The tradition of the holiday market or Christkindlmarkt was first started in Germany, but soon spread throughout Europe, and today, various cities across the continent host Christmas markets. While Germany and Austria still have the best known Christmas Markets, many other European countries are known to host large and unique Christmas markets as well. Here is a guide to the top five Christmas Markets in Europe. 1. Salzburg – The Christmas Market in Salzburg, Austria is one of the oldest in existence, and takes place annually at the Julius-Raab Platz. This market features a number of stalls that fill the area offering shoppers various Christmas products and goods, handicrafts, toys and special seasonal food items like gingerbread and pastries. This market begins at the end of November and goes on right up till Christmas Eve. 2. Munich Christmas Market – The Munich Christmas Market is easily one of the most popular Christmas markets in Europe and the world. Locals and tourists alike will enjoy looking at the various stalls with their Christmas themed goods and watching the carol performances staged at this event. Whether you are looking for Christmas tree decorations, toys, crib items, handicrafts, home ornaments, carol books or CDs, gifts or Christmas pastries and delicacies, you will definitely find it here. In addition to this, there are a number of Christmas market history tours that take place here, from which visitors can gain valuable insights into the development of this tradition. 3. Zurich Christmas Market – Locally known as the Zurich Christkindlmarkt, this market is open from the 28th of November till the 24th of December and offers visitors a delightful array of various Christmas related goods and services. This is easily the biggest Christmas market in Switzerland with hundreds of stalls and thousands of visitors attending. 4. Hyde Park, London – One of the most famous parks in the United Kingdom plays host to a German style Christmas market every year. The bandstand area of the park features over 40 chalets, where vendors sell a range of festive goods and Christmas treats that will appeal to adults and children alike. Among the delicacies available here are Glhwein, Bratwurst, candied apples, crepes, gingerbread, cakes and cookies. 5. Cologne – This city hosts six different Christmas markets, located all across the region, of which the most important ones are on the Rudolfplatz, Alter Markt, Cologne Cathedral market and the NeuMarkt. Millions of visitors from around the world come to this city just to attend the Christmas markets here. Apart from these four Christmas markets, there is also the popular Medieval Christmas Market which is organized outside the Chocolate Museum. James works in the Travel and Tourism industry and writes about Rome accommodation and Amsterdam apartments. Related ContentPost a comment
|