Five Christmas markets you must visit in Europe

Almost without realizing it, the year is ending and Christmas is around the corner. From the last days of November, most European cities are decked out with Christmas lights, decorations, trees… And if there is a characteristic element of all Christmas, that is, without a doubt, the famous Christmas markets, where you can find dozens of Christmas decorations, but also gifts, joke articles, food…

Today we want to review some of the most famous Christmas markets in Europe in case you decide to treat yourself with a Christmas getaway.

 

VIENNA

Vienna is one of the most spectacular European cities throughout the year. And it is even more beautiful during Christmas. Its markets welcome hundreds of visitors every year, willing to enjoy more than 150 stalls that are part of the main market located in the Rathausplatz. In addition, it is one of the earliest: it opens on November 17.

 

NUREMBERG

Germany is a country that celebrates Christmas intensely. Among the many Christmas markets in the country, the one in Nuremberg has earned a place among the best. Its streets are lined with stalls, many with mulled wine, gingerbread and grilled sausages. In addition, there is a popular parade of children marching with lanterns made by them. It have started on November 25.

 

COLMAR

From November 24 you can enjoy the Colmar market, and not only that, but a whole town dedicated to Christmas. Colmar is one of the most beautiful towns in France, and they say that it could have been Disney’s inspiration to create the town where “Beauty and the Beast” takes place in. Visiting this town during Christmas is being in an authentic fairy-tale setting.

 

PRAGUE

The Old Town Square is the heart of Christmas in the capital of the Czech Republic. Its Christmas market, right in front of the famous Church of Our Lady of Tyn, offers many artisan products perfect for gifts: jewellery, puppets, wooden toys, glass objects… You will be able to enjoy lots of mulled wine and traditional grog: a mixture of sugar water, liquor and lemon. It is open from November 26.

 

MADRID

And we cannot end this post without recommending the market of our beloved city. The Plaza Mayor and its market is one of the most traditional places to experience Christmas in the Spanish capital, thousands of people visit it every year. A hundred-year-old market where you can find nativity scenes and all kinds of Christmas decorations. This year it has started on November 25.

 

 

PHOTOS: Vienna: WienTourismus/Christian Stemper

Nuremberg: © Timo Reichhart