- 14 Oct, 2024
Europe is the most highly-visited tourist spot compared to other continents, accounting for 50% of tourist arrivals worldwide. This percentage significantly increases during the winter because this season brings out the best of Europe, especially if you visit during Christmas. In addition to the mesmerizing beauty and beautiful snowfall, the Christmas Markets take over the streets. Read along to uncover the "Best Christmas Markets in Europe," adding to your tour plan will ensure the most memorable trip and remarkable experience. Please review all the mentioned destinations and markets one by one so that you can choose the ones that best suit your preferences.
List of 10 Best Christmas Market in Europe to Visit
1. Vienna Christmas Market (Austria)
You can begin your European trip by exploring the Vienna Christmas Market, one of the most renowned marketplaces and tourist spots during Christmas. The most fascinating part of their marketplace is that they offer innumerable markets across Vienna. Some of the major markets of this city are Vienesse Dream Christmas Market, Christmas Village Belvedere Palace, Christmas Village Campus University of Vienna, and many others. All these markets offer decorated market stalls, creative artistry exhibitions, traditional handcrafted goods, etc. These markets generally exist from mid-November to December.
2. Advent Feast at the Basilica (Budapest, Hungary)
If you do not include this marketplace in your Europe trip, you will miss out on a lot of remarkable experiences. Why? The Advent Feast at the Basilica is a four-time winner of "The Best Christmas Market in Europe Award" in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024, which undoubtedly makes it one of the most fascinating Christmas European Fairs. This market operates from November 17, 2024, to January 1, 2025. It is one of the most promising festivals, offering more than 100 domestic craft exhibitors, traditional Hungarian dishes, an ice-skating rink, charity events, and much more. This market is one of the primary reasons for the growing tourism in Budapest during December.
3. Prague Christmas Market (Czech Republic)
Prague Christmas Market brings out the festive magic in the Czech Republic. It lasts from November 30, 2024, to January 6, 2025, and provides a magical experience on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. This market opens daily at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. It provides a humungous variety of experiences, including daily carol concerts, numerous stalls, eco-markets that offer mouth-watering foods and beverages, and much more. In addition to the multiple stores, this place also offers live entertainment, like Medieval feasts, classical concerts, ballet shows, and other live amusements. Various ceremonies, such as Tree Lighting Ceremony, Lamp Lighting Ceremony, etc., take place during this duration.
4. Bruges Christmas Market (Belgium)
Bruges Christmas Market operates from November 11, 2024, to January 5, 2025. This city is renowned for its variety of beer and chocolate, but during the festival season, its charm and glow are massively amplified. This marketplace offers innumerable stalls, handmade clothing items, craftsmanship stores, amazing gastronomical experiences, and more. During Christmas, the ambiance of this city becomes unique, immersive, and dream-like. This market generally opens at 10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. For festivals like Christmas Eve and New Year, this market opens for limited hours with limited offerings. The most notable features of this market are the Christmas Trees, Fairy Lights, Butterfly Wafflers, and Hot Chocolate.
5. Verona Christmas Market (Italy)
Verona Christmas Market is one of the most prominent markets in northern Italy. During this festival, the whole city transforms into a Christmas Village, offering magnificent lighting above the streets, Christmas trees, and traditional delicacies. Their celebrations are primarily focused on the two squares: Piazza dei Signori and the Courtyard of the Mercato Vecchio. This place offers varied concerts, theatres, ballet shows, etc. The primary factor that draws millions of tourists to this marketplace is the international exhibition of nativity scenes in the Arena archways, such as the Christmas Run, New Year's Eve in Piazza Bra, and much more. This marketplace opens from November 10, 2024, to December 26, 2024.
6. Berlin Christmas Market (Germany)
Unlike other markets, Berlin Christmas Market is less about shopping and more about socializing. Moreover, it is unquestionably one of the most interesting markets you will ever come across. Why? This place's most significant tourist attraction is the most lavish and lovely - WeihnachtsZauber. This comprises heated tents that exhibit arts, crafts, and traditional cuisine. The WeihnachatsZauber is held at the Gendarmenmarket Square. In addition to the fascinating crafts, this marketplace also offers varied winter sports, such as ice skating, tobogganing, and much more, and it also provides free lessons for kids. It also offers various award-winning events featuring more than 80 fair-trade retailers. This market will exist from November 25 to December 30, 2024.
7. Salzburg Christmas Market (Austria)
Salzburg Christmas Market, opening from November 21, 2024, to January 1, 2025, is another excellent option for tourists to explore and enjoy their Christmas in Europe. Salzburg is at its peak beauty during the festive season, offering breathtaking scenery, friendly ambiance, mouth-watering delicacies, and enticing attractions. This city ensures quality over quantity; this is why they provide free daily concerts at 5 p.m. in front of the cathedral and belt out carols at the Tuesday singalongs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. These markets are one of Salzburg's oldest advent markets and are small handmade, wooden Nativity sets. This market primarily operates at the Dom and Residenzplatz Square, uniquely set in the heart of the World Heritage-listed old city of Salzburg.
8. Cologne Christmas Market (Germany)
Cologne Christmas Market has been a favored tourist destination in Germany, and tourism massively increases during Christmas. It offers various Christmas Markets spread across the city, the largest in the city center, beneath the cathedral. During this festive season, the beauty of this place is exceptionally alluring, comprising hundreds of twinkling lights spread overhead, and angels set up between elaborately decorated gates. This place offers something for every kind of tourist, whether an adult or a kid. For example, mythical gnomes, maritime history, sea shanties, and pirates for fancy visitors. The tradition-lovers can visit the Heinzels Winter Fairytale outdoor rink on Heumarkt. Nikolausdorf is aimed at youngsters, describing the story of the real St Nick.
9. Saranda Christmas Market (Albania)
Saranda is mentioned in Forbes as one of the most dynamic and modern cities, which attracts tourists perenially due to its perfect atmosphere of sunny and snowy holidays. The Saranda Christmas Market transforms this city into a winter wonderland during Christmas from December 6 to January 2, 2024. You will be surprised that this marketplace has been ranked among the 15 Best Christmas MarketPlaces in Europe. During the festivals, visiting this city is a treat for the eyes because of the mesmerizing beauty of this place, providing stages and events for DJs, glittering decorations, an ice rink, a carousel, and much more. Tourists can also relish the local cuisine, regional products, artisan crafts, rich programs and concerts, and various enticing performances.
10. Edinburgh Christmas Market (Scotland)
Last but not least, the marketplace that you must include in your Europe trip is the Edinburgh Christmas Market. This market is perfect for kids and for enjoying with family and friends. It is spread across the capital city of Scotland and offers innumerable experiences, including Harry Potter-themed gifts, local handmade produce, fascinatingly decorated gardens, and much more. This market opens from November 17, 2024, to January 5, 2025. In addition to the mentioned attractions, this city also offers a wide variety of delicacies and beverages that are extremely delicious. Besides the tasty cuisine, you will also find multiple fairs.
Conclusion
The Christmas Market is unquestionably the most enticing attraction in Europe during December. This often confuses tourists when choosing which market would be best. If you also have difficulty deciding, you have come to the right place for the answer. The above section discusses the "Top 10 Christmas Markets in Europe." While planning your holiday trip, you may also want to explore other popular European destinations. Check out our comprehensive guide on the 19 Best Places to Visit in Europe to get a broader idea of must-see locations beyond the festive season. All these marketplaces provide a wide variety to choose from, so you are advised to go through the mentioned markets individually and opt for the ones that suit your preference and trip plan the best.
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