The best Christmas markets in Europe. The best Christmas markets. Where do Russian tourists go?

Strasbourg is considered the capital of Christmas in Europe. And rightly so: it was here that one of the first holiday fairs was held in 1570. At first only artisans participated in it, but gradually merchants and local manufacturers joined them. Now this fair is the most important event in the life of the city. More than 300 shops sell various souvenirs, toys, delicacies and sweets. Throughout December, cultural events take place: free Advent concerts, children's performances and simply performances by street musicians. There is a children's playground in St. Thomas Square, and an outdoor skating rink in Dauphine Square. Details of the cultural program are here. And the main symbol of Christmas in Strasbourg is a 30-meter tree, the installation of which the local authorities spare no two weeks of labor and time. This year there will also be an alternative fair, which will combine a street art exhibition and a small bazaar with goods from local designers.

Christmas markets on the shores of the Tegernsee mountain lake

About an hour by train from Munich. For the market in the village of Rottach-Egern on the banks of Tegernsee, the tallest Christmas tree in Bavaria is found in the forest every year. An arts and crafts fair takes place around it. In Bad Wiessee, on the other side, they set up a carousel and set up tents with grills and homemade jams. The boat will take you from one bazaar to another.

Fairs in Austria

Back in the thirteenth century, Christmas markets began to be held in Vienna. Today, this beautiful city attracts Russian tourists who dream of spending winter holidays on board a Mediterranean cruise. More than a dozen markets, bringing together about 150 retail outlets, are open from November 12 to December 24. Right in front of the city hall, on the Rathausplatz square, people buy dressed up dolls, toy wooden houses, warm woolen hats, elegant leather clothes, and gingerbread hearts.

On the small Spittelberg square, next to bars and restaurants, you can buy exquisite handmade glassware, majolica, silver jewelry and tableware.

It’s nice to combine holiday shopping with a fun stroll around the city, decorated with glowing garlands.

The Rathauspark, where pavilions and trees sparkle in different colors, features amusement rides and a carousel. Modern LED beads turn dull, cold streets into fabulous alleys, bringing a sea of ​​positive emotions to tourists and guests of beautiful Austria. Illuminated alleys will lead tourists to the first opera stage in the world - the Vienna State Opera. New Year's holidays in Vienna will delight your soul and will be remembered forever.

Almost fifty Christmas markets open in this city in mid-November and close on January 6 of the New Year (currently 2017).

The most romantic holiday market has long been recognized as the one that opens in the Altstadt microdistrict.

Numerous retail shops are literally littered with mountains of glazed gingerbread, antique wooden toys, and exquisite handmade translucent glass items.

Having climbed Mount Nordkette by cable car, you can see with your own eyes and capture on a video camera the beautiful view of the pre-holiday city, sparkling with all the colors of the garlands.

Fairs in France

Fairs open in the city, located on the border with Germany, on November 25 and run until December 31 (2016).

Strasbourg is considered the birthplace of the Christmas tree.

Legend has it that it was here that the first green beauty, decorated with New Year's toys, was installed, and the holiday trade that transforms the city is recognized by experts as one of the best in the world.

Place de la Cathedrale, covered in angels, stars, garlands and snowflakes, offers a variety of Christmas decorations.

It is recommended to visit the market at Place des Meuniers for delicious Alsatian cuisine.

The Christkindelsmärik market is recognized as one of the oldest shopping centers in France, having been open since 1570. More than a dozen themed villages full of “goodies” and “beauties”. Pay attention to the unique bredele cookies, with the taste of orange, coconut, cinnamon; they can decorate not only the sweet table, but also the New Year tree.

The winter series of holidays in Paris begins on December 6, St. Nicholas Day. French Santa Claus - Pierre Noel brings small gifts to small children on this day.

The whole French family gathers on December 25th. And 31 are met with friends in a restaurant or cafe, over a pie in which a bean must be baked. Whoever gets the bean is appointed the “bean king” for the entire New Year’s Eve. The king gives funny orders, everyone obeys them.

The largest market in Paris is located in the La Defense quarter. After sunset, the bazaar begins to sparkle with all the colors of the rainbow.

