It’s the most wonderful time of the year! From mid-November to January 1st, Europe's Christmas market season is in full swing. All across the continent, aromatic mulled spices are wafting from market stalls, displays of handmade crafts and trinkets are delighting, and canopies of festive Christmas lights are illuminating some of the world’s oldest city squares. Christmas markets in Europe are pure holiday magic.
Prague’s Merry Markets Christmas Tour
During Christmas, Prague looks like a real-life snowglobe. Gaslit lamps light up the Old City, wooden stalls display ornately handcrafted goods, and a soft snowfall blankets the city this time of year. Prague is pure Christmas enchantment.
Christmas markets are held in the two main squares, Old Town and Wenceslas, a convenient 5-minute walk from each other. Watch the Christmas tree in Old Town Square illuminate with thousands of lights, and enjoy some svařák spiced mulled wine, gingerbread, and vánočka braided cake in Wenceslas Square. Visit parts of Prague that often get missed on a Tailor-Made Holiday.
Christmas Markets of Vienna
Vienna is a Christmas fairy tale. The festive holiday spirit lights up this romantic city, looking like something out of a storybook. Holiday choirs fill the air with the sound of music while artisans and exhibitors showcase handcrafted toys and Christmas decorations. Follow the waft of gingerbread and cinnamon spice to Vienna’s top three Christmas markets in the city on this Tailor-Made Holiday, and get a real taste of Vienna’s festive holiday spirit.
Advent Adventure: Christmas Markets in Zagreb
You could say that Zagreb has only one Christmas market, but that would be a gross understatement. The truth is, Zagreb’s Christmas market lights up the entire city. Not confined to one city block, Advent in Zagreb celebrates the time of year with ice skating in the main city square, street performers on the Strossmayer Promenade, live concerts at Klovićevi Dvori, and market stalls sprinkled across the city.
Experience Advent in Zagreb with a local at one of the most festive times of year on Advent Adventure: Christmas Markets in Zagreb, a Tailor-Made Holiday. This is one Christmas you’ll never forget!
Christmas in Iceland is such a magical experience. Holiday lights, garlands, and ornate Christmas trees turn Iceland into a winter wonderland. Have you met the Yule Lads? You will. According to Icelandic folklore, these 13 merry mischief-makers visit kids on the 13 nights leading up to Christmas.
On each night, children put their shoes on the windowsill. Good boys and girls wake up to candy, while everyone else wakes up to rotting potatoes. Enjoy a private sightseeing tour around Reykjavik, taste delicious Icelandic Christmas specialties, and learn about more unique Icelandic traditions on this Tailor-Made Holiday.
Germany’s Famous Christmas Markets
When it comes to Christmas markets, Germany takes the streusel. With over 60 to choose from in just Berlin alone, Germany lights up this time of year with a Christmas market in every major city. Visit Germany’s Famous Christmas Markets on an expertly-curated Tailor-Made Holiday, and experience Christmas at its merriest and brightest. Stop by Dresden Christmas Market, a German tradition for almost 600 years, world-famous Nuremberg market, and the storybook Bavarian town of Rothenburg ob de Tauber. Frankfurt, Wurzburg, and Berlin are also worthy must-sees.
Travel expert tip: “The most special keepsake you'll find from the German Christmas markets are the unique cups they serve spiced wine (glühwein) and German eggnog (eierliquör) in. They have the city and the year on them. Even if you don't drink the drink, the cup is pretty special. These markets are not complete without the traditional cookies, like lebkuchen, a German gingerbread type Christmas cookie, and spekulatius, a spiced German Christmas cookie.”
Merry Markets and Mulled Wine in Budapest
Budapest’s Christmas markets are filled with some of Hungary’s best holiday traditions, from mulled wine and Chimney Cakes to Hungarian folk art and handmade crafts. Budapest has two Christmas markets, Vorosmarty Market and Basilica. Vorosmarty is the larger of the two, held in St. Stephen’s Square, named after the country’s first king. Sip hot mulled wine and wander Budapest’s beautiful cobblestone streets on a Tailor-Made Holiday, and experience two different Christmas markets in one beautiful city.
Travel expert tip: “I really liked the Christmas market at St Stephen’s square in front of the Basilica better than the bigger, more popular one at Vorosmarty Square. Vorosmarty Square has a bunch of big brand stores surrounding it which in my opinion, took away from the traditional Eastern European market feel and it didn’t seem as authentic. The one at the Basilica is a bit smaller but way cuter. It has a much nicer setting with a decorated Christmas tree, a skating rink and the beautiful church in the background.”
Ljubljana’s charming holiday markets fill the crisp winter air with the aroma of mulled wine and freshly-baked Slovenian sweets. See the Christmas tree in Prešeren Square, watch colourful lights twinkle as you stroll through the city, and learn about Slovenian traditions on a special Tailor-Made Holiday.
If you want to experience the joy of these winter wonderlands, speak with a travel expert about planning the perfect Christmas market tailor-made holiday for next year. It’s never too early to start planning! Call us at 1–877–967–5302, chat with us online or visit your local Flight Centre store.
