European Christmas Markets Three Ways
The origins of Christmas markets in Europe stretch back to Vienna in 1296, according to Smithsonian Magazine. There are Christmas markets all over the world, but European markets are the most popular for travel around the Christmas months. Germany, in particular, is known for its Christmas markets. The Nuremberg and Dresden markets draw about two million people each year; the Stuttgart and Frankfurt markets attract more than three million visitors and Cologne attracts 4 million people. Berlin boasts more than 70 markets, which open in late November and close just after Christmas.
There are also famous markets found in Colmar and Strasbourg, in France, and all over Austria.
Christmas markets typically feature stalls selling gifts, crafts, seasonal treats and hot beverages. Light displays, decorations and music make Christmas markets a magical holiday experience.
Three ways to visit European Christmas markets include: as an independent traveler, with a guided group tour or on a river cruise.
Traveling Independently
If you want to visit some European Christmas markets as in independent traveler, planning ahead and creating an itinerary are going to be the keys to your success. Determine whether you want to stick to one home base and travel out from there or pick two or three destinations and travel along a planned itinerary.
Your could, for instance, start in Colmar and visit both Colmar and Strasbourg, then travel to Frankfurt or Nuremberg. Or plan to stay in Munich and travel to Nuremberg, Salzburg and Stuttgart.
Guided Group Tour
Many tour companies offer Christmas market itineraries. Some of our favorite suppliers offer tours that combine destinations like Berlin, Vienna, Prague and Budapest into one easy itinerary. You don’t have to worry about finding your way from place to place or figuring out hotels or how to get from your hotel to the market you want to visit. The great thing about a guided tour is there are experts there who manage the logistics, leaving you to simply experience.
River Cruise
River cruises have become a really popular way to experience European Christmas markets. You can do Christmas on the Rhine, Christmas on the Danube, Christmas on the Main and Moselle, Christmas on the Elbe and more. Each cruise line will have their own itineraries but regardless of which cruise you choose, the nature of river cruising means that you will hit multiple stops and you should be able to experience several markets. Popular river cruise stops include Budapest, Vienna, Regensburg and Passau.
Christmas Markets begin to open at the end of November and some of them run into January. Most cruises and tours will have December departure dates. If you are planning independent travel to see European Christmas markets, it is a good idea to see if the markets you want to visit have websites or find the tourism board for the city the market is located in and check the dates for each market. Many bigger cities in Germany, France and Austria will have multiple markets and celebrations, so you can pick and choose which ones you want to visit.
We highly suggest starting to plan up to a year in advance to make sure hotels, tours and cruises do not sell out. You can email hello@travelwesterly.com if you have any questions or would like assistance planning your Christmas market trip.
