Best Christmas Markets in Europe: With Christmas just around the corner, we started thinking about street lights, nougat, advertisements for toys and neighborhoods on TV … And also how we are going to decorate the house so that the atmosphere of these parties between our living room and leave its smell in our kitchens.
The 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe
In these decisions have an important role in Christmas markets, which are about to open, so we invite you to enjoy a very Christmas tour. We suggest you accompany us and travel with us to see and feel the spirit of these holidays in some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Are you ready? The sled is going to start …
1. Madrid, Spain
When? From November 29 – December 31
Hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The mythical Plaza Mayor in Madrid opens its traditional Christmas market in the coming weeks. A market of large dimensions where you can find from the traditional products of these parties, typical sweets and even articles of a joke for the day of the Holy Innocents.
But in addition to this, located in the most central area of the capital, we advise others such as the Plaza de Callao market, one of the most “early” to open. From December 1 to January 6, you can visit it from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., every day without exception.
The market of the Plaza de Santa Cruz that will be available from November 27 until December 31. Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
On December 9 will be deployed the Plaza de Espana, which also hosts the Handicraft Market Fair of the CAM. Your closing date will be January 5.
Apart from these markets, you have many others in different streets and squares of the capital such as Plaza del Carmen, Plaza de Santo Domingo and Plaza de Santa Maria Soledad Torres Acosta. All of them will close on January 5 and their hours are from 10:00 to 22:00, from Monday to Sunday.
2. Barcelona, Spain
When? From November 24 – December 23
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Barcelona also has one of the most striking Christmas markets on the European scene. In the Plaza de la Catedral, in theGothic Quarter, the traditionalFira de Santa Lucia is celebrated, with more than 225 years of tradition.
The positions of this market are distributed in several sectors. In the green sector, you can buy natural Christmas trees, moss, ornaments and lights. The second sector is dedicated to the figures of the nativity scene, where you can find the famous ” caganer “, a figure that is not missing in any Catalan nativity scene. In the craft sector, you can buy all kinds of hand-made products, decorative objects and gifts. And finally, the fourth sector is dedicated to zambombas and other traditional instruments.
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As if that were not enough, in addition, various activities are carried out during the Fira: parades, popular too, Christmas choral performances and Christmas stories. Do not hesitate to visit it, it’s worth it!
3. Dresden, Germany
When? From November 27 – December 24
Hours: every day from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Germany is par excellence the country of the Christmas markets. His fame always awakens the interest of millions of citizens across Europe who come every year during the weeks leading up to Christmas to surround themselves with the true Christmas spirit. Among all of them, and there are many, we want to highlight the oldest market in Europe, that of the city of Dresden, whose origins date back to the year 1434, almost nothing!
The Strizelmarkt, located in the Altmarkt square, is chaired every year by a large pyramid 14 meters high and a huge Christmas tree. In this market, besides being able to do Christmas shopping in the more than 250 stalls that exist, you can also, among other things, taste the traditional “Stollen” cake. Specifically, on December 8 and on the occasion of the celebration of Stollen Day, this cake is prepared with more than 3,500 kg of weight so that all visitors can try it. Surely you are already wanting to know this market!
4. Copenhagen, Denmark
When? From November 14 – January 3
Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sundays from 11:00 to 22:00; Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 to 23:00. Closed on December 24 and 25
During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Tivoli Park in Copenhagen becomes a peculiar market of a true Christmas story. Hundreds of trees illuminated by thousands of light bulbs, dozens of booths in which to buy Christmas decorations, handicrafts, wooden dolls and porcelain and, of course, tastings of local specialties.
The Tivoli Christmas market also has the possibility of skating on the lake turned into an ice rink, walking on ponies or visiting the country of the elves. A good place to go with children!
5. Valkenburg, The Netherlands
When? From November 17 – December 23
Undoubtedly, the Christmas market that has most caught our attention has been that of Valkenburg, in the south of Holland. Can you imagine an underground market? This is located in the cave Velvet and its different posts are located between the ‘streets’ of this impressive cave with natural stone walls. Valkenburg is considered the oldest and largest underground Christmas market in Europe. Do you feel like doing a rock visit in addition to Christmas? This is your best opportunity …
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It should be noted that as the city is full of grottos and caves, the best way to take advantage of these spaces is to place their traditional Christmas markets in one of these places.
6. Strasbourg, France
When? From November 24 – December 30
Hours: from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays until 9:00 p.m.
The Christkindelsmärik in Strasbourg has become a benchmark in the field of Christmas markets in France and in the area closest to Germany. And it must be said that there are already reservations made from one year to another to stay in the city.
What has this special market? It was born in 1570 and in recent years it has expanded through the towns and cities around it as a benchmark for Christmas. Located at the foot of the cathedral and surrounded by typical German wooden houses in the “Petite France” region, this market will surely leave you speechless …
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In addition, you can walk through other markets with specific themes, such as the Christmas cake market, associations, local products and many others you have to discover … To make matters worse, every year there is a country as a special guest. On this occasion, it is the turn of Switzerland, with its particular representation in Gutenberg Square. There you can find all kinds of specialties from the neighboring country.
Do not forget the hot wine and the Flammkuchen, typical food of the gastronomy of the region, to live a magical Christmas in Alsace!
7. Prague, Czech Republic
When? From December 2 – January 6
Hours: From 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends until 8:00 p.m.
The Christmas markets of Prague are popularly known as the most romantic in Europe. If you want to visit the most important of the Czech capital, you must take note: there are two main markets located in the Old Square and the Wenceslas Square and two smaller ones in Haviland in the Republic Square.
The products sold in all of them range from glassware, wooden toys, scented candles, handmade jewelry, ceramic cups, hats, scarves, puppets, Christmas trees, etc.
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In addition, we want to remind you that it is worth trying the local products and specialties that are prepared in the different stalls, such as sausages and mulled wine.
8. Vienna, Austria
When? From November 18 – December 30
Hours: Monday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday to Sunday until 10:00 p.m.
From mid-November to Christmas, the main squares of Vienna become charming markets. The aroma of the typical pastries of these dates and the hot punch awaken the Christmas spirit of all those who walk there.
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In the Town Hall Square, the Rathausplatz in Vienna, the “Christkindlmarkt” Market is installed, where an area dedicated to children stands out, where they are entertained by cooking Christmas pastries or making candles, among other crafts. If you visit, I’m sure you will not be disappointed …
9. Trento, Italy
When? From November 18 – January 6
Hours: Every day from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (the 25th of December closes)
The Trento Christmas market is one of the most famous and popular in the area of the Alps. The Plaza de la Feria is converted every year into a fairy tale where illusion and magic are breathed in every corner.
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There is an extensive menu of sweets and gastronomic specialties, crafts, gifts, Christmas decorations for the tree and for the house, candles, flower compositions and many other products that represent the spirit of these dates.
10. Munich, Germany
When? From November 27 – December 24
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The history of this market dates back to the 14th century and takes place at Marienplatz. Every day, since the booths are mounted, there is live music from the balcony of the City Hall and the square shines thanks to the 2,500 candles that adorn the 300-meter Christmas tree. You can buy some sweets in one of the more than 150 booths and take a walk while you watch the craft products made with wood and tin, the candles, the toys … here is everything!
