The most beautiful Christmas markets to visit this winter in France and Europe
Many travelers buy their Christmas presents on the internet to save time and avoid the crowds in the stores. Yet there are unique shopping opportunities across Europe during the festive season, which you can enjoy with your family or as a couple. Much more than just open-air markets, traditional Christmas markets, originating in Central Europe, are now flourishing all over the world, creating a festive atmosphere with seasonal specialties for a good time in the run-up to December 25.
Usually open four weeks before Christmas, Strasbourg’s « Christkindelsmärik » celebrates the most beautiful of Christmases every year and fills visitors with joy. From one of Germany’s oldest markets to lesser-known treasures such as Wroclaw and Maastricht, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks. And it’s among their stalls that you’ll find inspiration for your gifts: from unique handicrafts to classics, you’ll also have the chance to sample mulled wine, gingerbread and other local specialities.
Strasbourg, France
Flickr – Tristan Schmurr
Let’s start with the most beautiful, certainly. In operation since 1570, Strasbourg’s « Christkindelsmärik » is the oldest Christmas market in France. It spans several of the city’s streets and squares, including the famous Place Broglie and Münsterplatz. You can see and buy arts and crafts, Christmas decorations, « Bredele » (traditional Alsatian cookies) and the famous chocolate Yule log. The focal point of the market is the 31-metre Christmas tree, adorned with festive lights, which dominates the Place Kléber. Take the opportunity to visit the magnificent city of Strasbourg over the weekend!
Dresden, Germany
Pixabay – andreasmetallerreni
Much less well known, the Dresden Christmas Market has been making a name for itself in recent years. The « Striezelmarkt », located on the Altmarkt square, is one of Germany’s oldest fairs. To mark the occasion, the town erects a 15-metre-high wooden « Christmas Pyramid » in the middle of the square. The market’s name derives from the Christmas bread stollen, also known as striezel in this part of Germany. In addition to this delicacy, the region is also famous for the pflaumentoffel, a lucky charm made from dried plums, and for its handicrafts, which come from all over Saxony.
Vienna, Austria
Wikimedia – Böhringer Friedrich
Advent, the run-up to Christmas, begins on the Sunday four weeks before Christmas Eve. As a result, celebrations and decorations in Vienna often begin in mid-November. Rathausplatz, the square in front of City Hall, is home to the « Christkindlmarkt », a traditional Christmas market with over 150 stalls selling gifts, Christmas decorations, gluhwein (mulled wine) and hot chestnuts. 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 Palace, which offers an imperial setting and hosts a New Year’s market, which remains open until January 1.
Lille, France
Flickr – Gia Sadhwani
Lille, with its strategic position on the French, Belgian and British routes, and its status as the capital of Flanders, is logically very busy during the festive season. Around the Christmas market, the whole city is covered with a huge wreath of garlands. The city’s main market is located on Place Rihour, where 80 wooden chalets overflow with gift ideas, santons, Christmas decorations and festive products. Nearby, the Grand Place is illuminated by a 50-meter-high Ferris wheel, offering visitors a breathtaking view of the city. Lille is an easily accessible city by one means of transport or another, so don’t hesitate to spend a day or two here before Christmas.
Prague, Czech Republic
Flickr – John W. Schulze
The two best « Vánoční trhy » (Christmas markets) are held in Prague’s Old Town Square(staromestske namesti) and the sprawling Wenceslas Square. While these markets offer traditional handicrafts (glassware, blacksmith items, ceramics), they mainly sell Czech culinary specialties: black pudding, gingerbread and grog (alcoholic beverage) are offered, and there are also vendors selling trdelník (pastry baked with cinnamon and sugar). If you’re in Prague around December 20, you’ll start seeing carp on the stalls: it’s a Czech tradition to eat this fish on Christmas Eve in Prague.
