Here's a selection of special places where it's still possible to discover the magic and festive ambience of Christmas, replete with the smell of pine trees and the joyful sound of carols.
It's no exaggeration to say that practically every capital, medium-size city and town in Europe has its very particular Christmas market, many carrying the tradition through the centuries and all giving the season a festive atmosphere as visitors wander old cobbled streets, enjoying spectacular decorations, exploring wooden stalls full of seasonal crafts and festive fare while savoring hot mulled wine.
For the third consecutive year, Zagreb sits atop the European Best Destinations list of the Best Christmas markets, based on thousands of travelers’ votes. The secret of the capital of Croatia’s success includes high-quality crafts, a friendly and festive atmosphere, concerts, ice skating rinks and affordable prices.
Open from December 1 to January 6.
The Christmas market held during the "Pikkujoulu" (Christmas Season) in Finland's medieval capital offers many of the traditional scenes in a Christmas card: snow that usually falls appropriately around the dates of the market, draping the city in white, holiday lights illuminating the main streets, 100-plus wooden stalls bursting with handicrafts, lanterns, decorations, pine-and-birch tar candles, carved wooden kuksa mugs and contemporary jewelry, among other items, and a beautiful, historical carousel in the center of the market.
Surrounding bars and restaurants are open and inviting and even if “the mercury may plunge bellow minus 10 Celsius, the mood is one of warm conviviality,” according to the city’s invitation.
Open from December 1 to 22.
The capital of the only Grand Duchy in the world offers one of the oldest and most traditional Christmas markets in Europe. For a month, Luxembourg City turns three principal places into a Christmas village: its main square, the Place d'Armes in the city's beautiful center, the Place de la Constitution and the Place de Paris.
In small wooden huts, artisans and vendors sell candles, toys, decorations, sweets and typical "Lëtzebuergesch" drinks such as Glühwäin (hot wine) and foods like the Thüringer, Mettwurscht (Luxembourgish sausages ) or Gromperekichelcher (potato pancakes) with apple sauce.
Open from November 22 to December 24.
Paris, of course, appears almost always at the top of the list to visit during Christmas. It has not one but several great Christmas markets. Then again, there are many other French cities and villages famous for their festivities and markets during the December holidays.
Among them in the northeastern region is Strasbourg, recognized as the “Capital of Christmas” for its spectacular street decorations, lights and Christmas markets full of traditional Alsatian crafts and food specialties, concerts, a living nativity, a majestic Christmas tree, music and cultural events - the main one in front of the picturesque cathedral.
Strasbourg’s "Marché de Noël’ has been held since 1570, making it the oldest in France.
Open from November 23 to December 30.
Not far from Strasbourg is Colmar, which this year was voted by the public as the second-best Christmas market in Europe (and the best in France) in European Best Destinations.
“Colmar combines the ingredients of a dream destination: culture, relaxation, gastronomy, wines, traditions, architecture,” according to the site. The beautiful lights in the narrow streets lined with century-old, half-timbered houses, link the five markets that have made Colmar’s Christmas season world famous.
According to the legend, Santa Claus himself chose Tallinn to launch a first Christmas market.
A stunning and unspoiled medieval architecture that turns white with snow makes for classic photos. The Christmas market around the historic town square boasts a special atmosphere, with a towering tree installed in front of the town hall every year since 1441, more than 60 wooden huts selling wreaths, handcrafted toys, sheepskin rugs, many local products and enough mulled wine to warm everybody braving the weather.
Open from November 24 to January 5.
Brussels Christmas markets are among the best-known and best-admired in Europe, and the biggest in the country.
The Belgium capital also has a grand ice rink, fairground, a constellation of lights, lots of chocolate and a nightly show in the Grand Place (declared a World Heritage by Unesco), where the famous buildings surrounding the square serve as the backdrop for a display of lights and music.
Less well-known, a best kept secret, in fact, is the Christmas market of Ghent, barely an hour away from the capital.
Beautifully preserved, with more historically-listed buildings than any other city in the country, a 12th century castle, canals and cobbled streets, Ghent is a great place for a traditional Christmas market with its wooden huts offering traditional adornments and food surrounded by the scent of pine and mulled wine.
Open from December 7 to January 6.
Located at one of Europe's crossroads, on the German side of the border with Belgium and the Netherlands is another Christmas destination always listed among the top Christmas markets in Europe: Aachen.
All the streets around the cathedral and the Town Hall are transformed into a colorful and festive Christmas village with twinkling lights and the scent of mulled wine and Aachener Printen (a type of gingerbread).
Open from November 23 to December 23.
The Budapest Christmas markets also appear among the five favorites in Europe, particularly those in Vorosmarty Square and by the Basilica in the heart of the city. Here, according to legend, Santa Claus does his shopping.
The city center undergoes a transformation into an example of holiday tradition, where modern elements such as flash mobs mix with outstanding Hungarian time-honored and contemporary hand-craft products and a spectacular light show that, thanks to 3D glasses, gives a new dimension to the façade of St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Open from mid-November to December 31.