It’s that time of the year! Here’s my round up of some of the best Christmas Markets in Europe to see! If Santa didn’t bring you an international flight this year, check out my post on the best Christmas Markets in USA that look like Europe!
Two years ago I took my mom to four countries and lord knows how many Christmas Markets, so here’s my round up of the best ones! I’ve also included some that were recommended by multiple people that I didn’t have a chance to see!
Here’s some quick tips for any Christmas Markets in Europe that you go see:
The Christmas Markets in Berlin were by far my favorites! Not only was there a ton of them, but they were the biggest, most festive, and had the best ornament selections!
They’re also a bit spread out though so my pro tip is to get a pass for the double decker hop-on hop-off bus to get around! Below are the stops to get off at for the Christmas Markets in Berlin:
Kurfürstendamm – wander along the famous Kurfürstendamm (aka the Champs-Élysées of Berlin) and let the dazzling lights get you into the Christmas spirit before you head to the market around Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Here you’ll find 100 festive stalls, fairground rides a petting zoo and best of all, a giant Christmas tree!! Not to mention the delicious German food on offer including Germknödel (fluffy yeast dumplings filled with spiced plum jam), Schmalzkuchen (mini donuts) and gingerbread. The market here is open from November 25 2019 through to January 5 2020.
Gendarmenmarkt – The Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt is a feast for your senses with an atmosphere like no other. Daily entertainment consists of choir, gospel, classical or jazz performances in addition to jugglers and fire-eaters! At the stalls you’ll find a range of locally made crafts including clothing, belts, combs, paintings and photographs and well as delicious local delicacies. The market is open from November 25 to December 31 2019.
Potsdamer Platz – Also know as the Winter World, the market at Potsdamer Platz will see you living out your classic Christmas dreams. The market features a large open air ice skating rink and a giant sled. The stalls are set up like little log cabins and sell handmade crafts and some mouthwatering food like candied apples, roasted almonds and mulled wine. The market is open from November 1 2019 to January 5 2020.
If you plan on venturing south of Berlin, some other exciting Christmas markets you might want to visit include:
The Ravenna Gorge Market– which looks like an actual snowglobe! The market is located in a valley covered by a forest of evergreens with a 130-foot-tall stone arched
railway viaduct running across it. Around 40 wooden huts sell local goods and food. The market runs from November 29 to December 24 2019.
Christkindlemarkt – which is located in Nuremberg, Germany. Christkindlemarkt is the most significant and best-known Christmas market and dates back to the 16th century. Here you will find over 100 stalls filled with Lebkuchen (traditional gingerbread made from a 600 year old recipe) and holiday decorations made from wood, glass, or the traditional Rauschgoldengel (gold foil angels). This market also runs from November 29 to December 24 2019.
Warsaw had a couple of cute Christmas Markets, but what I liked most was the perogees! I ate a lot of them mostly because I was trying to get inside and out of the cold!
The Old Town in Warsaw is also really cute, and there’s a clock tower you can climb for an
aerial view!
The main Christmas Markets in Warsaw are:
The Warsaw Christmas Market – Located in Castle Square in front of the Royal Castle, the Warsaw Christmas Market highlights the beauty of Warsaw. The city’s Christmas tree, dripping in fairy lights, is located here. Wooden hut style stalls are decorated in red and green and sell a ton of gifts and local and not so local foods. Sip on a cup of hot Gluwien as you indulge in traditional Polish cheese parties and also some baklava! The market runs from November 24 2019 to January 7 2020.
The Christmas Market in Barbakan – Surrounded by brick buildings covered in snow, and located in the Old Town, this market really takes you back in time. Around 60 wooden stalls sell local handmade goods like jewelry, clothing, Christmas decorations and toys. Don’t forget to indulge in some Gluwien and a hot chocolate or two. The market runs from November 22 2019 to January 7 2020.
If you venture beyond Warsaw, there’s also the Christmas market in Krakow in the Central Square. Fun fact: Krakow used to be the capital of Poland until 1596, when Warsaw took over. Krakow is often cited as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, and its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Krakow market runs from November 29 to December 26.
There were also a lot of Christmas Markets in Vienna! We again used the tourst hop-on hop-off bus to get around to them, because they’re spread throughout the city. We also stayed right in the city center so we could enjoy some later in the night after the buses stopped running.
Vienna is where we found the most Christmas mugs as well. But it takes drinking A LOT of hot Gluwien in order to get them! Be sure to bring a sturdy bag to hold them, and maybe even some newspaper to warp them in so they don’t break!
The best Christmas Markets in Vienna are:
The Christmas Market at Spittelberg – The Spittelberg is a heritage district with small romantic lanes and charming buildings, so you can imagine how whimsical it looks during the holiday season! The markets are well known for their ceramics, knitted sweaters, rugs and jewellery. The market runs from November 14 to December 23 2019.
The Christmas Village in the Former General Hospital – Wander down the narrow alleyways of the former General Hospital and delight your senses with a glass (or three) of Gluwien while you shop for festive decorations. The market runs from November 15 to December 23 2019.
The Viennese Dream Christmas Market – Located in front of the City Hall, this picturesque market will have you feeling like you’re in a Christmas Wonderland immediately. This market also runs from November 15 to December 23 2019.
The Christmas Village Belvedere Palace – Around 40 stalls set up in front of the historical Belvedere Palace and sell festive decorations, traditional handmade goods and delicious treats. The market runs from November 22 to December 31 2019.
I’d have to say that Bratislava had the most authentic European Christmas Market experience. There weren’t many tourists, so it was mostly locals enoying the Christmas Markets. The old town in Bratislava is really cute and there’s a clocktower there as well that you can climb.
The view from the top of the clock tower is amazing because you can see the whole Christmas Market below! It’s quite a sight to see with the candy cane striped stalls and magical fairy lights everywhere. There’s also a rooftop restaurant near another Christmas Market with great views as well.
There’s only two main Christmas Markets in Bratislava which are:
Hlavne Namestie – aka, the Main Square Market. Home to over 100 stalls, this market is not to be missed! Prepare to indulge your senses with mulled wine and delicious local cuisines like potato pancakes and roasted meats (if you’re that way inclined). Hlavne Namestie is also home to festive concerts and shows, as well as handmade goods made out of leather, glass and wood. The market runs from November 23 to December 23.
Hviezdolav’s Square – the market here is just a short walk away from Hlavne Namestie. The Christmas market at Hviezdolav’s Square sells a ton of local street food – caramelized onions and cinnamon feature heavily. If you’re planning on buying Christmas presents, buy them here! Local products and souvenirs are sold cheaper at Hviezdolav’s Square compared to most other markets. The market runs from November 23 to December 23.
Be sure to also check out the ice skating rink at Hviezdolav’s Square. You will really feel like you’re in a winter wonderland! Surrounded by beautiful historical buildings, which are lit up beautifully at nighttime, this is an experience you will not want to miss out on.
Which of these Christmas markets will you be visiting this year? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share my tips with your friends, family and fellow travelers!
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I can only agree that the Christkindlemarket is one of the finest in Germany. An extra tip for Berlin: The Christmas market in Spandau is also marvelous.