7 of the Best Christmas Markets in Europe to Visit This Year
It’s that time of year again, when many Dubai residents start thinking about their return trip home for the Christmas break. If you haven’t already booked those flights, you may want to consider adding a merry little stopover to your journey!
Whether you want to experience mulled wine in street chalets or do some last-minute Christmas shopping, these Christmas markets will break up that travel time by adding a mini-holiday within a holiday…
Brussels, Belgium
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It may be freezing cold, but the Winter Wonders Christmas Market at the Grand-Place is a sight to behold. You can stroll through the wooden chalets, pick up some festive memorabilia, take a ride on the ferris wheel, enjoy some warm Belgian waffles, and marvel at one of the biggest Christmas trees you’ll ever see!
When: 24th November to 31st December
Flight time: 7 hours, 25 minutes
Berlin, Germany
Mulled wine, historic carousels, live barrel organ music, hot mead and medieval-style bakeries – the Berliner Weihnachtszeit is a beautifully traditional German Christmas market with a nostalgic charm. To top it off, you can also hop on a train that runs through a snow-covered forest…
When: 27th November to 30th December
Flight time: 8 hours
Prague, Czech Republic
The best part about visiting Prague, is that the two main Christmas markets (Old Town Square & Wenceslas Square) are right next to each other! This means more stalls to browse, more traditional Czech cookies to munch on, more Christmas carols to sing along to, and of course, more svařák (hot wine) to enjoy!
When: 26th November to 6th January
Flight time: 6 hours, 45 minutes
Strasbourg, France
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Strasbourg’s annual Christmas market, Christkindelsmärik, began back in 1570, and is known to be one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe! Visitors from all over the the world flock to this historic city to soak up the festive spirit, discover typical Alsatian crafts and delicacies, and celebrate the magic of Christmas.
When: 24th November to 24th December
Flight time: 9 hours, 55 minutes
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest has plenty of Christmas markets, but the most famous one is held in the heart of the city at Vörösmarty Ter. There are traditional handicrafts for sale, choir concerts, folklore performances, workshops for kids and more! Go there on an empty stomach to enjoy all the delicious Hungarian food – including the festive favourite Chimney cake. If it gets too cold, you can always warm up in one of Budapest’s famous hot baths.
When: 9th November to 31st December
Flight time: 6 hours, 10 minutes
London, UK
London is a definite for those who haven’t experienced it during the festive season – just the Christmas lights alone are worth the trip. As much as we love the famous Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, we also recommend checking out the newer Christmas market at Leicester Square. On top of the usual food, drink and gift stalls, the square will be home to Santa’s grotto and a vintage Speigeltent (a mirrored tent), where Christmas shows will be held.
When: 10th November to 6th January
Flight time: 7 hours, 55 minutes
Vienna, Austria
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The annual Viennese Christmas Market is definitely one to add to your bucket lists! Taking place right outside City Hall, visitors can enjoy delicious Austrian sausages, keep warm up with some hot punch, and shop from the 150 booths. Make sure you play a game of curling in the enormous ice rink while you’re there – it’s an unusual, but fun way to keep warm.
When: 17th November to 30th December (market booths only until 26 Dec)
Flight time: 6 hours, 10 minutes
Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out our insydo travel for staycations, beach getaways and city breaks… then start planning your 2018 travel wish list!
