The most beautiful Christmas markets to visit this winter in France and Europe
Many travelers buy their Christmas gifts on the internet to save time and avoid crowds in the shops. Yet there are unique shopping opportunities throughout Europe during the holiday season, which you can enjoy with family or couple. Much more than just open-air markets, traditional Christmas markets , originating from Central Europe, now bloom a bit all over the world and create a holiday atmosphere with seasonal specialties to spend a good time approaching December 25th.
Generally opened four weeks before Christmas, the "Christkindelsmärik" in Strasbourg celebrates each year the most beautiful of Christmas and filled with joy the visitors who have come in numbers. From one of the oldest German markets to lesser known treasures such as Wroclaw and Maastricht, we have compiled a list of our main favourites. It is among their stands that you will find inspiration for your gifts: from unique craftsmanship to classics, you will also have the opportunity to taste hot wine, spice bread and other local specialities.
Strasbourg, France
Flickr – Tristan Schmurr
Let's start with the most beautiful, certainly. In operation since 1570, the "Christkindelsmärik" in Strasbourg is the oldest Christmas market in France. It extends on several streets and squares of the city, including the famous Place Broglie and Münsterplatz. You can see and buy arts and crafts, Christmas decorations, Bredele (Alsatian traditional biscuits) and the famous chocolate Christmas log. The central point of this market is the 31-metre Christmas tree, adorned with party lights, which dominates Kléber Square. Enjoy it for visit the beautiful city of Strasbourg on a weekend !
Dresden, Germany
Pixabay – andreasmetallerreni
Much less known, Dresden's Christmas market has been talking about him in recent years. The “Striezelmarkt”, located on Altmarkt Square, is one of the oldest fairs in Germany. For this occasion, the city erects in the middle of the square a "Christmas Pyramid" in wood and about 15 meters high. The name of the market is derived from stollen , the Christmas bread, which is also known as striezel in this region of Germany. In addition to this gourmet, the region is also known for the pflaumentoffel , a lucky charm made of dried plums, and for its craftsmanship that comes from all over Saxony.
Vienna, Austria
Wikimedia – Böhringer Friedrich
Advent, pre-Christmas preparation period, begins on Sunday four weeks before Christmas Eve. Thus, the celebrations and decorations of Vienna often begin in mid-November. The Rathausplatz, the square in front of the city hotel, houses the “Christkindlmarkt”, a traditional Christmas market with more than 150 stands selling gifts, Christmas decorations, gluhwein (hot wine) and hot browns. Two other popular Christmas sites are the traditional Christmas Market on Freyung which is more faithful to tradition, and the Christmas market in front of Schönbrunn Castle, which offers an imperial setting and welcomes a New Year market, which remains open until January 1.
Lille, France
Flickr – Gia Sadhwani
Lille, thanks to its strategic position on French, Belgian and British roads, and its status as the capital of Flanders, has logically a great activity during the holiday season. Around the Christmas market, the whole city is covered with a huge garland crown. The main market of the city is located on Rihour Square, where 80 wooden chalets are full of gift ideas, santons, Christmas decorations and festive products. Nearby, the Grand Place is illuminated by a large 50-metre high wheel, offering visitors a breathtaking view of the city. Lille is a city easily accessible by means of transport or by another, so don’t hesitate to go there one day or two before Christmas.
Prague, Czech Republic
Flickr – John W. Schulze
The two best "Vánoční trhy" (Christmas market) are located in the square of the old city of Prague ( staromestske namesti ) and on the very wide Venceslas square. While these markets offer traditional handicrafts (verrerie, blacksmith’s article, ceramics), they sell mainly Czech culinary specialties: bite, spicy bread, and grog (alcoholic fish) are offered, and there are also sellers of trdelník (cooked with cinnamon and sugar). If you are in Prague around 20 December, you will begin to see carp on the stalls: it is a Czech tradition to eat this fish on Christmas Eve in Prague.
