Elizabeth WaddingtonIt is almost that time of year again. It can be easy, as we grow older, to lose that Christmassy magic that we once felt in our childhoods. A visit to a European Christmas market is a way to rekindle the enchantment and to feel the cosy glow of the Christmas spirit in some of Europe’s most beautiful cities.
Here are some cities in Europe with the best Christmas markets in 2015.
Berlin, Germany
Image credit: Eirik Newth
You could say that Berlin is the capital of Christmas market shopping. There are over fifty Christmas markets held throughout the city, so if you travel to this German capital then you will definitely be spoiled for choice. The different markets all have their own character and are known for different things, so you could spend some time comparing some of the best examples in different districts of the city. Alternatively, you could visit the largest of the Christmas markets, which runs each year at the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche and welcomes over two million visitors.
Nuremberg, Germany
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Nuremberg is one of the many German cities that gets it right when it comes to creating the Christmas markets and the festive atmosphere throughout the city centre. Nuremberg’s ‘little town of wood and cloth’ is made up of over one hundred and eighty stalls throughout the old town. Stalls sell a range of foods and drinks – real winter warmers – and a whole range of ornaments, toys, games and gifts. See golden angels glittering all over the place and the Christkind on the Church of Our Lady and revel in the atmosphere of Christmas calm and serenity.
Brussels, Belgium
Image credit: Kathryn Burrington
Brussels is a quintessentially Christmassy place. The ‘winter wonders’ held here get better every year. The Christmas market, a forest of little wooden huts which are the stalls, selling food, drink and arts and crafts items, stretches on for almost two kilometres through the city, from Grand Place to Place Ste-Catherine. There are also a range of funfair rides and attractions, including a 35 metre long toboggan slope, a huge skating rink and a big wheel sparkling with 18,000 lights. The atmosphere is great fun and full of good cheer – the perfect antidote to an identi-kit shopping mall Christmas.
Copenhagen, Denmark
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Copenhagen is a classy Christmas city. Prices may be high, as with the rest of Scandinavia, but there is plenty to see and do here that won’t break the bank. Save some of those pennies to sample some delicious New Nordic cuisine, which is the height of sophistication. If you are looking for something a little more traditional, Danish market stalls in the Tivoli gardens are set against a backdrop of fairy lights and old-school roller coasters. Take a reindeer ride or just stroll and enjoy the fireworks after Christmas, towards the end of the festivities.
Stockholm, Sweden
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Another swish Scandinavian offering, Stockholm offers a sedate and traditional Christmas market with plenty of specifically Swedish flair and plenty of the Christmas pageantry of yester-year. The Skansen market has been held here since 1903. This is a great Christmas market to visit if you want something typical of the country rather than more generic Christmas food and drink and crafted items. One of several great Christmas market cities in the country, Stockholm is definitely one to save up for.
Vienna, Austria
Image credit: Hannah Swithinbank
Vienna has hosted Christmas markets for hundreds of years and those found here are still amongst the prettiest and most quaint around. The unique and charming Spittelberg market is perhaps one of the highlights amongst the many markets found in this beautiful city. Another highlight is the Rathaus, town hall, the windows of which are painted and lit up for advent. The largest market in the city is that which is takes place in front of the Rathausplatz.
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Prague. Czech Republic
Image credit: Marcus Povey
The gothic, fairytale centre of the Czech city of Prague is perhaps the perfect setting for a Christmas market. The fairy lights on the trees, rich sights and smells and if you are lucky, a light dusting of snow on the ground will make you feel as though you have stepped right into a Christmas card. This could not be a better setting for Christmas food indulgence and a little bit of Christmas retail therapy.
Budapest, Hungary
Image credit: Top Budapest
Budapest is one of those cities on the Danube that goes all out when it comes to creating the seasonal atmosphere. Many people each year come to Hungary to get their fix of all things Christmas. This place is so Christmassy you could almost imagine Saint Nick popping out of one of the shops and elves bustling off around each corner. Here you can visit stalls around Vörösmarty Square, for example, and can purchase not just mulled wine and waffles to warm the cockles but also crafts overseen and approved by the Association of Hungarian Folk Artists. The 18th century Gerbeaud House is transformed into a giant Advent Calendar, with a new window opening to reveal a painting each day.
Gothenburg, Sweden
Image credit: Heather Cowper
Image credit: Ia Ezwa
Get yourself a glass of glögg and get into the spirit of things at this lively market, which is the largest such market in Sweden. Christmas in Gothenburg is a light-and-food-filled extravaganza. The Liseberg Market is said to be the largest in the country and you can also enjoy a range of other attractions, including outdoor ice-skating and a whole raft of exciting funfair rides.
Krakow, Poland
Image credit: Mattia Panciroli
If all the German and Scandinavian markets seem a bit steep then you should check out the wonderfully atmospheric, varied and beautiful Christmas markets of Krakow, Poland. The Poles go in for these Christmas celebrations in a big way and you are bound to find that your money goes further here than it would do further north/west. The huge central square of the mediaeval old town turns into a light filled wonderland for six weeks over the festive period.
Christmas markets take place all over Europe and these are just some of the best examples. So this Christmas, why not eat, drink and be merry in one of the most delightful cities on the continent?
Also read: A Complete Guide to Getting Around Europe
