The magic of Christmas is also its markets, the smell of gingerbread, chocolate, mulled wine or candied fruit, the stalls selling gifts, the pretty illuminated Christmas trees... From the end of November, Christmas markets spring up all over France and Europe, but where can you go to see the most beautiful Christmas markets? Here's our selection!
1. Strasbourg Christmas Market
Strasbourg 's Christmas market is one of Alsace's best-known and most popular markets, and rightly so. It's one of the oldest and largest in Europe, with 300 chalets set in the heart of a superb UNESCO-listed historic center. Strolling through Strasbourg's ten or so Christmas villages, you can do your festive shopping and indulge in typical cakes, the famous bredeles, often in the shape of a heart or star. A must-see for a weekend before Christmas!
2. Aubagne Christmas Market
Further south, theAubagne Christmas market is one of the most famous in Provence. It's especially famous for its huge santon market, where colorful, handcrafted figurines - a true tradition in Provence - illustrate various scenes in the Christmas crib. Each year, before being put on display, these santons are carefully selected by a jury of experts. In the rest of the market, you can also admire a beautiful panoramic crib and feast on local gourmet products. A must-see in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region!
3. Montbéliard Christmas Market
In eastern France, in the Franche-Comté region, the Montbéliard Christmas market is a favorite with lovers of crafts and gourmet products. At the Temple Saint-Martin, some 160 artisans open their stalls. Handpicked by the organizers, the artisans will be showcasing their skills, and some will even be making objects in front of visitors. Gourmets are in for a treat, as they can sample cured meats, foie gras, chocolates and cookies, among other delights.
4. Brussels Christmas Market
A must-see in Brussels. It's mainly on the famous Grand-Place, but also on other beautiful squares in the city such as Place Sainte-Catherine, that the Brussels Christmas Market takes place every year, one of the most popular in Europe. It features over 200 chalets, many of which offer Christmas specialitiesfrom all over the continent, Brussels being the capital of Europe. A true gourmet voyage for the taste buds! The market is also packed with entertainment, including a Ferris wheel and an ice rink. No time to get bored in Belgium, even for a weekend.
5. Nuremberg Christmas Market
Germany has the largest number of Christmas markets in the world, and Dresden was the site of one of the first Christmas markets in history, back in the 15th century. But one of the most famous of these markets is the one in Nuremberg, a must-see in Bavaria. The Christkindlesmarkt has been held every year on the beautiful medieval Hauptmarkt since 1628! Here, you can enjoy delicious grilled sausages with cabbage, traditional stalls and over 200 toy stalls. Enough to keep young and old alike dreaming!
6. Vienna Christmas Market
Where to go for Christmas markets? From mid-November in Vienna, the Austrian capital's most beautiful squares play host to enchanting Christmas markets. One of the most popular is on City Hall Square. Around a huge wreath a dozen meters in diameter, some one hundred and fifty chalets offer gifts, sweets and hot drinks on a beautiful square illuminated by magnificent Christmas decorations. The markets on Freyung Square in the Old Town and opposite Schönbrunn Palace offer a wide selection of traditional Austrian handicrafts. Tempted? Discover our article dedicated to What to do and see in Vienna in 2 or 3 days? Itinerary tips.
7. Krakow Christmas Market
In Krakow, one of Poland's prettiest cities, the Christmas market takes place in the Old Town Market Square. In the many wooden huts set up around it, craftsmen display their handmade wares, while regional producers offer tastings of various Polish specialities. But what makes this market so famous is its nativity scene competition, which takes place every first Thursday in December on the same square. Contestants represent Krakow's most beautiful monuments, creating both wooden and paper nativity scenes.
8. Sibiu Christmas Market
In Romania, the tradition of Christmas markets is relatively recent compared to other European countries. The first Romanian Christmas market took place in Sibiu in 2007, the year the city was European Capital of Culture. Since then, other cities such as Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Brasov have continued the tradition. In Sibiu, every year, around 100 exhibitors set up in small chalets on the town's main square, Piata Mare, which suddenly becomes the brightest square in Romania. Here you can buy lots of handicrafts and sample a wide range of Romanian specialities.
9. Skansen Christmas Market
In Sweden, the Skansen Christmas market in Stockholm is certainly one of the most magical in Europe. It takes place in an open-air museum made up of 150 traditional houses representing every corner of Sweden, from old Stockholm to Lapland, and when it's snowy, this village becomes simply magical. On site, you can observe ancient Christmas traditions, as well as sample many Swedish specialties. Tempted? Discover our article What to do in Stockholm? 15 must-sees.
10. Naples Christmas Market
Where to go for Christmas markets? In southern Italy, the Naples Christmas market is a must-see. The capital of Campania has been famous for 600 years for its beautiful santons and nativity scenes. In the streets of Via San Gregorio Armeno and Via San Biagio dei Librai, artisans make terracotta figurines all year round, which they sell a few weeks before Christmas at an open-air market held right on their street. A stroll here is a chance to discover an ancestral art while indulging in Neapolitan sweets. Are you tempted? Discover our articles What to do with your family and children in Naples? Top 10 activities and How to visit Naples in 3 days? Itinerary tips.
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