It's that time of year again, when the mind drifts to thoughts of cosy nights
around the fire, Christmas crackers and turkey with cranberry sauce. Europe
has a rich history of Christmas markets, all selling the traditional foods
and crafts of the region along with the usual fare, from decorations and
jewellery to mulled wine and gingerbread. Here are the best for getting
ready for the celebrations - get your food, drink and presents sorted in the
most gorgeous of settings.
GERMANY
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here for more German market information
Berlin
Market Nov 26- Dec 31: As befits the modern feel of Germany's thriving
capital, the Christmas markets are more contemporary in look, feel and wares
that those in the older cities around Germany. The most popular market, with
around four million visitors a year, is at Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche.
* DFDS Seaways has a five-night
coach tour to Germany travelling from Harwich to Esbjerg on November 30,
taking in Berlin, Lubeck, Schwerin, Wismar and Gustrow. Three nights are
spent in a hotel in Gustrow and there is a full day in Berlin - prices from
£280pp.
Munich
Market Nov 30 - Dec 24: Famous for its Oktoberfest but also for the
seasonal market on its town sqare, the Marienplatz. Sample the fare and be
sure to check out the local artisan products, including hand-crafted wooden
nativity figures.
Nuremberg
Market Nov 30-Dec 24: Nuremberg is the biggest and perhaps the best in
Germany. It is a perfect tinselly treat. Gingerbread is a speciality of the
region, so be sure to get your finest Hansel and Gretel garb on and feast on
that and the speciality sausage - Nuremberger bratwursts.
Heidelberg
Market Nov 28 - Dec 22: Germany's oldest university city has a famously
dramatic castle and its medieval streets host delightful Christmas markets.
The city's name is an adaptaion of the German word for blueberry
mountain, and you'll find plenty of culinary treats to grace the yuletide
dinner table.
Cologne
Market Nov 27 - Dec 23: There are six Christmas markets in Cologne, the
largest taking place at Neumarkt, with smaller ones including a medieval
affair near the Lindt chocolate museum and one that takes place on a boat on
the Rhine.
* BA Holidays also has a two night
break during December from £185pp at the three-star Mark Alpha Hotel,
Dresden including flights from Gatwick. The Christmas market is the oldest
in Germany and opens on November 28.
BELGIUM
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more Belgian market information
Bruges
Market Nov 24 - Jan 6: Head to this idyllic old town centre for
Belgium's finest Christmas markets. Channel-hopping on the high-speed
Eurostar makes this an easy destination for a christmas shopping dash.
* Kirker Holidays has a
three-night break to Bruges including breakfast and accommodation, First
class travel on Eurostar and the company's guidenotes to restaurants and
sights from £340pp.
FRANCE
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here for more French market information
Dunkirk
From December 1 you can supplement your booze cruise purchases with a visit to
the Christmas market - stock up on items for your stocking and Christmas
dinner table just across the Channel. Read our article: Dunkirk
in 24 hours
Lille
Market Nov 21 - Dec 24: Taking place in the place Rihour in the centre
of town, this month-long market is a simple train ride away. Father
Christmas attends frequently until the Saturday before Christmas when he
'falls' from the Chamber of Commerce's 80-metre-high Belfry.
*
Short-breaks.com has a two-night break from Dec 21 from £144pp
staying at Hotel Lille Europe, departing 7am on Erostar and returning at
17:38
* Cite Europe in Calais has special openings from 10am to 8pm every Sunday,
for all stores including Carrefour Hypermarket, until Christmas.
DENMARK
Copenhagen
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more Copenhagen market information
Market Nov 17 - Dec 30: The Tivoli Gardens in the centre of Denmark's
capital have all the fun of the fair. Rollercoasters and other theme park
rides add extra excitement to the masses of Christmas trees, presents, elves
and stalls. The gardens are transformed by a huge Christmas Tree and miles
of fairy lights: the Tivoli Lights were invented by Tiffany’s head designer
John Loring - 1,800 light chains are needed for the willows around The
Tivoli Lake.
* DFDS Seaways has a
five night break from £257, taking a ferry from Harwich to Esjberg on
November 21 and December 7, then taking a train to Copenhagen.
FINLAND
Helsinki
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here more more Helinski market information
Market Dec 7-20: The St Thomas Christmas Market in Esplande Park is up
there with the best in Scandinavia, with the Christmas decorations
brightening up those long northern winter nights.
ESTONIA
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more Tallinn market information
Tallinn
Market Dec 1 - Jan 7: The chilly Baltic winter is warmed by this market
on Raekoja plats, the Old Town Hall Square. It was only started in 1991, but
the gorgeous old town makes it seem much more historic.
