel specialists at Ski Vertigo said Craiova is shaping up to be one of Europe’s most magical – and best-value – festive breaks. They analysed Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights available now and found return fares from London to Craiova International Airport (CRA) starting from around £53 per person on sample dates, with many winter trips falling in the roughly £50–£70 range when you’re flexible on travel days.

“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,” a Ski Vertigo spokesperson said. “For many people, getting to Europe’s biggest Christmas market can cost less than a night out back home.”

Just don’t underestimate the weather. This part of Romania gets a proper continental winter – December days are cold, nights are freezing, and frost (and the odd dusting of snow) is very common.

“It’s beautiful but brisk,” Ski Vertigo added. “We’d strongly advise visitors to wrap up warm – thermal layers, a proper winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves and decent boots – 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.”

For Brits who feel they’ve “done” the usual German and Austrian markets, Craiova offers something bigger, more theatrical and still surprisingly affordable – all just a short three-hour 20-minute flight from the UK.