If sipping glühwein, perusing countless stalls of vacation wares and admiring hundreds of glittering fairy lights looks like your private winter wonderland, plan to rejoice this season at one in every of Europe’s festive Christmas markets.
Many of those markets had been canceled in previous years as a result of pandemic. Nevertheless, issues are again in motion this 12 months, with nearly all markets working as regular.
Conventional Christmas markets date again lots of of years and are nonetheless well-liked right this moment in lots of European international locations.
Though the climate is chilly (and snowy in some locations), experiencing the glowing lights, wafting smells of conventional meals and vacation cheer are the very best methods to courageous the chilly temperatures. Since many markets start in November and run by means of the vacations, vacationers have loads of alternatives to snag a fall or winter flight deal or off-peak award redemption.
Listed here are among the finest Christmas markets in Europe, full with recommendations on methods to get there and the place to remain.
Vienna, Austria
Wander previous greater than 100 stalls at Vienna’s largest Christmas market, located within the well-known Metropolis Corridor Sq. in Rathausplatz (Nov. 19 to Dec. 26). Children will love the reindeer practice, Ferris wheel and carousel — there’s even a Nativity path, too. This 12 months, the market and its stalls will deal with enhancing sustainability, so count on extra eco-friendly merchandise and supplies.
Planning a winter 2023 go to? Strap on rental skates at Vienna Ice World in Metropolis Corridor Sq. to glide across the 96,000-square-foot rink (Actual dates are TBD, however the rink needs to be open from January by means of March 2023).
Keep: The Park Hyatt Vienna is the final word Viennese luxurious: excessive, arching ceilings, an indoor swimming pool and suites decked out with chandeliers and marble bogs. Winter charges begin at 456 euros ($457) or 21,000 Hyatt factors per evening, however are considerably greater round Christmas.
Arrive: Austrian Airways, the flagship service, is a part of the Star Alliance. In case you have miles on any associate airline, you need to be capable to get a seat at a great valuation. Austrian flies direct from Chicago O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD), New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty Worldwide (EWR), Boston Logan (BOS) and Washington Dulles Worldwide (IAD), with seasonal flights from Los Angeles (LAX). If you’re flying right into a European hub akin to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), British Airways and Austrian fly nonstop between the 2 cities, in addition to low-cost carriers like Wizz Air and Ryanair.
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Germany
One of the well-known international locations in Europe for Christmas markets, Germany has a market in virtually each metropolis. We couldn’t choose only one, so listed here are among the finest:
- Cologne: This metropolis, well-known for its towering Gothic cathedral, options not one however seven totally different Christmas markets, together with an LGBTQ-friendly Christmas market (most run from Nov. 18/19 to Dec. 23).
- Munich: Bavaria’s most well-known market usually operates in Marienplatz, adorned with hundreds of candles and that includes greater than 100 stalls (Nov. 21 to Dec. 24).
- Munich Airport: Leap proper into the vacation spirit (even go ice skating) throughout an extended layover at Munich Worldwide Airport (MUC), which transforms right into a Christmas market (Nov. 19 to Dec. 26).
- Frankfurt: Get pleasure from buying and a 100-foot-tall Christmas scene at Frankfurt’s foremost Christmas Market (Nov. 21 to Dec. 22).
- Nuremberg: Along with its world-renowned lebkuchen (gingerbread), hold a glance out for this market’s Christkind, a younger girl with curly blond hair dressed like a golden angel who makes frequent appearances on the festivities (Nov. 25 to Dec. 24).
- Berlin: Germany’s capital has plenty of Christmas markets, however probably the greatest is the market flanked by two cathedrals in Gendarmenmarkt (Nov. 21 to Dec. 31). Anticipate the everyday meals and buying but additionally unimaginable holiday-inspired performances from hearth eaters, acrobats, jugglers and choirs belting out classical, jazz and gospel Christmas tunes.
- Dresden: One of many nation’s oldest and largest markets the Striezelmarkt in what was as soon as East Germany options puppet theaters, storytelling time and gingerbread-decorating workshops (Nov. 23 to Dec. 24).
