With the snowfall covering the rooftops, Christmas conifers decorated with colourful lights and the taste of cinnamon and ginger breads in the air, for those who cannot help but be a part of this mega celebrations, get going to these places to spend Christmas in Europe that will add magic to your winter holiday!
16.PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
The Christmas mood begins with Advent when the city is festively decorated at squares where the Christmas markets are held. The unique atmosphere of the medieval central Prague makes the Christmas Markets at the Old Town Square very popular. A variety of food and beverages are sold at the market is very generous. Visitors can experience the traditional Czech food such as barbecued pork, blood sausages, Czech muffins, conkers, beer, mull, mead and other typical gastronomical specialties from Old Czech cuisine. IWood-carved toys, glass-work ware, blacksmith´s ware or confectionery is mostly sold at the Market. You can buy various Christmas goods like decorations, chains etc.
17.HELSINKI, FINLAND
The heart of the Christmas experience is the Christmas market, it is all about relaxing, enjoying good food and drinks, spending time with family and friends and getting in the Holiday mood. The Christmas Market has around 140 vendors in cute little huts offering gifts for all tastes including handicrafts and design items. The stalls also provide traditional ingredients for your Christmas table. A beautiful old carousel is set up agains the centre of the market area. The market opens at the 1st of December and closes at the 22nd of December and is located at the Senate Square.
18.METZ, FRANCE
The six main squares in the city all host Christmas Markets during the Festive Season. You will find hand-crafted gifts in the Christmas pyramid and taste the finest gingerbread around. See the ice sculptures at the Frozen Fairyland, then warm up your cold hands around a mulled wine or apple juice. Enjoy the traditional treats like the merry-go-round, a walk through the magic forest or take the chance to stock up on gastronomic Christmas essentials at the city market hall. An ice-rink and big wheel add to the leisure activities for young and old alike next to the cathedral.
19.DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS
Known for its cosy atmosphere the Christmas Market with its 200 stalls is the largest in The Netherlands. The stalls offers an extensive of attractive Christmas gifts which, accompanied by various delicious hot treats, live entertainment and a magnificent ice-skating-rink, leads for the perfect Christmas experience in the city. The Christmas market leads you through the beautiful historic city centre and inland harbours. You can also visit the medieval Minster with an actual winter garden and Christmas theatre, the authentic Groenmarkt and Holland's longest shopping street; the Voorstraat.
20. BERN, SWITZERLANDBern’s medieval streets offer a unique setting for the annual Christmas Markets. At the Cathedral Square marked a peaceful and advent atmosphere awaits you, the stands of which crowd right up next to cathedral portal with its representation of the Last Judgment. On offer are regional craft and bake goods, culinary and artistic wares, jewelry and games – all this and much more. The atmosphere at the foot of the Cathedral is very special. Fall under its magic spell and enjoy the Christmas mood far from all the hustle and bustle. A few minutes’ walk to the Orphanage Square passing the Clock Tower, the Ogre Fountain and the Granary Square. Here you will find an selection of merchandise and Christmas items, beautifully designed and decorated booths with the scent of gingerbread, caramel and mulled wine wafting over the narrow streets. You can stroll along the festively decked streets or under the arcades, or visit The Old Town's underground unique cellar shops or Bern's classic cellar restaurants.
