We've had a great October, but it's getting darker and darker. Today we have four great Christmas markets in Europe. Take a weekend trip to a European capital and combine a Christmas market with other things the city has to offer. All of our Christmas markets are located in Eastern Europe or the Balkans, which means that the prices are also good. Are you looking for a Christmas market this year? Do you have any other suggestions besides these four?
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Great Christmas markets in Europe with fun Christmas shopping
Eastern Europe offers many good Christmas markets. As prices are relatively low, Christmas shopping is also cheap. Here are four great tips from FREEDOMtravel.
1. Prague with sausages and punch
If you want to indulge in good hearty 'market food' along with refreshing drinks - then you should go on the Christmas market in Prague. You'll find hearty Czech sausages, langos, roast pork and the local pastry "trdelník". The drink is called "punch", not to be confused with our punch, but nevertheless a warm and invigorating alcoholic drink.
As well as Prague being filled with Christmas markets in the weeks before Christmas, it is of course a interesting city to visit, with beautiful historic houses and restaurants with great food. And if (in the unlikely event) you haven't had enough of Christmas markets, you can take the train to this cosy town. Olomouc, which also offers a cosy Christmas market.
2. Warsaw with light show
If you like Christmas lights - then Warsaw has the Christmas market for you! We were unlucky with the weather when we were there last year, but even so, the Poles got into the Christmas spirit with all the fantastic lighting. Just about everywhere there were glowing artworks and installations and it seemed like every tree was lit up.
Christmas market in Warsaw also feels authentic, with plenty of local crafts and delicacies like honey and marmalade. You can also try Polish specialities such as 'pierogi' and 'bigos', and of course, as Poland's capital is a big city, there's plenty more to do. what to see and do in Warsaw.
3. Riga with craftsmanship and luxury
Christmas markets in Riga are not very big, but on the other hand there are three of them! You'll find plenty of charming stalls where you can buy knitted mittens, leather products and decorated gingerbread. If you're feeling a bit cold, there's always a stall nearby selling 'Black Balsam' - a strong alcoholic drink mixed with coffee or hot fruit drinks.
While you're in Riga, you might want to take a stroll around the classic shopping centre food market, which is housed in a bunch of old zeppelin halls. You can also, since prices are lower than in Sweden, take the opportunity to visit really good restaurants or enjoy a luxurious day at the spa.
4. Zagreb with everything
Last, but certainly not least, we have to present Christmas market in Zagreb in Croatia. This capital, with its manageable size and charming alleys, is one of our favourite capitals in Europe.
In the weeks before Christmas, things get even better here. The whole city is lit up with Christmas decorations and lights, the trams run in huge Santa hats and when you walk around the square you are likely to meet 'St Nicholas'.
The stalls are never ending and it's hard to tell 'where' the Christmas market is, as it feels like it's everywhere. Here you can buy handicrafts, local delicacies and hot red or white wine. While you're in Zagreb, you should of course take the opportunity to look around in the charming alleys and take the opportunity to eat some good Croatian food.
You might also like:
Christmas markets in Europe - 12 cosy markets at Christmas time
Christmas markets in Europe in 2023 - 12 tips
Christmas markets in Sweden - 12 Christmas markets
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Liniz Travel says:
Oh I would like to go to all of them 🙂 inspiring 🙂 hugs!
24 October 2017 - 7:22
Helena says:
Christmas market in a nice town is cosy 🙂 .
24 October 2017 - 21:14
Ditte says:
Thanks for great tips with nice inspiration. The cities themselves I like to visit but Christmas markets are not my thing. Have never been.
I haven't been to Warsaw and Zagreb, so a trip there in the spring is tempting.
I have visited Riga and Prague several times and also with a Christmas market. Always a nice city.
Yesterday I got a tip to visit Taxinge Castle here at home if you want a Christmas market at "close range".
24 October 2017 - 9:13
Helena says:
I would probably not go to a city ONLY for the Christmas market, but winter cities with cosy Christmas markets can come to life a bit, I think (and you can see other things in the city anyway). Thanks for the tip about Taxinge!!!
