Let’s start the new blog of ” Christmas Markets In Europe “Like every year in November and December, in many cities across Europe an ancient tradition is celebrated: Christmastime.
Chances are, you’ve seen photos of the kind: small wooden huts with foliage or shimmering lights around them and everyone selling mugs of hot mulled wine from festive Christmas markets. While the good-time feel of these markets has become something more universal, there’s no doubt that if you want to know them all in their magic and glory, it means travelling around Europe.
Why Europe? After all, that’s where the tradition of hosting a Christmas Markets In Europe originated! During the winter season in Europe there are some special local markets that have opened since the Middle Ages. Thus, given 700 years head start in Europe it is not surprising that they know how to do a Christmas market! Welcome To Our Blog IrelandNewsHeadlines and I am your Friend Frank Richard.
Things To Know Before a Europe Christmas Market Trip
I’ve even visited about a gazillion of them in Germany, France and Switzerland myself over the years and I still can’t get enough! But, if it’s your first time visiting European Christmas markets, protocol demands this information to invest well on a trip.
1. Germany does Christmas markets best
I would go so far as to say that it is not even hot to profess (if asked) no one does Christmas markets in Europe quite like Germany. Well, that would stand to reason of course: the Germans pretty much invented them! (The earliest examples of the Christkindlmarkt or Weihnachtsmarkts, in German-speaking parts of central Europe.)
I visited Christmas markets in cities all across Germany, from sprawling city-wide events to smaller markets that filled a town square – and every one of them was equally magical. Both Berlin’s markets are the best, with gorgeous stall design & amazing luck mugs and real magical atmosphere you can never fake (or copy).
2. Many countries put on Christmas Markets In Europe
But Europe is more than just Germany, and I know this post generalises by saying “Christmas markets in Europe”. But the answer is that Germany isn’t. — The reason for this is, because not only ARE they put on in other countries every year! One of the best Christmas Markets In Europe.
France (especially in Alsace, near Germany), Austria and Switzerland are other countries where you’ll find a lot of markets. Poland has some good Christmas markets as well! Elsewhere in some big cities across Europe, you can also find good quality Christmas markets such as those of Budapest (Hungary); Bratislava (Slovakia), Prague (Czechia); Brussels(Belgium), Helsinki(Finland) or Tallinn(Estonia).
3. Most markets close before Christmas
Christmas markets and your trip & what you need to knowBefore planning a Christmas market, the one main thing that must be remembered is its conjunction with Advent -4 weeks preceding Christmas. Yes, because most Christmas Markets open at the end of November and close on Dec 23 or even Only ON THE 24th!
There are a few markets that stay open through to Three Kings Day/Epiphany on January 6 (at least one in every major city or town) but for the most part don’t put off your Christmas market trip too much longer because many will be closed between X-Mas and New Years.
When you know when your desired cities hold the markets, look on their official Christmas Market website.
4. Major cities have a lot of markets
In smaller towns and villages, there is generally only one Christmas market — most often located on the town’s main square; while larger cities offer several markets, some even of different styles!
Cities all over the globe feature a myriad of markets — Germany, for instance has no less Venice than 1 illustrated in this article Bologna where you will get Principessa aprons Venetian getting their moles from Matilda. The casts are free but remember that,Object DescriptionThe sign is signed. You could easily spend a day or two in larger cities like this, shopping at the many markets available.
5. Popular markets WILL be crowded
(PS: Just for the record, I think Cologne is probably my favourite BIG Christmas market city in Germany! It’s the size of at least half a dozen different themed markets (all lovely).
Despite there being literally thousands of Christmas Markets In Europe across many European countries, remember that the largest and most famous ones are bound to be very crowded. True, there are gazillions of other places to visit but cities big and small see Christmas market crowds in December.
The larger or more well-known a city/town is for their Christmas markets and decor, the crazier crowded it will be. (For instance, you get the super famous Christmas markets in Strasbourg and Colmar in Alsace that are always busy…)
Themed markets are a drawcard for more people, too – the mediaeval market in Esslingen, Germany is one of the busiest I’ve been to) and towns on rivers popular with Christmas Markets In Europe through river cruises will also be busy.
In short, the more of a tourist area any particular neighbourhood or town/city is – the busier it’s likely to be at Christmas! (But I mean… duh, right?)
