Photo by Roderick Eime

Christmas in Prague is impressive. I haven’t been, but I was told. Prague has more than one big Christmas market, it has a few, but the most important ones are those from the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. These two are very close to one another. This market is open daily, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Eve. Among the usual Christmas decorations, the wooden huts sell different things such as handmade objects, glassware, embroidered lace, wooden toys, ceramics, scented candles, tree ornaments, all sorts of dolls dressed in traditional clothing, but also traditional food. Within the market, tourists, especially kids, can enjoy the animal stables and a beautiful Bethlehem scene.

Photo by John W. Schulze

A new thing this year will be the designs and works of Josef Lada, a famous Czech artist known for his traditional winter scenes.

Why should you go there?

Prague Christmas Market is well-known for its local delicacies, traditional food, and beverage: the famous Czech beer (Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen, and Budvar), muffins, blood sausages, mulled wine. It is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

#2 Brussels

Photo by Miguel Discart

The Winter Wonders Christmas market, situated in the heart of the city, in the Grand-Place and around it, is a magical place that bring light into people’s hearts. This market includes more than 200 chalets, attractions such as a Ferris wheel and merry-go-rounds, an ice rink specially designed for skating, and, of course, a huge Christmas tree, amazingly lighted.

New this year will be a Tunisian village with music, food specialties and crafts, seeing how Tunisia will be a guest of honor this year. A new Ferris wheel of 55 m and lots and lots of lights throughout the city will be present.

Photo by Miguel Discart

Why should you go there?

Because Brussels offers a large variety of specialties such as wooden chalets, traditionally made, and, also, delicacies. There are a lot of restaurants in Grand-Place, a fairground wheel and lots of magical lights in the afternoon, to give a proper show for tourists.

#3 Vienna

Photo by charley1965

Step into the lovely city of Austria and see how lights give people a little bit of Christmas enchantment.  Vienna has at least 20 beautiful markets of this kind. It is said that Vienna is the home of Christmas markets and this is a truly old tradition, taking place since 1928. The Viennese Christmas market is like a small city of its own with all those lights and smells and singing and children. The Belvedere Palace, one of Vienna’s significant sights, is the backdrop of another Christmas market, a place with elaborated crafts and special culinary pleasures. The Schönbrunn Palace is a truly special market, filled with over 50 exhibitors who present original, handmade and homemade crafts and goods. Do not miss it!

Photo by charley1965

Why should you go there?

You should definitely visit the home of Christmas markets and see the most important ones because you will find everything you need there: from jewelry, pottery, ceramics handmade and homemade delicious desserts, to mulled wine, hot punch, a world of lights and happy faces. It has an iconic ice skating rink and a wonderful atmosphere.

Photo by tsteenbergen

Berlin is one of the world’s most festive Christmas markets, so if it happens to find yourself in the neighborhood, be sure to visit the city’s hotspots. Wooden huts made only from natural materials provide a very festive atmosphere while kids are entertained by carousels and small railways. If you’re heading for the Charlottenburg Palace, you will be able to combine your Christmas shopping with a visit to the palace or the gardens surrounding it. It is a magical place with fairy tale tents specially organized for children.

Photo by Özgür Cam

This year there were installed some huts that sell hot chestnuts, pancakes, and other specialties and also heated tents so that you can also wine and dine in peace.

Why should you go there?

If you love sausages, glazed fruits, and fruity ciders, Berlin should be your next stop. Plus, it offers endless inspiration when it comes to handcrafted gifts, decorations, toys since it has over 170 stands and many exposing artists and musical performances.

#5 Strasbourg

Photo by Tristan Schmurr

The first Christmas market in Strasbourg was held in 1570. For this reason, it is considered the oldest and also largest markets in France and this is also why this city was included on the list of the best Christmas markets in Europe.  The Christmas market from the cathedral square has about 300 huts and stalls which are spread in the town center. It is a place where tradition and adventure combine, where authenticity and generosity embrace everybody. You can smell the rich flavors everywhere and you can taste delicious traditional sweets, prepared during Advent.

Photo by francois schnell

Why should you go there?

It is the perfect location to combine culture and tradition. It offers a lot of cultural events and live music, which are perfectly and traditionally established, so it can also be a cultural city break or holiday if you decide to go there.

