When someone talks about the most wonderful time of the year, there is no questioning what this person means (and not just because of the Andy Williams hit of the same name). There is something special about the Christmas holidays. There is something pure in shared impatience for the magic to come that binds everyone who celebrates this beautiful holiday. It is a season of hope and anticipation, excess and indulgence, endless queues in the shopping centers, and a gift rush. But most importantly, this is a season of joy, love, and stunning lights of Christmas markets.
The spirit of the holidays arrives much earlier than the big day itself, when the cities start changing into the celebration mode at the end of November. The shopping window displays begin to sparkle with lights. Santa creates a base in every mall, trying to determine who is naughty and nice. Amazing Christmas fairs and venues appear in every major European city, bringing light, splendor and love to everyone. But do you know where to look for the best of them?
Top Christmas Markets in Europe: Germany, France & Switzerland
Every European country has at least one annual Christmas market to boast. However, in most cases, the number of annual fairs is much higher, and the traditional festive markets are hosted in every major city. To cover each European country would take a while, so let’s settle for something less ambitious for starters. We invite you to gather around the fireplace, get a mug of hot chocolate (mulled wine is also an option), and talk about three countries renowned for upholding the marvelous tradition to the highest possible standards – Germany, France, and Switzerland.
Fairytale Christmas in Germany
The picturesque capital of the country, lively Berlin, houses some of the top Christmas markets in Germany. Make sure to stop by the Gendarmenmarkt fair and the Fairytale Christmas Market at Jagdschloss Grunewald if you happen to be in the area in December. The Gendarmenmarkt market sits on what many call the most beautiful square in Berlin. It looks especially lovely decorated for the holidays. The seemingly endless wooden stalls offer fantastic hand-made goods, and visitors can watch skilled craftsmen at work right on the spot. The Fairytale Christmas Market, held on a single weekend in early December, takes place in the courtyard of Jagdschloss Grunewald, the oldest preserved palace in Berlin. As you can imagine, the decorated market stalls, shining lights, and Christmas trees add another layer of magic to the fairytale location. To top it all, famous fictional characters like Hansel and Gretel greet visitors upon arrival to enhance the experience.
Dresden is another good place to hunt for the Christmas atmosphere. Its Striezelmarkt, first held in 1434, is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany. As tradition dictates, the air is filled with the aroma of hot Glühwein and Christstollen, the famous Dresden Christmas bread, and with the happy laughter of children on the carousels. Its calling cards are the traditional hand-carved wooden figures and nutcrackers from the nearby Ore Mountains, which make a lovely souvenir to bring back.
Münchner Christkindlmarkt, nestled in the heart of Munich, is a place to look for the authentic traditional atmosphere with an exciting twist. This fair dates back to the 14th century and is one of the most beautiful events of the year. The decorations are out of this world, the stalls are full of beautiful handmade goods, and the Bavarians add their own fire to the classic festivities, so the live music and street performances are truly outstanding.
Best Christmas Markets in France
The tour of France Christmas markets should start with the grandest and most beloved of them all. We are talking about Strasbourg Christmas Market, of course. Traditionally held in the city’s historic quarter, this place crawls with tourists and locals alike, searching for a cheerful atmosphere, delicious food, and interesting gift ideas. Hundreds of stalls offer hand-painted nativity figurines, unique Christmas decorations, elegant jewelry, and many other remarkable goods. As you can see, Strasbourg Christmas Market is an excellent place to get in a jolly mood, take some fabulous pictures, and maybe even find perfect presents.
The city of Bordeaux is another great destination. The area is famous not only for its vineyards but also for its incredible Christmas Market. The fair features dozens of vendors selling hand-painted Christmas tree decorations, leather goods, jewelry, and other local products. It’s a fantastic place to start your holiday shopping and treat yourself to an early Christmas gift while enjoying all the classical attributes of the traditional seasonal fairs.
Make sure to check out Avignon’s Christmas market if you are interested in a more off-the-beaten-path destination. It’s not as famous as its rivals and a bit smaller in size. However, it doesn’t affect the festive atmosphere of the market in the slightest. The fair is exactly the right place to look for a present for your loved ones without the need to tolerate huge crowds. You can get a glass of hot mulled wine and take your time browsing the charming wooden stalls. And if you are not in the mood for shopping, stop by to soak in the festive atmosphere and admire a giant Christmas tree, fairy lights, and animated nativity scenes.
Top Christmas Markets in Switzerland
Undoubtedly, one of the most special markets in Switzerland is in Basel. Imagine the smell of waffles, mulled wine, and famous grilled sausages filling the air. About 150 wooden stalls decorated with twinkling lights offer a wide choice of gift ideas and high-quality local goods. The gem of the fair is a stunning 13-meter Christmas pyramid on Barfüsserplatz. Obviously, this is a popular meeting point, and an excellent place to get Instagram-worthy pictures. No wonder Basel’s market was named the best Christmas market in Europe in 2021.
The Swiss capital doesn’t lag behind, either. Bern hosts several markets every year, and each of them is beautifully unique. But if you have time for one visit only, we advise you to head to the Sternenmarkt (Star Market), arguably one of the most spectacular in Switzerland. The decorations are superb, and if you are in the market for gift ideas, vendors offer everything from designer to handcrafted items, so everyone can find something to their taste.
Zurich, in turn, has one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe, right inside its main train station, now called Polarzauber, with more than 100 stalls under a sparkling Christmas tree. The place invites you to enjoy live music, cheerful chatter, and children’s laughter, and there is no chance that you will fail to find a perfect gift among all the goodness on offer. So if you happen to travel to the city by train during the run-up to Christmas, make sure to allocate some time to visit this magical fair.
If you are looking for an A-lister among the best Christmas markets of Europe, there are quite a few competitors for the crown. They are scattered all around Europe, and a few entries mentioned here are only a tiny fraction. Each candidate is one-of-a-kind and has something extraordinary to offer. To choose the best among them is highly unfair as well as virtually impossible. So the best course of action is to visit at least a few of Europe’s best Christmas markets on the list and make a choice for yourself. There is no guarantee that you will pick a favorite, of course, but there is no doubt that you will have a lot of fun in the process. And if you would like to spend Christmas in Switzerland or Italy, we will be happy to plan the trip of your dreams!
