Christmas Markets in Europe

With the arrival of December, we are well into the Christmas season and Christmas break is near. It is the time of the year when we enjoy hot beverages, tasty foods and gifts from our favorite people. From late November to early January, a number of European cities organize Christmas markets, which draw in a great number of guests and lovers of the Christmas spirit. In this blog, we bring you some of our favorite Christmas markets all around Europe.

Basel, Switzerland

We begin with the Christmas market in Basel, Switzerland, which has been voted the best Christmas market in 2021 by readers of the website EuropeanBestDestinations.com. Basel has a long tradition as the best and biggest Christmas fair in Switzerland, and, for years, it has been attracting thousands of visitors from Switzerland, Europe and the world. Aside from the Barfüsserplatz square, the Christmas market in Basel also takes place in the Münsterplatz square and all around the town, which is decorated with tall, shiny Christmas trees.

Budapest, Hungary

The most beautiful and also the biggest Hungarian Christmas market takes place in Budapest every year. The main part of this market is located in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica where you can buy different special souvenirs and tasty Hungarian and international Christmas special dishes, like the traditional Hungarian Flódni cake, and a wide array of delicious burgers and fish dishes. Aside from the beautiful atmosphere of the Budapest Christmas market, you can also visit its special Christmas ice skating rink.

Vienna and Salzburg, Austria

Apart from the very popular Vienna Christmas market that has been long regarded as one of the best markets in Europe, Salzburg also has a beautiful Christmas market. In Christmas time, Mozart’s hometown is known for Christmas carols that echo the town streets and the little market huts that look similar to what they originally looked like in the 15th century. The Vienna Christmas market stretches all throughout the city and serves as the perfect backdrop to the spirit of Christmas, and it offers different market huts with delicious food and cute souvenirs, as well as workshops for children.

Prague, the Czech Republic

Even if the Prague Christmas market weren’t as beautiful as it is, the old city center looks like something out of a fairytale, which is enough to put you in the Christmas mood. This market is special for multiple reasons. One of them are surely traditional Czech desserts, like Czech Christmas biscuits and grilled sausages. The market vendors also sell Czech blown glass balls, wooden toys and biscuit cutters for Christmas cookies.

Zagreb, Croatia

We can’t not mention the biggest Christmas market in Croatia. For three years in a row, from 2016 to 2018, the Zagreb Christmas market was voted the best Christmas market in Europe. Many publications in Europe and the world wrote about it, calling it one of the most special Christmas markets in the world. Extraordinary food and special Christmas souvenirs are not the only thing offered – you can also enjoy various live concerts and the skating rink on Tomislavac.