Hi and Welcome back to The Velvet Runway, and our Ultimate Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in Europe.
As soon as Summer is over and the leaves start to fall and the evenings start to draw in, my thoughts immediately turn to Christmas.
Christmas in Europe is a time for magical fairy lights, mulled wine, delicious pastries, midnight masses in gothic churches, Christmas wishlists, candle-lit evenings spent with family and friends, and of course – Christmas Markets.
If you haven’t yet experienced a European Christmas market, you really should add one to your bucket-list.
Most markets start on the Friday before Advent (4 weeks before Christmas) and run through to December 24th, although some keep on until Epiphany (January 6th).
Typically, a Christmas Market consists of a series of beautiful wooden chalets that are centred around one or more of the town’s main squares.
You will find a selection of handmade Christmas items, woollen sweaters, Christmas decorations, candles and jewellery, as well as an enticing array of food (typical to the region) and steaming hot mulled wine.
The general atmosphere appeals to all your senses with the beautiful twinkling lights, the seductive smell and enticing taste of the delicious cooking, the sound of Christmas music and the feel of the different handmade gifts.
There are so many markets to choose from across Europe, (in France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the United Kingdom……), you are sure to find one that fits your requirements.
You can Download or Read our Ultimate Guide to The Best Christmas Markets in Europe, where I’m sharing my top 10 European Christmas Markets, as it is now available on MagCloud in digital and print format or to download as PDF.
You can read it for free directly in your browser, but there is a small charge for the digital version and the print version is payable, to cover the costs of printing and binding by MagCloud.
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The Ultimate Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in Europe.
To give you a small taster of what you can find in the guide, I am sharing three of my favorite markets here.
Three of the Best Christmas Markets in Europe.
Vienna, Austria
Of all the Christmas Markets, I have to say that Vienna is my favorite! There can be no better place to get into the Christmas spirit than at the Christmas Markets in Vienna.
From mid-November to Christmas, Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into enchanting Christmas Markets, and the beautiful lights against a backdrop of spectacular architecture, together with the tempting aroma of Christmas baking and mulled wine make for a truly magical experience.
Over 20 official Advent Markets sell a vast array of seasonal gifts and mouth-watering treats from mid-November to Christmas.
One of the most well-known of the Christmas Markets is the traditional “Vienna Magic of Advent“, which turns the City Hall Square into a shining fairytale land, with enticing sweets, warm drinks and an array of tree decorations and Christmas crafts. There is also a Christmas craft workshop for kids inside the City Hall, an ice-skating rink and a carousel.
Another ‘not to be missed’ Christmas Market is in front of Schönbrunn Palace, where the imperial backdrop, combined with the tempting aroma of Christmas baking and mulled wine makes for a truly magical atmosphere.
Many of the Christmas markets translate seamlessly into a New Year Village after Christmas, and did I mention that Vienna is also a magical place to spend New Year’s Eve?
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague’s magical Christmas Markets with their beautifully designed wooden chalets take place on the 4 major squares – Old Town square, Republic square, Wenceslas square and Peace square.
The most impressive Christmas Market in Prague in terms of backdrop is the Christmas Market in Prague’s Old Town Square, one of the major tourist spots in the city.
You will find great gift ideas as there is a vast selection of Christmas decorations, toys, jewelry, winter clothing and accessories. It is also a great alternative to the usual Christmas shopping experience, and it’s sure to get you in the festive spirit.
There is also a market at Prague Castle, which takes place at St George’s Square and at the Stable yard, and features a great selection of high quality Christmas goods all in the most incredible location and atmosphere.
If you’re looking for a market with a more medieval feel then Prague is the place to go, but Prague is also a great travel destination all year round!
London, United Kingdom
The U.K. Is T+L’s Destination of the Year for 2023, so why not add the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park to your bucket list this year?
Located in the heart of London in Hyde Park, the Winter Wonderland runs for 6 weeks from Friday 18th November to Monday 2nd January.
There is a wide variety of attractions, activities, entertainment, food and drinks, offering fun for all the family.
Attractions include the giant wheel, the magical ice kingdom, an ice bar, an ice slide and ice sculpting workshops.
There is also a Christmas Circus, SantaLand with a SantaLand train and a wide array of roller coaster rides, as well as Christmas Markets featuring 100 charming traditional wooden chalets, which will be sure to tempt you with unique gifts, traditional Christmas decorations and delicious food.
New for 2022 is a street food area, “The Sleigh-By”, which is a cosy place where you can warm up, get festive, and enjoy a bite to eat. It has music, bars and exciting new food stalls that will be sure to tempt your tastebuds.
And there are plenty of other reasons why you should add London to your travel bucket list.
You can also find out more about the Christmas Markets at Baden-Baden in Germany, at Budapest in Hungary and there are a few others in the guide in France, Belgium and Germany.
So, here is our Ultimate Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in Europe. We hope you enjoy it! Just click below to download or read your Free Christmas Markets Travel Guide Now
The Velvet Runway Travel Guides: The Best European Christmas Markets
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in Europe.Our top ten Christmas Markets in France, the UK, Belgium, Germany, The Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary
I hope you enjoy our Ultimate Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in Europe, andwherever you go, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
We will be back soon with some more travel inspiration and our next travel guide.
Going forward, all our travel guides will be available on MagCloud in digital, print and as downloadable PDFs, so you can Follow us on MagCloud to make sure you never miss a guide!
PS For those of you who prefer the “ISSUU” platform, you can also read the guide here, but it is not available to download on this platform.
I love that one in Vienna <3
Thanks Kinga! Vienna is my favorite! x
Christmas markets are so special and perfect to get you into the holiday spirit. Plus you can pick up some last minute gifts as well.
Totally agree, Heather! Christmas Markets are always magical for me x
I visited Christmas Market in Vienna twice and it is truly magical experience. I have on my wish list for long time trip to Prague because I heard that is is also amazing. I hope so one year that I will visit it.
Vienna is my favorite and I agree it really is a magical experience! I hope you get to Prague too! x
I would love to visit a Christmas market.
I’m sure you would love them Nancy! They are really magical x
I would absolutely love to visit a European Christmas market sometime. It is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing these!
Thanks Laura! It’s definitely worth adding a European Christmas Market to your bucket list – it’s a magical experience x
I’ve been to Europe but never been to a Christmas market. It looks like I am missing out! I wouldn’t mind visiting all three locations but if I only had one choice then it would be in Prague. How amazing would it be to see a Christmas market at a castle!
Maureen
The Prague market is spectacular and so is the Schonbrunn Market at Vienna which is also in a castle! I’m sure you would love both! xo
I have ALWAYS wanted to visit a Christmas Market! They have been on my bucket list forever. These photos are just stunning.
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Thank you Shauna! I hope you get to visit a Christmas Market soon – it’s truly a magical experience 🙂
Very interesting post! I need to save it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Abdel | Infinitely Posh.
I’m so glad you found it interesting, Abdel 🙂
I would love to go to any of these markets! Perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Totally agree, Kathrine! It really is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit x
Oh I’m obsessed with christmas markets! I love this round up. I’ve only been to the one in London and I was there last year 🙂
https://www.mariannyc.com/
I love Christmas markets too! They are perfect for getting you into the Christmas spirit! My favorite is Vienna, but I love all of them 🙂
Such beautiful locations. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week.
Annie,
Annies Food Diary
Christmas markets are so magical and they always seem to be in the most beautiful settings x