Excellent street trading takes place throughout Paris: on the Champs Elysees, Boulevard Saint-Germain, near the Church of Saint-Sulpice.

LED strips wrap around trees on city streets and park alleys, at the festive market near the Eiffel Tower, ice skating rinks and houses offer entertainment and treats from all over the world.

Festive houses and mountains of delicious food await you in the village of Montparnasse, at the arch on La Défense, at Place d'Italia and the Gare de l'Est.

Fairs take place on the Place des Nations, in the Bois de Boulogne, at the Limousine House, even 150 galleries of the Louvre are decorated with flowers, and Christmas smoothly transitions into the New Year here.

The winter markets of Paris run from November 25 to January 2 (2017), with some local date variations. At Notre Dame, in the Latin Quarter, from December 2 to January 2.

From November 18 to December 30 of the outgoing year there will be fairs in Lille. The main stalls, which tourists call a gourmet paradise, are located near the Place Rihour.

The Festival of Lights kicks off winter fun in Lyon. The festival has been celebrated here since 1852. From the day when the Basilica of the Holy Virgin Mary was erected on the picturesque Fourvière hill.

Every year on December 8, city residents light paper lanterns in honor of St. Mary and organize concerts and celebrations on the streets of the city.

A wonderful place where you can feel the festive spirit is the market on L’Horloge Square.

From 11/27/16 to January 2 of the New Year, the market is crowded with sellers, stalls, buyers, and musicians.

Sweets, oils, Provencal wines, beautiful fabrics, handmade clay pots, souvenirs, toys, snowflakes, lanterns, garlands can be found in front of the city hall.

Provence

Pre-New Year trade from December 17 of the outgoing year to January 1 of the New Year takes place throughout Provence.

Amazing gift sales in Mouans-Sartoux, and Place Masséna is filled with a skating rink. This is where you can try 13 traditional Christmas desserts and buy locally made souvenirs. And where, if not in Provence, can you taste Provencal wine?

Fairs in Germany

All Hamburg venues are uniquely diverse.

The oldest market is located near the City Hall. Here you can find rows of sweets, with cakes, lollipops, pastries and candies, and handicraft products, with jewelry made of silver, wood, leather.

For children there is a real paradise of toys - the Spielzeuggasse alley.

Romantics prefer the Jungfernstieg market, with a huge selection of gifts for loved ones and delicious products.

Those who love solitude choose New Year's souvenirs at the Fleetensel river fair. Twinkling lights and sailing boats will remind you of romantic antiquity and an amazing holiday.

If your route takes you through Germany, it is useful for you to remember that in Stuttgart the local Weihnachtsmarkt market is open from 11/23/16 to 12/23/16.

Trading on this site was opened back in 1692. More than three hundred pavilions are located along the streets sparkling with lights. Homemade fruit liqueurs, colorful knitted hats, felt slippers for your beloved grandmother, horsehair brushes for artists and other original gifts will be offered to tourists.

Each site is dedicated to its own theme. At Stadtgarten people slowly sip mulled wine, sell different types of honey, warm slippers, and jewelry. The holiday trade at Rudolfplatz offers cheerful wooden toys and handmade souvenirs.

Worms

A cozy, colorful town located just south of Frankfurt. Christmas markets here will open from 11/21/16 to 12/23/16. This town is considered the oldest in Germany. There will be a skating rink next to the holiday market, where everyone can practice their sports races.

Fairs in Italy

Markets in Bologna are open from 23.11.16 to 6.01.17.

Winter fun in Italy includes great Mediterranean cuisine with mouth-watering creations on sale everywhere. Living nativity scenes, Santa Claus houses, and green decorated Christmas trees decorate numerous markets in Italy. More than 400 shopping areas, sparkling and decorated in the most unexpected way, welcome guests of the country.

All roads in Rome with numerous holiday markets spread along them lead to Piazza Navona, which is the historical center of the city. Here, right between ancient buildings and fountains, works of the great Bernini, in December and January numerous pavilions open, decorated with glowing garlands of LEDs.

Here you can buy toys, art objects, wooden decorations, figurines for interior decoration and Christmas trees.

