Markets by theme

Christmas markets at castles and palaces

Markets held in a castle courtyard, in the grounds of a palace or on the square in front of it, not just near a castle somewhere in view.

15 cities with a castle or palace market

See all 15 on the map →Jump to the list ↓Where to stay ↓

Regensburg Christmas market — RegensburgRomantischer Weihnachtsmarkt auf Schloss Thurn und TaxisA ticketed market in the inner courtyard of Schloss Thurn und Taxis.

15 of the market cities we cover hold a Christmas market in a castle courtyard or a palace forecourt, not just with a castle somewhere in the view. Regensburg’s Schloss Thurn und Taxis is the grandest, and in Montreux you can do your Christmas shopping inside Chillon Castle.

All 15 at a glance

Best Index score first. Open them on the map →

Market	The castle or palace	Market open	Index
ViennaOur pick Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market; K&K Christmas Market at Belvedere Palace	Markets on the forecourts of Schönbrunn and the Upper Belvedere.Hotels in Vienna →	6 Nov – 6 Jan	8.6
Dresden Mittelalter-Weihnacht im Stallhof	The market is inside the Stallhof courtyard of the Residenzschloss, Dresden Castle.Hotels in Dresden →	25 Nov – 6 Jan	8.4
RegensburgOur pick Romantischer Weihnachtsmarkt auf Schloss Thurn und Taxis	A ticketed market in the inner courtyard of Schloss St. Emmeram, the Thurn und Taxis palace.Hotels in Regensburg →	19 Nov – 23 Dec	8.0
Salzburg Festungsadvent (Hohensalzburg Fortress); Hellbrunner Adventzauber (Hellbrunn Palace)	Two markets on castle and palace grounds, in the courtyard of Hohensalzburg Fortress and at Hellbrunn Palace.Hotels in Salzburg →	19 Nov – 6 Jan	7.9
Düsseldorf Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Benrath	A weekend market in front of Benrath Palace.Hotels in Düsseldorf →	19 Nov – 30 Dec	7.8
Frankfurt Höchster Weihnachtsmarkt (Schlossplatz, Höchst)	A small district market beside the Höchster Schloss, on one weekend only, 28 and 29 November 2026.Hotels in Frankfurt →	23 Nov – 22 Dec	7.8
Graz Aufsteirern-Weihnachtsmarkt am Schlossberg	The market spreads through the casemates of the old Schlossberg fortress and round the Liesl bell tower.Hotels in Graz →	20 Nov – 24 Dec	7.8
Stuttgart Schlossplatz and the Neues Schloss	Part of the main market sits on the palace square, and the big wheel turns in the Neues Schloss courtyard.Hotels in Stuttgart →	25 Nov – 23 Dec	7.8
Berlin Weihnachtsmarkt am Schloss Charlottenburg	The market fills the forecourt of Charlottenburg Palace, and there’s a winter market in the Humboldt Forum courtyard too.Hotels in Berlin →	13 Nov – 3 Jan	7.7
Hamburg Bergedorfer Weihnachtsmarkt (Schlosswiese at Schloss Bergedorf)	The Bergedorf market runs from the Alte Holstenstraße into the castle gardens and ends on the meadow in front of Schloss Bergedorf.Hotels in Hamburg →	23 Nov – 1 Jan	7.6
MontreuxOur pick Noël Médiéval au Château de Chillon	A medieval Christmas market inside the halls and courtyards of Chillon Castle, part of Montreux Noël.Hotels in Montreux →	20 Nov – 24 Dec	7.5
Munich Weihnachtsdorf im Kaiserhof der Residenz	A Christmas village in the Kaiserhof courtyard of the Munich Residenz.Hotels in Munich →	20 Nov – 24 Dec	7.4
Milan Oh Bej! Oh Bej!	The four-day market rings the Castello Sforzesco, 5 to 8 December 2026.Hotels in Milan →	20 Nov – 10 Jan	7.0
Gothenburg Tjolöholm Castle and Gunnebo House (day trips)	A Tudor-style castle market with choirs and a fire show, and a country-house market in Mölndal, both on November and early December weekends.Hotels in Gothenburg →	14 Nov – 30 Dec	6.6
Chatsworth Lodge Hill, below Chatsworth House	The market lines Lodge Hill between the Stables and the entrance to Chatsworth House, the Duke of Devonshire's seat.Hotels in Chatsworth →	7 Nov – 13 Dec	6.4

Our three castle picks

The ones where you’re actually inside the walls.

Germany · Romantischer Weihnachtsmarkt auf Schloss Thurn und Taxis

Regensburg

The Romantischer Weihnachtsmarkt fills the inner courtyard of Schloss Thurn und Taxis, the princely family’s palace. It’s ticketed, and it’s worth every cent.

The castle or palace: A ticketed market in the inner courtyard of Schloss St. Emmeram, the Thurn und Taxis palace.
Market open: 19 Nov – 23 Dec, mostly free entry
Index: 8.0 out of 10

Hotels in Regensburg →From Munich by train, 1h23 →

Read the Regensburg guide →Regensburg or Montreux? Compare →

Free Regensburg pocket guide

A printable street map of Regensburg’s markets with the transport stops and the walks between them.

Get it free →

Switzerland · Noël Médiéval au Château de Chillon

Montreux

Noël Médiéval puts a medieval Christmas market inside the halls and courtyards of Chillon Castle, with craftspeople, musicians and animals, on the lake just outside Montreux.

The castle or palace: A medieval Christmas market inside the halls and courtyards of Chillon Castle, part of Montreux Noël.
Market open: 20 Nov – 24 Dec, free entry
Index: 7.5 out of 10

Hotels in Montreux →From Geneva by train, 1h03 →

Read the Montreux guide →Montreux or Vienna? Compare →

Austria · Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market; K&K Christmas Market at Belvedere Palace

Vienna

Two palaces, two markets. One fills the forecourt of Schönbrunn, and the other sits in front of the Upper Belvedere.

The castle or palace: Markets on the forecourts of Schönbrunn and the Upper Belvedere.
Market open: 6 Nov – 6 Jan, free entry
Index: 8.6 out of 10

Hotels in Vienna →From Salzburg by train, 2h25 →

Read the Vienna guide →Vienna or Regensburg? Compare →