The Most Extraordinary European Christmas Markets – The Most Cheerful And Festive Places This Season

Right now we’re all wishing Christmas would be here faster and we’re starting to get into the spirit of Christmas little by little. But if you really want to know how Christmas should feel like there’s no better place to visit than one of these spectacular European markets. They’re the perfect place to get your shopping done without feeling frustrated, without all the stress from the overcrowded supermarkets. Here is where you get to enjoy the beauty of Christmas and admire all the amazing handcrafted gifts, made just for you. Let’s now start our European journey.

Estonia.

London Christmas Market

We’re going to start with a place not many people are familiar with but that we find truly whimsical this time of the year. We’re talking about Estonia where this beautiful market opens on November 24th and closes on January the 1st. During this period you can visit this fairy-tale-like area found in the heart of the medieval Old Town. Here the atmosphere is wonderful.

London Christmas Market

Everything is calm and beautiful and you can easily get in the spirit of Christmas with a little wine, a hot soup or some Estonian goodies. The market is filled with original, handcrafted gifts such as wool hats, candles, quilts and many other items.

Austria.

London Christmas Market
London Christmas Market

We now go to Austria where this amazing Christmas market has been here since the 13th century. Situated in front of the Vienna City Hall, this market is small compared to others but it’s very charming. As you enter here, the delicious smell of gingerbread, punch and roasted almonds strikes you immediately and the spirit of Christmas grows bigger and bigger with every step. The market is opened from November the 17th until the 24th of December.

Germany.

London Christmas Market

If you want to feel how Winter Wonderland really looks like you should visit Germany. Here, on Nuremberg’s main cobbled square, the Christmas market opens on November 27 and closes on December 24. It’s one of the most famous markets in Germany and there’s good reason for that. With nearly 200 stalls, the market looks like an amazing cluster of red and white stripes. Here you can find carved wooden toys, homemade candy, spicy gingerbread and many more local goodies.

London Christmas Market

But this isn’t the only amazing Christmas market that Germany has to offer. A second one can be found in Dresden. This is, in fact, Germany’s oldest Christmas market and it has been around from 1434. With such a long and rich tradition, this area receives plenty of visitors from all over the world. You can visit the market starting with November 30th until December the 24th. Don’t forget to admire the world’s tallest Christmas pyramid or the world’s biggest nut cracker, all here in Dresden.

The Czech Republic.

London Christmas Market
London Christmas Market

From Germany we go to the Czech Republic, a less famous but still amazing place with a unique Christmas market that is opened from the 1st of December until the 1st of January. Here in Prague you can find this enchanting space that undergoes a spectacular transformation around Christmas. The Old Town Square has been a spectacular marketplace since the 11th century and it’s still an amazing Christmas destination.

Denmark.

London Christmas Market

Next stop is Denmark where the 19th century Tivoli Gardens from Copenhagen is transformed this year into a Russian fairy tale. It includes a Russian village as well as the St. Basil Cathedral and there are pixies and gnomes everywhere. Over 50 stalls are organized around a lake that was turned into an outdoor skating ring.

France.

London Christmas Market

Of course, how could be forget about France? It’s a great symbol of the European culture in general and this year’s Christmas is no different. Starting with November the 24th, Mulhouse gets transformed into a shimmering and spectacular land with more than 80 chalets spread throughout Place de la Reunion. The streets are decorated with White birch and friendly reindeer are awaiting you.

Belgium.

London Christmas Market
London Christmas Market

Next on the list is Belgium. Here in Brussels more than 2 km get transformed into a Christmas paradise. From November 30 until January the 6th you can find here hundreds of wooden chalets, terraces offering mulled wine and delicious food as well a huge Ferris Wheel and lots of other attractions placed around the gigantic Christmas tree.

Sweden.

London Christmas Market
London Christmas Market

If you want to know a Scandinavian Christmas looks like, there’s no better place to do so than in Gothenburg. Here, starting with November the 16th up until December the 23rd, this amazing Christmas market is illuminated by nearly 5 million decorations. For those that seek more than unique gifts, an exquisite amusement park is waiting for visitors. Gothenburg has prepared a fairy tale castle, a ski slope, an ice rink, lots of reindeer and many more great attractions as well as world’s largest real Christmas tree.

Great Britain.

London Christmas Market
London Christmas Market

Last on our list is Great Britain. Here the spirit of Christmas is defined by the presence of glittering trees, delicious roast turkey and beautiful carols, the very elements that were described in A Christmas Carol. Manchester’s Christmas market is amongst the biggest in the UK and every year starting with November the 17th and until the 23rd of December the center of the city gets transformed into a magical land. Hundreds of market stalls are spread across eight locations and in each one you can find a stunning selection of goods and unique gifts.