🎄 Top 10 best Christmas markets in Europe
On Christmas and New Year's Eve, it seems that there is something magical in the very air. And it’s not surprising, because this is the most wonderful time of the year, when many pleasant chores appear in our lives: gifts, congratulations, preparing a festive table, meetings with family and friends. And, of course, everyone would like to bring even more magic to this time. How to do it? You just need to visit the best Christmas markets. After all, when magic is everywhere, you yourself are filled with it.
Christmas markets are held in many countries, but European ones are rightfully recognized as the best.
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg, a city in France, is called the capital of Christmas. Fairs have been held here since 1570. We can say that on the eve of the holiday, not a fair is held in the city, but the city itself turns into one big fair.
About 300 wooden houses on local streets and squares will undoubtedly immerse you in the holiday atmosphere from the very first second. Here you can simply walk, taking in the sights around. You can also buy souvenirs, gifts, handicrafts, wooden toys and even jewelry.
After your walk, you should definitely eat some food. You can get local gingerbread or pretzels and try hot wine with cinnamon. Events for children are also held at festive locations.
Madrid, Spain
If you want to be at the epicenter of the festive events, but at the same time not feel discomfort due to the cold, then the Christmas market in Madrid is for you. The capital of Spain takes a very responsible approach to organizing the event. Thousands of lights, illuminations throughout the city, concerts and traditional dishes are the perfect combination for a pre-Christmas trip.
Like in many other cities, in Madrid events begin at the end of November, and Spaniards celebrate Christmas with their families, so the streets are empty.
The fair at Plaza España is worth a visit to buy handmade gifts from renowned local artisans. The Christmas Market at Plaza Mayor is a market in the main square of the city, which is very popular among tourists.
Nuremberg, Germany
The Christmas markets held in many German cities are often recognized as the best. Therefore, a couple of them will certainly make it into our top fairs.
The festive atmosphere of Nuremberg has long been its calling card. The Christmas market here is called Christkindlesmarkt, which translates as “market of the Christ child”.
Previously, the Christmas market was aimed at children. When on St. Nicholas's Day they were given sweets and toys for three days. But during the Reformation the date was moved to Christmas.
The fair in Nuremberg is a combination of the smell of cinnamon, tangerines, spices, gingerbread and mulled wine. Various activities for children are also organized at the children's fair at Hans-Sachs-Platz. Here they paint candles, ride on carousels, bake gingerbread and write greetings on cards.
At the Nuremberg fair, you should try Lebkuchen gingerbread, which has been baked here for over 600 years. And, of course, you need to buy minced pork sausages with marjoram. The recipe for this delicacy has not changed since 1497.
Prague, Czech Republic
This fair is rightfully considered the most popular. It is held on Old Town Square. The main Christmas tree is also located here, which impresses with its size and beauty.
Thousands of lights, wooden chalets with different goods, the smell of mulled wine and cinnamon – all this is reminiscent of a scene from the movie “Home Alone”. By the way, from time to time they play music from this film, which immediately transports you to New York and Kevin.
And don't forget to pay attention to Christmas baking. Here you should definitely try trdelnik – a puff pastry tube made from yeast dough, the filling can be different.
By the way, if you come to Prague for the first time and have little time to explore, we recommend our simplified guide. But if deadlines allow, then study the city more carefully using this guide.
Warsaw Poland
The Christmas market in Warsaw takes place in the Old Town. There is even a free skating rink organized at this holiday of fun. Guests and residents of the Polish capital just need to bring their own skates or rent them on site. And of course, it won’t be complete without hot mulled wine, which is called “Grzaniec” here, and a Christmas tree in the center of the square.
Krakow, Poland
The Christmas market in Krakow is located on a square where fairs have been held for years. Surrounded by live fir trees, warm white light and the main tree, there will be 68 stalls in 2023. Cheeses, meat delicacies, and baked goods not only made in Poland, but also Lithuanian, Hungarian and Ukrainian will be sold here. You can also look for antiques and various trinkets here.
And after enjoying the fair, you can take time to explore the city. We suggest taking a look at our one-day guide.
Tallinn , Estonia
The Christmas market here takes place on Town Hall Square; the Christmas tree has been erected in this location since 1441. Here you can buy sheepskin products, try local cuisine such as blood sausage called verivorst, and enjoy musical performances.
Also on this square, Father Frost has placed his house, who invites everyone to come to him. And you can drop a card with wishes in the mailbox.
In your free time, you can arrange a gastro guide around Kadriorg with Piligrimos. And if you came to the city with children, then here are 10 ideas for how to spend time with them in an interesting and educational way.
Stockholm, Sweden
In Stockholm's Old Town, near the Royal Palace, the Christmas market has been held for over 100 years. Tiny wooden houses with red roofs surround the tree, as if they are dancing around it. In such an atmosphere, you just want to take a walk and take a closer look at what these fabulous chalets offer.
And they offer the following: of course, handmade New Year's toys, art objects, sausages made from venison and elk. For those with a sweet tooth, they have prepared Swedish Christmas sweets, such as waffles, gingerbread and hot chocolate. You can warm up in the harsh Candy Islands winter with strong drinks. Glögg is a drink made from red wine with spices; it differs from mulled wine in that it is heated twice, so most of the alcohol evaporates. And for beer lovers, they offer it with spices.