24 October 2017 - 21:15
Ama de casa says:
Oh! I love Christmas and there can be hysterical Christmas flashes involved, which seems to be the case at most of those markets 🙂.
Oh those beautifully painted marbles in the lower right corner of the first picture... I still regret not buying some when we were in Prague. Should NOT have listened to Anders who claimed that they would not have survived the transport home. 😀
24 October 2017 - 9:20
Helena says:
I think you should try again and go to a Christmas market and buy nice Christmas baubles!!!! 🙂
24 October 2017 - 21:16
Razzy says:
The Christmas markets in Prague and Zagreb are wonderful but the one I liked the most when I was out there is the one in Munich, absolutely wonderful but don't go on a weekend because then there are lots of people 🙂.
24 October 2017 - 13:43
Helena says:
It sounds interesting! Would love to experience it as well on occasion! 🙂
24 October 2017 - 21:16
Marina says:
Well, you never know, right as it is, there will probably be a trip to a Christmas market. Something I've never actually done...
24 October 2017 - 16:51
Helena says:
I think it can be nice because the cities light up and become more cosy, lots of people outside, etc. But you can combine it with seeing and doing other things in the city! 🙂
24 October 2017 - 21:17
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
Unfortunately, we have been bad at visiting cities in the east, of the four you mention, I have only been to Prague and then in the summer months. This year we will go to the Christmas market in Neumunster, which is supposed to be a cosy town and there has been a several year break in terms of Christmas markets abroad so now it will be really nice!
Warsaw and Zagreb are on the wish list.
24 October 2017 - 18:28
Helena says:
Oh how nice that you are going to the Christmas market in Neumunster! I have never been there, but it sounds interesting and cosy! 🙂
24 October 2017 - 21:18
Lena - good for the soul says:
Well, my goodness, it's apparently going to be Christmas this year too!
How cosy it looks. Really tempting!
Hug Lena
24 October 2017 - 18:48
Helena says:
Haha, yes probably it will be Christmas this year too... 🙂 ...
24 October 2017 - 21:19
Travelsis says:
Oh love Christmas and the atmosphere that comes with it?. No Christmas market booked... yet, but we think there will be one?
24 October 2017 - 18:53
Helena says:
We are not really much into Christmas decorations and stuff, but I still like Christmas markets because there is a cosy atmosphere, lights, good food, people are outdoors ... 🙂 Interesting to see if there will be a Christmas market for you then!
24 October 2017 - 21:20
Eva - People in the Street says:
We visited Riga and its Christmas markets last year. This year it will be some market in India that will symbolise the Christmas market as I hope to find some Christmas presents there ...
24 October 2017 - 18:58
Helena says:
Oh how exciting! Not really "Christmas" market maybe ... but sounds very interesting !!!! Hope to read about it then! 🙂
24 October 2017 - 21:21
Matts Torebring says:
So far there have only been one or two Swedish Castle Fairs a year, and a short visit to the Christmas market in Lübeck. I would like to go on all your tips. Our own "Christmas Market" involves five shifts and many hours of work. Getting away is not easy.
24 October 2017 - 19:38
Helena says:
You probably have a lot to do that time ... you have almost like a Santa's workshop 😉 Swedish castle fairs don't sound too bad either!
24 October 2017 - 21:22
Ann-Louise says:
I love Christmas lights so I guess I should focus on Warsaw although the Christmas market in Zagreb probably attracts me the most really. Really like the cute trams with Santa hats 🙂 .
24 October 2017 - 20:38
Helena says:
Zagreb is my favourite of all these! Warsaw was also nice and with better weather (we had bad luck and kind of rain) it would have been even more cosy!
24 October 2017 - 21:23
Lindansarmama says:
Zagreb sounded appealing, maybe because I've never been to Croatia? The daughter wants to go to the Christmas market in Germany, so we were in Lübeck some year, I love Niederegger, but I will definitely show the family these tips ?
26 October 2017 - 16:34
Maria's memoirs says:
Prague at Christmas time must be really nice, I was there in the spring of April-May ? A Christmas weekend in some European city is still on my bucket list.
05 December 2019 - 12:30