08/10/2024
Lifestyle
Christmas markets appeared in Germany in the Late Middle Ages. One of the oldest, in Dresden, dates back to 1434. Although the country still leads with the large number of Christmas markets organized on its territory, there are already many other countries in Europe where you can enjoy the magic of these fairy events around Christmas. Here is a list of the best Christmas markets on the Old Continent that are worth visiting.
From November 21 to December 23, 2022
Cologne has long been a favorite Christmas destination, with several Christmas markets, the largest of which is in the city center, under the cathedral. At the Markt der Engel, you can enjoy magical moments amidst rich decorations of Christmas lights hanging above you like stars and angels fluttering between the exquisitely decorated buildings. Nikolausdorf (St. Nicholas' Village) is a great destination if you are traveling with children. There you can immerse yourself in the fairytale story of the Saint, set amidst the natural scenery of the place with the 13th century Hanen Gate rising majestically in the background. There are even markets dedicated to mythical gnomes and other mythological creatures. If you want something a little more traditional, you can go ice skating at the Heumarkt outdoor ice rink.
From 17 November 2022 to 1 January 2023
If you like Christmas carols and ancient holiday traditions, this is the place to visit during the holidays. Beautiful Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and The Sound of Music, is fabulous at Christmas, with snow-dusted performances of Silent Night and Christmas stalls that look almost as they did when they were first put up, as early as the 15th century. For optimal Christmas cheer, join the free daily concerts in front of the cathedral.
From 21 November 2022 to 1 January 2023
For a more contemporary take on tradition, you might head to artsy Berlin as the best place for trendy Christmas gifts and tobogganing. There are about 80 Christmas markets in the city center, one of which is specifically for dogs, so don't try to cover them all. If you're looking for something bigger, Spandau is the biggest. Located on the magnificent Gendarmenmarkt square, Weihnachtszauber is the most beautiful, with many arts and crafts on display at the Christmas stalls. Winter World, on Potsdamer Platz, is the place where you can raise your mood and adrenaline with various winter sports, tobogganing, curling and an ice rink with free lessons for children.
From 19 November 2022 to 1 January 2023
The Christmas atmosphere can be felt in Budapest as early as mid-November. The city offers two exceptional Christmas markets - the one on Vorosmarty Square and the Basilicata. Vorosmarty Square is nestled in the heart of the city and is the oldest Christmas market in Budapest. There you will find plenty of food and craft stalls, as well as areas with organized free concerts. The Basilica Christmas Market offers all this, but with one advantage – a Christmas light show projected on the Basilica itself and an ice rink that goes around a large Christmas tree.
From 26 November 2022 to 6 January 2023
Picturesque Prague is the perfect place to visit during the festive season. If you want to feel like a local, replace the glass of mulled wine with a glass of grog - rum, water, lemon and sugar. The atmosphere is truly magnificent: on one side rise the twin towers of the 14th-century Our Lady before Tin and on the other - the city's famous astronomical clock from the 15th century. A festive mood and beauty reigns in the space between them. An abundance of gifts are available, including frosted hand-blown glass. But it's the food that will draw you around on chilly December days: warm, juicy sausages straight off the grill, fresh pancakes, garlic cheese rolls, and more. All this, topped off with a sip of svarak – the local, citrusy version of mulled wine, whose cinnamon scent wafts across the square. If you have small children, take them to the Old Town Square, where you'll find sheep, goats and donkeys patiently waiting for tourists' attention.
From November 25 to December 26, 2022.
The French "capital of Christmas" looks magical during this time of the year. You'll find 300 traditional market stalls lining the city's central squares, with wonderful hand-painted wooden Christmas decorations. Look to the Alsace small producers market for sausages and brioche-like pastries – kugelhopf.
From November 19 to December 30, 2022.
Liseberg, Sweden's most popular amusement park, is transformed into one of the world's most elegant open-air Christmas markets – no creaking Ferris wheels, plastic Christmas trees or drunken elves here. You pay to get in, but you can stay late (it's open from 3pm to 10pm most days), snacking on smoked reindeer and drinking glogg (Scandinavian mulled wine). Make the most out of the free entertainment organized for children. Visit Santa in his wooden workshop, take a sleigh ride and don't miss the dazzling half-hour ice show.
From November 24 to December 22, 2022.
Christmas in the Slovak capital is real magic for the children. Fairy lights wrap Christmas trees all over town. The market stalls sell traditional wooden toys and beautiful Christmas decorations. Culinary treats include pancakes, sausages and tempting pastries.
From 25 November 2022 to 6 January 2023
If you're looking for a real Christmas atmosphere and beautiful architecture, head to the southern bohemian towns of České Budějovice and Český Krumlov to discover two of the most impressive Christmas markets in Europe. A mix of Gothic and classical architecture, České Budějovice's central town square is home to many lively market stalls where you can find exquisite wooden toys, Christmas decorations and spicy mulled wine. With its beautiful baroque architecture intact, set under a romantic castle, Český Krumlov looks like Disneyland. You'll find the market stalls in Town Hall Square, where the fairy lights of Christmas decorations twinkle, while the aroma of freshly baked biscuits and roast sausages wafts around.
