10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe

10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe

European markets go all out during the Christmas season. Here are 10 of the best places to find holiday treats, sweets, gifts, crafts and festivities during the holidays.

Vienna, Austria
The Vienna Magic of Advent fair features more than 150 stands where shoppers can purchase Christmas gifts, decorations and warm drinks.

Bath, England
In the center of Bath, 170 “chalets” offer holiday shoppers an array of typical British goods from mince pies to Christmas ornaments to toys.

Dresden, Germany
Dresden hosts Germany’s oldest Christmas market, which features crafts made by local artisans, toys and holiday treats, most notably, Dresdner Stollen, a traditional sweet bread stuffed with dried fruits.

Tallinn, Estonia
In addition to traditional crafts and food, Tallinn’s picturesque Christmas market, in the Estonian capital’s center, features reindeer, a mini zoo and snow sculptures.

Strasbourg, France
Billing itself as the Capital of Christmas, Strasbourg is not to be missed during the holiday season. The Christkindlesmarik was
established in 1571, the first market of its kind in Europe. Indulgent foods such as foie gras, locally brewed beer, and baked goods are signature items, as are traditional Alsatian handicrafts.           

Stockholm, Sweden
An abundance of holiday items are on
display at Stockholm’s Old Town Christmas Market. Specialties include smoked reindeer, elk meat, knitted hats and Glogg, a traditional hot, mulled wine.

Budapest, Hungary
In Budapest, at the annual Christmas
market on St. Stephen’s Square, you’ll
find traditional crafts in wooden market stalls. The center of the market is home to a skating rink.

Edinburgh, Scotland
The market is one of many attractions
that make up Edinburgh’s Christmas
Festival in Princes Street Gardens. The Festival, which also includes games, rides and an ice rink, runs from mid-November until January 7 each year.

Madrid, Spain
Christmas vendors take over Madrid’s
Plaza Mayor from late November through December. The prime products pedaled are tiny clay figurines to set in the Christmas
Belen (nativities).

Copenhagen, Denmark
The Christmas Market at Copenhagen’s
Tivoli Gardens is a winter wonderland that includes 60 stalls selling holiday wares, as well as rides, games, music and more. Other markets in Copenhagen include this
one in Hojbroplads.
Check out