The best Christmas markets in Europe

One of the most exciting times of year is fast-approaching: Christmas. You go nuts for a Christmas market, am I right? Well, if you're planning a trip that'll finish the year off with a bang and still haven't decided where to go, get ready, because I'm about to guide you through the best Christmas markets in Europe.

Spain's Christmas street markets

You don't need to travel far to enjoy a Christmas market. In Spain, as you know, every inhabited place has its own street market. They come in all shapes and sizes: big, small. cheap, expensive, extensively decorated or barely decorated at all... but they all have one particular feature: the people. We Spanish take to the streets as if there were no tomorrow: oh yes, we love to shop! During the winter months we brave the cold to reunite with people we haven't had the chance to see throughout the rest of the year. It's the season for family reunions, and emotions run high. I suppose these heightened emotions have something to do with having the people you love so close, or the memories of those that are no longer with us. One thing is for certain: some people love this time of year whilst, for one reason or another, others loathe it. Either way, the big cities give it their all and deck out their streets from mid-November til the end of December so that you pay them a visit. From north to south, here are some of the best Christmas markets in Spain:

Madrid's Christmas market

Madrid, the brilliant capital city worth its salt, features many street markets which are placed in strategic points throughout the city. The oldest and most beautiful Christmas market, perhaps not only in the capital, but in the whole of Spain, takes place every year in the famous Plaza Mayor, where the Spanish politician Ana Botella drank her "relaxing cup of café con leche". There are over 100 stands that offer typically festive products, from food to decorations.

If you're left wanting more, close to Plaza Mayor you can find the novelty items market in Plaza de la Provincia, and the flower market in Tirso de Molina. You can also visit other markets such as El Mercado De La Paz, El Mercado De San Antón, El Mercado De Chamartín, El Mercado De San Miguel, El Mercadillo Del Gato, and just so I don't dwell on this much longer, I can't forget to mention El Mercado De El Rastro, the most popular one in the city.

Don't have too much time in Madrid and want to visit other places within the city? Then hurry up, there's a lot to do and see in Madrid in a day!

Barcelona's Christmas market

Barcelona's Christmas street markets have no reason to feel second to those in Madrid. The Christmas lights in Barcelona are spectacular. The main market is the Santa Lucía's Christmas Market, which is found in the Ancient Gothic Quarter, in Plaza Nova, opposite the cathedral. For those who live in Barcelona, it's custom to browse through this market and buy decorations to decorate their homes.

Even so, you can't miss out on the Christmas market in La Avenida De Gaudí. It's found in the Sagrada Familia district, though it's possible that it will shortly be held in the area that flaunts Saint Lucía's Christmas market. If a christmas present for the youngest family member is what you're looking for, you should drop by the Christmas market held in Gran Via. This street market is divided in two parts: one for toys, and the other for artisan products.

Spending the weekend in Barcelona and not sure what to do? Check other students' experiences and discover what to do for a weekend in Barcelona, you'll love it.

Valencia's Christmas Market

When Christmas arrives, Valencia swaps it's Falles Week get up for lights, with no capes or crutches. Every year, a large Christmas tree in La Plaza Del Ayunatamiento happily receives all those who comes to visit it. If you like putting your physical safety at risk, then the ice rink which is erected during this time is what you're looking for. But be careful, if you get too carried away you'll skid off the rink and into one of the nativity scenes that are put up in the Square.

Of all the Christmas markets in Valencia, perhaps the most unique is El Mercado De Navidad De Colón, which is found inside a 20th century Art Nouveau building. Aside from being an artesian market, its many theatre and magic shows which are organised during this period, as well as Father Christmas visits attract the attention of children.

You can also visit La Feria De Artesanía De Navidad in the Plaza De La Reina; the traditional Christmas market set up in the streets surrounding the Central Market in Avenida Barón de Cárcer; El Cabañal market... All of these have hundreds of stalls brimming with artisan products.

Is this your first time in Valencia? Leave yourself enough time, you can't go home without having seen the City of Arts and Sciences!

Bilbao's Christmas market

The most important Christmas market in Bilbao is the one that is set up in the centre of the city in Calle Bailén. It comprises of 40 wooden stalls. A special feature of Christmas markets in the Basque Country is that, aside from typical Christmas products, they also sell basque food. Every year on December 21st during La Feria De Santo Tomás, located in the Plaza Nueva and the surrounding area of El Arenal, vendors offer local products. The residents of Bilbao celebrate with music and street shows to welcome in Christmas.

