The BEST Christmas Markets in Europe?

Which are the very best European Christmas Markets?

The very first European Christmas Market started nearly 600 years ago in Dresden. Soon after they sprung up all across central Europe. Now there are thousands of wonderful markets, some huge, some more modest, others small, quaint and nostalgic. Always pretty, the variety is as mindboggling as how Santa fits down a chimney! (Why doesn’t Santa like going down chimneys? Because he has Clause-trophobia!)

It is impossible to say which Markets are the best as they are all so different. So, here’s a quick overview of just some of the 38 different (yes 38!) Markets which we visit on our Festive Markets and Christmas Tours. Many have intriguing highlights and histories, but all the Markets produce their own unique, distinctive, beautifully painted Christmas mugs that are best when filled with aromatic mulled wine. Wonderful low-cost souvenir memories!

Let’s start with some of the bigger Markets and their quirks. Each year Europe votes for the season’s best Market. In the last decade Basle and Zagreb have repeatedly vied for the no 1 spot. Basle, set on 2 connecting levels in the heart of town is just so pretty, beautiful laid out and they sit delightfully. Look out for the singing moose heads on the huge fondue stall!

Zagreb spreads over 3 giant connected parks. The first has the bandstand and entertainment in the centre. The second is for serious food and wine consumption, and the third is an utterly enormous ice-skating rink and down one end is the beer hall open air viewing balcony! 

Berlin takes first prize as the most festive city to celebrate the Christmas holidays in Europe. Why? Believe it or not they have over 80 Markets, large and small and tiny scattered across town. What fun.

In Dresen they now have 10 Major Christmas Markets! The original 600-year-old Striezelmarkt, is their biggest and it is also famous for its Stollen cake. Intriguingly you can actually take a beer bath here. Outside changing cubicles are lines of warmish beer baths, each with immersed Dresdenites braving the winter cold, relaxing, chatting and drinking what else but beer! Strange. 

In Vienna, the biggest Market is romantically set in front of the Rathaus. Inside this huge gothic Town Hall they have giant creches, workshops for children to play in or make Christmas decorations. Children are lodged here whilst parents go out for an adult stroll. But kids also love joining them as they have carousel rides, pony rides and even a miniature train that chugs amongst the market stalls. 

Nurnberg is the most traditional of all and the hot eggnog is just unbelievable. In Strasbourg they claim to have invented the Christmas Tree hanging bauble. 500 years ago, they dressed trees with red and green apples and over time these have now evolved into those pretty hanging baubles which so traditionally highlight our home Christmas Trees.

In Salzburg the Markets spill through the glorious baroque squares of Residenzplatz and Mozartplatz, and on the cathedral steps choirs sing (this is Salzburg after all, and the city just bursts with Festive music!). High above, lording over all is the magnificently illuminated, giant Festung (Fortress). Unbelievable at night. 

In Montreux Freddy Mercury’s iconic ‘punching the sky’ statue facing the beautiful lake is loving dressed and decorated. 

Also in Switzerland is my very favourite Market. The Werdmühleplatz Market is one of Zurich’s smaller Markets, and not its most pretty. Why my favourite? Because there is a pyramid shaped choral stand disguised as a giant Christmas tree and each evening school children dress in costume seemingly like Christmas Tree decorations, and sing… so happily... so beautifully and the whole crowd, filled with mulled wine or not, just glows! Have a look below.

Being the biggest does not mean they are the best

‘Gemütlichkeit’ (There’s no English equivalent word for this which means a glowing ambience, a warm fuzzy feeling) and nostalgia often rule in the smaller, beautifully located markets typically set in medieval old cobblestone town squares, surrounded by historic houses and churches. Rothenburg comes immediately to mind. In Gengenbach the Town Hall converts into the world’s largest advent calendar with the numbered window shutters being turned each evening in countdown, each revealing a Festive picture. 

In Einsiedeln the Markets sit stunningly in front of the enormous Abbey. 

Innsbruck at 5.00 pm. is a highlight as trumpeters blast from the balconies beside the iconic Golden Roof. 

Then there’s… then there’s… oh, there are so many, and all so different. 

A Christmas to Remember is what we, at Award Winning Albatross, are the very best at. So come join us on one of our true Bucket List experience tours. Buckets that are filled with Christmas Memories that will Last a Lifetime!

Find Your Perfect Tour Today

Check out our Christmas Markets tours here! We can't wait to travel with you. Would you like to speak to one of our experts? Call us today on 0734973176. 

Or you can also download our brochure here.