Arrive: Star Alliance associate Lufthansa operates direct flights to Germany out of a number of U.S. airports, together with main hubs like New York (JFK), Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) and Chicago O’ Hare (ORD), in addition to smaller airports, akin to Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport (CLT) and Denver Worldwide Airport(DEN).
If you wish to go to in consolation and elegance, you’ll be able to splash out for probably the most iconic fifth-freedom routes out of the U.S., supplied by Singapore Airways between New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) and Germany’s Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Tremendous-luxurious business-class awards on this route price 81,000 miles every method by means of Singapore Airways’ KrisFlyer program. You’ll be able to switch factors to KrisFlyer from all the transferable factors packages — American Specific Membership Rewards, Capital One Rewards, Citi ThankYou and Chase Final Rewards.
Strasbourg, France
Though you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with markets in French spots like Lyon and Lille, Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik, close to town’s cathedral, is one in every of France’s hottest vacation haunts for sipping mulled wine, tasting French wintery treats like tarte flambée or sugary bredele biscuits and searching for wares among the many wood stalls (Nov. 21 to Dec. 23).
The town is called the Capital of Christmas. Strasbourg’s towering Christmas tree, tens of millions of twinkling lights and festive ice rink can persuade any Grinch to like the festive season.
Keep: Keep at one of many latest resort additions to town, the Aloft Strasbourg. The resort is welcoming and trendy, only a 15-minute stroll to the principle Christmas market. Charges begin at 96 euros ($96) or 21,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.
Arrive: Strasbourg is a smaller metropolis, and you’ll’t fly nonstop there from the U.S. As an alternative, fly to Strasbourg Airport (SXB) from hubs akin to Paris, Madrid (MAD) or Amsterdam (AMS). Or, plan a layover to take a look at Munich Airport’s Christmas market (see above), then proceed on to Strasbourg. You can even take a practice from Frankfurt or Paris to the French metropolis.
Tallinn, Estonia
Pattern Baltic vacation delicacies like black pudding and gingerbread paired with spiced wine on the Christmas market in Tallinn’s medieval city sq. (Nov. 25 to Jan. 8).
The setting is solely gorgeous: Historic buildings encompass stalls promoting Christmas items and decorations (a lot of that are heart-shaped, as Estonians firmly consider Christmas is a time of affection), with the large tree as a centerpiece.
This season, there’ll be two totally different carousels for the little ones and a double-decker vacation bus to journey round city.
Arrive: Though you’ll be able to’t fly nonstop from the U.S. to Tallinn Airport (TLL), you’ll be able to join simply to hubs akin to Warsaw (WAW), Istanbul (IST), Frankfurt or Brussels (BRU) after which fly on over. In case you fly Finnair between the U.S. and Helsinki (HEL), a ferry to Tallinn takes about three and a half hours. From numerous London airports, you’ll be able to fly to Tallinn on low-cost airways like Air Baltic, Ryanair or Wizz Air.
Brussels, Belgium
Whereas Antwerp, Ghent and Brugge’s markets have a smaller, extra charming and cozier vibe, Brussels’ Winter Wonders market (Nov. 25 to Jan. 1) is the biggest and most spectacular in Belgium, with greater than 200 stands weaving by means of town heart.
Take a spin across the ice rink, fly excessive within the Ferris wheel or get pleasure from a go to from Santa. The market additionally presents an immersive audio and visible Christmas present, an progressive technique to expertise all the vacation enjoyable.
Keep: Funds vacationers can keep within the midst of all of the motion on the Vacation Inn Specific Grand Palace for as little as 133 euros ($133) or 27,000 IHG factors per evening (breakfast included).
Arrive: Fly to Brussels on Star Alliance carriers from hubs like New York-JFK and Washington, D.C.(IAD). A few of your one-way redemption choices embrace United MileagePlus, Avianca LifeMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan and Singapore KrisFlyer. Think about combining a visit to Brussels with different European cities (or Christmas markets) utilizing the Brussels Airways pit-stop service. This stopover program permits passengers to remain from one to 5 nights at no further cost in Belgium.
