From traditional crafts to local delicacies, ice rinks to carousels – and not forgetting a glass or two of gluhwein – Europe’s Christmas markets are well worth a visit. We’ve picked out our favourite places for a spot of festive retail therapy…
The magic of European Christmas markets is enhanced by the smells: cloves and cinnamon in mulled wine, pine resin from decorative garlands, sizzling sausages and roasted chestnuts, all scenting the crisp winter air around colourful, lantern-lit stalls. Carol singers, brass bands and street entertainers all add to the festive fun. Best of all, these Christmas crackers are just a sleigh-ride away…
Strasbourg, France
Until 24 December
Location Place de la Cathédrale, near La Petite France boutique area, complete with timbered buildings and a gingerbread bakery.
Go Early December to avoid the crowds, or the weekend of 23 December for the full traditional experience.
Best buys Tree ornaments, jewellery, ceramics. Avoid pricey French-style clothing such as berets and Breton jerseys. Shopping snacks Spicy sausages, bredele (Christmas biscuits), Alsace wines and beers.
Other French markets Lyon, until 24 December, Place Carnot: regional products from log cabin-style shops. Nice, 8 December – 1 January, Albert I Gardens: craft chalets and children’s entertainment. Disneyland Paris, 22 December – 7 January, Disney Village: gift chalets, Christmas food and entertainment.
Information www.franceguide.com
Munich, Germany
1–24 December
Location Held for 600 years in Marienplatz in front of the town hall near the central shopping district.
Go With six to 12-year-olds for free children’s festive workshops in the afternoons until 17 December.
Best buys Carved wooden tree decorations, hand-painted glass baubles, glove puppets, candleholders, incense burners. Miniature cribs and nativity sets from the neighbouring Kripperlmarkt.
Shopping snacks Iced or plain gingerbread, cinnamon or aniseed biscuits, baked apples, roasted almonds, cheese-and-potato pancakes.
Other German markets Germany has more than 2,500 Christmas markets, including Nuremberg, 1–23 December, Hauptmarkt Square: held here since the 1690s. Berlin, until 23 December, Gendarmenmarkt Square: WeihnachtsZauber is one of 50 seasonal markets around the city. Frankfurt, until 21 December, Romerberg Square, Paulsplatz and Mainkal Quay: listen for the trumpet music from the St Nicholas church balcony.
Information www.germany-tourism.de
Vienna, Austria
Until 24 December
Location Rathauspark and City Hall. The park has a Christmas-themed merry-go-round, a train, a chocolate factory and a post office. Nearby there’s an ice-skating rink with glass-walled cafés.
Go On the weekend for free afternoon carol concerts in City Hall (from 1 December), or the first week of December for brass bands by the giant tree. During the school holidays and at the weekends children can make gifts and cookies in the Town Hall.
Best buys Hand-painted candles, marzipan shapes, aroma lamps, fleeces, clothing and jewellery. Avoid expensive glittery ornaments.
Shopping snacks Toffee apples, chocolate-covered bananas, dark fruit bread, krapfen (doughnuts filled with apricot jam), krampus (devil-shaped sweets). The nearby Landtmann Coffee House sells coffee mixed with rum or hot kirsch.
Other Austrian markets Salzburg, until 24 December, Cathedral and Residence Squares: expect choral singing and pastoral plays performed on the Cathedral steps.
Information www.austriatourism.com
Geneva, Switzerland
Until 24 December
Location Place de la Fusterie in the heart of the main shopping area. The stalls are in the form of small wooden chalets.
Go Between 8–10 December Geneva celebrates the historic L’Escalade festival with the smashing of chocolate soup pots, fancy-dress parades and competitions.
Best buys Wooden toys, African, Russian and Asian crafts, dried flowers, chocolates, essential oils, fondue sets and knives.
Shopping snacks Leek-and-cabbage sausages, waffles, dried fruits, gateau à la raisin and other pies, pancakes, raclette.
Other Swiss markets Basel, until 23 December, Markplatz: a good place for concerts. Lausanne, 1–24 December, Place St Françoise: 50 chalets, entertainment and local foods. Zurich, until 24 December: Europe’s largest indoor Christmas market is located in the main railway station and the underground mall.
Information www.myswitzerland.com
Rome, Italy
8 December – 6 January
Location Piazza Navona, with the wonderful fountains as a backdrop.
Go Early to catch Father Christmas, or on 6 January when La Befana – a friendly witch – gives toys to children.
Best buys Tree decorations, Befana dolls, scarves, gloves and bags. Shopping snacks Torrone nougat, traditional Roman fruit-and-nut cake, dried dates, figs and nuts.
Other Italian markets Traditionally most are held in South Tyrol, including Bolzano, 1–23 December, Brunico, 1 December – 6 January and Merano, 1– 30 December. All sell local crafts and foods.
Information enit.it
Ghent, Belgium
8–24 December
Location The pretty wooden chalet-style stalls are found in Sint-Baafsplein in the medieval centre, within walking distance of the shopping area.
Go From 10–17 December when the Vrijdagmarkt, which is also near the shopping areas, sells a wide range of gifts from around the EU.
Best buys Candles, clothes and Christmas decorations.
Shopping snacks Mulled spiced wine, hot chocolate, hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries and sweets.
Other Belgian markets Brussels, 1 December – 1 January, Place St Catherine: this has 240 stalls selling items from around Europe and an excellent 60-metre ice rink. Antwerp, 8–26 December, Groenplaats and Market Square: this also has an ice rink and can be reached by train from Brussels airport.
