Christmas markets to explore across Europe this winter

Not more of the same

If you are a group of professionals or friends, planning a Christmas trip to Europe, you can add a trip to the market in the evening to the itinerary. In the popular markets, you will always have Santa with his assistants to entertain you and they may grant your wish too. Yes, you will go to the local markets in your locality on your weekends for shopping, and they too will have some special decorations this Christmas to attract you towards their merchandise, but you may have got bored of it and will be looking for a different shopping environment. Yes, the shops will be offering discounts too and you will be able to get some items that may not be on offer in your country. There will be cafes too where you can sip coffee while people watching. So, here we suggest some destinations in Europe where visiting markets on this all-important day is a tradition.

The old markets in Stockholm, Sweden

This city is popular with those seeking a winter city break in Scandinavia. It is close to the sea, which means that the temperatures don’t get too low when you consider the weather in Europe in this season. There are numerous Christmas markets here some, historic and old where the shapes of the shops and the streets will take you back to the old days of these lands. You can expect to see large Christmas trees, not just in front or inside stores, but in the center of the market too. Gamla Stan Julmarknader is the most recommended Christmas market here, based in the city center where red stalls are set up offering items that you can use in winter. There are others too some offering you items that were traded in the older times and some that are set up just for Christmas celebrations.

The Grand celebrations at Christmas Markets in Brussels, Belgium

The capital of Belgium comes alive in winter during Christmas celebrations. There is the event Winter Wonders which attracts millions of tourists, is spread over markets in and around the city center. It starts towards the end of November and ends towards the end of the year. Here you will find lighting displays on walls of tall buildings and the young ones will find the other lighting effects mesmerizing. There will be rides for them including a large Ferris wheel and ice rinks for older ones to skate around. You will get to enjoy traditional and non-traditional dance performances. There will be stalls stacked with items that you can take to fill the socks for gifts and others will be offering warm delicacies, something different for your taste buds.

Tradition continues at Christmas markets in Edinburgh, Scotland

This city just doesn’t have castles and old large churches, but there are talented storekeepers who come up with innovative ideas to sell their merchandise, apart from the discounts. The farmers market at the weekends will have some new offerings for you. There are markets in the city and on its edges, each inviting you with their imaginative displays. The East Princes Street Gardens market is the one that most tourists are recommended, with glorious views of impressive architecture all around. For the adults, there will be spiced whiskeys and wines, while your younger ones can enjoy the Santa train rides. In December there will be some Christmas fairs too, ideal for families on winter holidays here.

The oldest Christmas market in France, in Strasbourg

This city is on the French border with Germany and is often called the capital of Christmas due to the scale at which the celebrations are organized here. A walk through the Christmas market in the evening in December will convince you that you have made the right choice. The temperatures here are pleasant for this time of the year, so you can spend the day sightseeing across the city or try boat rides over the rivers that flow close to the city before you arrive at the market in the Cathedral Square. There are other Christmas markets too, offering the local delicacies that you can enjoy as you sit or walk around, apart from the views that you may not be used to. There will be live music performances at some which you can enjoy with your partner.

Culture combined with celebrations at the Munich Christmas market, in Germany

This market with its various stalls is set up a month before the Christmas date and lasts till the day before Christmas. If you are new to Germany or have difficulty with the German language, you can hire tourist guides who will take you for a market tour in the day showing you the unique offerings, or in the evening to the food stalls or to the bars serving wines. You will find traditional performances too and you may not believe that people are dressed the way that they are. There will be some items like small statues or toys that you can consider as souvenirs or you can take a look at the handicrafts items, something you will not find anywhere else.

Conclusion

There are different ways in which you can spend your Christmas break days and traveling to European cities with special markets with fairs is one of them. Here we have recommended some cities with these, though there are many more, mostly the capitals of the major European nations. Find Christmas Flight deals with Flightschannel.