Explore Six Festive European Christmas Markets with Albatross

If you are travelling to Europe over the festive season you need to visit to one of the beautiful Christmas Markets. The Christmas Market tradition dates back to the middle ages, and are an important event on the European festive season calendar for locals in current times too.

Enjoy An Ancient Festive Tradition

Witness the old cobbled stone town centres come alive with fairy lights and Christmas Trees and rows of stalls selling trinkets and Christmas treats. Local craftsmen, restaurateurs and ordinary townsfolk set up shop to sell everything from handcrafted wooden toys and pottery, to colourful decorations to delicious local cuisine. Sample mulled wine served warm from steaming cauldrons to hot chocolate, pretzels and Christmas baking. A tradition that started in Germany, Christmas markets of all shapes and sizes are a highlight of the festive season through much of Europe.

Here are six must-see Christmas markets!

Frankfurt, Germany

Take in the Frankfurt Christmas markets when you join the 10 day German White Christmas tour. A beautifully decorated fir tree in Roemerberg marks the location of the Frankfurt Christmas Markets. The markets operate annually from 25 November until 22 December. Experience the many traditional delicacies, handmade arts and crafts and wooden treasures as you follow the scent of delicious roasted chestnuts, grilled sausages and mulled wine, just like travellers did as early as 1393.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is an icon of the festive market season, hosting around 20 Christmas Markets which you can experience on the 10 day Austrian White Christmas tour. With over 150 markets stalls, the main Town Hall Christmas Markets will transport you into a festive winter wonderland. Try ice skating, look for unique gifts, traditional tree decorations and local crafts. Dont forget to sample the local treats and warming mulled wine. Visit the forecourt of the Schonbrunn Palace, a picturesque site with the addition of a Christmas Market. For a taste of Baroque, visit the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace and wind your way through the alleys and narrow streets that host the Christmas Markets at Spittelberg.

Dresden, Germany

Visit the renowned Dresden Christmas Markets on the 12 day Bohemian Christmas Markets tour. The Striezelmarkt is Germany’s oldest Christmas Market and draws over 2.5 million visitors every year. A dazzling and wondrous market, the Striezelmarkt is home to many local regional specialties including the pflaumentoffel, a chimneysweep-shaped treat made from prunes and said to bring good luck. You will find pottery from Lusatia and glass blown decorations from Lauscha. Surrounding the Striezelmarkt is a dozen or more other Christmas markets, each devoted to a particular theme.

Prague, Czech Republic

Journey to the Prague Old Town Square Christmas Markets on the 16 day Bohemian & Christmas in the Tyrol tour. Set in front of the impressive gothic town hall, the Prague Christmas Markets will transport you to an enchanted world surrounded by beautiful decorations and traditional market huts underneath the famed gargoyles high above. Follow the scent of cloves and cinnamon in the air to find the local warm treats. Indulge in traditional trdelnik, a popular pastry that has earned its stripes as a Czech street food. Keep warm with a mug of gluhwein whilst you browse festive market stalls and the winter atmosphere of this beautiful city.

Salzburg, Austria

The 10 day German and Austrian Christmas Markets tour takes you to the Salzburg Christmas Markets, set in the heart of Salzburg’s World Heritage-listed Old City. Wander the cobbled stone streets under the glow of lights strung up above, the ringing church bells adding to the festive atmosphere. Explore the 100 stalls seeking beautiful mementos from local artisans, Christmas decorations and delicious warming treats.

Time to Explore

Christmas markets are best enjoyed at dusk when fairy lights twinkle and candle flames flicker and shimmer. Each of Albatross Tours Festive itineraries are carefully designed to provide ample time in at least one of the great European markets such as Nurnberg, Vienna, Montreux, Prague, Munich, Dresden and Salzburg. Travellers can also experience smaller, more unique Christmas markets in towns such as Wurzburg, Bern, Rothenburg and Innsbruck. It’s time to get festive!