Europe’s Christmas markets are a real spectacle. If Christmas is already a special date, experience its magic in one of the Christmas markets of the Old Continent It is a unique experience. Christmas markets began in Germany in the late Middle Agesbut now you can visit them throughout Europe. Wooden houses, traditional food, lots of crafts and various light shows will awaken your Christmas spirit. In the next post we will tell you what the 10 best Christmas markets in Europe so you can visit some of them. We are sure you will love them!
Contents of this article
1. Budapest, the Advent Festival in the Basilica
📆 November 24 – December 31, 2023
If we talk about Christmas markets in Europeobviously we have to start talking about the incredible Advent Feast in the Basilica. It’s an amazing show!
As a curiosity, was awarded the best Christmas market in Europe in the public online survey European Best Destinations in 2020 and the second best in 2021. In addition, in previous years it had also held good rankings.
What awaits you in this market? The highlights are its projections on the façade of the Basilica. Every night during Advent in Budapest, various festive stories and religious scenes are projected onto St. Stephen’s Basilica through an incredible light show.
But you can also browse and buy artisan products in a huge open-air market where around 160 vendors offer an incredible mix of locally crafted items. And you can also enjoy their delicacies!
Finally, as Christmas is the holiday of love and caring for each other, the organizers have invited various charities to your program, living up to its motto and Christian values by helping the less fortunate and needy. Definitely, one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.
Guide to visiting Budapest:
📆 November 17 – December 31, 2023
The Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market, in Copenhagen, is one of the classics when we talk about best christmas markets in europe. This historic amusement park turns into Winter Wonderland during Christmas. More than half a million twinkling lights go on during the holidays!
Besides, The market is decorated with more than 70,000 Christmas decorations and nearly 1,000 Christmas trees. Additionally, in 2022 a huge Christmas tree will be placed right in the middle of Lake Tivoli. Is there a better place to enjoy this special atmosphere? Precisely, If we classify it as one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, it is because of its incredible decorations..
Accompanied by festive music, this market seems like an idyllic place: it is full of Scandinavian-style wooden cabins that They will take you to Santa Claus’s village in Finland.
Useful information for visiting Copenhagen:
📆 December 1, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Tallinn dresses up for Christmas. If your old city is already magical all year round, imagine this time of year! In the heart of the old city you can enjoy one of the best Christmas markets in Europewhere tradition continues to play a very important role.
Since 1441, the city has had the tradition of placing a Christmas tree in the town hall square. Is incredible! Of course, the Christmas market that surrounds it is quite small with only about 50 traditional chalets. However, you will not lack joy to combat the winter cold.
Apart from the huge Christmas tree, if the one in Tallinn It is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe because of its musical bands and dance groups. Christmas songs are the stars, and together with traditional hot liqueurs they will allow you to warm up. Definitely, one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.
Guide to visiting Tallinn:
4. Salzburgo Chriskindlmarkt
📆 November 23, 2023 – January 1, 2024
There are few more idyllic settings than Salzburg considering that Music is one of the key elements in the best Christmas markets in Europe. So we believe that there is no better place to enjoy it than en Mozart’s hometown.
Thanks to his beautiful carols, Salzburg comes to life at Christmas surrounded by an environment declared a World Heritage Site. In Salzburg you can enjoy free daily concerts at 5:00 p.m. in front of the cathedral.
This century-old market has approximately 100 stalls., which are distributed around the cathedral and the neighboring squares of Domplatz and Residenzplatz. Let yourself be carried away by its incredible smells and buy a lot of crafts. You will find everything!
Everything you need to know to visit Salzburg:
📆 November 24 – December 24, 2023
Strasbourg is one of the most beautiful cities to see in France and, especially for Christmas. Many know the French city as The “Christmas Capital” for its incredible atmosphere. And being in Strasbourg at this time is synonymous with magic!
The one in Strasbourg is considered as one of the best Christmas markets in Europe for its incredible dimension and variety. Besides, It is the oldest in France, since it has been celebrated since 1570. Almost nothing!
In the surroundings of the Cathedral Square you can enjoy more than 300 traditional market stalls. One of the most interesting places is the Market of the small and invincible producers of Alsacewhere you can find typical products of Alsaceone of the treasures of France.
Guide to visiting Strasbourg:
📆 November 24 – December 22, 2023
Trier is probably not the most famous city to see in Germanybut during the holidays it does become one of the most attractive as it has one of the best Christmas markets in Europe!
For many it is the most romantic Christmas market in the world and the most beautiful in Germany. It takes place in the medieval market square, with the impressive cathedral as a backdrop. We like it because it is super authentic and, since it is not such a large and touristy city, it is not usually as crowded as others. Although you will always find people shopping at its almost 100 traditional decorated stalls!
And obviously, being in Germany, you can’t leave without trying the delicious mulled wine or boiled wine, one of the star products on the market along with typical german food. Without a doubt, one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.
20 curiosities about Germany that will surprise you
📆 December 2, 2023 – January 6, 2024
A city as touristy as Prague could not have a Christmas market that disappoints. If the city is already a postcard 365 days a year, Christmas is no exception. Although the city has several markets, The most impressive Christmas market in Prague is the one held in Prague’s Old Town Squareone of the most important tourist places in the city.
A very tall and illuminated Christmas tree is placed in the heart of the square.. In its surroundings you can see incredible monuments such as the church of Týn, creating an unbeatable panorama. Is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe to try foodespecially Czech specialties such as grilled meats, the famous “Prague ham” and Trdelník, a delicious pie.
Prague travel guide:
8. Colonia
📆 November 23 – December 23, 2023
When we talk about the best christmas markets in europe, we undoubtedly have to mention the German city of Cologne. It is one of the most special cities to visit at Christmas!
We cannot stay with just one market, since The city has several very interesting Christmas markets.. The largest is the one located in the center of the city, just below the Colonia’s cathedral.
Each market is dedicated to a different theme. There you will find various crafts and high-quality products, such as its gastronomic delights.
Useful information about Cologne:
9. One
📆 November 11, 2023 – January 4, 2024
When Christmas comes to Vienna, the city transforms and shines with magical lights and incredible decoration. There are numerous Christmas markets that spread across the streets of the old town, filling them with artisan stalls where they sell traditional wooden toys and many crafts.
Vienna is a very touristy city all year round, but it is worth visiting at Christmas, when its most famous squares are filled with some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Do not miss the cultural and Christmas market in front of Schönbrunn Palace. The backdrop can’t be beat!
Useful posts about Vienna:
📆 November 23 – December 23, 2023
And finally, to finish this article on the best christmas markets in europe, we didn’t want to forget the one in Basel. We could not be unfair to the Swiss city, since It is the city with the greatest Christmas tradition in the country.
The market is amazing! It takes place in the heart of the old town, on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatzone of the most beautiful squares in Basel and is surrounded by a bunch of illuminated pine trees that line the streets of the Swiss city.
At Münsterplatz you can see its incredible Christmas tree, one of the most beautiful in Europe.
45 essential places to see in Switzerland
In the following map you can see where the 10 best Christmas markets in Europe.
Source: https://lostraveleros.com/mercados-navidenos-de-europa/
