The Best Christmas Markets in Europe
The holiday season is a time for gathering and giving. It’s also a magical time to travel and experience the traditions of other cultures. The idea of European Christmas markets has taken the world by storm, intriguing those of all faiths and popping up in cities across the United States. As amazing as those markets can be, sometimes you just can’t beat going to the source, and these are some of the best Christmas markets in Europe.
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Edinburgh
You don’t have to venture too far to indulge in some European Christmas magic. Just across the pond, you’ll find one of the best Christmas markets in Europe in Edinburgh. In addition to shopping and dining, there are plenty of other attractions like ice skating, musical performances, a ferris wheel, and a Christmas tree maze to keep you entertained. Plus, with the city decked out for the season, crawling from pub to pub will never feel so festive. If you stick around into the new year, you can overlap with the special three-day celebration of Hogmanay.
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Prague
Prague is renowned as an iconic culture capital, and visiting during the holiday season kicks that up a few notches. In the shadows of the city’s countless spires lies stall after stall full of remarkably-crafted goods, from wooden dolls to glass-blown ornaments. With a mug of pilsner in one hand and a chimney cake fresh off the spit in the other, you’ll learn to like the Czech life rather quickly. If one city’s worth of Christmas markets isn’t enough for you to get your fix, you could also take some day trips out to the Bohemian fairytale cities of Ceske Budejovice and Cesky Krumlov.
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Strasbourg
Paris dominates as France’s capital city, a fashion capital, a capital of love, and so on. But Strasbourg takes the title as France’s Capital of Christmas. Tucked away in the northeast, Strasbourg is seldom sought out by travelers until the Christmas market comes to town. Though, due to its proximity to Germany, that may not come as a complete surprise. It’s also the oldest Christmas market in France, dating back to 1570, and it’s clear they’ve gotten this down to science over the centuries. Thousands of tiny lights set timbered facades and hundreds of market stalls aglow, and you’ll forget all about the Rockefeller Plaza tree when you see the one in Place Kléber. Remember to take a break from all the baguettes and croissants to sample some seasonal delicacies like bredele biscuits.
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Zagreb
Croatia doesn’t tend to come to mind when people imagine the best Christmas markets in Europe, but Zagreb’s has been repeatedly lauded as one of the greatest. This capital city often goes overlooked by travelers venturing to Croatia, except when the holidays roll around. Shop your way along the wooden huts from the Strossmayer Promenade to European Square before checking out the nativity scene at Zagreb Cathedral. Food is a big focus around here, with plenty of chances to sample some apple strudel, spicy sausages, cabbage rolls, chocolates, and so on.
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Salzburg
If there’s a country almost as synonymous with Christmas markets as Germany, it’s Austria. This small country packs a festive punch, with Salzburg as its heavy hitter. With a background of medieval buildings and a looming hilltop castle, this city is a perfect setting for a winter wonderland full of knickknacks and delicacies. Not to mention that as the hometown of Mozart and the just a stone’s throw from the town where Silent Night was composed, your ears will be in for a treat with a lineup of musical performances.
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Berlin
Almost every city in Germany could’ve easily made this list, but the sheer scope of Berlin’s earned it the spot. Instead of having one big market, Berlin’s Christmas spread is made up of over 60 smaller ones. Offerings can change year-to-year, but with so many of them specializing in different things, the possibilities are endless. Unique activities have included tobogganing, dogsledding, trampolines, drag queen performances, and a climbable viking ship. And in the way of holiday gifts and treats, you’ll find specialties from all over, whether they be wood carvings from Norway or Japanese dumplings.
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Basel
From snow-covered ski chalets to twinkling medieval cities, everything about Switzerland in winter screams holiday cheer. But for one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, you’ll have to head north to Basel. With rich food, extravagant decorations, and stalls galore, Basel has everything you could ask for. There’s also an area specifically designed for children, with activities like tram rides, crafts, and cookie decorating. Finish up a long day at the market by warming back up by indulging in some mulled wine, waffles, and raclette while taking in views of the Rhine River. And for the ultimate winter vacation experience, spend some extra time in Switzerland to hit the slopes.
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