Christina Nixon
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year when every city is shining with dazzling lights, snow-capped angelic decorations, seasonal treats and handmade trinkets. It’s that winter fairy-tale created by locals celebrating the season in the sweet-scented cinnamon-infused mulled wine and gingerbread festive creations. Discover our selection of 5 best Christmas markets in Europe.
1. Estonia
Tallin is considered one of the best Christmas markets in Europe with over 60 wooden stalls, selling handmade wreaths, local arts and crafts, sweets, honey and sheepskin rugs. This year, the Christmas market will be held at the Town Hall Square Local and merchants will offer Estonian Christmas cuisine, from black pudding and sour cabbage to gingerbread and hot Christmas drinks. The Christmas tree has been set up in Town Hall Square since 1441, making it the first Christmas tree ever to be put on display in Europe.
2. Poland
In December, the streets and squares of Warsaw take on a special charm. Decorated with colourful decorations and fairy-tale figures, in the evenings they shine with thousands of lights. As one of the 5 best Christmas markets in Europe, next to the Old Town’s defensive walls, colourful stands appear, ushering in a season of winter attractions and entertainment. The Christmas fair is opened for celebration until 6th January 2024.
3. Germany
According to the Official Website of Berlin, Christmas markets are one of the most famous and beloved German holiday traditions. Berlin offers a wide variety of Christmas markets all over the city, with different ambiances catering to all kinds of visitors. Dresden is one of the Most Beautiful Christmas Markets in Europe. With its glittering lights and Christmas carols – Dresden’s Striezelmarkt boasts a unique character, despite being in its 587th year. Regional specialities, such as Ore Mountain wood crafts, Lusatian blue-printed fabrics and Moravian stars together with the original Dresdner Christstollen fruit loaf are particularly popular.
Now in its 40th year, the Trier Christmas Market will again be one of the loveliest in all of Germany, making it’s way to our top 9 best Christmas markets in Europe. Set on the medieval Main Market and in front of the imposing backdrop of Trier Cathedral, the 95 attractively decorated booths offer a fitting framework for this wonderful event.
4. Denmark
Experience the exclusive atmosphere of Copenhagen Christmas, where traditional customs are mixed with plain fun and good times. The Tivoli Gardens are something special all year round and one of the the city’s most famous attractions, bringing you the fairy-tale Christmas atmosphere truly spectacular. On 13th December experience an alternative take on the traditional, Danish Santa Lucia parade, when kayaks sail through the canals dressed in lights and Christmas decorations. Visit Copenhagen and indulge in the sweet scent of Scandinavian Christmas punch – “Gløgg” and Danish pancake puffs – ”æbleskiver” – as you try the best traditional restaurants that the city has to offer.
5. United Kingdom
We can not talk about 5 best Christmas markets in Europe without mentioning United Kingdom. Set against the stunning backdrop of the city’s grand civic buildings of Victoria Square and the bustling New Street shopping district, Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Austria and Germany.
London has the traditional German Christmas market with over 200 chalets. The Angels Christmas Market offers unusual and handmade gifts and crafts, including ceramics, candles, jewellery, wooden toys, nativity scenes and many unique decorations. But perhaps the most spectacular Christmas destination remains the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland that offers six exciting weeks of winter festivities with free admission and holiday entertainment.
Arriving in the city in 1999, Manchester is considered to have the first Christmas market in the United Kingdom, attracting more than nine million visitors each year.
We hope these will inspire your holiday vacation in Europe and transform this Christmas in an enchanted fairyland.
*Article written via European Best Destinations
