Best Christmas markets in Europe Christkindlmarket

Where to travel in Europe for Christmas? Christkindlmarket, Strasbourg

The oldest Christmas market in Europe since 1570 is in Strasbourg, France, and is often elected the best. It is locally called Christlindelsmärik, and Strasbourg is called the Christmas capital, as it holds that Christmas market.

If you asked yourself where to travel in Europe for Christmas, see our selection of some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, from the oldest one in  Strasbourg France   with our Christmas market Strasbourg reviews to the Warsaw Christmas markets on the other side of Europe.

Where to travel in Europe for Christmas? Strasbourg France

However, there are great Christmas markets everywhere in Europe and in the world, see below our favorites.

Christmas markets 2019

Christmas markets usually start 5 Fridays before Christmas, end of November, and either end on Christmas day, the 24th of December, or sometimes extend up to  New Years Eve   or the week after, but no later.

They are the occasion to drink hot chocolate or mulled wine, usually by cold weather, enjoy outdoor animations, such as concerts, ice rinks, or Ferris wheels, and local specialties, food and drinks.

It is also the occasion to get the traditional Christmas tree.

Strasbourg Christmas market

The best Christmas market is the one in Strasbourg, France, not only because it has the longest tradition in Europe, but because the whole city transforms itself for the occasion.

The romance can be felt in all streets of Strasbourg, and the kris kringle market actually takes place everywhere in the city with several spots composed of market booths.

Our Christmas market Strasbourg reviews takes us through several narrow streets that are linking the different Christmas markets between them, as nearly the whole city changes itself for a whole month to host them.

During kris kindle market time, the square in front of the cathedral, former tallest building in the world for two centuries, is the most central one, but not the only one.

Having a mulled wine while while walking in the streets of the old town makes you feel like being in another time, and other local specialties are prepared right in front of you, such as flammbaguette, which means flambé pie on baguette, will surely ravish you!

They also have a tradition of crèpes, French pancakes, which are best enjoy with home made marmalade or chocolate and fruits.

Strasbourg Christmas market 2019 dates from 23rd November to 30th December 2019.

Read more Christmas market Strasbourg reviews:

• Christmas market Strasbourg reviews on The Good Life France
  
• Christmas market Strasbourg reviews on Wanderers Hub
  
• Christmas market Strasbourg reviews on Epicure&Culture
  
• Christmas market Strasbourg reviews on Nomadic Chica
  

Vienna Christmas market

One of the most popular one, Vienna Christmas market takes mostly place around the cathedral, and surely is a great one.

It attracts thousands of people, and might seem a bit overcrowded.

The great thing is that Vienna is a very large touristic city, and even during this period it is relatively easy to find a place to stay at, for a reasonable price, as they do not go up that much compared to standard time.

Vienna Christmas market 2019 dates from 17th November to 26th December 2019.

Bratislava Christmas market

Only 80 kilometers, or an hour drive, from Vienna, Bratislava Christmas market is relatively cozy and comfortable, as it isn't that crowded, but has the full ambiance from big ones.

It takes place all around the old town, and the local specialty, langos, which is a kind of flat bread with sour cream and cheese, is a ravishment by cold weather, along with a mulled wine.

Bratislava Christmas market 2019 dates from 23trd November to 22th December 2019.

Prague Christmas market

One of the best European destinations in winter time, for its romantic ambiance, beautiful middle age old town, cheap prices and accessible airport, is Prague, in Czech republic.

Their christkindlmarket tradition is very strong, and they can be enjoyed in most of the city center.

Prague Christmas market 2019 dates from 01st December 2019 to 06th January 2019.

Budapest Christmas market

One of the best Christmas markets in Central Europe,  Budapest Christmas market   is famous for being close to the Danube, being easy to reach, and being hosted in a cheap medieval city.

Some peculiar things to do, is to hop out of the Christmas market in the heart on winter, and go to swim in one of the city thermal baths.

Budapest Christmas market 2019 dates from 09th November to 01st January 2019.

Munich Christmas market

If you have to choose one Christkindlemarkt in Germany, opt for Munich!

The German city, capital of Bavaria, is situated south of Germany, close to the Alps mountains, and feels like another town in winter time.