Information www.visitflanders.com, www.belgiumtheplaceto.be
Try not to miss…
- Copenhagen Until 20 December Tivoli Amusement Gardens: lots of fairground rides, an ice rink and 20 restaurants serving traditional Danish Christmas fare. visitdenmark.com
- Stockholm 2–3, 9–10 and 16–17 December Skansen: the emphasis here is on traditional foodstuffs such as sausages, cheeses and spices, alongside handicrafts and leather goods. visitsweden.com
- Budapest Until 31 December Vorosmarty Square: 100 stalls sell local craftwork including embroidered linens, wooden carvings, ceramics and straw dolls. There are 150 different stage shows, from puppetry to folk dancing. gotohungary.com
- Prague 2 December – 1 January Old Town and Wenceslas Squares: hut-like stalls sell patchwork jester hats, books, pottery, strudel, bohemian glass and kolac (traditional pastry). There’s also a mini zoo, children’s pony rides and choirs. czechtourism.com
Villes illuminées
Artisanat de tradition, délices de gourmets, patinoires ou carrousels…les marchés de Noël d’Europe invitent à la féerie.
Strasbourg, France
29 novembre – 24 décembre
Lieu place de la Cathédrale.
Quand y aller début décembre pour éviter la foule.
Meilleurs achats Ornements, bijoux, céramique.
A déguster saucisses épicées, bredele (biscuits de Noël), bières d’Alsace.
Information www.franceguide.com
Munich, Allemagne
1–24 décembre
Lieu Marienplatz
Quand y aller durant les ateliers de fête des enfants du 28 novembre au 17 décembre.
Meilleurs achats décorations en bois sculpté, objets en verre peint à la main, brûleurs d’encens.
A déguster glace au pain d’épice, biscuits à la cannelle, pancakes au fromage et aux pommes de terre.
Information www.germany-tourism.de
Vienne, Austriche
18 novembre – 24 décembre
Lieu Rathauspark et Hôtel de ville.
Quand y aller week-ends de concerts gratuits de chants de Noël, les après-midi à l’Hôtel de Ville.
Meilleurs achats bougies peintes à la main, massepain, bijoux.
A déguster pommes caramélisées, krapfen (beignets), krampus (sucreries en forme de diable).
Information www.austriatourism.com
Genève, Suisse
24 novembre – 24 décembre
Lieu place de la Fusterie.
Quand y aller entre les 8–10 décembre pour le festival L’Escalade.
Meilleurs achats jouets en bois, fleurs séchées, chocolats.
A déguster potée de saucisses aux choux et aux poireaux, gaufres, fruits séchés, raclette.
Information www.myswitzerland.com
Rome, Italie
8 décembre – 6 janvier
Lieu Piazza Navona.
Quand y aller le 6 janvier lorsque La Befana – une gentille sorcière – distribue des jouets aux enfants.
Meilleurs achats décorations, poupées Befana, foulards.
A déguster nougat de Torrone, pangiallo (pain aux fruits secs et aux cacahuètes), dates séchées.
Information www.enit.it
Gand, Belgique
8–24 décembre
Lieu Sint-Baafsplein.
Quand y aller du 10 au 17 décembre lorsque le Vrijdagmarkt propose une large gamme de cadeaux de toute l’Europe.
Meilleurs achats bougies, vêtements, décorations de Noël.
A déguster vin épicé, chocolat chaud, hamburgers.
Information www.visitflanders.com
Twinkelende steden
Van ambachtelijke producten tot lokale delicatessen, schaatsbanen tot carrousels, een bezoek aan een van de vele kerstmarkten in Europa is een absolute must.
Straatsburg, Frankrijk
29 november – 24 december
Plaats Place de la Cathédrale.
Beste moment begin december om de grote massa te vermijden.
Beste koop sieraden, juwelen, keramiek. Culinaire stop kruidige worst, bredele (kerstmisbiscuits), Elzasser bier.
Inlichtingen www.franceguide.com
München, Duitsland
1–24 december
Plaats Marienplatz.
Beste moment voor de kinderen zijn er de workshops van 28 november – 17 december.
Beste koop houtsnijwerk, handgeschilderde kerstballen, wierookbranders.
Culinaire stop gembercake, kaneelkoekjes, pannenkoeken van kaas en aardappel
Inlichtingen www.germany-tourism.de
Wenen, Oostenrijk
18 november – 24 december
Plaats Rathauspark en stadhuis.
Beste moment weekends voor de gratis namiddagconcerten in het stadhuis.
Beste koop handgeschilderde kaarsen, marsepein, juwelen.
Culinaire stop toffeeappels, krapfen (donuts), krampus (snoepjes van de plaatselijke zwarte piet).
Inlichtingen www.austriatourism.com
Genève, Zwitserland
24 november – 24 december
Plaats Place de la Fusterie.
Beste moment van 8 tot 10 december voor het Escalade festival.
Beste koop houten speelgoed, gedroogde bloemen, chocolade.
Culinaire stop prei- en koolworsten, wafels, gedroogd fruit, raclette.
Inlichtingen www.myswitzerland.com
Rome, Italië,
8 december – 6 januari
Plaats Piazza Navona.
Beste moment op 6 januari wanneer La Befana – een vriendelijke heks – speelgoed geeft aan de kinderen.
Beste koop decoratie, Befana-poppen, sjaals.
Culinaire stop Torrone noga, pangiallo, gedroogde dadels.
Inlichtingen www.enit.it
Gent, België,
8–24 december
Plaats Sint-Baafsplein.
Beste moment van 10 tot 17 december wanneer op de vrijdagmarkt geschenkjes uit alle EU-landen worden verkocht.
Beste koop kaarsen, kleding, kerstdecoratie.
Culinaire stop warme kruidenwijn, warme chocolademelk, hamburgers.
Inlichtingen www.visitflanders.com
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