6. They’re not just for tourists
And what is it with the Christmas markets and their gosh-darned overcrowding? Because, as you’ll find (much to locals’ eye-rolling chagrin) they’re NOT all tourist traps!
Obviously tourists flock to Europe from around the world at Christmas time for this very reason, but so too do locals! Christmas Markets In Europe are where locals gather for after-work drinks, or to eat dinner with friends; the kid-focused activities at Wiener Theresianum Christmas Market have little English-language signage — residents and their children need no hints .
Surely the kitschier souvenirs are for tourists anyway, right? Yes. So are touristy towns going to feel like their markets were cooked up by the Fun Police? Also yes. However, the Christmas Markets also host lots of locals!
(And honestly, that might be why they seem so festive and magical to me. That’s because all too often, they’re as essential to the locals in winter as they are a destination for tourists.
7. Most markets are free – but not all!
Most Christmas Markets In Europe you will come across in Europe are entirely free. They are organised by local city’s governments and local associations, people can show up when they like. 2. Now, not all Christmas markets are paid-entry — in fact for many of them entry will be free and they won’t sell “tickets.”
Except, there are a couple of special cases! For instance, the markets at castles usually require tickets and probably most famously is Germany’s Black Forest where they give out free timed entry tide—months in advance—at Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market.
8. Bring some cash
In the markets of Central and Western Europe in particular, it is essential that cash be carried at all times. A lot of the food and drink stalls are cash-only (you can change a big note for coins to pay your mug deposit), so be ready with plenty of small denominations. (PS, there are a lot of cities where you have to pay 1 euro soles for public bathrooms as well).
Of course the Nordics/Scandinavians are probably an exception as countries like Sweden and Finland have become almost entirely cashless by now. However, should you be visiting say Germany or France mainly and a lot of markets are involved make sure to have some Euros with you.
9. Prepare to pay mug deposits
Every version of mulled wine (glühwein in Germany, vin chaud in France, svařák in Czechia and so on) can be found at every Christmas market — usually red or white with the occasional rosé too.
You will also find other hot beverages like apple cider, warm chocolate etc but there are also regional speciality drinks such Eierpunsch (a creamy egg punch) or Feuerzangenbowle if you are in Germany- mulled wine with a shot of rum and sugar cube set on fire; even spiced & warmed orange juice is served up as well according to the region–Alsace region my France. One of the best Christmas Markets In Europe every i see.
Besides, at nearly all Christmas markets you can find that when you order a hot drink it will come in some kind of real glass or mug. To make sure people return these mugs, markets will charge you extra and ask for a mug deposit if they see someone using highland cow cups. (Also known as pfand in Germany.)
You generally have to put a deposit of between €3-€5 and once you give the mug back, they give the full amount or part of your money. (And remember you will need cash for these things!)
10. Eat all the food!!
In addition to tasting every possible hot and mulled drink, I also recommend eating your weight in Christmas market food! That is correct, i said it… Christmas Markets In Europe of food (which comes in Europe) Is better than the US version of “fair food”.
While each country and region you visit will have its own specialities, there are a few staples that you should try when opportunity knocks.
- Almonds, and chestnuts – roasted or candied fans Form
- Hot sausages in Germany (may differ depending on the region; I like Käsewurst and Nürnberger Bratwürste)
- Käsespätzle in the German-speaking areas
- Flammlachs (flamed salmon) in Germany-Look at how good those sandwiches are
- Dumplings (consider Dampfnudel for a sweet dumpling)
- German Schneeballen (Snowball Pastries)
- Choucroute in the Alsace region of FranceTarte Flambée – Alsatian pizza!
- Gingerbread, a pain d’épices (spiced bread) in France
- Raclette cheese in France
- Potato pancakes
- Fried bread which, ok, is Hungarian (Langos) but it’s everywhere.
- Pancake/crepe dishes (my favourite is Kaiserschmarrn in Germany, but also look out for Poffertjes–Dutch or similar reader suggestions)
Oh, and prices wise I find Christmas market food pretty reasonable! >> Prices for the above are probably typical to cheaper (based on what I’ve seen, particularly a normal sausage sarnie would be around €4-€6; a bigger dish like Käsespätzle could go up towards closer-to-a-main €7), with mulled wine mug maybe being sold at about €5. Check Out More about Christmas Markets In Europe.