POLAND
Krakow
Market Nov 23 - Jan 6: There's plenty of inspiration for Christmas
gifts in this Polish gem of a city. Stunning architecture dates back to the
city's golden age in the 15th and 16th centuries when it was the country's
capital.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Prague
Market Dec 1 - Jan 1: Fittingly we kick off in a country whose patron
saint is the subject of his very own Christmas carol. Good King Wenceslas
was the duke of Bohemia in the 10th century, and Wenceslas Square hosts one
of the most famous Christmas markets. The most popular market takes place on
the almost impossibly picturesque Old Town Square, with its gothic and
baroque church and cathedral and 15th century astronomical clock.
* BA Holidays has two nights from £169pp at
the three-star Belvedere hotel during December, including return BA flights
from Heathrow from £125 and accommodation including continental breakfast
from £44 per person for the duration.
AUSTRIA
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here for more Austrian market information
Vienna
Market Nov 18 - Dec 24: You can get shopping from the end of November
in Austria's capital, where the biggest markets are held in front of the
city hall, at the Spittelberg and inside the university campus.
Salzburg
Market Nov 22 - Dec 24: Soak up the history and atmosphere in Mozart's
birthplace, one of the best preserved of Europe's medieval old towns.
Perfect for taking in a concert after your shopping spree.
* Kirker Holidays has a
four-night for the price of three breaks from £583 in November and December,
staying at the Auersperg Hotel in Salzburg.
SWITZERLAND
Basel
Market Nov 24 - Dec 23: Switzerland's largest Christmas market is the
Weinachtsmarkt in Basel. Be sure to try the traditional St Nicholas pastries
and butter cookies. Situated on the Rhine at the borders with france and
Germany, this is the best of the country's fairytale market locations.
HUNGARY
Budapest
Market Nov 24 - Dec 29: This year events get underway on November 29 in
Vörösmarty Square in the heart of Pest district, featuring almost
150 colourful stalls. Father Christmas is there on Nov 30, Dec 2nd - 6th and
Dec 9. The square will also host daily music, dance and puppet theatre.
SLOVENIA
Ljubliana
Market Dec 1 - 31: Held on the banks of the Ljubljanica river in the
heart of the city, Slovenia holds its own in the battle against the more
famous destinations.
For more information on these
and other Christmas markets, click here
And what about Madeira, the portuguese island filled with millions of lights all over the city... beautiful destination for christmas time. : http://www.madeirablog.eu/ and check www.madeiratourism.org/
Andre, Funchal - Madeira, Portugal
What about Madeira island, from Portugal, ..filled with millions of lights all around the city, good destination for christmas time. check it.
Andre, Funchal - Madeira, Portugal
Are Spain and Italy no longer in Europe?
maria, madrid,
Hey, why not come to Hamburg and visit the "Sankt Pauli Weihnachtsmarkt" on Spielbudenplatz in the heart of our beautiful city´s famous red light district? There will strip shows, a naughty Santa and a lot more entertainment. Have fun!
Asta, Hamburg, Germany
I live in Vienna and I must say, the Christmas markets are fabulous. Last year throughout Vienna there were 38 I believe!
Christian White, Vienna, Austria
Aachen (Aix-la Chapelle) has an excellent Xmas market nestled around the cathedral of Charlemagne. Try the famous "Printen" cookies and the "Domino Steine" - delicious cubes of gingerbread, marzipan and marmalade filling, all covered in a dark chocolate coating. Naturally "Glühwein" and "Reibeküchen" (potato and leek fritters) are also necessary to keep out the cold. Not to mention all the traditional German sausages. It is the closest German city to Britain, so don't hesitate.
Alan, Brussels, Belgium
The best Christmas market I've ever been to was in Baden Baden in the Black Forest in Germany. Achingly beautiful, easy to navigate on foot, a wonderful atmosphere and an excellent spirit of hospitality. I can't recommend it enough!
Naomi, London, UK
I came back last night after three nights in Salzburg. It was delightful: it's a lovely town, and we were lucky enough that it snowed for two of the days we were there. The Christmas markets are very atmospheric, though be prepared for huge prices if you want to buy anything!
Melanie, London, UK
Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria in southern Germany has a lovely Christmas market located in the town square in this beautiful mediaeval walled city. Not only can you enjoy the market but also a walk around the 13th century city wall which still has many of its original features.
Kristina, Witney, Oxon, UK
Potsdam (Germany) has a beautiful Christmas market. Nothing like enjoying a spiked cup of Mulled Wine and 50cm German sausage, whilst soaking-in the real Christmas spirit! The people are friendly and the architecture is inspiring, plus you have the Palaces of Sans Souci to visit after you are done shopping.
John Robinson, Thetford, UK
I have heard that the Christmas markets in Stockholm are great; can any Swedes let me know any more?
Mac, London
Mac, london,
An excellent Christmas Market is held in Kempen (NRW) Germany on the 4 weekends leading up to Christmas. Kempen is about 24 kms from Duesseldorf. The town has a population of about 33,000 so one is away from the larger cities for a change. The quality and variety of the stalls is very good . Can really recommend this one.
Brooks, Munich, Germany