The magic of Christmas allows us to live unforgettable days. Not only because of the gifts themselves, which are certainly very exciting. It is also a pleasure to walk through the streets adorned with Christmas lights and see the shops decorated for the occasion. Especially if we have the opportunity to approach one of those markets that are only visible during that time of year.
If you are in love with Christmas markets , you should not miss anything that I am going to tell you next, since I am talking about the 10 most beautiful in Europe. Would you like to meet them?
Gengenbach Flea Market (Gengenbach, Germany)
It is a classic in every rule. Gengenbach is a small German city with just over 11,000 inhabitants. It is in the south of the country, very close to the Black Forest, and at Christmas it transforms to surprise both tourists and locals. From November 30 to December 23, anyone can contemplate the visual spectacle organized in the town hall, since the 24 windows on its façade become a beautiful XXL-size advent calendar .
This year it will be open from Monday to Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., while on Saturdays and Sundays it will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Between 40 and 50 stops justify a visit with the aroma of cinnamon and honey.
Bolzano Flea Market (Bolzano, Italy)
The next stop takes us to Bolzano, a city located in South Tyrol, in northern Italy. They also know what it is to experience Christmas with intensity, and to prove it every year they organize a market that could not be more beautiful. The environment is privileged thanks to the mountains that can be seen in the background (and not so in the background) and no one is surprised that Piazza Walther is filled to the brim. Nobody wants to miss what is exhibited in its beautiful wooden houses, where local artisans and merchants sell typical Christmas decorations.
This year it begins on November 22 at 5:00 p.m. and will not end until January 6, so there will be many days to visit it.
Rapperswil-Jona flea market (Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland)
At the foot of the Alps, near Zurich, one can experience the magic of Christmas at the Rapperswil-Jona flea market, a city in the canton of St. Gallen that is not only worth visiting during the month of December. Its streets are adorned with thousands of roses and the entire old town is transformed during Christmas, when more than 250 stalls dress up to brighten our eyes.
Swiss chocolate, fondue , live music … All that and much more from December 7 to 23.
Dresdner Striezelmarkt (Dresden, Germany)
We return to Germany to talk about the oldest Christmas market in the country. The Dresdner Striezelmarkt is quite a sight, since among other things it can boast of having the tallest Christmas pyramid in the world . They place it in the center of the square, which, as you can imagine, is full of people walking between booths. In addition, there is also a fairy tale castle that is like an advent calendar. If you want to see all that, come from November 28 to December 24 and you will not regret it.
Rathausplatz flea market (Vienna, Austria)
In Vienna they also enjoy Christmas properly. There is more than one market, but perhaps the most popular of all is the one at the Town Hall Square (Rathausplatz). It is open from November 16 and does not dissolve until December 26, so there is enough time to enjoy its more than 140 stands. Everything is set like in a fairy tale and there are merry-go-rounds for the little ones in the house to have fun. And not only that, but there is also space for an ice skating rink of no more and no less than 3,000 square meters. Schedule? From 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. except on December 24, since that day they close at 7:00 p.m.
Wernigerode Flea Market (Wernigerode, Germany)
More from Germany! This time you have to go to Saxony-Anhalt to surround yourself with charming Saxon houses and a 15-meter-high tree decorated for the occasion. Buying Christmas products in their booths is a great plan, but I also recommend you take the little steam train that takes you to the Brocken mountain, from where you can enjoy exceptional panoramic views. If you go with the intention of seeing the Christmas market, know that it will be open from November 27 to December 22.
Flea market in the Cathedral Square (Strasbourg, France)
If you have to talk about tradition, you have to experience the atmosphere of the flea market in Place de Strasbourg. Why? Well, because it is the oldest in Europe . The first was held in 1570, and since then it is not surprising that it has managed to multiply the number of visitors. The neighborhood where it is celebrated and is in itself a marvel. It is the Grand Ile, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are more than 300 stalls, carols playing at full blast, local crafts and even an area dedicated to fair trade. From November 23 to December 30 you can see it with your own eyes.
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt (Nuremberg, Germany)
Christkindlesmarkt is not a random name, as Christkind is a character from German mythology who is shaped like a blond child with angel wings. What does he do? Bring gifts to children for Christmas, thus displacing the mythical Santa Claus who reaches so many homes. In the market that opens every year there is absolutely everything: from works of art made with wood to decorate the house at Christmas to typical Nuremberg food. It is open from November 30 to December 24.
Mail Branly flea market (Paris, France)
It is difficult to compete with the Christmas market in Strasbourg, but having the Eiffel Tower in the background is something that allows you to attract tens of thousands of tourists every year. In Mail Branly there are very nice stalls in which to spend hours and hours enjoying the Christmas heat that is breathed between their booths. If you are in Paris, you can also go to the Notre Dame flea market.
Tivoli Flea Market (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Finally, and no less beautiful than the previous ones, I am going to Denmark to tell you about the Tivoli market in Copenhagen. It is open from November 17 to December 31 and is a very popular spot in the Danish capital even at other times of the year. The Tivoli amusement park , created in 1834, has a long enough history to serve as the setting for all kinds of shows related to Christmas. There are stalls where they sell everything, attractions for children and activities of all kinds, such as decorating cakes as a family. In short, it is a highly recommended market.
Recommended article: The best Christmas markets in Spain .