Features

Unique European City Retreats for Christmas Markets and Winter Fun

24 October 2024

There’s nothing quite like a European city break for submerging your soul in sparkling seasonal cheer. For one thing, the choice of cities is as diverse and exciting as a Christmas selection box. European destinations range from lively capitals with iconic skylines to obscure, culture-rich gems with friendly locals.

For another thing, many European cities are a mere hop, skip and jump away from the UK. That means you can make the most of your precious free time – however fleeting that happens be – with no pesky jet lag to worry about.

Oh, and let’s not forget that European Christmas markets are akin to actual winter wonderland, with crisp, pine-scented air and a childish sense of wonder. You can browse endless stalls heaving with home-made gifts and goodies against a magical backdrop of twinkling lights, mulled wine warming your hands (don’t forget to wrap up warm!)

If all that sounds like the perfect way to begin your seasonal preparations, why not browse our list of unusual European city retreats? Strewn across the continent, each one is unique and seriously special in its own right, for a memorable stay you’ll still be raving about well into 2025.

Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Alexanderplatz, Berlin

Vintage Hotel Brussels

Brussels, Belgium
A seriously stylish hotel with retro décor and a boutique wine bar, perfectly located mere steps away from the chic, prestigious Avenue Louise.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2-6
From
£71 / night

Lightship Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands
A cutting-edge floating haven, crafted by an award-winning architect, and peacefully moored in North Amsterdam's creative hub.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£290 / night

THEKRANE

Copenhagen, Denmark
Scandi Noir in its most unique and luxurious form - a private, soul-enriching Danish retreat set in a former coal crane.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£1,069 / night

LoftCube

Graz, Styria, Austria
Stay inside a sci-fi-style designer glass cube with luxury interiors and panoramic views of Graz, from the top of a quirky hotel that's close to the city centre.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£221 / night

Langholmen

Stockholm, Sweden
Stay in blissful captivity, in a former prison set within the heart of scenic Stockholm. Don't worry, you'll be given a key to your cell!
Bedrooms: varies
Sleeps: up to 4
From
£92 / night

Amsterdam The Crane by YAYS

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Experience a taste of the high life in an iconic, refurbished crane offering luxurious living, an outstanding location and unbeatable views across Amsterdam East, North and the IJ-River.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
From
£265 / night

Fun Hotel Paris

Montmartre, Paris, France
Two gloriously quirky, spacious, and fully soundproofed large family suites with kiddie treats galore, at Fun Hotel in Paris Montmartre.
Bedrooms: 2 suites
Sleeps:
From
£125 / night

Esjan

Kjalarnes, Reykjavik, Iceland
Comfy rooms created from a collection of refurbished buses, beautifully parked to showcase jaw-dropping sea-and-mountain views just 13 miles from Reykjavik.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 4 (+2)
From
£98 / night

BaseCamp Bonn

Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
When it comes to BaseCamp Bonn, dispel any preconceptions about traditional campsites - this indoor campground offers some of the coolest, most creative and most extraordinary camping in the world!  
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: Varies
From
£65 / night

Hotel Not Hotel

Amsterdam, Netherlands
A vibrant social hub in which every room is a unique piece of art (including ‘secret' bookcases and restored tram cars!) conveniently set in the buzzing heart of Amsterdam.
Bedrooms: 19 Units
Sleeps: 2-7
From
£40 / night

SWEETS hotel

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Take your pick from one of the unique bridge house suites, beautifully scattered along the canals of Amsterdam.
Bedrooms: 1 per house
Sleeps: 2 per house
From
£117 / night

Jumbostay

Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden
Jumbostay is a totally out-of-this-world hostel at Sweden's Stockholm Arlanda Airport, where guests can sleep in an original Boeing 747 and
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: 1-4 per room
From
£40 pppn

Hüettenpalast

Berlin, Germany
The self-titled Berlin ‘Agency for Everything', where you will experience a friendly welcome and cosy accommodation with a creative twist.
Bedrooms: 6
Sleeps: varies
From
£60 / night

V8 Hotel

Stuttgart, Germany
Welcome to V8 Hotel -  a vibrant and luxurious motor-themed retreat with a unique selection of rooms and suites, perfectly positioned in one of Germany's top car-loving locations.
Bedrooms: 26 Themed
Sleeps: Varies
From
£112 / night

Crane Hotel Faralda

Amsterdam, Netherlands
View the beauty of Amsterdam from a unique position - a stylish and award-winning hotel at the top of a former crane!
Bedrooms: 1 per suite
Sleeps: 2 per suite
From
£934 / night

Urgell Apartment

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
An architect-designed, cutting-edge penthouse overlooking the heart of Barcelona's thriving Sant Antoni district.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£350 /night

Euromast

Rotterdam, Netherlands
Live the high life with your head in the clouds, in an exclusive suite set within the highest building in the Netherlands.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: up to 3
From
£345 / night

ZERO Box Lodge

Porto, North Portugal, Porto/North Portugal
Experience Porto from a unique, groundbreaking concept and design-led lodge that thinks outside the box...while you sleep cosily inside it!
Bedrooms: 1 bed per box
Sleeps: 2 per box
From
£70 / night

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