As the festive season will soon be upon us we’ve been thinking about the best Christmas Markets in the UK and Europe. Whether you want to take the other half on a pre-Christmas getaway or the kids away for some festive fun, we’re sure we’ll find you the perfect Christmas Market with a little help from our handy guide below!
Best Christmas Market for Romance – Paris
Christmas is the time of year to enjoy together with your family and friends and couldn’t there be a better place than in Paris. Known as the ‘City of Love’, it’s also famous for its diversified Christmas Markets, starting with the so-called “Marchés de Noël” at La Defense and Montparnasse. No matter if you like to soak up the vivid and festive atmosphere of Christmas or if you fancy to taste some typical dainties with mulled wine, the ‘Marchés de Noël’ has plenty to offer. Beside these there are lots of other smaller Christmas Markets which are spread across the city. To add even more romance to your Paris Christmas Market trip, why not pay a visit to the world renown Eiffel Tower. But be aware that the Parisian Christmas Markets close at about half seven so don’t wait too long to visit them.
Best Christmas Market for Families – Berlin
Berlin has a fabulous selection is Christmas Markets perfect for all the family. With over 100 markets to choose from there is so much to see and do at Christmas time, the oldest market in Berlin is decorated in the style of the 19th Century. This market is popular for children with a ferris wheel, mini-farm and ice-skating rink. Other great Christmas Markets for kids include Wintertraum Alexa and Winterwelt am Potsdamer Platz which has its own large snow mountain to sledge down! If you are looking for something a little more traditional you could always pay Weihnachtsmarkt am Gedachtniskirche a visit, with plenty of Christmas decoration, gifts and food and drink to try!
Best Christmas Market for Food & Drink – Cologne
German Christmas Markets are known for their wide range of delicious food and drinks, so the Christmas Market of the beautiful city of Cologne won’t disappoint you when it comes to feasting! If fancy a beverage a little different to a conventional mulled wine, then this is the right place for you. ‘Feuerzangenbowle’ is a variation of mulled wine which additionally consists of caramelised sugar and burned rum. Don’t worry though, this market is still suitable for non-drinkers and children! You can also experience a great selection of non-alcoholic herbal teas or fruit punches. If you are feeling a bit peckish you can always sample the traditional German Market sausages, they are sure to please. To further perfect this culinary adventure there are loads of sweet biscuits and different kinds of gingerbread to try.
Best Christmas Market for Culture – Prague
Known as the city of the golden rooftops, the Czech capital offers the perfect Christmas Market for those who love culture. Enjoy Europe’s finest architecture combined with festive decorations. Experience a festive side to Prague as the whole city including its many churches, cathedrals and sights celebrate the Christmas season. Beside this you can also relish large varieties of regional food as for example the ‘Trdelnik’, which are which are sweet walnuts. You will probably also find a nice Christmas present as the market offers loads of locally crafted products.
Best Christmas Market for something different – Valkenburg
Have you ever fancied exploring a different type of Christmas Market which breaks away from the traditional conventions? If so Valkenburg Christmas Market is the one for you. Constructed in underground caves, Valkenburg offers something a little different to other Markets. Aside the caves there are also Christmas Market stalls, set up throughout the lovely decorated city of Valkenburg. Also why not visit the Christmas Parade which takes place every Wednesday and Saturday?
Best Christmas Market for gifts – Bruges
Are you a chocoholic? Then the Bruges Christmas Market in Belgium is exactly the right Christmas Market for you! Discover an incredible variety of different Belgian chocolates. The Christmas Market is also famous for its laces. Beside the lovely decorated shopping streets, Bruges has also something special to offer: The Ice Rink. Join others on the ice and do some laps under festive lights. In addition to this there is an Ice Sculpture Festival and an Ice Bar. So those who love the winter with it’s cold temperatures will surely be impressed by this Christmas Market.
Best Christmas Market for traditional gifts in the UK – Lincoln
Lincoln’s Christmas Market, runs from 4th to 7th December this year and is the number one Christmas Market when it comes to finding traditional Christmas gifts in the UK. Consisting of around 250 stalls, the Lincoln Christmas Market has dramatically developed in the last years. With its gothic Cathedral and Norman Castle, Lincoln’s backdrop won’t fail to impress. Those wishing to experience something a little different won’t be disappointed, the market has a large selection of German crafted goods as well as typically German food such as the legendary German sausages called ‘Bratwurst’ or ‘Grillwurst’.
Most Traditional Christmas Market – Vienna
With over 700 hundred years, worth of history dating back to 1294, the Vienna Christmas Market is one of the longest-existing Christmas Markets. There are lots of markets spread throughout the whole city, with the main Christmas Market is held at the ‘Rathausplatz’ (town hall square). During the Advent period the ‘Rathausplatz’ turns into a magic fairy-tale land. Consisting of about 150 stalls, the market offers a wide range of hot drinks, decorations or sweets. Be inspired by the aromas of Christmas bakery and punches. The Vienna Christmas Markets are known to be very child-friendly, especially at ‘Karlsplatz’.