Whether you have a sweet tooth or just love some hearty cuisine when the temperature drops, we’ve got you covered.

Look out for these gems when wandering through the market of your choice, from Vienna to Budapest and the all-encompassing Cologne… Our festive city breaks are the key to that Christmas magic and these culinary delights shouldn’t be missed.

Bratwürst

There’s nothing quite like the mess of a hotdog while the ketchup drips onto your napkin and the fried onions hang from your bun. We can picture the steam rising already. Germany pulls out all the stops with their award-winning sausages, and you won’t have to look far to find a stall serving this delicacy. Will it be Cologne or Berlin?

Lebkuchen

These wonderful German ginger biscuits come in all shapes and sizes, and you can find them either hanging from the stalls or stacked up in delightful piles. Why not opt for a heart-shaped biscuit for a loved one back home? In one soft and spicy bite, you’ve unlocked pure joy.

Gebranntemandeln

Picture this: sugared almonds piled high with self-serve scoops. Will you know when to stop? Probably not, and you’ll most likely be searching for the recipe when you get home from Germany too. They’re the true smell of the Weihnachtsmarkt. Their idiom "liebe geht durch den magen" runs true – love goes through the stomach!

Marzipan

Believe us when we say it tastes as dreamy as it looks. You’ve arrived at one of Budapest’s glistening Christmas markets and now you’re looking for a treat. Choose from an array of incredible flavours, from bubble-gum, Oreo and Nutella to pistachio and black forest cake. Bag some up, it’ll make the perfect bite to eat when you’re back in your hotel.

Goulash soup

Take in the sheer beauty of Vienna’s sparkling Ferris Wheel and illuminations while sipping this warm goulash soup. Sometimes it’s even served in a bowl of bread. Sound’s fancy, right? It’s typically made with beef, paprika and goulash seasoning with hints of marjoram, caraway and lemon. Enjoy!

Kürtőcskalács

Feast your eyes on the chimney cake. In Budapest, you can find this grilled over an open fire for all to see. It’s more of a walking snack so is the perfect accompaniment for continuing your trail round the stalls. Do you fancy a cinnamon, almond, walnut or coconut flavour? Swill it down with a mulled wine and voila! Your stomach’s happy.

Top tip: You pronounce Kürtőcskalács like cure-tosh-col-arch if you want to impress the locals.

Time for chocolate

The chocolate selection on offer at Krakow’s Christmas markets will get your taste buds tingling. It’s perfect for any choccy lover and is made to please. Ever tried pink chocolate? Now you can. You’re bound to come away with some unique gifts because you can find chocolate in every shape and form here, even spanners and bolts for the handy ones around you.