Christmas in Rome means magical nights when the lights of the markets illuminate the Eternal City. Guests enjoy roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, hot chocolate and classical music performed by bagpipers.

In Italy, markets on the same days are held in Naples, Venice, Milan, Turin, Trento, Livigno, Vipiteno, Aosta, Brunico, Bressanone, Merano, Bolzano.

Shopping arcades will offer crunchy almonds, hazelnuts, nougat, sweets, hundreds of types of cheese, and dried fruits. All cities are decorated with multi-colored New Year's balls, snowflakes, and glowing ribbons, which give tourists a charming fairy-tale mood.

Authentic market in Stockholm

The first market of Old Stockholm opened 500 years ago on Stortorjet Square. Scandinavian markets are very interesting and authentic. Open from 11/23/16 to 11/23/16.

The luxurious Swedish bazaar Skansen is a protest of local residents of the famous depression. Cheerful, decorated kiosks, brightly lit streets against the ever-missing light. The pavilions are literally littered with designer Christmas decorations, real works of art, miniatures made of ceramics, colored glass, and designer jewelry.

The most common delicacies of the festive winter Stockholm are cookies with ginger, waffles, venison, and smoked sausages.

Christmas market in Trondheim

Here you can see the tents of traditional Sami dwellings and elegant wooden chalets. Sleighs with horses decorated with multi-colored ribbons, a fire burning under the sky, gift items from folk artisans, delicious dishes from fish, local berries, smoked meats, meat delicacies, silver goblets of wine await guests and tourists.

Fair in

In Budapest, next to St. Stephen's Square, tourists will see a good hundred pavilions of the Vorosmarty Bazaar from 11/13/16 to 01/6/17.

Delicious Hungarian cakes, designer knitted items, fur hats and mittens, artificial flowers, unique jewelry, chocolates and marzipan gingerbreads are sold here. An exquisite forged candelabra, capable of delighting on any occasion, can be ordered from the blacksmith right on the spot. It will be made in half an hour.

Holiday trading in Belgium

In Bruges, the tradition of Christmas trading began eight centuries ago. You can get to them from 11/18/16 to 12/1/17.

The traditional Belgian treat is chocolate.

Suitable gifts include knitted stoles and hats, toys carved from wood, designer items made from fine leather, and finely crafted designer jewelry.

Christmas in Vilnius

You can see the local holiday trade and buy gifts from 11/26/16 to 12/29/16. Tourists will walk around Vilnius and look at the huge Christmas tree, glowing with thousands of stars, into which the TV tower is dressed up. A wonderful fair is taking place in the center of Vilnius on Cathedral Square.

Atmospheric streets of old Riga

The smells of mulled wine and roasted almonds have been wafting through Dome Square since November 26th. Painted piparkukas, warm mittens, souvenirs and handicrafts, creative workshops, lots of lights and garlands, performances by musicians - all this suggests that the holidays are just around the corner. All visitors are greeted on the streets by Father Frost, to whom children whisper their wishes.

Fair in the old town of Tallinn

On Tallinn's Town Hall Square, since November 18, there has been a main spruce tree, around there are shopping kiosks in the form of Christmas houses, a real Santa Claus with reindeer. Concerts are held here on weekends. On other days, until 19:00, you can meet not only artisans and traders, but also animals: geese, goats, lambs, ponies, hares.

Christmas market in Prague

Winter holiday markets are open from 11/26/16 to 1/1/17. The luxurious spectacle will take place on Old Town Square. There will be not only the richest trade, concerts of national dance ensembles and wonderful choirs singing.

Christmas shopping in Athens

Already at the end of November, the spirit of Christmas markets is in the air in all resort villages and cities of Greece, where gifts are bought for all family members. There are also a large number of sweets, Christmas tree garlands, balls, snowflakes, stars, icicles, decorations, toys for children.

Christmas in Greece is celebrated together with Catholic Christians according to the Gregorian calendar on December 25-26.