#6 Copenhagen

Photo by Maria Eklind

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, has many Christmas markets, but the one from the Tivoli Gardens is the most elegant Christmas market. Here, there are organized a lot of small shops and villages filled with Christmas items to gift your family and friends. Seeing that there is an amusement park, you can only guess how many lights does the market have and how beautifully they are displayed. It is an amazing picture. The lake is transformed into a giant ice rink. The Tivoli Gardens market includes fireworks and cabarets. You should take into consideration that on Christmas Eve and on the first day of Christmas this market is closed.

Photo by jack_g

Why should you go there?

Because you can taste Glogg, a spicy red wine drink, which is a local specialty and also Aebleskiver, which comes with fried cake, sugar, and jam. Because you can take your kids to visit the “Land of Elves” for many surprises.

#7 Budapest

Photo by John

If you are a fan of honey cookies, rich flavors and mulled wine, then the Budapest Christmas market is the place to go. Besides the usual desserts, here, you can find some local and traditional Hungarian dishes such as roasted goose thigh, roasted pork knuckle, strudels and a type of Jewish cake. You can take a walk or sit down the numerous benches and enjoy the festive feel. Also, you can attend choir concerts, workshops, programs for the kids, folklore performances, and other events.

Photo by beta.robot

Why should you go there?

Budapest Christmas fair offers a great deal of experiences such as laser shows, concerts, thermal baths, and ballet, besides the Hungarian pastries which are well known.

Photo by Tanya Hart

Amsterdam provides a wide range of festive opportunities within its Christmas markets, making you feel all warm and fuzzy. This city provides markets to please anyone looking for Christmas presents, goodies to taste or fun stuff (ice rinks). Visiting any fair in Amsterdam is a great way to start or end your day, or maybe both. You can find all types of European foods, a wide variety of good mulled wine or beer. A great thing about Christmas is that some museums and cinemas are also opened that day, besides restaurants and coffee places. Some of the are offering Christmas-based menus, so that is kind of great.

Photo by Franklin Heijnen

Why should you go there?

Amsterdam Christmas markets offer you over more than 300 wooden stalls, perfect for gifts or culinary treats shopping, beautiful Christmas trees and snowmen. There is a Festival of Lights, Water Colors boat rides and many wonderful windows displays you shouldn’t miss.

#9 Manchester

Photo by Donald Judge

I have read that the Christmas market in Manchester is the most original, biggest and best market in the country. It attracts millions of visitors every year. The huts and chalets installed around the city offer you international food and drink, jewelry, toys and Yuletide gifts, carefully crafted. You can find here fine amber jewelry, handmade leather bags, French soaps, Belgian kitchenware. Almost everything.

A new thing this year will be street theater and magicians and LED light performers, offering extraordinary views such as the Manchester Cathedral and the National Football Museum.

Photo by Donald Judge

Why should you go there?

Manchester’s Christmas market is famous for its traditional bratwurst, but there are also other options such as goulash, paella or hog roast. Don’t forget to include this city in your agenda when planning your next Christmas vacation.

#10 Stockholm 

Photo by Michael Caven

Last but not least of the best Christmas markets in Europe is in Stockholm. Here, traditional and contemporary mix and blend into a wonderful winter atmosphere for Christmas. The Old Town’s Christmas market is a must if you want to enjoy a proper Swedish Christmas (it is being held since 1523). It is the oldest and most traditional market in Sweden. This market is opened for a whole month before Christmas Eve, so pay attention when you want to visit it. Entrepreneurs are there to provide with the best traditional Swedish products, focusing mainly on elk meat and reindeer.

Photo by Bengt Nyman

Why should you go there?

Go and visit the red little stalls in the center of Old Town and enjoy the glogg, smoked sausages, gingerbread, cheese, Swedish sweets, smoked reindeer, elk meat and high-quality decorative arts.

So, after taking a look at the best Christmas markets in Europe, have you decided which one to visit? I would love to see the ones from Prague and Brussels and I really hope I’ll get the chance to do this, soon. The best Christmas markets in Europe are magical and enchanting places which can make you feel you have entered a fairy tale filled with sweets, scents and beautiul presents. Who wouldn’t love it?

Feature image: pixabay.com