The countdown to Christmas can begin as early as September, especially when planning a trip during the peak festive period of the holidays.
Today is the perfect moment to do it because Ryanair has launched a new promotion valid through 16 September 2026 for flights from 17 September to 31 December 2026, a window wide enough to cover both the first Christmas lights in European capitals and the actual days for those who want to spend the holidays on the move.
We recommend these three destinations!
From Rome Ciampino to Kraków
If we had to choose one of the most beautiful destinations to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of Christmas markets, Kraków would have several reasons to claim a place on the list. Here, on the grand Market Square, the Rynek Główny, celebrations go back to the 14th century.
Dozens of wooden stalls surround the Sukiennice illuminated, among the scent of pierogi, grilled oscypek cheese and hot mulled wine to warm up. The large square becomes a fairy-tale village, complete with a giant tree and, if you’re lucky, a veil of snow to finish the scene.
Those looking to move away from the crowd can head to the Kazimierz district, where the market at Plac Wolnica is smaller and more relaxed, perfect for an evening mulled wine away from the center’s chaos. Kraków is reachable with flights starting from 22 euros.
From Bologna to Vienna
Vienna is also reachable from Bologna with discount flights from 14 euros. Here Christmas has a distinct identity and doesn’t end with the markets’ little stalls.
The most famous is the Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz, in front of the town hall, but the city multiplies the spots: beneath the Belvedere, among the gardens of the Habsburg palace, the one at Schönbrunn in front of the imperial palace, and Spittelberg, which winds through the streets of 19th-century houses. Each market has its own character: some seek high-quality crafts (Karlsplatz curates exhibitors with a jury), others focus on traditional food.
Even off the markets, the Christmas atmosphere lingers in the streets: roasted chestnuts sold at kiosks, mulled wine at every corner, lights not overly flashy along the shopping avenues. And for those who love ice, the skating rink in the park in front of the town hall is almost a must-do.
From Palermo to Nuremberg
Finally, from Palermo to Nuremberg there are flights from 21 euros. The dates to mark on the calendar are from 27 November to 24 December: during this period, the Hauptmarkt fills with wooden and fabric stalls thanks to the Christkindlesmarkt, one of the oldest and most photographed Christmas markets in Europe. It opens each year with the Christkind, a blond-haired, winged figure who delivers the opening speech from the loggia of the Frauenkirche.
Among the stalls you’ll find handmade Christmas decorations, Lebkuchen gingerbread and speculoos cookies, but the real must-try is the local bratwurst: a thin sausage grilled over coals. It’s best enjoyed with a glass of hot glühwein in hand.