Market squares are decorated not only with shopping pavilions illuminated by LED strips, but also with improvised nativity scenes, concert venues, and boats. In any local tavern you can taste traditional Mediterranean holiday cuisine, recognized as the healthiest in the world. These days the whole family strolls through magical parks with swings, rides and carousels. Ships are a traditional decoration of a maritime state; they are found here as often as nativity scenes.

The first Christmas tree was decorated in Athens in 1834. But the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree finally took root in this country in the fifties of the twentieth century. For many years, numerous ancient rituals associated with Christmas were preserved in Greece. Many of them can still be seen today if you go on a tourist tour to Greece during the winter holidays.

The best Christmas markets in Europe: in Germany and France, Prague, Tallinn and Vienna. What you can buy at the most fun bazaars on New Year's Eve, what to try and where you must visit. Expert advice, vivid photos and videos about Christmas markets on the “Subtleties of Tourism”.

Imagine cobbled medieval streets decorated with hundreds of glowing garlands; the aroma of freshly brewed mulled wine; here and there deer, nutcrackers and Santa Clauses peeking out from the windows of shops and cafes; flakes of fluffy snow slowly swirling to the music barely coming from the main square. This Christmas is a period of long-awaited holidays, bright gifts and, of course, noisy fairs. Let's find out where the best of them are held.

Christmas markets in Germany

Traditionally considered one of the most spectacular, it is not surprising that thousands of tourists from all over the world flock here during the Christmas holidays. Local markets are always decorated in a traditional medieval style; on the streets they offer a mug or two of scalding aromatic mulled wine, ginger cookies and spicy sausages, and all kinds of balls, toy deer and beautiful Christmas trees delight the eye.

As a rule, fairs in Germany (Christkindlesmarkt as they are called here) start at the end of November and last until Christmas Day or even until the beginning of January. At the same time, the most picturesque, so-called must see among all markets in Germany, are held in Cologne and Nuremberg.

Let's add a few words about the Cologne Christmas market. It is traditionally held against the backdrop of the magnificent Gothic cathedral, in the very center of the city, on Domplatz Square.

• When: from November 21 to December 23-26 (depending on the city; more details here: when are Christmas markets held in Germany)
• What to buy: Räuchermännchen doll, nutcracker (nut cracker), children's toys, all kinds of Christmas tree decorations and colorful paper for wrapping gifts at very reasonable prices
• Food and drink: baked apples, toasted almonds, gingerbread, glühwein (mulled wine)

Christmas in Cologne

Christmas in Vienna

A good place to start is the Christmas village on Maria Theresa Square, between the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Natural History Museum. Here you can find quality handicrafts. Next, you should go to the fair at the Belvedere Palace. In addition, you can look at Rathausplatz and Schönbrunn Palace.

• When: mid-November - December 24-26 (more details: Austrian Christmas markets)
• What to buy: decorations, candles, handmade souvenirs and Christmas decorations, glassware
• Food and drinks: of course, the legendary Viennese apple strudel, bratwurst (fried sausages), ginger biscuits. Drink? Gluwein and punch, naturlich!

Christmas in Vienna

French Christmas charm

Where do you think the most beautiful Christmas market in France is held? No, not in Paris, but in charming Strasbourg! Located on the border with Germany, this city is considered the birthplace of the first Christmas tree and is also famous for its markets (Christkindelsmärik), which have been held here since 1570. From Place Broglie to Kléber, under a thousand twinkling lights, this year Strasbourg will host a huge fair with a giant Sapin de Noël - a Christmas tree.

• When: November 26 - December 31
• What to buy: Christmas decorations at Place de la Cathédrale; for amazing Alsatian snacks, check out Place des Meuniers
• Food and drinks: adults - hot wine (vin chaud), children - warm orange juice with honey, bredele shortbread and maennele brioche people

We will also not ignore the French capital. This year, the first Christmas market will open on the main avenue of the city in mid-November - on the Champs Elysees (open until the end of December - beginning of January). Also in December there will be a market opposite the Eiffel Tower - on the Trocadéro esplanade, daily from 11:00 to 20:00. The La Défense fair is also worth a look - a unique spectacle of modern architecture and ancient fair fun (from late November to late December).

