It’s the season to be jolly! Nothing beats the romanticism of a white Christmas in Europe; snowflakes falling, glühwein pouring, and carols by candlelight. And if there’s one way to up your merry-merry game, it’s exploring Europe’s Christmas markets and surrendering completely to the yuletide cheer.
Here are a few of our favourite Christmas markets in Europe:
Christmas in Vienna is a classic as it gets. Feed your festive spirit with a visit to the enchanting Christkindlesmarkt held in front of the City Hall, and feast on delicious gingerbread cookies and glühwein. Wander past wooden stalls piled high with handcrafted toys, seasonal gifts and tasty festive fare.
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Embrace the Yuletide cheer in true Swiss style. Visit the Lucerne Christmas market at Franziskanerplatz, in the heart of the city’s Old Town, and ramble past traditional wooden stalls with a warm mug of glühwein in hand before taking a pause to admire the swirling Christmas carousel and the joyful sounds of happy children. This is what Christmas is all about!
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Head to the Hauptmarkt, the central square in the city’s old town, to visit the famous Christkindlesmarkt. This market is one of the largest in the world and kicks off each year with a speech given by the Christkind (a local teenager dressed in a golden robe) from the balcony of the Frauenkirche. Dating back to the mid-16th century with more than 180 wooden stalls, the decadently festive Christkindlesmarkt invites you to indulge your inner child with lebkuchen (spiced gingerbread), wooden toys and zwetschgenmännle (traditional decorative figurines made of prunes).
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Germany’s Christmas traditions take centre stage at the Striezelmarkt, the country’s oldest Christmas market founded in 1434. Admire the dazzling display of twinkling lights and handcrafted decorations while the Christmas carols lead you to the 45-foot high Christmas pyramid.
The Christkindlesmarkt held at Zurich’s central train station is one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe and features 150 wooden stalls and a three-story Christmas tree, draped with thousands of Swarovski crystals. As soon as you disembark from the train, you are drawn to the market by the scent of mulled wine and cinnamon. This market is truly irresistible.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! View our packages and get in touch with one of Santa’s little elves at Pentravel to make your Christmas wish come true.
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