From 18 November 2022 to 1 January 2023
Copenhagen's markets pulsate with holiday cheer as the city's Christmas trees and holiday lights add their mosaic of seasonal colors. The city center is home to several markets known for their wooden toys, knitwear and ceramics, while the Christmas market in Tivoli Gardens is the beating heart of Copenhagen. A Ferris wheel spins in the evening darkness, fairy lights illuminate trees, while a skating rink attracts the adventurous. Add to this the toasty aromas of caramelised almonds and the fragrant scent of cinnamon-infused mulled wine (locally known as glogg) and you’ll find yourself in the midst of Christmas market joy.
From 25 November 2022 to 8 January 2023
Considered one of the best in Europe, Tallinn's Christmas market is a true feast for the senses. It is located in the heart of its beautiful medieval town, where the roofs of the houses and the cobbled streets are sprinkled with snow. In winter, the town hall square is very lively with over 60 wooden stalls selling handmade wreaths, local arts and crafts, sweets, honey and sheepskin rugs. The festive mood is also maintained by brass bands, bell ringers and numerous dance troupes. Arriving in his winter grotto on an authentic reindeer sleigh, Santa Claus is there to welcome children for the holidays. The largest Christmas tree in Estonia has been placed in front of the town hall every year since 1441.
From 25 November 2022 to 1 January 2023
If you're looking for a gourmet experience at Christmas, Winter Wonders in Brussels awaits you at Grand-Place, Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine and Marché aux Poissons, with its ice rinks, festive music and light shows, as well as a huge Christmas tree and over 200 snow-covered wooden chalets where you can enjoy toasted waffles, mulled wine and, of course, Belgian beers and chocolates.
From November 24 to December 23, 2022.
The Christmas market in Basel is the biggest and most beautiful in Switzerland. You may choose from 160 elaborately decorated stalls selling a variety of culinary wonders such as: delicious local sausages, authentic Basel gingerbread, hot punch, festive fondue and rib raclette. The market is divided into two separate sections – Barfüsserplatz and Munsterplatz. On the first one, you can find handmade wooden toys and jewelry, while the fairy forest on Munsterplatz offers fun festive activities for children, from Christmas decoration workshops to gingerbread decorating.
From 19 November 2022 to 3 January 2023
Arguably one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, Edinburgh really shines in the winter months when the Christmas markets and Hogmanay celebrations bring people from all over the world. There you'll find Santa's grotto, an oval ice rink, fairground attractions such as the 60m Star Flyer, an elf workshop hidden in the Christmas tree maze, as well as stalls with wooden toys, Harry Potter themed gifts and mulled Irn Bru; special projections, performances, and artworks showcasing local talent. Bar crawl under the fairy lights of George Street and pop into the Scottish National Gallery to contemplate winter scenes. After dark, head to the Royal Botanic Gardens to try the local spiced cider and enjoy the Christmas illuminations. At the end of December, the city's charming Hogmanay torchlight procession takes place through Edinburgh's Old Town.
From 23 November 2022 to 1 January 2023
The Gdańsk Christmas Market, located in the historic center of the city, is a magical winter wonderland, with romance oozing from every corner. There is even a place that was created for lovers to kiss under the mistletoe in hopes of a long happy life together. Expect to see parades of elves, a talking moose, the Snow Queen and her singing carolers. Take a ride on the fairy carousel, shop for original jewelry, ceramics and knitwear or enjoy a variety of delicacies from around the world. Culinary connoisseurs will be tempted by Alsatian pancakes, Greek bougatsa and Spanish churros. Warm up with a cup of hot chocolate, mulled beer or aromatic mulled wine. If you are looking for traditional Polish cuisine, we recommend trying pierogi.
From December 5, 2022 to January 5, 2023
The Nervion Christmas Market in Seville provides an artistic, cultural and fun experience that puts visitors in a festive mood. Expect decorated wooden stalls, street exhibitions and performances. You'll also find nativity scenes, musical choirs and lots of sweet treats.
From 26 November 2022 to 6 January 2023
The capital of Croatia hosts one of the most cheerful Christmas markets, with several dozen throughout the city. This being Croatia, the focus at Zagreb Advent is firmly on food and drinks, although you'll also find craft stalls as well as a huge outdoor skating rink. Start at the markets that fill the trio of parks in the lower part of the city, before joining the fun around Zagreb's main square, Ban Jelacic. As you walk towards the medieval town, you can enjoy the tasty delights that are sold at the Christmas stalls: spicy sausages, sarmi, festive chocolate cakes called fritule, plum brandy and local wines.
From 25 November 2022 to 6 January 2023
The beautiful spa town of Merano is located in the Alpine part of northern Italy. It looks more Austrian than Italian, with its beautifully lit Christmas market chalets stretching along the Passirio River. While enjoying the mountain views and festive music, you can buy homemade goods, gifts, toys and accessories. Join the daily passeggiata as you stroll along the river, warming up with mulled wine and Sudtirol cakes and apple strudel.
© Copyright 2025 Unique Estates. All rights reserved.