Christmas on the streets of Austria is no less fascinating: all kinds of stalls and tents flock to the most beautiful squares like sparrows, and the aroma of baked goods and hot punch is in the air.

Medieval Prague at Christmas

Prague in winter is simply fabulous: the balconies are covered in snow, smoke curls comfortably from thousands of chimneys, it seems that Gerda is about to emerge from the alley to go on dangerous adventures in search of Kai. And all this against the backdrop of the cold and mysterious Astronomical Clock of the Old Town Square and the Gothic spiers piercing the clouds already irrigating the city with snow. Staroměstské náměstí, or Old Town Square, is already considered one of the most stunning in Europe. During Christmas, its landscapes become completely ethereal, unreal, plunging into the distant 15-16-17 centuries.

• When: from November 26 to January 3
• What to buy: handmade puppets and wooden toys, Bohemian crystal, Czech glass, decorative ceramic figurines. Or why not buy live carp to cook a traditional Czech Christmas dinner?
• Food and drinks: dumplings, brown sugar lollipop trdlo, svařené víno (that is, mulled wine) or medovina (good old mead). To keep warm, the Czechs suggest drinking a glass of traditional, spicy Becherovka liqueur.
• For children: a zoo and an open-air stage where children from all over the Czech Republic sing and dance in traditional costumes with inimitable festive fervor.

Fabulous Christmas in Tallinn

The Christmas market in Tallinn traditionally takes place on Town Hall Square. A huge Christmas tree is installed in the center of the square, and around it there are many trading houses selling handmade souvenirs, Christmas tree decorations, traditional treats and drinks. The fair is open daily until 10:00 pm, but the fun with local bands and dance troupes is at its best on Fridays from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and on weekends at lunchtime.

• When: from November 18 to January 8
• What to buy: felt hats, sweaters, hand-knitted mittens and scarves, warm blankets and pillows
• Food and drinks: sausages, potatoes, sauerkraut with lingonberry jam, marzipan sweets, gingerbread and cookies, Estonian honey from the island of Saaremaa.
• For children: carousels and a mini-zoo where deer and sheep live. By the way, it is these deer that bring Father Frost to Town Hall Square so that he can hand out candies in exchange for poems.

Immerse yourself in Medieval Europe, decorated with hundreds of garlands. Find yourself on the streets of the Old World in the company of a cheerful glass of mulled wine. Fall under the spell of miniature gingerbread trays with homemade cupcakes, forgetting about discounts in supermarkets. Be amazed at the number of children who have forgotten about their iPods and who are delighted to understand such simple and complex wooden toys, created by the skillful hands of artisans. Take a ride on an ancient carousel, remember your youth by renting skates, and celebrate a Catholic Christmas that may not be ours, but is no less cozy and reveals something bright and dear to every soul at the best fairs in Europe.

Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo

Photo 1 of 2

Photo 2 of 2

Full screen Back to gallery

Calendar of the best Christmas markets in Europe

Gendarmenmarkt square in Berlin during the Christmas holidays

Deleting the image!

Do you want to remove an image from this gallery?

Delete Cancel

It is believed that the “best” Christmas markets are held in Germany, since it was from the medieval traditions of this country that the custom of organizing New Year’s and Christmas markets spread throughout Europe. If you go to Germany before Catholic Christmas, you can visit fairs in Munich, Cologne, Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Dresden and Berlin. And believe me, each of them will have its own characteristics. For example, in Nuremberg you can buy the best Christmas toys in Europe; the unique technology of their production is jealously guarded by local craftsmen. And guests of Christmas Dresden will enjoy the annual Stollen fruit pie festival, which takes place on the second Sunday of December, and the election of a gingerbread princess.

Well, the main Christmas market takes place in the capital of Germany - on the Gendarmenmarkt square in Berlin. There are hundreds of shops selling traditional German treats and handmade toys. And if it happens that you get caught in the rain while walking, which is not uncommon in the city in November, you can hide in the three-story Christmas decoration store Käthe Wohlfahrt. Surrounded by thousands of Christmas balls, squirrels and Christmas bears, it’s hard not to believe in the New Year’s miracle. By the way, sales in German stores begin around the same time.

