Christmas shopping in Europe

Be inspired by some of Europe’s most beautiful cities with your Christmas shopping this year. You’re sure to find unique gifts unlike anything else under the tree.

Why Christmas shopping in Europe is magical

Europe is renowned for having some of the most magical Christmas markets, which are worth visiting if you have the time. From Paris to Prague, Europe’s Christmas destinations are sure to fill you with festive cheer. While you’re there, there are plenty more shopping opportunities available outside what the Christmas markets have to offer. For some inspiration, take a look at some of the best cities for Christmas shopping in Europe. 

Christmas shopping in France

With a gala of lights, seasonal traditions and decorations, Christmas shopping in France is an experience you will remember. Many of the French cities are filled with fabulous Christmas markets, and in the city centres, the pre- Christmas period is the busiest time of the year.

Paris 

Prepare for the magic of Paris at Christmas time

Ah, Paris. It will steal your heart at the best of times, especially at Christmas!

From department stores to flea markets, designer boutiques to vintage chic, Paris is a mecca for shoppers. For something truly decadent, in terms of the shopping experience as well as the merchandise, head for the luxurious Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann. If you're in the market for something a little quirkier at Christmas, go roaming in the streets of the Marais district, the Latin Quarter or Montmartre.

The drive from Calais to Paris is approximately 3 ½ hours, so even with the shorter days of November and December, you’ll be able to maximise your shopping time.

Calais

The closest area to the LeShuttle terminal, Calais has everything you need for a Christmas shopping break. The town centre and districts are filled with festive lights to get you in the Christmas spirit.

For a truly authentic gift, the town has plenty of shops that stock delicious cheese (local, regional and further afield) and the incredibly intricate Calais lace. Rue Royal and Boulevard Lafayette are both great shopping streets that are filled with boutiques and trendy stores.

Lille

Lille’s Christmas market is the perfect place to start your shopping trip

Known as the jewel of the north, Christmas time in Lille is something else.

Old Lille has hundreds of unique boutiques lining the narrow, cobblestone streets, along with plenty of high-end luxury stores. Lille also has numerous antique shops and an incredible second-hand book market in the Vielle Bourse, ideal for finding those unexpected gifts which you instantly know are perfect. Lille’s Christmas market is also one of the most popular in France, with a ferris wheel and 90 chalets selling a wide range of gifts on Place Rihour. 

Plus, as the drive from Calais is only on hour and a quarter you’ll get plenty of shopping opportunities for your journey, which makes it a great option for a shorter pre-Christmas break.

Lyon

Although the drive from Calais to Lyon is slightly longer than some other French cities, at around 7 hours it’s well worth the journey. The UNESCO-listed city hosts an incredible festival of lights during December and in terms of the shopping, there’s plenty to get stuck in to.

From small boutiques to major brands in malls or around the vibrant Rue de la République, you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you’re looking for something to please the foodie in your life, Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse is a great place to start – a celebrated covered food market home to butchers, bakers, wine merchants, cheesemakers and no end of specialist food producers. 

Bordeaux

In December, Bordeaux is transformed into a winter wonderland and festooned with fairy lights and garlands. Renowned for its style, Bordeaux is home to many department stores, luxury brands, jewellers and high end retail. The famous rue Sainte-Catherine (the longest pedestrianized shopping street in Europe) is filled with a wide variety of shops and luxury boutiques. Equally, the concept stores of Rue Porte Dijeaux is the perfect place to discover some really individual gifts.

Christmas shopping in Belgium

With its stunning medieval city centres and wonderful Christmas markets, Belgium is another destination that will give you all the festive feels. Your wallet may feel considerably lighter too, but you will have a cosy glow from days spent sightseeing and Christmas shopping in these picture-perfect places.

Brussels

Brussels’ Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is beautifully decorated at Christmas

A two-hour drive from Calais, Brussels is the city to find distinctive gifts this Christmas. Aside from the unmissable Christmas market, the beautifully decorated shops themselves also hold plenty of treasures.

For luxury brands and Belgian designers, try Avenue Louise or for something chic and stylish visit Rue Antoine Dansaert. If you want to beat the crowds, Passage du Nord is a popular spot with locals. Here you will find a six-floor building decked with incredible architecture and plenty of chocolate and luxury goods stores inside.

Bruges

Only an hour and a half from Calais, Bruges is not only home to an iconic Christmas market, but also some fantastic shopping opportunities.

For the chocolate lovers in your life, Bruges has around fifty chocolate shops for you to browse to your heart’s (and theirs) content. Equally, if you want to treat yourself to a little something, the Bruges Christmas shop, De Witte Pelikaan, is the perfect place for discovering special decorations. Bruges is renowned for its lace shops too, and there are plenty of boutique stores in the shopping streets of Noordzandstraat, Zuidzandstraat and Steenstraat.

