You’ve dreamed about them. Your friends raved about them. Once you experience the charm, fun, and gemütlichkeit (friendliness) of a European Christmas market, you’ll want to return again and again. This is our guide for your first visit to what is often called a Christkindlmarkt. We share what you need to know about the best Christmas markets in Europe. And you can still go this year.
Where and When?
European Christmas markets can be found throughout northern Europe in Germany, Austria, France, Norway, Italy, Belgium, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and the even the United Kingdom. Generally, they run from mid-November to a few days before Christmas. However, a few will run until New Year’s. We use this helpful annual guide to make sure the ones we want to visit are open when we go.
Our favorite country for European Christmas markets is Germany. After all, Germany is the country that developed most of the traditions that Americans follow for celebrating Christmas.
Fairy Tale Dioramas In Lubeck Germany
What Will You Find at a Christmas Market?
Every market has a distinct vibe. Some are very child-oriented with carnival rides for the kids. Others are high-end shopping extravaganzas. There are medieval themed Christmas markets, which are great fun. We saw one in Lubeck that featured adorable fairy tale dioramas.
In many traditional markets, especially in smaller towns, there will be at least one vendor selling household goods. Of course, most will sell beautiful ornaments for your Christmas tree. And it is a rare German Christmas market where you don’t see vendors selling giant Gingerbread necklaces with sayings in frosting like “Princess” or “I love you.”
You’ll see stands like this everywhere
Christmas Market Food and Drink
There will be food, almost always with vendors roasting sausages and wurst. Usually, there will be fried fish and vegetarian options. Try a flammkuchen, a flatbread usually topped with cheese, onions, and ham. Of course, you can get them topped with a variety of other items. By the way, you will often see a German favorite, currywurst. We are not fans.
You will find baked goods, including German pretzels, usually called bretzels.
Most markets will have stollen, gingerbread, and marzipan. Oddly, you will probably not find peppermint candy canes. But don’t fret, there are so many other treats.
Be aware the some of the treats are regional in nature, so you may not find everything we mention here at every market.
One of our favorites is a delightful sugar dough treat called Baumstriezel, also known as Chimney Cake. Picture this– spiraling wisps of yeasted dough, twirled lovingly around a cylindrical spit, and baked till it hits that golden brown sweet spot. You end up with a confection that’s caramelized just right on the outside and fluffily soft on the inside! Don’t blame us if you’re left wanting more!
The Divine Baumstreizel
And you MUST try the ubiquitous warm gluhwein, which is mulled wine. You can add a shot of rum or other liquors to make it even better. While there will be many outdoor stands, some will have a big indoor tent or temporary building where you can sit and warm up. The significant consumption of gluhwein appears to be the point of many Christmas markets. It does warm your tummy!
What’s The Best Way to Visit Christmas Markets?
We think the very best way is to take a special river cruise with a Christmas market itinerary. Imagine waking up each morning in a new town with new markets to explore! No packing and unpacking as your hotel is your transportation.
We love AMAWaterways which offers many Christmas market cruises. If you have never taken an AMAWaterways river cruise, you can read about our experiences here.
Popular Viking cruises also offers many Christmas Market itineraries.
Christmas Markets to Consider
Trier, Koblenz, and Mainz are particularly famous and are large markets. We loved the several markets in the charming Lubeck in northern Germany. Berlin has MANY markets to choose from and we have gone to most of them! In fact, if you tire of Berlin’s, Potsdam and Dresden are short train rides away so you can visit more. We also enjoyed markets in Erfurt and Weimar.
Strasbourg is a charming French town along the Rhine featured on many river cruises. It is a picture-perfect town for a Christmas market visit. And of course, there is the famous Romantic Road with lovely markets.
We hope you love these best Christmas markets in Europe as much as we do.
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