Are you visiting with children in tow? Bilbao organises a Christmas playground, where there are endless activities you can entertain yourself with. If you don't fancy that, but you also don't want to listen to the kids complain every other second, the Guggenheim can be of great help thanks to its striking figurines.

Seville's Christmas market

During the festive season, true Andalusian spirit runs through the city of Seville. Its streets are stripped of Holy Week's austerity, and are instead dressed in sequins and lots of sparkles. The colours, the smells, the flavours, the people... the very atmosphere in this Sevillian capital is unique. If I were you, I would take a look at Seville, A Love Affair.

There are three main Christmas markets in Seville: There's the Artesanal Christmas market in Plaza Nueva, near the Giralda bell tower; the Gran Mercado De Navidad which runs along Luís Morales avenue (In the district of Nervión); La Feria Del Belén, surrounding the cathedral.

The Andalusian's love of nativity scenes is well known, right? Well it turns out that the Germans are also keen on these festive displays

So, have you packed your suitcase? We're off to Germany!

German Christmas markets

By and large, Germans are followers of the Christian faith, so I don't know why there love of nativity scenes comes as a surprise! As such, just like in Spain, the majority of German towns and cities put together their own Christmas street markets - or Weihnachtsmarkt as they call them. It must seem strange to you that Spain and Germany have something in common, huh? Well, don't be fooled! To differentiate themselves from us here in Spain, the German markets close just as our Christmas begins! As they celebrate Advent, their Christmas markets are put up at the end of November and close several days before December 25th, so they aren't open on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve or Epiphany. Do they know how to do a good market?!

Still, the German Christmas markets are some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe.

Nuremburg Christmas markets

The main Christmas market in Nuremberg is the Christkindlesmarkt (The Market of Jesus Christ), the most famous street market in the country. It's held in Market Square. In Germany they don't celebrate the arrival of Santa Claus on the night of December 24, but that of "Christkind", a little angel with long blond hair who also delivers presents. Every two years, a girl is chosen to play the character who can be seen from Tuesday to Friday at noon. So, if you want to deliver a letter to her, all you have to do is find her on the stage they put up in the market. If you're visiting the market with a child, it's very likely that Christkind will invite you to take a ride on the merry-go-round of "Kinder Weihnacht", the children's Christmas market which is very close to the Market Square. I don't know who will like it more, you or your little ones.

Want to make the most out of your visit to the Christmas Market and see some of the city's best sites? Somebody has already been to Núremberg and was sad to say farewell to the city.

Munich's Christmas Market

The Munich Christmas market is characterised by its Bavarian traditions, it's a market where folklore and craftsmanship reign. It's held in the Plaza del Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall). The Himmel Werkstatt (Celestial Workshop) is organised for children. Here, children have to act as Christkind's helpers. Although everything seems very innocent, keep your wits about you: occasionally, you may see Krampus appear around the market. These mysterious creatures leave terror in their wake, even though that's not their intention...

The Munich Christmas market is perhaps one of the most creative Christmas markets in Germany; The Bavarian capital is full of charming things.

Berlin's Christmas Market

It's likely that Berlin has the most Christmas markets of all the capital cities in Europe: it has more than 80! Since I can't talk about very single one, I'm going to focus on one in particular: Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt. It's held in the Kulturbrauerei neighbourhood. It's not a very typical German market - it has a Scandinavian feel about it - but its atmosphere makes it popular among families with children. The organised activities and attractions that can be found here will entertain your children all day. If you plan to visit with children, seeing Sankt Nikolaus delivering chocolates will leave them spellbound.

I bet you didn't know that there's free tours of Berlin!

Frankfurt's Christmas Market

Frankfurt am Main... sounds strange, doesn't it? But as it turns out, this is the full name of the misnamed city we know as Frankfurt! You've been living in the dark all this time! Still, on a positive note, you learn something new every day. Next time you're looking for information about Frankfurt am Main's Christmas market, don't look for “Christmas markets in Frankfurt”, it's a mistake.

Speaking of mistakes, it would be a huge oversight for any Christmas market lover not to visit Frankfurt am Main's Christmas market at least once: it covers the entire Römerberg square and the surrounding streets. It's one of Germany's largest and busiest markets! It usually receives about 3 million visitors a year.

Someone has already made a getaway to Frankfurt am Main. Check it out!

Cologne's Christmas Market

Cologne's Christmas market is in prime location: it's located at the foot of the Gothic Kölner Dom, the third tallest cathedral in the world. Furthermore, it's a multicultural Christmas market, both in terms of crafts and gastronomy as well as folklore. The Krippen Weg (Way of the mangers) has been organised for the last 20 years. This is an tour organised by the city in search of 110 nativity scenes brought from all over the world.

