1. St Gallen – Switzerland
From 26 Nov to 24 Dec 15
With 700 stars twinkling over St Gallen in December, this is the romantic Christmas market. Cheerfully decorated stalls line the narrow streets, where there’s barley broth and merry-go-rounds, mulled wine, mulled beer and loads of traditional goods.
2. Vienna – Austria
From 13 Nov to 26 Dec 15
There are quite a few Christmas markets in Vienna, with the tradition going back to the 13th century. Head to the City Hall where there are more than 150 stalls in front of it. Imagine scents of candied fruits and cotton candy, hot chestnuts and mulled wine.
3. Strasbourg – France
From 27 Nov to 31 Dec 15
Voted “Best Christmas Market in Europe” for the past two years, Strasbourg is the oldest Christmas market in France, going back to 1570. It is also the largest Christmas market in Europe, with 300 cottages spread over 12 sites, in a traditional Alsatian Christmas theme.
4. Bruges – Belgium
From 20 Nov 15 to 3 Jan 16
For a fairytale experience, Bruges is the place to go. There’s a canalside Christmas market, with wooden chalets on cobbled streets – think warm, fresh waffles and chocolates galore – as well as a glittering ice rink.
5. Stockholm – Sweden
From 21 Nov to 23 Dec 15
The main Christmas market in Stockholm is ‘The Old Christmas Market’ in Old Town, which dates back to medieval times. Here you’ll find many stalls to explore with unique Swedish specialities like Christmas sweets, smoked sausages, smoked reindeers and elk meat!
6. Hamburg – Germany
Varies, but most are open from 23 Nov – 23 Dec 15
There’s something for everyone at Hamburg where there are 15 different markets. The prettiest is at Hamburg Town Hall (Rathausmarkt), where you will find all sorts of handcrafted goods, as well as Christmas parades and Santa with his reindeers.
7. Prague – Czech Republic
From 28 Nov 15 to 6 Jan 16
A true ‘Winter Wonderland’ setting, Prague’s Christmas markets are most impressive, with the main markets at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Brightly decorated wooden huts selling traditional handcrafted goods, traditional foods being made – large hams, barbequed sausages, cakes and pastries – and there’s also a stable with sheep, goats and a donkey for children to see.
8. Bologna – Italy
From 20 Nov 15 to 6 Jan 16
There are two main Christmas markets at Bologna – ‘Fiera di Santa Lucia’ is from 20 Nov – 26 Dec, and ‘Fiera di Natale’ is from 20 Nov to 6 Jan, both famous for their delicious food – this is a place where you can indulge.
9. Budapest – Hungary
From 13 Nov 15 – 6 Jan 15
A festive marketplace at Vörösmarty Square, right in the heart of Budapest, with cottage-style wooden stalls luring you with scents of cinnamon and mulled wine and traditional honey cookies.
10. Bratislava – Slovakia
From 20 Nov – 22 Dec 15
Located in the Main Square, you’ll find more than 100 stalls with handcrafted Slovak goods made from wood, glass, leather, wicker, beeswax, and many Slovak delicacies like sausages, meat roast, cabbage soup, potato pancakes, greadbread biscuits, wafers and honey. Mmmm.
Of course this list is not exhaustive, there are plenty more in Europe. We hope this has given you a little taste of Christmas – we’re hungry just pulling this list together!
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