In case you fly from the U.S. into London, you’ll be able to fly to Brussels on British Airways and Brussels Airways. Taking the Eurostar practice between London and Brussels is an alternate choice — the journey takes simply over two hours. Charges begin as little as £33 ($37) every method.
Prague, Czech Republic
It’s onerous to determine whether or not to go to Prague’s Outdated City Sq. market or Wenceslas Sq. market. Contemplating they’re a 10-minute stroll from one another, it’s straightforward to go to each (Nov. 26 to Jan. 6).
There’s additionally one other market close to the Prague Fort. The markets promote related gadgets, like Medovina honey wine and Czech crafts like puppets and dolls, however Outdated City Sq. has reside animals like sheep and donkeys for youngsters to pet.
Arrive: Discover nice offers over the subsequent few months, flying to Prague from the U.S. with TAP Air Portugal and LOT Polish Airways. Fares from Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA), Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) and Washington Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD) might be discovered for as little as $500.
Many airways fly to Prague (PRG) from quite a few European hubs, which can also be a value efficient method of touring throughout winter. Though British Airways has a direct path to the Czech Republic capital, it’s straightforward to get to there in case your Avios stability isn’t fairly topped off through low-cost carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2 and Wizz Air from numerous London airports.
Simply make sure that to brush up on the principles earlier than flying European low-cost carriers so you are not caught off guard.
Zagreb, Croatia
Voted quite a few instances as Europe’s finest Christmas market, Zagreb’s vacation magic is actually particular. In actual fact, all the metropolis is decked out with lights, Nativity scenes and decorations. Begin on the Zrinjevac Park Christmas market (Nov. 26 to Jan. 7), the place you’ll be able to pattern sizzling štrukle, a pastry with melted cheese or medenjaci cookies paired with soul-warming wine as you browse handmade ornaments and toys.
Then go to Zagreb Cathedral with its well-known Nativity scene out entrance. End the night up with a number of laps across the King Tomislav Sq. ice rink or a journey on the carousel in Strossmayer Sq..
Keep: A brief stroll away from the Christmas motion, the Westin Zagreb is good for these wanting a quiet, modern area to loosen up whereas nonetheless staying near all the vacation cheer. Charges begin 108 euros ($108) or 15,00 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.
Arrive: Attending to Zagreb (ZAG) will take you a couple of flight: There aren’t any nonstop flights accessible from the U.S. to the Croatian capital and United’s nonstop seasonal service from Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) solely operates from Could to October.
You may have to cease first in locations like London, Frankfurt, Istanbul or Frankfurt en path to Zagreb on numerous airways. Each British Airways and Croatia Airways fly between London Heathrow (LHR) and Zagreb (ZAG), with Ryanair additionally working from London Stansted Airport (STN).
Basel, Switzerland
Wander by means of over 160 snow-covered wood stalls at Basel’s Christmas market, stretching from Barfüsserplatz to Münsterplatz (Nov. 24 to Dec. 23). A steaming mug of glühwein completely enhances conventional delights like waffles, gingerbread and melted Swiss raclette.
Keep: The brand new Basel Marriott presents the very best of Swiss tradition with out sacrificing modernity. Charges begin round 169 Swiss Francs ($171) or 27,000 Bonvoy factors per evening.
Arrive: Attending to Basel (BSL) from the U.S. requires a cease someplace in Europe. The airport (formally EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg) is definitely in France, although it is a brief drive from each Basel and the border of Germany — excellent for visiting three international locations in a single journey. You can even fly Swiss Worldwide Airways to Zurich (ZRH), stopping there rapidly earlier than hopping on a Swiss Federal Railways practice to Basel, bookable as one full ticket on the Swiss web site.
If London is your most well-liked worldwide hub, attending to Basel from the U.Ok. is straightforward. You’ll be able to fly EasyJet from London Gatwick (LGW), Manchester (MAN) or Edinburgh (EDI), or British Airways from London Heathrow (LHR).
Christmas markets are again
If you wish to go to different European locations, test earlier than reserving to see in case your vacation spot has a market. Many cities have variations of those seasonal markets, together with Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Madrid, Budapest and Krakow.