Are you hankering to know more about the city and its Christmas market? Cast an eye over the article Cologne and its Christmas market!

Did you forget to try German sausages on your trip to Germany? Don't worry! Austria has plenty of sausages!

Christmas markets in Austria

The Austrians share a lot of traditions with the Germans, so there's not much to add that I haven't said before. Therefore, I won't elaborate much further and will simply name some of the Christmas markets of Vienna, the capital:

• The traditional "Christkindlmarkt" Christmas market, in Rathausplatz square;
• The Karlsplatz craft Christmas market, in San Carlos square;
• The Christmas market found in the courtyard of Schönbrunn Palace, a World Heritage Site;
• Spittelberg Christmas market, Spittelberg being a Viennese district;
• "Altwiener Christkindlmarkt" Christmas market;
• and a long etcetera.

To learn more about Austria and its capital, I'll leave you this tourist guide of Vienna and its surrounding areas, made with lots of love and care!

To those of you who love Christmas markets, make the most of your time in the country represented by Conchita Wurst in Eurovision Song Contest and visit a Christmas market in a neighbouring country! I heard that the Budapest's Christmas market is amazing. Why not check it out? Furthermore, Budapest, in general, is a fantastic place, especially as an Erasmus destination!

Prague's Christmas market would also be another very good option, it's also said that it is one of the 5 best cities for an Erasmus experience.

The only problem with travelling to central and eastern European countries, is the language barrier. If this scares you, you can always visit the Christmas markets in countries that speak a language that you more or less understand, such as English, French and even Portuguese. And look, you don't have to go too far!

Belgium's Christmas markets

Even today the Christian tradition is kept alive; the Christmas spirit spreads all over Europe. Don't tell me Belgium doesn't get close! The Christmas markets kick-off at the end of November, like in Spain, and they culminate at New Year. The Christmas markets in Kate Ryan's homeland (remember her? ) are just as good as any other Europe has to offer. In fact, some are from the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe: in particular the Christmas market in the capital of Brussels, and the Christmas market in Bruges.

Christmas markets in Brussels

The street markets that make up the Brussels Christmas market make it the largest in all of Belgium. It has 250 booths which are distributed along the Grand-Place and Sainte-Catherine square. The street lights are beautiful. If you're mesmerised by Christmas lighting as much as by the markets, you can't miss the Grand-Place light show.

Are you thinking about a trip to Brussels? Don't give it anymore thought! Christmas in Brussels is loaded with winter gifts.

Christmas market in Bruges

Bruges is already one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium. Imagine how the city shines at Christmas! Its streets become a truly magical. The most impressive Christmas market in Bruges is that of the Grote Markt, the centre square. However, there are many others scattered throughout the city. Whether you go with children or not, stop by the Christmas shop Käthe Wohlfahrt, this will take you back to your childhood for a few minutes!

Did you know that Bruges is the Venice of the north ? They also call the capital of the Netherlands the city of colours. Why not take advantage of the trip to Belgium and make an express getaway to the Christmas markets of Amsterdam? Not everything revolves around the Red Light District and marijuana.

Red, green... those are the colours of Portugal aren't they?

Portugal's Christmas markets

For a Spaniard, going to Portugal is like going to Galicia. We're so similar... so Iberian! The Portuguese will make you feel at home, and at Christmas, they'll make you feel like family! Lisbon Christmas markets await you with open arms!

Lisbon gets all done up at Christmas, it puts on its heels and gets ready to party. It doesn't mind wearing a short dress, the coats of its people is enough to keep it warm; the Atlantic climate tends to keep it at a decent temperature even in the middle of winter. The same can't be said f the north! If you visit the Christmas markets in Strasbourg or London, you'll be freezing cold. But oh well! The Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park is worth it.

Have you decided on one yet? That's the end of our trip around Europe's Christmas markets. Tell us which are the best Christmas markets in Europe in your opinion and share your experience with us!

From Erasmusu we encourage you to keep travelling and discover places as spectacular as these Christmas markets. However, we advise you to take a look at the regulations and covid restrictions of the destination you decide to travel to. Who knows what may change during these crazy days!

One last thing! If you're looking for accommodation, we can help you! Erasmusu offers hundreds of options to choose from spacious rooms, studios, university residences and flats. We'll help you to find the accommodation where to spend your next Christmas!

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