7 of the Best European Christmas Markets

[Velimira Velikova]

There are only a few weeks left until the squares of all the major cities are filled with market stalls, Christmas trees and hot wine salesmen. For fans of both Christmas and traveling, we’ve rolled up a list of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Being one of the most celebrated holidays around the world, Christmas magically transforms the city squares into an extravaganza of light and aroma.  Some cities have not just one or two markets, but dozens. We have therefore selected great cities that gives you the opportunity to travel and enjoy the Christmas spirit in a foreign country.

Vienna, Austria

The alpine towns and villages in Austria host markets which ooze character and atmosphere with seasonal decorations and lights hanging throughout the towns. No wonder that three million visitors flock here each year for beeswax candles, wooden toys, and glass ornaments. Get into a Christmas mood with the delicious aroma of punch, traditional gingerbread, roasted almonds and honey.

The Christmas market tradition in Vienna begins in 1296. Chistkindlmärkte Christmas market in Vienna will be held on the Rauthausplatz square with 146 market stalls where you can buy candles, angels, toys and other Christmas decorations. The very impressive City Hall is masked as a giant Advent calendar, which opens numbered blinds each day.

Berlin, Germany

The towns and cities along the Rhine valley provide an idyllic setting for a romantic Christmas Market break. The region’s beautiful towns captivate visitors with their rich history, labyrinthine old quarters, medieval market squares and striking cathedrals.

Here in Berlin, people are crazy about Christmas markets and one or two was not enough, that’s why they have 54 of them! The largest market is held in the center at the church Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and attracts 4 million visitors every year. Other major Christmas markets are held at the Charlottenburg Palace, Gendarmenmarkt square and at Potsdamer Platz.

Tivoli, Copenhagen

The longest and most popular holiday celebration in Denmark is Christmas. As this season approaches, the days grow very short. Only a few hours of dim light lie between the darkness of morning and the darkness of evening. Lighted Christmas candles appear everywhere-in homes, schools, and churches. There are few places in the world where Christmas is celebrated with such joy and with so much light. In fact, the Danes burn so many candles that the nation consumes more candles per capita than any other country on earth.

 

More than one million people visit the stunning Tivoli gardens each December. The amusement park is open as usual and visitors can ride many of the fixed rides, but there are also several that are only open during the Christmas season. In the evenings 100,000-century lamps lit the visitors while they are skating, drinking mulled wine and eating Danish “æbleskiver”.

Budapest, Hungary

In Hungary the main Christmas celebrations take place on Christmas Eve. The evening is called Szent-este or Holy Evening. Before attending Midnight Mass, families gather around the Christmas tree to sing carols and open the presents left by Baby Jesus and the angels.

The largest Christmas market in Budapest will be held on Vörösmarty square, and here it is mainly craft related. All products sold here are handmade and has been approved by a special committee. For the overall atmosphere of the Christmas markets, there is a lot in Hungarian folk music being played for the shoppers and a lot of Hungarian Christmas dishes are eaten – such as stuffed cabbage and roasted turkey stuffed with chestnut. Two other big Christmas markets in Budapest will be held at the Liszt Ferenc tér and Nyugati tér.

Zurich, Switzerland

Swiss Christmas Markets are a palette of character and atmosphere. The stalls offer a vast array of locally produced goods, interesting items from across the Alpine region and of course the festive staples of vin chaud and cinnamon crepes.

Zurich’s oldest Christmas market in the middle of the Old Town guarantees a romantic ambiance and shopping bags bursting with Christmas gifts. The 160 quaintly decorated market stalls transform the immense hall at Zurich’s Main Railway Station into the Zurich Christ Child Market, offering a diverse range of toys, tasty Christmas goodies and trendy fashion accessories. The Christmas market at Werdmühleplatz square is legendary with its “Singing Christmas Tree.”

Rome, Italy

The Christmas Markets in Italy are popular both with the locals and visitors from all over the world. The markets (known in Italian as Mercatino di Natale) are not as numerous or on the same grand scale as the network of markets in Germany but however have their own charm and religious significance.

There’s a large Christmas market, nativity displays, and several huge Christmas trees in Rome. The citizens erect elaborate presepi (Nativity scenes) across the city, including the life-sized tableaux on the Spanish Stepsand in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. There are countless crèches around the city in church chapels, all populated by papier-mâché or terracotta figurines and most with a pizza parlor tucked between the shops of the Bethlehem backdrop.

Paris, France

Paris is renowned for its colorful markets where fresh regional delicacies vie with beautiful arts and crafts, but in winter special Christmas festivals and markets are held.

La Defense – is in the city region and perhaps one of the most impressive markets; Les Halles – this is another famous traditional market in the city centre. It attracts many people from across France who come because they enjoy doing their Christmas shopping here in particular. There is a wonderful array of gifts from chocolates to more unusual art and craft items; Place Saint-Sulpice – the market here has a merry-go-round inviting you to take a twirl on a colourful manèges de Noël of wooden horses; Noisy le Grand Christmas Market – adults and children alike will enjoy this Christmas Market with horse drawn carriage rides as well as sparkling decorations, hand crafted wooden toys and traditional glassware.

Whether you’re looking for a unique Christmas shopping experience or a relaxing Christmas vacation, you can be sure that a short break or holiday in France during the festive season will be truly memorable. France is renowned for its colorful markets where fresh regional delicacies vie with beautiful arts and crafts, but in winter special Christmas festivals and markets are held.