Hand-painted Christmas tree decorations are sold at the Vienna Christmas market

Austria
Time spending:
— November 15-December 26
Salzburg - November 20 - December 26
Innsbruck - December 1 - 31th of December

Vienna's main Christmas market takes place on the square in front of the town hall. A huge fir tree is installed here, and the trees are decorated with lanterns in the shape of red hearts. At the beginning of December, there is light frost and snow in the capital of Austria, but this will definitely not spoil your festive mood. The frosty air smells of apple punch with rum and roasted chestnuts, and if you get tired of walking around the city on foot, you can use an ancient horse-drawn carriage, which will add flavor to your amazing journey.

Maria Theresa Square houses many stalls selling Christmas sweets - candies, gingerbread and the local signature crescent-shaped cookies - Vanillekpferl. And if you go further to a small square between the twin Kunst and History Museums of Vienna, you will see craftsmen’s shops where you can buy New Year’s gifts: blown glass dishes, miniature wooden cradles, etc.

The Strasbourg Christmas market takes place near the walls of the cathedral

France
Time spending:
Strasbourg - November 28-December 31
Paris — 15th of November - 6th January

Surprisingly, the main Christmas holiday in France takes place not in Paris at all, but in the historical capital of Alsace - Strasbourg. Thanks to its location - next to Germany - Christmas is celebrated here on a German scale. In addition, there is a version among the French that it was Strasbourg that became the birthplace of the first Christmas tree (the French call it the “Christmas tree”).

On the square near the cathedral, there are about three hundred food stalls where you can buy: clay pots with duck and goose foie gras, deer stew, tarte flambé (Alsatian traditional pie filled with cheese, onions and brisket), roasted chestnuts, curly gingerbread and a lot of other goodies. Wash it all down with cherry pit or quince tinctures.

Christmas market at the Natural History Museum in London

Great Britain
Time spending:
London— November 17 - December 24
Edinburgh – November 21 - 4 January
Glasgow - November 14 - 21 December

In the pre-Christmas period, the famous Hyde Park turns from a place of relaxation for citizens and loud rallies into a real magical story called “Winter Wonderland”. A skating rink, which has no equal in the UK, opens here; it is generously illuminated by several thousand spotlights, which create the effect of a starry sky above the heads of vacationers, and is proudly called “Ice Age”. And the whole of London is decorated with illumination, and the best way to look at this beauty is from the height of the giant Ferris wheel - the London Eye. But know that if you come to London on Christmas Day, you will see an empty city. Shops and restaurants are closed, museums are closed, there are no cars or people on the street. The city is at the disposal of bored tourists who weren't invited to the family turkey dinner.

Main square during the Brussels Christmas market

Belgium

Time spending :
Brussels – November 28 - 4 January
Bruges – November 21 - January 2

If you consider yourself a gourmet, a gourmet connoisseur, or simply love to eat delicious food, then the Christmas markets in Brussels and its sister city Bruges are just for you. Of course, we couldn’t do without the famous Belgian chocolate here. In addition: traditional waffles, fresh oysters, snails, meat baked according to old recipes, etc. It is suggested to wash it all down with juniper tincture or strong local beer, of which there are several hundred varieties. But not only gourmets can enjoy Belgium. A real boom in discounts begins in stores, and you can often find sales of still fresh collections of clothing and accessories.

The Christmas tree comes straight from the Krkonose Mountains in the north of the Czech Republic

Czech
Time spending:
Prague- 29th of November - 1st of January
Pilsen – November 27 - December 23

The holiday fair in Prague is the first in the “Best Christmas tree” category. The forest beauty is installed on the famous Old Town Square, and around it there is a “round dance” of shops with New Year’s souvenirs, wooden toys, hot sausages, boar’s knee on a spit and a special strudel with raisins and nuts, which is prepared only for Christmas. Celebrations also take place in other places in the city; not far from the Old Town Square there is Wenceslas Square - here, in the light of trees decorated with lanterns, there are small kiosks with warm drinks - it’s nice to pour a glass of punch, mead, hot tea, or go for a walk to the Tyn Cathedral.