The Christmas market tradition is also strong there, and they even have a Christmas market at the airport, right outside on the whole main square.

It is therefore a plane connection Christmas market, no need to even go to the city, while connecting in Munich in December, simply step out of the airport, and enjoy a great Christmas market experience!

Munich Christmas market 2019 dates from 27rd November to 24th December 2019.

Brussels Christmas market

The Belgian capital hosts a very large Christmas market on its main square, the Grand-Place.

Hosting more than 200 chalets, or market booths, it is great to spend a whole day walking around the Christmas magic.

With a Ferris wheel, it is even possible to have an awesome sight on the market and whole city in general during magical winter time.

Brussels Christmas market 2019 dates from 30th November to 06th January 2019.

Krakow Christmas market

The Polish city has a huge advantage over the other Christmas markets, which is most of the Christmas tree decorations sold there are actually hand made in Poland, mostly near the mountains in Zakopane.

This fact alone makes  Krakow Christmas market   a bit more authentic than others, and the ambiance in the medieval town is more enjoyable in winter time, under the snow on the main old town square.

Krakow Christmas market 2019 dates from 30th November to 26th December 2019.

Lincoln Christmas market

One of the largest Christmas markets in Europe, and probably the best in England, is the one held in Lincoln.

It attracts up to 250 000 visitors during the winter time, spreading around the castle and the cathedral.

Contrary to most markets that start about 4 weeks before Christmas, this one starts three weeks before Christmas.

Lincoln Christmas market 2019 dates from 6th December to 9th December 2019.

Berlin Christmas market

The kris kringle market in the German capital is one of the main attractions of the city of the year, with many popular markets around the huge city.

Berlin Christmas market 2019 dates from 24th November to 01st January 2019.

Amsterdam Christmas market

Start a week earlier than usual markets, mid November, the Christmas in Amsterdam has a very peculiar ambiance, as it spreads around the city.

Amsterdam Christmas market 2019 dates from 01st December to 24th December 2019.

Warsaw Christmas market

Small and cozy, the Christmas market in the old town of Warsaw has a great village like ambiance, which is pretty unusual for a European capital city as big as this one.

There are two Warsaw Christmas markets, the main one being in the old town, and the other one right next to the Palace of Culture and Science. Both the Warsaw Christmas markets are situated at walking distance of each other.

Warsaw Christmas market 2019 dates from 30th November to 26th December 2019.

Dusseldorf Christmas market

With over 200 decorated huts, it is a popular destination even for locals during winter time, to enjoy a good mulled wine or a sausage.

Dusseldorf Christmas market 2019 dates from 22th November to 30th December 2019.

Christmas markets 2019 dates

Strasbourg Christmas market 2019 dates from 23rd November to 30th December 2019.

Vienna Christmas market 2019 dates from 17th November to 26th December 2019.

Bratislava Christmas market 2019 dates from 23trd November to 22th December 2019.

Prague Christmas market 2019 dates from 01st December 2019 to 06th January 2019.

Budapest Christmas market 2019 dates from 09th November to 01st January 2019.

Munich Christmas market 2019 dates from 27rd November to 24th December 2019.

Brussels Christmas market 2019 dates from 30th November to 06th January 2019.

Krakow Christmas market 2019 dates from 30th November to 26th December 2019.

Lincoln Christmas market 2019 dates from 6th December to 9th December 2019.

Berlin Christmas market 2019 dates from 24th November to 01st January 2019.

Amsterdam Christmas market 2019 dates from 01st December to 24th December 2019.

Warsaw Christmas market 2019 dates from 30th November to 26th December 2019.

Dusseldorf Christmas market 2019 dates from 22th November to 30th December 2019.

We hope this guide will have helped you choose which Christmas markets to visit. But, at the end, what matters is to have the Christmas spirit, and enjoy a great winter time!

Best Christmas markets in Europe Christkindlmarket

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Christkindlmarkets some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, and what unique experiences do they offer?

Christkindlmarkets are renowned for their festive atmosphere, traditional crafts, and regional delicacies. They offer unique experiences like holiday-themed shopping, traditional music, and cultural performances, embodying the spirit of the European holiday season.