22/10/2024
🎄The 8 BEST family friendly Christmas market City breaks in Europe 🎄
🎁 Berlin 🎁 Amazingly, there are more than 60 markets across the city of Berlin, so you’re bound to discover Christmas celebrations on almost every corner. The capital of Germany hosts several standout Christmas markets, such as the Berliner Weihnachtszeit. This classic, family friendly Christmas market dates back to the early 1900s, so it’s had plenty of time to get things right! The huge Ferris wheel sparkles against the night sky, while you and your family could get your skates on for gliding around the centrepiece ice rink. It’s also well worth checking out Spandau Christmas Market. As the biggest market in Berlin, you’ll have plenty of chance to pick up handmade decorations, unique gifts and delicious treats like gluhwein (mulled wine) and hot chocolate, across its 400 stalls. It’s a place of sheer Christmas bliss in Berlin.
🎁 Budapest 🎁 The capital of Hungary lays on plenty of Christmas charm during the festive season. The main celebrations take place at Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market, which is lined with stalls serving up classic chimney cake (a sweet pastry often filled with ice cream), Hungarian honey cookies and steaming mugs of mulled wine. It’s also well worth visiting St. Stephen’s Basilica nearby. Not only is it an iconic sight, it’s also home to another of Budapest’s family friendly Christmas markets. Here you’ll find a small ice skating rink just in front of the basilica, as well as beautiful festive illuminations and a scattering of stalls selling Christmassy souvenirs.
🎁 Prague 🎁 Prague becomes ever more picturesque over Christmas, as the silvery winter skies descend over the classic cobbled streets of the Old Town. Considering it’s the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague is surprisingly easy to explore on foot. It’s all thanks to the car-free setting at the historic heart of the city, which is where you’ll find the Old Town Square Market. With the Gothic splendour of the Old Town Hall’s tower casting a sublime silhouette, you can explore stalls offering delicious treats, hand crafted decorations and unique souvenirs. Across the city, Prague has just as many iconic squares that form the ideal setting for a spot of Christmas market shopping. Why not follow the wisdom of the good king himself and visit his namesake at Wenceslas Square Market?
🎁 Vienna 🎁 As befitting for a city with such grace and elegance, the markets here often have a classy twist. The Vienna Magic of Advent Market is a case in point, as the iconic spires of the city hall form a majestic backdrop to the proceedings. Look out for classic candy canes, fragrant gluhwein and slices of sachertorte to sweeten up your Christmas shopping. The market even has a super-speedy ice rink – watch the locals whizzing by! The Maria-Theresien-Platz Market is also beautifully lit when dusk descends, with a huge Christmas tree set as a centrepiece. As an added bonus, this market is placed right amongst Vienna’s best museums and galleries. Be inspired by the Museum of Natural History before your festive foray.
🎁 Krakow 🎁 Krakow’s Main Square (also known natively as Rynek Glowny) is officially recognised as the largest medieval market square in Europe. That’s why it’s fitting that the Krakow’s biggest Christmas market is located here too. It’s a place where you can discover stalls selling trinkets and toys under a twinkling canopy of Christmas lights. You can fit in a spot of sightseeing at the same time, as the 16th century Cloth Hall lines the square, as well as St. Mary’s Basilica and the Town Hall Tower. Christmas shopping across Krakow has a decidedly festive twist too, thanks to the nativity scene contest. Stores in the city display their own nativity scene in their shop window in the hope of being crowned this year’s winner.
🎁 Cologne 🎁 Christmas in Cologne is often centred around the Cologne Cathedral. This world-famous building is the most visited landmark in Germany and at Christmas its soaring twin spires become ever more spectacular as they overlook the city’s main Christmas market. Pick up a yummy slice of stollen and take in the sparkling lights that complete this epic festive scene. There are many Christmas markets across Cologne so it’s a case of fitting in the best ones around your sightseeing plans. If you’re heading to the Chocolate Museum, a good tip is to visit the nearby Harbour Christmas Market. As its name suggests, it’s located within Cologne Harbour, so it has a majestic maritime theme with some stalls kitted out like the sails of a ship!
🎁 Gdansk 🎁 A grand port city set in northern Poland. Its intricate Gothic spires and open market squares make it an atmosphere-steeped place to pick for your next Christmas market city break. Narrow townhouses painted in pretty pastel colours overlook the icily calm waters of the Motlawa riverfront. The historic Christmas markets here date back to the 17th century, such as Targ Weglowy Market, set in the heart of the impossibly ornate Old Town. Alternatively, opt to visit the Main Town Hall Market, where sparkling stall lights cast the town hall’s towers in a golden glow. And for even more family fun during your Christmas city break, the Forum shopping centre is a fantastic choice. This modern mall has an outdoor ice skating rink, a dazzling indoor canal and, of course, the chance to meet Santa!
🎁 Barcelona 🎁 Maybe not the first city that comes to mind when planning your family Christmas market city break, but it offers a richly rewarding festive experience. Discover the unique traditions of a Catalan Christmas, with stalls serving up Turron, a deliciously sweet nougat made with honey and almonds. Head to Fira de Santa Lucia to shop at a selection of Christmas market stalls set in the shadow of the ever-grand Barcelona Cathedral. And for more opportunity for combining shopping with sightseeing, how about the Fira de Nadal de la Sagrada Familia? The Christmas market here is set right by Gaudi’s greatest creation – the soaring spires of la Sagrada Familia.
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