The Top 7 Christmas Markets In Europe

Dec 22, 2017

You know, if you’re planning to travel to Europe this winter, everyone back home will be eagerly anticipating this year’s holiday gifts, because they will assume they will be from your trip abroad. Luckily for you, during this time of year in most European cities, it’s easy to shop for everything you need in one convenient, open air, bustling and fantastically decorated Christmas market. Most markets set up in late November and carry on right up until, or even just after the Christmas holiday, and they’re generally open every day, so you’ve still got plenty of time. Here you’ll find great presents to take home to your family and friends, like classic tourist apparel and trinkets, destination-themed holiday decorations (like a hand painted tree ornament), plane packed and ready-t0-travel jarred local delicacies, and often authentic made trade products from the area like scarves, ceramics, glass or jewelry depending on which city you’re in.

As you wander these vast winter wonderlands, you’ll also come across plenty of options to stop for a snack or warm drink. The bigger Christmas markets have booths of vendors visiting from neighboring countries too, so you may even get the chance to try something foreign to the foreign that you’re already in, or potentially grab some souvenirs from someplace you didn’t have time to visit this round. That being said, Christmas markets are extremely common and popular in Europe, among locals and visitors alike, so all cities have them, but unless you’re planning on jetsetting around to every single country, you might need to narrow down some options. Here are the notably top seven Christmas markets in Europe this year.