Salzburg, Austria
Credit – christkindlmarkt.co.at
One of Europe’s oldest markets, the Christkindlmarkt opposite Salzburg Cathedral (on Residenzplatz) is more intimate than some of the city’s larger markets. The city’s Baroque architecture and the ominous silhouette of the Hohensalzburg fortress give it a fairytale feel, enhanced by the twinkling lights and garlands on festive occasions. As Mozart’s birthplace, Salzburg has an exceptional musical tradition, so you’ll have the chance to see some magnificent choirs and hear some of Europe’s finest students of the art. In fact, the city has another renowned artist: Joseph Mohr, the lyricist behind the famous Christmas carol Douce nuit, sainte nuit was also born in Salzburg.
Munich, Germany
Flickr – Heather Cowper (heatheronhertravels.com)
While many people associate the Bavarian capital withOktoberfest, Munich also boasts a fantastic Christmas market in the city center on Marienplatz. The market surrounds an enormous Christmas tree, which glows with nearly 2,500 lights. While sipping gluhwein (mulled wine) or beer, you can find many traditional Bavarian gifts, such as wooden sculptures and gingerbread called lebkuchen. There are also small themed markets throughout the town, one of which is the Nativity Market, which sells the figurines and components important for those who want to build an authentic nativity scene.
Budapest, Hungary
Flickr – John
Located on Vörösmarty tér (Vörösmarty Square) in the Pest district, the city’s Christmas market is a great opportunity to discover traditional Hungarian cuisine, folk dancing and live music. You’ll love the variety of hot and alcoholic drinks, including spiced apple juice and hot chocolate punch, and you’ll have the chance to try Hungarian pastries, such as langos (fried bread with a variety of fillings), strudels and töki pompos (baked pastry). It’s also a great place to buy handmade goods, as a local association verifies product quality and authenticity, and certifies all items sold at the market.
London, England
Flickr – Heather Cowper
As well as London’s famous Christmas decorations, there are great markets and activities on both sides of the Thames during the festive season. The Southbank Centre Christmas Market consists of 80 wooden huts selling gifts, Christmas tarts, gluhwein (mulled wine), grilled sausages… to enjoy as you stroll along the quayside. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is probably London’s best-known market, with over 200 wooden chalets offering handmade gifts and decorations. The food & drink selection at Winter Wonderland is the most comprehensive of any Christmas market in Europe, including a Bavarian village, an outdoor campfire and even a bar inspired by an alpine ski chalet. The market also features a 60-meter Ferris wheel, the UK’s largest ice rink and a carnival. If you’re looking for a bit of skating, you can also head to the Somerset House ice rink, where a DJ mixes after dark.
Bruges, Belgium
Credit – noel-marche.fr
As well as being surrounded by the city’s magnificent medieval architecture, the Bruges Christmas Market is distinguished by its ice rink erected on the Grote Markt.
Wrocław, Poland
Credit – jarmarkbozonarodzeniowy.com
The Wroclaw Christmas Market (or « Jarmark Bozonarodzeniowy » in Polish), starts on Swidnicka Street and crosses the Old Town Market Square. Here you’ll find everything from handmade soaps and leather and woollen goods to traditional sweets, Christmas decorations and souvenirs. Gourmets can sample regional specialties such asOscypek, a typical hard cheese, and international specialties such as Hungarian Kolach or Lithuanian sausages. Warm up with the Polish version of « grzaniec » mulled wine, try ice skating in the open air, or enjoy the decorative nativity scenes and the large Christmas tree.
Merano, Italy
Wikimedia – Kaufleute Aktiv
Merano’s Christmas market(Mercatini di Natale) is renowned for its festive, picturesque atmosphere along the promenade beside the Passirio river, with the Alpine mountains as a backdrop. You’ll find around 80 different stalls selling Christmas gifts, as well as some brand-name items such as sheep’s wool products, wooden toys, woollen slippers and socks… Children will love the pony rides and Advent stories.
Other not-to-be-missed European Christmas markets
- Hamburg, Germany
- Leuven, Belgium
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Nuremberg, Germany