The Best Christmas Markets in Europe!
Discover the enchanting Christmas markets of Vienna, Salzburg, Brussels, Berlin, Ulm, Freiburg, and Frankfurt—where festive atmosphere and local culture shine brighter than holiday lights.
Christmas Markets Around the World
Welcome back, dearest value travelers and readers! In this article, we're switching to a lighter topic. Since we're heading into the holidays, let's take a look at some of the world's very best Christmas markets!
This list is in no particular order, as one is not necessarily better than another; it is all based on personal preference.
Let's get some things clear first, however. Once you've seen one Christmas market, you've pretty much seen them all. They're essentially all, as my very Jewish grandmother used to say, "kitchy shtetles full of tchotchkes." I realize many do not speak or understand Yiddish, so I'll translate a bit here. "Kitchy" essentially means quaint, cute, or old-timey for visitors' sake. "Shtetl" is loosely translated as "small town," and lastly, tchotchkes are simply "bric-a-brac" or "knickknacks." You can put it together.
But these are not the reasons to go; never go for the shopping. €18–€45 for a small souvenir is ridiculous, and all Christmas markets sell more of these little souvenirs—i.e., figurines, mugs, beer steins, shot glasses, and more—than the U.S. sells guns. The cities in which they are located bring a different atmosphere and vibe to the Christmas markets. The atmosphere and people are the reasons to go. The vibes in general, the people, and the conversations are the reasons to stay. You can learn a great deal about a country and its people just by visiting a city's Christmas market.
Now then, let's uncover the best Christmas markets together!
- A few tips on what to wear: warm clothes, vests, hoodies, boots, light gloves, hats, but nothing that will overheat you. You're not going to the Arctic; you just want to keep warm, not hot, and you'll often be surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of other people. Use your best and sound judgment.*
Vienna, Austria
With its palaces and horse-drawn carriages, Vienna is fantasy stuff—and never more so than during Advent (December 1st through 25th), when you're only ever a step away from the next Christmas market. Go for fairground rides, ice skating, and mulled wine at the buzzy market in front of the neo-Gothic Rathaus or high-quality crafts at the romantic market in the narrow Biedermeier lanes of Spittelberg. Fairest of the lot, though, is the market on the grounds of Schloss Schönbrunn, with its magnificent tree, choirs, brass bands, carousel, and 80 huts selling everything from nostalgic wooden toys to beeswax candles, felt figurines, Alpine cheese, and candied nuts.
Salzburg, Austria
Christmas markets glitter all over Austria come Advent, but few are as magical as Hellbrunn Advent Magic, as the market is called by its official name. The market is held at Salzburg's Schloss Hellbrunn, with carolers, handicraft stalls, a Christmas train ride, and a petting zoo for kids, while the Baroque palace's 24 windows are transformed into a giant Advent calendar. A Christmas parade, brass bands, Alphorn blowers, nativity scenes, and a veritable forest of 400 twinkling trees make Yuletide here special.
Brussels, Belgium
With its step-gabled townhouses, cobbles, and strikingly lit Grand Place, Brussels is like a scene behind the door of an old-fashioned Advent calendar. And at Christmas, it's a knockout. Winter Wonders sprinkles the city with fairy dust, with sound and laser shows and a fabulous tree lighting up the Grand Place, ice and curling rinks, and a merry-go-round on Place de Brouckère. The 200-stall market spreads out from Place Sainte-Catherine, where you can shop for stocking fillers, scoff waffles, and pick up Belgian beer and chocolate. Let me tell you, authentic Belgian chocolate is heavenly!
Berlin, Deutschland (Germany)
Berlin turns the Christmas fun up to the max, with more than 80 Weihnachtsmärkte (literally, Christmas markets) switching their lights on for Advent and shimmering brightly until the New Year. If you have kids in tow, don't miss WeihnachtsZauber on Bebelplatz, overlooked by the grand State Opera. Street entertainers deliver a full-on fairy tale, with acrobats, dance troupes, ice queens, golden angels, choirs, and performers on stilts, and white, star-topped tents selling everything from quality ceramics to wood carvings, marzipan, fondue, and schnitzel with champagne. If you fancy a shot of snow fun, head over to Potsdamer Platz for ice skating, sledding, and mulled wine.
Ulm, Deutschland
If you've never heard of the city of Ulm, you're not alone, but you're likely missing a key city on this holiday run. Midway between Munich and Stuttgart, this southern German city on the Danube River is a stunner. The birthplace of Albert Einstein and home to a whopping Gothic cathedral crowned by the world's tallest steeple (161 m/528 ft high), this is a place that enchants visitors with its canal-woven, half-timbered old quarter. Oh, and its Christmas market is a cracker, with a live nativity scene, a carousel to ride, a tree glimmering with 18,000 lights, a storytelling yurt, and 120 stalls trading in everything from Steiff toys to beeswax candles and edible snowballs.
Freiburg, Deutschland
In Germany's Black Forest (Schwarzwald in Deutschland), snug against the border with Switzerland and France, the vivacious university city of Freiburg hosts one of the country's most lovely Christmas markets in its alley-woven medieval heart. Lights illuminate the gabled houses on Rathausplatz, where 120 wooden chalets keep things traditional with regional food and crafts. Nose around the stalls for folk carvings and nativity figures, Moravian stars, beeswax candles, sheepskin rugs, and Black Forest ham. Snacks like roasted almonds and local Langer Rote sausages pair well with Glühwein. Kids will have a blast baking cookies, making candles, and riding the Ferris wheel.
Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland
The Frankfurt Christmas market (pictured), the largest Christmas market in Europe, winds its way through the entire city center like a glowing ribbon for one month, traditionally from the 22nd of November through the 22nd of December. From the WeihnachtsRoßmarkt (Christmas market) to the Hauptwache, Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz with its Rosa Weihnacht and Paulsplatz, down to the Römerberg and the Mainkai with its children's Christmas market, there are over 230 elaborately decorated stalls. Visitors will find handicrafts, Christmas decorations, gifts, and Christmas specialties from all over the world. On the Römerberg, the huge Christmas tree shines against the picturesque backdrop of the old town.
A special highlight is the traditional Frankfurt specialties, which you should definitely try! The famous Bethmännchen, a sweet marzipan pastry you can eat on the go, are a must during the Advent season. They go wonderfully with a mug of hot apple wine (Apfelwein), which is an integral part of Frankfurt—especially on cold winter days. Truly, entire shop stands specialize in Apfelwein.
The traditional Quetschemännchen makes a lovely souvenir. These little ladies and gentlemen are made from dried plums and nuts held together with wire. Originally, the Quetschemännchen was a chimney sweep or musician who was supposed to bring good luck.
If it seems that I spent an inordinate amount of time on Frankfurt and its festivities, I must congratulate you on your perception, dear readers. It was the most amazing time I had in Deutschland, so you must forgive some civic favoritism. Berlin was fun but touristy, Munich was great, Stuttgart had its definitive charm, but Frankfurt am Main was where I found my heart, and where I'll be moving to.
There are several other Christmas markets in Europe, but these are, by far, the best by traveler consensus.
Enjoy this festive time, and we hope you'll plan your holiday itinerary with Brooke In The Air Travel at brookeintheairtravel.net!
