Come December and it is the time for one of the best seasons of the year; the season of joy and giving aka Christmas. A season of holidays, spending time with family and friends, Christmas is all about shopping, gifting and bonding with your near and dear ones. And one thing that is a favourite activity during this season is visiting the charming Christmas markets which have today become an integral part of the festivities.
Synonymous with Christmas, Christmas markets are all about artisanal goods, handcrafted gifts, native crafts and local cuisine. Germany has always been known as the birthplace of Christmas markets and it is definitely one of the best places to soak in the spirit of Yuletide. But beyond Germany, there are several other places in Europe known for their Christmas markets that open as early as the third week of November. So, if you are in Europe during December, the below Christmas markets must be on your list.
Strasbourg: this city in the Alsace region of France is often called the capital of Christmas given the grandiose celebrations through out the city. It is also known to be the birth place of Christmas tree and even today hosts one of the tallest trees of the region. With multiple markets hosting a bevy of stalls, all retailing authentic, handmade goods, this alluring city is a must visit during Christmas time.
The entire city is decked up with lights and wonderful decorations and is indeed a sight to behold. Apart from mulled wine, the markets are a great place to sample tarts and soups. Strasbourg is about 550 km from Nice and 500 km from Paris.
Colmar: located just over 70 km from Strasbourg, Colmar is a pretty village that exudes plenty of fairy tale vibes and old world charm. The historic town centre hosts as many as six beautiful markets replete with illuminated chalets retailing goodies of all kinds.
With streets and alleyways radiating warmth from the little fairy lights, these markets are indeed a great idea to visit with your family. There are activities like treasure hunts and fun rides for children too.
Vienna: the capital of Austria is known to host some of the largest and oldest Christmas markets in Europe. While there are multiple markets (close to 20) in the city, the one which is most famous is the Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz (City Hall Square).
The city hall itself is richly decorated and the market has a large ice rink that is perfect for skating enthusiasts. There are life size advent decorations as well as a plethora of stalls selling Christmas decorations, nativity sets and a several gourmet delights including baked potatoes, roasted chestnuts and pretzels.
Budapest: the Hungarian capital is also known for hosting some of the largest markets in the region. It is here that you will find authentic souvenirs crafted from local folk art and hence is a haven if you like tradition and culture. Think knitted ornaments, glass blown artefacts, handmade candles etc. Do sample sausages, chimney cakes and of course mulled wine.
Einsiedeln : one of the most important pilgrimage centres in Europe, Einsiedeln is known for the Benedictine monastery located in the town. This fairy tale Swiss village which is an easy day trip from Zurich, hosts an authentic Christmas market against the backdrop of the monastery.
The entire main street is decorated with fascinating light structures and the attractive red chalets retail all sorts of goods like handmade wooden ornaments, pine cone decorations and a wide variety of wreaths. Do take time to sample various kinds of artisanal cheese when here.
Read this post to know more about the Christmas Markets of Switzerland.
