Five Christmas markets in Europe you must visit

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner. Christmas is fast-approaching and brings with it the magic of the season. EUclaim tells you about some of the most charming Christmas markets to help feel the magic and beauty of this special time of the year.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague has a fairytale vibe all year long. However, it gets even more fabulous when Christmas comes. This market welcomes travellers from all over the world. The magic happens at the Old Town Square, in the unique atmosphere if the medieval center of Prague. An immense Christmas tree is wrapped in lights and a beautiful stable is set with live animals for children to pet. Besides, you can wander around the red-canopied wooden huts, look at the displays of wooden toys and enjoy the embroidered lace and traditional Christmas decorations. Moreover, to get even more into the Czech Christmas spirit, you should try the klobása – barbecued sausages-, trdelník – sugar coated dough, roasted over hot coals – and medovina -hot honey wine-. You can enjoy this beautiful setting in Prague from the 1st of December until the 6th of January.

Ryanair offers nonstop flights from London Stansted to Prague. With easyJet you can also fly directly to Prague from London Gatwick. If you prefer to fly from London Heathrow, you can do so with British Airways.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is already one of the coolest capitals in the world. Nonetheless,  during Christmas, it amazes us even more. As the season approaches, the city is infatuated with the festive spirit. In its cobbled streets and squares, the air is scented with mulled wine and roasted almonds. Also, the trees are decorated with fairy lights. Candlelit bars are filled with people enjoying glasses of gløgg – spicy mulled wine-. The Tivoli Christmas Market has little wooden huts where you can find all the Christmas crafts and seasonal foods. Moreover, you should definitely try æbleskiver -sugar dusted pancake balls- as you explore the stalls for woolen sweaters, marzipan pigs and pretty tea light holders. This Christmas market is open from the 17th of November until the 31st of December.

You can fly from London Gatwick directly to Copenhagen with Norwegian International.

Vienna, Austria

During this wonderful season, Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into magical Christmas markets. The smell of the bakeries and hot punch creates a charming atmosphere. The Vienna Magic of Advent Christmas market turns the City Hall Square into a shining fairytale land. Besides, beautiful tree decorations, sweets and warm drinks are present in this market. Moreover, for the younger ones, the market offers a carousel (merry-go-round) and craft fun Christmas workshops. Another delicate spot during this season, is the Christmas market in front of the Schönbrunn Palace. The atmospheric market offers traditional handicrafts, handmade Christmas decorations, Christmas concerts and an extensive children’s program, including Christmas workshops. After Christmas, this market is converted into a New Year’s market. The markets are available between the 17th of November and the 24th of December.

British Airways and KLM fly from London Heathrow to Vienna.

Zagreb, Croatia

Croatia is known for its beautiful beaches and nature. However,  the Christmas market in Zagreb is a hidden gem. Zagreb offers you a magical Christmas time. The Croatian capital has achieved international renown for the sheer spectacle in the city through the advent period. Moreover, the market in this city was voted the best Christmas market in Europe for the third time in a row. The festive markets are spread out throughout the city, with incredible lights, decorations and a daily programme of open-air entertainment. Besides, the Ban Josip Jelačić Square and the European Square are two of the main spots to gather.  The Zrinjevac Park is also transformed into a winter wonderland of artist stalls, local food specialties and live music. You can enjoy this amazing atmosphere from the 1st of December until the 6th of January.

Lufthansa and British Airways offer flights from London Heathrow to Zagreb.

Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg is the ‘Capitale de Noël’, hosting its Christkindelsmärik -Christmas market-. This is one of the oldest Christmas market in Europe, it has been going on since 1570. The beautiful half-timbered houses in the historic center are adorned with effusive decorations. Besides, there are elaborate sublime illuminations strung across the streets. Moreover, the Kléber Place has a gigantic Christmas tree, adorned with seven kilometers of fairy lights and hundreds of giant baubles. Also, some of the amazing food you should try includes bredele, scented festive biscuits that you can take back home to put in your tree. The spiritual environment and traditions of Advent are well established in Strasbourg. Additionally, you will find 4 outstanding Advent concerts, a Living Nativity and a wide range of authentic live music and cultural events. The market is open from the 23rd of November until the 24th of December.

There are no direct flights to Strasbourg. With KLM you can go from London to Amsterdam and then take a flight from Amsterdam to Strasbourg with Air France.

Airport performance in the past

EUclaim has analyzed the airline performance for each route. The table shows the quantity of flights and how many were delayed from the direct flights of each airline during December of 2017. 

Do you have any favorite Christmas market? Let us know in the comments below!