Discovering the Best Christmas Shops Across Europe
Christmas in Europe is hard to beat. Cities that are already beautiful fill with lights strung across cobbled streets, the smell of roasted chestnuts and shop windows full of treasures. While the Christmas markets are famous (for good reason; check out our guide to Vienna's Top 10 Christmas Markets or our favourite Foods at European Christmas Markets), Europe, the heartland of modern Christmas traditions, is also home to some of the best Christmas shops in the world; year-round havens where you can discover handmade ornaments, festive décor, and gifts that carry the spirit of the season long after December's festivities come to an end.
If you’re looking to find the perfect Christmas keepsake, be that a hand-painted glass bauble, a carved wooden smoker, or a sparkling brooch that doubles as festive jewellery, these are the must-visit shops and boutiques across Europe (including our very own Edelglas).
Käthe Wohlfahrt – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Tucked inside the medieval walls of Rothenburg, Käthe Wohlfahrt is a household name in European Christmas shopping. Their sprawling Weihnachtsdorf (Christmas Village) goes beyond your standard store; designed as an immersive experience, you’ll find aisles of hand-carved nutcrackers, incense-smoking “Räuchermännchen,” and glittering glass baubles. There’s even a Christmas museum that traces festive traditions back through the centuries, making it a pilgrimage spot for collectors.
Best for: Your classic German Christmas experience, with a focus on traditional woodcraft and nostalgic decorations.
Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash
Edelglas – Vienna, Austria & Online Worldwide
Mere steps off Vienna's central Stephansplatz - home to Stephansdom, and its iconically tiled roof - you'll find Edelglas. On the historic Dorotheergasse lane (named for Dorotheum, one of the world's oldest and largest auction houses founded by Emperor Joseph I in 1707) Edelglas spans three stores, two of which operate year-round. Fresh pine shelves host a range of mouth-blown and hand-painted glass Christmas ornaments (handmade glassmaking was added to UNESCO's cultural heritage list in 2023) in every size, colour and shape you could imagine. From traditional baubles, feather birds and red-capped toadstools to famous landmarks, animals and food (even pickles!), the range will keep you pointing out more and more obscure and quirky finds. Velvet-lined jewellery displays showcase a never-ending array of handmade Preciosa crystal Christmas and nature-themed brooches, earrings and pins, while antique glass cabinets host hand-painted glass candle holders and traditional wooden Christmas incense smokers ( Räuchermänner).
You’ll find us in Vienna’s Christmas markets each season (including Rathausplatz, Schönbrunn and Stephansplatz; see all our locations), but you can also explore our full collection online at edelglas.com, delivered worldwide from Australia and Austria.
Best for: Authentic handmade European glass Christmas ornaments, perfect for gifting, souvenirs or elevated Christmas decor.
Julehuset – Bergen, Norway
Bergen’s “Christmas House” lives up to its name. This all-year-round festive store is tucked inside a brightly painted wooden building by Bryggen Wharf that instantly brings to mind candy canes, soft falling snow and the scent of mulled wine. Snow globes, Norwegian knit stockings, and the ubiquitous Scandinavian gnome line the shelves, offering a northern take on Christmas charm. Step outside and you’re in one of Norway’s most picturesque UNESCO-listed harbours, making it as much about the surroundings as the shop itself.
Best for: Scandinavian Christmas décor with a Nordic design flair.
Photo by The Nutcracker Christmas Shop – Edinburgh, Scotland
On Edinburgh's Royal Mile, in the heart of the Old Town, this small family-run shop keeps Christmas going all year round. Expect nutcrackers (naturally), baubles and festive trinkets, and look out for Scottish-themed pieces to give your tree a Celtic twist. A wander down the Royal Mile afterwards, past the Old Town's narrow closes, will have you half expecting to bump into Ebenezer Scrooge.
Best for: A festive keepsake from Scotland's capital.
Why Christmas Shops in Europe Are Worth Visiting
Unlike big-box stores, Europe’s Christmas shops highlight the craftsmanship, heritage, and storytelling of the old world, harking back to the early days of Christmas. Collecting a wooden nutcracker from Germany, a sparkling glass ornament from Edelglas in Austria, or a nutcracker from Edinburgh brings home memories you'll treasure year after year, providing not only brilliant decorations but also a chance to reminisce on your holidays. For true lovers of Christmas, these shops remove the barrier of time and transport you into a perpetually snowy December wonderland.
So when you're planning your next trip across Europe, be sure to add these treasure troves to your itinerary; and if you're lucky enough to travel in that special season, explore our guide to Vienna's Best Christmas Markets or our tips for traversing Europe's Christmas Markets. And if Vienna isn’t on your itinerary this year, remember: Edelglas brings European Christmas straight to your door, worldwide.
Updated November 2026