There are some incredible tours of Christmas markets in Europe. Not only is there the opportunity to do all your Christmas shopping in one go, but you can have a really great holiday at the same time. Certainly, it can get a bit chilly in Decemberon the continent of Europe, but doing your shopping and then returning to your hotel where a roaring log fire and perhaps a hot toddy or mulled wine awaits you just gets you into the Christmas spirit a little early. Here are our suggestions for some of the best Christmas markets to visit.
Brussels
Stretching for over two kilometres through the centre of the city, Winter Wonders is just that. Fairy tale lighting, delicious food, great activities for children and adults alike, and a constant stream of never ending stalls create an atmosphere like no other.
Nuremberg
The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is open on the Friday before the first Sunday in Advent, by the Nuremberg Christkindle who appears on the balcony of the Church of Our Lady to perform the opening ceremony. The scent of rum punch, roasted almonds, and mulled wine fills the air, along with gingerbread and Nuremberg bratwurst.
Birmingham
The Christmas market in Birmingham – called the Frankfurt Christmas Market – has been running for thirteen years and is now the largest outdoor market in the UK. The market is located right in the city centre next door to New Street Station in Victoria Square, while the craft market is in the adjoining Chamberlain Square. Birmingham has been hailed as the world’s fastest growing Christmas and New Year destination.
Barcelona
This Christmas market has been going every year since 1786 and stalls are set up in the avenue in front of the cathedral and the surrounding side streets. There are over three hundred stalls selling a huge range of objects that you can buy to create your own nativity scene at home, together with Christmas trinkets, Christmas trees, holly, mistletoe, and more. There is a very big ice-skating rink set up on Plaza Catalunya which can hold 400 skaters at any one time. You won’t be short of company, as last year 96,000 people put on their skates here.
Vienna
The Old Viennese Christmas Market is held on Freyung in the city centre and has been going since 1772 – longer than Barcelona. Here you can buy handicrafts, Christmas decorations, glassware, and ceramics. Traditional Christmas music is played from 4.00 pm every afternoon. There are also several other Christmas markets in nearby streets, a couple of them specialising in entertainment for children.
Strasbourg
The oldest Christmas market in Europe, Strasbourg Christmas market was first opened in 1570. Today there are some 300 stalls, or chalets, as they are called, spread over eleven different sites in the city centre. Wherever you go in Strasbourg, you will find a Christmas market selling arts and crafts, Christmas decorations and food of all types. Strasbourg Christmas market typically runs from about November 29th to December 31st and is also host to some 500 events over this period.
Our guided tours cover many of the very best Christmas markets in Europe. Come and join us as we enter into the Christmas spirit.
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