The end of year holidays are approaching and with them the Christmas markets are taking over in many cities. To soak up their festive atmosphere, here are five of the most beautiful markets in Europe to visit this winter.
So yes, they sell their gifts, which are often kitsch, but with their wooden stalls, their gastronomic specialties and their warm atmosphere, the Christmas markets always attract more onlookers. From the oldest to the most recent, everyone immerses themselves in the magic of Christmas in their own way and some have even decided to take their place in caves.
Strasbourg: a four-century-old must-see
© Patrick Hertzog / AFP
He cultivates superlatives. Voted best Christmas market in Europe in 2014 and 2015, the oldest Christmas market in France, created in 1570, is once again deploying its thirty-meter-tall tree on Place Kéber and its 300 chalets spread over several sites, including around the cathedral but also Place Broglie. A magical meeting which brought together more than 3.3 million visitors in 2023.
Open from November 27 to December 27.
London: the exuberant Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
© WinterWonderland
If the British capital has several Christmas markets, the best known of which is certainly that of Greenwich, Hyde Park also hosts one of the liveliest events at this time of year: Winter Wonderland. This gigantic funfair is celebrating its 15th edition this year. It obviously offers its Christmas market with its small chalets but also a giant ice rink, a Ferris wheel, a secret passage sculpted in the ice and numerous activities including several shows. The place to be to enjoy London with your family. Free entry during off-peak hours, paid activities.
Open from November 21 to January 5.
Zurich: the largest indoor Christmas market
© DR
Like every year, the historic hall of Zurich station built in 1871 houses the largest covered market in Europe. With more than one hundred and forty chalets and its tree decorated with thousands of crystals, the Christindlimarkt is certainly the only winter market where you don't completely shiver from the cold. A look at the old town is also worth the detour for all its gastronomic specialties.
Open from November 21 to December 24.
Brussels: Winter Pleasures, a great magical event
© Visit-Brussels – Eric Danhier – 2016.
An unmissable event during the end-of-year celebrations in Brussels, the Plaisirs d'Hiver event takes over the city center and transforms its Grand-Place but also the Place de la Coin and that of Sainte Catherine into an XXL playground for all the family. An ice rink, a Ferris wheel and also 250 chalets are located there from the end of November until the beginning of January. Not to mention that many activities will be presented there.
Open from November 29 to January 5.
In the Netherlands: Christmas markets take over caves
© Screenshot of Valkenburg Underground Market on Holland.com
In Valkenburg, a small town located half an hour from Maastricht by car, the Christmas market takes place in the communal caves where 2000 years ago, the Romans extracted marl, a sedimentary stone, as well as in the velvet cave , located under the ruins of the town's castle. Visitors are invited to wander through the magical settings of the oldest underground market in Europe.
Open from November 16 to December 29.
