‘Tis that time of the year again: temperatures drop, cities light up and you have an urge to listen to Christmas carols. In order to get you in the mood for the most wonderful time of the year, we listed the best Christmas markets in Europe, to take in all the Holiday season feels.
Strasbourg, France
From November 24 to December 24, the streets and squares of Strasbourg fill with Christmas stalls selling all kinds of sweets and local products, in what is the oldest Christmas market in France. Regularly recognized as one of the most beautiful ones, Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik welcomes some 300 chalets in its Unesco-classified historic center. The other big highlight of this market? Its Christmas tree installed every year on place Kléber: it’s the largest natural tree in Europe!
How to go from Brussels:
•By car: it’s a 4h30 ride
•By train: 3h30 to 4h30 depending on connections. Count 150€ to 250€ for the round trip
•By plane: 1h to 3h depending on connections and airlines. Prices start at 150€.
From November 24 to December 30. More info here.
Vienna, Austria
From mid-November until Christmas, the main squares of Vienna are transformed into enchanting markets. The smells of typical Austrian pastries and hot drinks fill the Rathausplatz square, where you can wander around the stands of the 6 different Christmas markets.
How to go from Brussels:
•By plane: 1h40, fares start at 96€
From November 18 to January 1, 2018, depending on the market. More info here.
Nuremberg, Germany
Since 1628, this historic Christmas market is a reference in Europe. It is indeed one of the most appreciated of Germany because of its size and its antiquity. The specialties of this Christmas market are traditional toys and decoration, but also food, with many merchants offering local and seasonal products. You’ll enjoy the delicious Lebkuchen (gingerbread) with Glühwein (hot wine spiced with cinnamon and cloves) or, if you feel hungry, the classic Bratwurst (grilled sausages) with cabbage and curry sauce.
Finally, don’t miss the lantern parade where 2,000 children from the schools of the city walk in a procession with lanterns they made themselves.
How to go from Brussels:
•By car: it’s a 6h ride
•By plane: 1h, fares start at 130€
From December 1st to December 24 2017. More info here.
Brussels, Belgium
How could we not mention “Plaisirs d’hiver”, our biggest Christmas market? Thanks to the international aspect of Brussels, the market has a cosmopolitan character since its numerous stalls (more than 200) sell typical handicrafts from all over Europe. You’ll find glögg (Swedish hot wine) as well as santons de Provence, Italian panettone, Savoyard croziflette and even English Christmas pudding.
Besides the market itself, “Plaisirs d’hiver” offers lots of activities such as a Ferris wheel, sound and light shows, exhibitions, concerts and choirs and even an ice rink!
From November 24 to December 31, 2017. More info here.
Zurich, Switzerland
Zürich’s Christmas market is probably one of the most original ones of this selection! It’s located right inside the train station, making your arrival by train absolutely magical. The 150 stalls make it the largest covered market in Europe, and the 15-meter tree covered in Swarovski crystals probably make it one of the most precious ones.
But Christmas in Zürich is more than just its markets and trees, don’t miss the Christmas-themed city tours and the local custom of the “Christmas singing tree” on the Werdmühleplatz: on a tree-shaped decorated and illuminated stage with a bit under 10 floors, a choir of children sing Christmas carols, and it’s so precious.
How to go from Brussels:
•By car: it’s a 7h ride
•By plane: 1h10, fares start at 128€
From November 23 to December 23, 2017. More info here.
Stockholm, Sweden
Taking place in Gamla Stan, the heart of Stockholm’s Old Town, the Stortorget julmarknad’s location could not get any better. Created in 1837, it is the oldest Christmas market in Sweden, and the 40 small red stalls blend in perfectly with this historic swedish architecture surrounding it. When strolling through the little market, don’t forget to try the glögg while eating Swedish treats such as pepparkakor (ginger biscuit) and saffransbullar (saffron buns). Now just cross your fingers for snow!
How to go from Brussels:
•By plane: 2h10, fares start at 52€
From December 2 to December 23, 2017. More info here.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague knows how to celebrate Christmas. The city has the particularity of offering not one, but five Christmas markets. On those markets, Czech traditions and craftsmanship are in the spotlight; you can shop various handmade products such as candles, puppets or toys. You can also taste Czech specialties like vánočka a braided Christmas cake.
How to go from Brussels:
•By plane: 1h30, fares start at 41€
From December 2, 2017 to January 6, 2018. More info here.
Aachen, Germany
One of the best and closest Christmas markets is the Aachen one. It is located just a few kilometers from the border and has more lights and stalls that you could dream of. The medieval streets of the city center and the view of the fourteenth century town hall and the Dome will take you back in time while drinking your glühwein and doing your Christmas shopping. Just be warned: in 30 days of Christmas market, Aachen attracts half a million visitors…
How to go from Brussels:
•By car: it’s a 1h30 ride, easy peasy!
•By train: 1h15, count around 60€ for the round trip
From November 24 to December 23, 2017. More info here.