Ghent

In the run-up to December 25th, Ghent’s city centre gets a true Christmas makeover. Most of the shops are beautifully decorated by their owners and are a sight to behold.

Less than two hours from Calais, Ghent is filled with trinket shops stocking items from Belgium designers. Ghent also has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, which mixes authentic boutiques alongside more well-known clothing stores. When shopping in Ghent the key is to follow your nose, as no matter which way you turn, there’s something special around every corner.

Christmas shopping in the Netherlands

Amsterdam

Amsterdam feels like walking into a festive fairytale 

Only four hours from Calais, its cosy cafes and bridges covered with lights make the fairytale atmosphere of Amsterdam come to life.

Jordaan is filled with independent boutiques and the picturesque Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) are home to a great selection of gift shops, jewellers and vintage stores, where you’ll find gifts featuring the work of the distinctive Dutch Design school. For more Dutch and international designers, head to heritage department store De Bijenkorf, which offers a luxury shopping experience and a world of premium brands.  

Maastricht

Maastricht is closer to Calais than most large cities in France, so is a good choice for a cosy Christmas break. You’ll find this southerly Dutch city in full swing during ‘Magical Maastricht’ in December. The Christmas market is held in Vrijthof Square, and the seasonal spirit spills out into the main shopping streets in the old town and beyond. From designer boutiques in the trendy Wyck district to concept stores in the Stokstraat Quarter, Maastricht has Christmas all wrapped up.

The Hague

The Royal Christmas Fair is always a highlight for anyone visiting The Hague at Christmas time.

Around 4 ½ hours drive from Calais, The Hague has a wealth of shopping opportunities available. If you’re looking for fashion-focused boutiques, the Denneweg and Frederikstraat have a blend of haute couture, boutiques and high-end stores, all of which will suit any style. If you fancy a wander and a browse, the Hofkwartier quarter has plenty of different shops for you to explore.

Christmas shopping further afield

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is known for having some of the best markets and specialist boutiques in Europe. During your visit, try to dedicate a couple of hours to simply wandering the streets of the Innere Stadt, with charming little lanes and squares lined with shops selling all manner of beautiful gift ideas, from chocolate to fine porcelain.

Prague, Czechia

Prague’s Christmas market gets especially festive when it snows! 

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, so it’s always popular at Christmas time. Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square are the focal point of Prague’s Christmas markets, but for big brands, jewellery and fashion head to the Palladium and Novy Smichov shopping centres in the heart of the city. A little further out you can hunt for design bargains at the Fashion Arena Prague Outlet. Driving to Prague from Calais takes around 10 hours, but is more than worth it for this unforgettable city.

Munich, Germany

Around a 10 hour drive from Calais, Munich is filled with festive cheer throughout December, and is a major attraction for shopping. The area around Gärtnerplatz is popular with young designers, so you might be able to pick up an original creation there. The city centre arcades, like the Fünf Höf, also present a mixture of exclusive shops and galleries.

Lisbon, Portugal

Although the 19-hour drive to Lisbon is a long one, the shopping and atmosphere are worth it, especially for the Wonderland Lisboa, the city’s Christmas market. Lisbon mixes independent shops with international designer stores, and the LxFactory is a great place to start looking for unique presents. Another great spot is Embaixada, a converted palace featuring several high end concept stores. 

Milan, Italy

Pick up a fashionable gift in Milan, the city of style

Slightly further afield, but worth the long drive from the UK to Italy, is the beautiful city of Milan.

If you're in the market for some luxury goods, then there is nowhere better to indulge than Milan's Quadrilatero Della Moda, where you're sure to find just the thing to spoil that special someone. If you're looking for more artisan or unusual gifts, a trawl around the shops of the Brera district is guaranteed to uncover some real gems. Il Salvagente, Milan's most popular outlet store, is also a great spot for a bargain.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Twelve and a half hours from Calais, Copenhagen is a genuine Christmas city and one not to be missed when it comes to shopping.

Running parallel to the main shopping street Købmagergade, Pilestræde is a Christmas shopping paradise. Filled with fashionable shops and diverse styles, there’s plenty of different options for you to browse including interiors shops and independent boutiques with new designers.

The big Christmas shop – LeShuttle style 

Start planning your big Christmas shopping weekend in Europe with LeShuttle. The vibrant cities and bustling boutiques are just hours away. It takes just 35 minutes to cross the Channel from Folkestone to Calais. Just make sure there's enough room in the car for all the presents you're going to come back with!