Salzburg, Austria
Credit – christkindlmarkt.co.at
One of the oldest markets in Europe, Christkindlmarkt in front of the Cathedral of Salzburg (on the Residenzplatz) is more intimate than some of the most important markets in the city. The baroque architecture of the city and the threatening silhouette of the Hohensalzburg fortress give a sense of fairy tale, reinforced by the glittering lights and garlands on the occasion of the holidays. As the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg has an exceptional musical tradition, so you will have the chance to attend magnificent chorals and the opportunity to hear some of Europe’s best students in this field. In fact, the city has another renowned artist: Joseph Mohr, the parolier behind the famous Christmas song Sweet night, holy night was also born in Salzburg.
Munich, Germany
Flickr – Heather Cowper (heatheronhertravels.com)
While many people associate the Bavarian capital with the Oktoberfest , Munich also holds a fantastic Christmas market in the center of the city on the Marienplatz. The market surrounds a huge Christmas tree, which shines with almost 2500 lights. While sipping one gluhwein (hot wine) or beer, you can find many traditional Bavarian gifts, such as wood sculptures and spice bread called lebkuchen . There are also small theme markets throughout the city, one of which is the Crèche Market, which sells important figures and components for those who want to build an authentic crèche.
Budapest, Hungary
Flickr – John
Located on Vörösmarty tér (Place Vörösmarty) in the Pest district, the city's Christmas market is an excellent opportunity to discover traditional Hungarian cuisine, folk dances and music live . You will love the variety of hot and alcoholic drinks, including a spicy apple juice and a hot chocolate punch, and you will have the chance to try Hungarian pastries, such as Hungarian pastries langos (fried bread with a variety of fillings), strudels and töki pumpos (cooked baking paste). It is also an ideal place to buy handmade items, as an association of the city checks the quality of the products and their authenticity and certifies all the items sold on the market.
London, England
Flickr – Heather Cowper
In addition to the famous Christmas decorations in London, there are large markets and activities on each side of the Thames during the holiday season. The Southbank Centre Christmas Market consists of 80 wooden huts that sell gifts, Christmas tarts, gluhwein (hot wine), grilled sausages... to enjoy while walking along the docks. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is probably the most famous market in London, with more than 200 wooden chalets offering gifts and handmade decorations. The selection of "food & drink" in Winter Wonderland is the most complete of any Christmas market in Europe, including a Bavarian village, outdoor campfire, and even a bar inspired by an alpine ski chalet. This market also offers a large 60-metre wheel, the largest rink in the UK and a carnival. If you are looking to do a little skating, you can also go to the ice rink Somerset House , where a DJ mixes at night.
Bruges, Belgium
Credit – noel-marche.fr
In addition to being surrounded by the magnificent medieval architecture of the city, the Christmas Market in Bruges is distinguished by its rink erected on the Grand Place.
Wrocław, Poland
Credit – jarmarkbozonarodzeniowy.com
The Christmas market of Wroclaw (or "Jarmark Bozonarodzeniowy" in Polish), begins on Swidnicka Street and crosses the market square of the old town. You will find everything, handmade soaps to leather and wool items, traditional treats, Christmas decorations and souvenirs. Gourmets can enjoy regional specialties, such as Oscypek , a typical hard cheese, and international specialties, like Kolach Hungarian or Lithuanian sausages. Warm up with the Polish version of the "Grzaniec" hot wine, try ice skating in the open air, or enjoy the decorative crèches and the big Christmas tree.
Merano, Italy
Wikimedia – Kaufleute Aktiv
Merano Christmas Market ( Mercatini di Natale ) is renowned for its festive and picturesque atmosphere, along the promenade along the Passirio River with the Alpine Mountains in the backdrop. You can discover almost 80 different stands with Christmas gifts and buy some branded items such as sheep wool products, wooden toys, slippers and wool socks... The children will love pony walks and Advent stories.
Other European Christmas markets not to be missed
- Hamburg, Germany
- Louvain, Belgium
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Maastricht, Netherlands
- Nuremberg, Germany
Which of these markets will you visit this year?
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