Okay, so I know we are only just going into autumn in the northern hemisphere BUT, if you want to hit some of Europe’s Christmas markets, you need to read this blog sooner rather than later.
I love Christmas and when I booked my winter Europe trip, I immediately noted when each of the Christmas markets started in each place and crosschecked which dates I was in each place and whether I’d be able to go to any markets. In this blog, I will tell you about the market I went to, which was my favourite and which to avoid (sorry).
So, if you are looking for a fun and wholesome Christmas in Europe, why not check these Christmas markets out…
Vienna Christmas Markets
The Vienna Christmas Markets are fantastic. There are several different markets in the city, I went to three different markets.
Marie-Theresien-Platz – this was the smallest market I visited. It was well laid out and wasn’t as busy as some of the other markets (which was nice). It was still buzzing with excited people buying Christmas gifts and décor and people eating and drinking with friends and family. I went to this market twice.
Schönbrunn Palace – to start with, this market had one of the most amazing backdrops I’ve seen. Set up in the ground of the palace, the stalls have the palace in the background which makes for great photos. I only went to this market during the day but I wish I had gone back during the evening went it was dark, I’m sure it would have been so beautiful to see all the Christmas lights and the palace lit up. Visiting during the day did ensure it would be quieter than it would have been during the evening – it also made for a good starting and finishing point to visiting the palace and it’s grounds (including the Vienna Zoo).
Rathausplatz – this was probably my favourite of the three in Vienna. It’s the biggest market and has so many stalls to check out as well as fair rides and a Christmas light trail. It was just magical! As this is a much bigger market area, there are a lot more people and the whole atmosphere was electric.
Each of the markets was slightly different but each had a mix of craft/gift stalls and, food and drink stalls. I really enjoyed all of them for different reasons. Whichever market you go to, you have got to try Glühwein (hot mulled wine) – although make sure you eat before and/or with it because that stuff is strong!
Berlin Christmas Markets
I went to two different Christmas markets while in Berlin, one in Alexanderplatz and one next to the St Marienkirche Church.
The market next to the St Marienkirche church was the larger of the two markets – it had an ice skating rink, a ferris wheel and other fairground rides. There were lots of food and drinks stalls and of course lots of gift stalls. I went twice to this market, first thing in the morning (around 10/11am when they opened) and again in the evening.
The Alexanderplatz market was smaller but equally as packed with food, drink and gift stalls. There was also an ice skating rink at this market although a much smaller one that the other market. This market also had a pop-up Kathe-Wohlfahrt shop which was filled with the most beautiful wooden Christmas ornaments, I made a few essential purchases here!
Visiting the Christmas markets in Berlin was so fun and made even more exciting and magical by the cold temperatures and falling snow! They are pretty central within the city and have good transport links nearby – Alexanderplatz has a subway station right there so very easy to get there and then St Marienkirche Church is just a short walk away. I really enjoyed the markets in Berlin and they are well worth a visit.
Bratislava Christmas Market
In Františkánskeho Námestie (Františkánskeho Square) in the Slovakian capital city, there was a small Christmas market just setting up in the square which my friend and I visited for a snack after catching up over a cup of hot chocolate at a nearby café. There was music playing and stalls for food and drink, as well as a few gift and craft stalls. There was a really nice, happy atmosphere and people were so friendly. There are other Christmas markets on in Bratislava but when I visited in late November, they were only just setting them up. While visiting Bratislava, you have to try Langoš, a traditional Slovakian/Hungarian fried flatbread smothered in garlic oil, salt and a variety of toppings – so yummy!
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Edinburgh’s Christmas markets had been hyped up for years – supposedly one of the best in Europe. Sadly, when I visited with my friends, we were quite disappointed with them. The markets were confined to a relatively small area and access was limited to one entrance through a much larger lower park area (which had a light trail) and one exit. There were literally THOUSANDS of people queuing to get in and it was insane. You couldn’t move through the streets, and it was just an uncomfortable atmosphere and not the exciting/happy atmosphere we had hoped for. We attempted to visit in the evening but gave up because it was just not worth waiting.
We did visit during the morning but there were still so many people, you could barely move. There were a few fairground rides (ferris wheel, carousel and others) but it was mostly food and drink stalls with just a few gift stalls. Because of the sheer amount of people, we didn’t eat or drink at this market and only glanced at some of the other stalls. It was so disappointing, especially after all the hype.
Glasgow Christmas Market
The Glasgow market was small and compact but quite sweet. Like Edinburgh, it was mostly food and drink stalls with a few gift stalls, and there was a ferris wheel and other fairground rides. It wasn’t as busy as other markets I have been to but there was still a fun atmosphere. A large Christmas tree was centred in the market and the surrounding streets and buildings were adorned with lights and decorations. Again, we didn’t eat or drink anything here but that was more because we just didn’t want anything at the time we were there. There was a good atmosphere and everyone was enjoying their time.
So that’s a roundup of the 8 Christmas markets (in 4 countries) I visited in November and December 2023.
No secret, my least favourite Christmas market was Edinburgh. Sorry! I just couldn’t understand why it was packed into such a small area when there is a large park sitting right below it with a bit of a light trail meandering through it. If it was spread out between the area it was in and the lower park, it would have been much more manageable to visit (just my opinion but if you could have seen the huge crowds and the small area, you would probably agree). It was just disappointing, especially after I had read and seen and been told the Edinburgh Christmas markets were one of the best in Europe.
My favourite markets would definitely be Rathausplatz in Vienna, Austria and Alexanderplatz in Berlin, Germany. With their buzzing atmospheres, variety in the food, drink and gift stalls, and entertainment, these two markets just brought the Christmas spirit to life and if you are lucky enough for it to snow while you are visiting these markets, they become even more magical!
If you are interested in visiting the Christmas markets of Europe, you can check out the dates each on opens here. I would definitely get booking if you want to visit the continent for the Christmas markets – obviously be aware that accommodation may be more expensive during this time as the Christmas markets are very popular.
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