By the way, here you will find 10 things that you definitely need to do, try or see in Sweden.
Bolzano, Italy
In Italy, many cities can delight travelers with fabulous Christmas markets. But the fair in the city of Bolzano is recognized as the most beautiful in the country and one of the most popular in Europe. The city is located in the province of South Tyrol in northern Italy.
The Christmas market is the main event of the year in the city, so the preparations are taken very seriously. What can you see during the event? A Christmas choir, fabulous wooden kiosk houses decorated with lights and garlands, a large Christmas tree, many live Christmas trees in pots and a distinctive feature – mountain peaks in the background.
In addition to mulled wine, you can also try pretzel – a salty or sweet pretzel, speck – a meat product air-dried and lightly smoked, and apple strudel, which indicates its proximity to Austria.
Now let's talk about fairs outside of Europe, which are also in our top.
Toronto, Canada
The traditional Christmas market in Toronto is one of the largest in North America. The scene with lights, Santa Claus, traders, fairground stalls – all this is about the Christmas atmosphere of the city. The central part of the fair is, of course, a huge Christmas tree.
A special feature of the Toronto Christmas Market is the 100-foot-long light tunnel, which makes the atmosphere even more magical. I think that if you walk along it and make a wish, it will certainly come true.
Paris, France
For the Christmas holidays, Paris becomes even brighter and more dazzling than usual. Small houses are popping up all over the city and New Year's fairs are opening. They display various decorations with decorations and craft goods. You can also try foie gras, Alsatian wine, French chocolate, roasted chestnuts, caramel apples and Christmas gingerbread.
Christmas markets in Paris open on the Champs Elysees, at the Eiffel Tower, in Montmartre, in the Montparnasse and Défense districts, and also near the Church of Saint-Sulpice. And if you have just arrived and don’t yet understand what locations we are talking about, then be sure to check out our routes for exploring the city.
Vienna, Austria
Vienna's Christmas markets are traditionally included in the list of the most atmospheric and beautiful events in Europe. A special feature of the capital of Austria is that there is not just one holiday market on its territory, but several at once in different areas. It will take several days to study everything!
The main market is located on Town Hall Square. At this place, all visitors are greeted by an arched gate with candles. And behind them are more than 150 traditional Christmas huts. They offer city residents and tourists Christmas tree decorations, handicrafts, culinary treats, confectionery and warming drinks. In addition, visitors can ice skate on the park's trails or on two large skating rinks.
And in Maria Theresa Square, just a 10-minute walk from the main winter fair, you can find a real Christmas village. More than 70 stalls will show guests the specialties of traditional Austrian crafts.
Helsinki, Finland
In Helsinki, Christmas markets can be found in several main places in the city: Lasipalatsi, Senate Square and Market Square. They are located close to each other, so you can visit them all in one day. What deserves the most attention is the St. Thomas Christmas Market on Senate Square.
More than 120 festively decorated pavilions gather in one place, where guests are offered artistic products from artisans, holiday lamps, Christmas tree decorations, and farm products. A wide variety of gifts are also presented – traditional knitted socks, candles, modern outfits, and designer jewelry.
You can try traditional Finnish snacks and drinks here in the food court. Entertainment for children and adults includes carousel rides, theatrical performances, concerts of jazz orchestras and choirs performing Christmas carols.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Winter Copenhagen is a truly fabulous city! One of the oldest amusement parks in Europe, Tivoli Garden is ideal for immersing yourself in the festive atmosphere. For several decades now, on the eve of the main winter holiday, the most popular Christmas market in Copenhagen has been operating here.
Fantastic illumination, ancient and modern carousels, stalls with traditional delicacies (candied nuts and hot chocolate) – all this attracts children and adults of all ages.
Please note: entrance to the park, and therefore to the fair, is paid – 99 DKK. To avoid wasting time standing in line, it is better to buy tickets in advance on the park’s website.
New York, USA
Of course, New York is one of the most “Christmas” cities. And all thanks to the film “Home Alone”, which has long become a tradition for many to watch on the eve of the holiday. Illumination, decorations, good mood – all this is about the city of the Big Apple in the last month of the year.
In 2023, Christmas markets in New York will be held in several places at once. Let's talk about the best of them.
The Union Square Fair will be held in the heart of Manhattan. Here you will be presented with about 200 kiosks. Soap, candles, hats, art objects – everything can be found here. By the way, there is life outside of Manhattan – we tell you what to see there in this material.
The Bryant Park Christmas Market is different in that instead of the usual stalls, visitors will find boutique-style shops. That's why you come here for exquisite goods.
The fair at Central Station will be a great place to choose a gift for yourself and your loved ones for the holidays. Here you can find handbags, toys, skincare products, jewelry and gifts for Christmas.
If you stay in the city, we recommend organizing a gastrotour. A list of establishments has been compiled here. You can find a one-day guide to New York here.
We, first of all, create the holiday atmosphere ourselves, but Christmas markets are created precisely to add magic to our lives. Therefore, the eve of the holiday will be a good time for your trip.