Christmas in Europe is a once in a lifetime experience. As the festive season approaches, wooden chalets are wheeled into medieval town squares to display intricate handicrafts and ornately decorated gingerbread. Ancient villages are illuminated with twinkling lights and the aroma of mulled wine, hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts in inescapable. There’s every chance that a dusting of snow might fall on cathedrals and castles. Centuries-old customs are still alive and well at this time of year in Europe. We’ve put together a list of our favourite Christmas Markets in Europe. Which ones will you visit?
Location: Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square
Why we love it: Prague is the ultimate in medieval charm, making it a fantastic destination during the Christmas period. Cosy up with a steaming plate of dumplings and peruse the beautiful local handicrafts, including Bohemian glassware. The two main squares where the markets are held are a 5 minute walk from each other. There are plenty of smaller Christmas markets that pop around the city too.
Visit Prague’s Christmas Market on the 7-Day Budapest to Prague Christmas Market Tour.
Location: Dresdner Striezelmarkt
Why we love it: Dresden is purported to be the site of Germany’s very first Christmas market in 1434. The city was magnificently rebuilt after World War II and is a dream for architecture lovers. Its Christmas market is one of Europe’s most charming and traditional, with pine garlands decorating wooden chalets, carved wooden toys for sale, delicious Dresden stollen, and an annual gingerbread fest.
You can visit Dresden’s Christmas market on the 7-Day Prague to Berlin Christmas Markets Tour.
Location: The entire city
Why we love it: Zagreb’s Christmas Market was voted the best in Europe in 2016, 2017 and 2018. It’s easy to see why – rather than being confined to one of the city’s squares, the markets span the entire city. You can also enjoy live concerts, ice skating and a live nativity scene in front of Zagreb cathedral. Make your way to every corner of the city, taking in Zagreb’s grand architecture and excellent museums along the way.
Learn about Balkan Christmas traditions on the 7-Day Zagreb to Munich Christmas Markets Tour.
Location: Christkindlmarket at Marienplatz
Why we love it: Munich’s Christmas market is a feast for the senses. It’s loud, lively and full of old Bavarian charm. Christmas lights glitter against log wood stalls and pine boughs, and all kinds of delicious aromas fill the air.
Join in the Christmas cheer when you visit Munich’s stunning Christmas markets on the 9-Day Vienna to Munich Christmas Markets Tour.
Location: Rynek Glowny
Why we love it: Krakow is one of Europe’s most elegant and underrated cities. A visit to Poland is a chance to immerse yourself in the folklore and traditions of an Eastern European Christmas. You can also join a tour to the Wieliczka salt mines. These are the oldest and deepest mines in Europe and they are absolutely incredible. Marvel at underground chapels, chandeliers and frescoes. Look closely and you’ll even find the nativity scene carved into the walls of the mine.
Head east and experience Poland’s vibrant Christmas traditions on the 6-Day Warsaw to Krakow Christmas Markets Tour.
Location: The capital city Ljubljana and the medieval village Radovljica.
Why we love it: Unlike the expansive markets in neighbouring Croatia, Slovenia’s markets are smaller, homely and oozing with charm. It’s also hard not to fall in love with quaint and colourful Ljubljana, whose river is lined with market stalls selling local handicrafts and possible Europe’s best hot chocolate. Head to the village of Radovljica where you can visit a gingerbread museum. While in Slovenia, it would a crime to miss snow on Lake Bled.
You can experience Christmas in Slovenia on the 7-Day Zagreb to Munich Christmas Markets Tour.
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