“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”

-Norman Vincent Peale

Arguably, winter in Europe is not the best time to visit as far as the weather is concerned. But the Old Continent does have something that other countries around the world simply cannot compete with: historical, atmospheric Christmas Markets that I gladly would — and have, in fact — endure subzero temperatures for.

Pack your winter boots, your tuque and mittens (don’t judge, that’s how we call ’em in Canada!) and your camera, because you’re in for one hell of a photogenic journey that is nothing short of pure magic.

Christmas Markets in Europe: The 6 Best

Esslingen, Germany

I’ve already written quite extensively on Esslingen and how obsessed I still am with this fairytale town even four (four!!!) years after my visit. There are several markets scattered across the tiny historical centre, each with its own vibe and specialities — paradoxically, at over 200 stalls, it’s also one of the largest in the region.

The star of the show is, however, the Medieval Market; merchants like blacksmiths, broom makers and glassblowers are clad in historical garments and demonstrate their unique craftsmanship in the same way their ancestors presumably did hundreds of years ago in this very spot.

Additional reading: The Best Christmas Markets in Germany

Vienna, Austria

The tradition of Christmas markets in the Austrian capital goes back to the 13th century when Albrecht I granted locals the privilege of holding a December Market, called krippenmarkt. The grandiose Wiener Christkindl on Rathausplatz is, admittedly, one Vienna’s largest with seemingly innumerable stalls but its self-dubbed “sea of lights” made of advent candles and outstanding setting —right in front of the imposing neo-Gothic City Hall— make it entirely worth a visit. This is also where the most active visitors will find the ice skating rink, which I graciously gave a miss as my lack of motor coordination does not allow me to get anywhere near sharp blades.

I was also able to explore the festively decorated market stalls over at Christmas Village on Maria-Theresa Platz, wedged between the stunning Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art.I was there during the day and it made me so happy to see locals have a glass of glühwein on their lunch break (crazy Europeans, right?!).

As the world’s capital of music, Vienna is definitely the place to be for choir music as this is where the International Advent Singing festival is held every year in December. About 80 choirs from various country around the world travel to City Hall on four weekends of Advent and offer free concerts.

Charlottenburg Palace, Germany

The market at Charlottenburg Palace is definitely the most magical and perhaps the most strikingly beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. Although quite recent —it only officially opened in 2007— it really doesn’t feel like a novelty thanks to the 300-year-old royal palace, all lit up for the occasion.

There are approximately 150 vendors —making it one of Berlin’s largest— selling traditional items, like arts & crafts, ancient handicrafts, jewellery, clothing as well as several gourmet foods. Because of its extremely traditional approach, baroque soundtrack and exceptional backdrop, this particular market is the perfect introduction to German Christmas markets and a great starting point to any market tour.

Additional reading: The 8 Most Magical Christmas Markets in Berlin

Passau, Germany

It simply doesn’t get more quintessentially Christmas than in Passau. Modest in size but generous in jaw-dropping scenery, this quiet village nestled on the Austrian border is home to one of Europe’s most stunning cathedrals — i.e., St. Stephan’s Cathedral, with its three distinctive, green-domed towers — which also serves as a backdrop to the quaint Christmas market. This one is infinitely easier to explore than its more touristy counterparts; just a handful of stalls selling local crafts and fragrant foot-long bratwürst in the purest German tradition.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava‘s Christmas markets truly are a reflection of their city: compact, atmospheric, and absolutely adorable. The red-and-white awnings set the tone and are the perfect backdrop to the illuminated trees dispersed throughout the lively square. Whatever you do, though, do not think of going to a Slovak Christmas market without having one, two or three (I don’t judge) lokše, an absolutely scrumptious potato pancake that can either be served savoury or sweet — try one with bryndza, Slovakia’s most-loved cheese.

I highly recommend climbing to the top of the Old Town Hall’s tower pictured above, as you can an unobstructed bird’s eye view of the Main Square market as well as Bratislava’s castle and lovely old town.

Budapest, Hungary

Not to be undone by Europe’s more popular Christmas destinations, Budapest is a winter wonderland in its own right. With over 100 cottage-style wooden pavilions covering every square inch of stately St Stephen Square and its sky-high flickering Christmas tree, there’s no question that Budapest knows how to enjoy the holidays. Now’s your chance to enjoy Hungarian treats like kurtoskalacs (cinnamon-pastry chimney cakes) and toki pompos (flat-bread pizza with sour cream, onions and bacon) as well as largely underrated Hungarian wines.

Christmas Markets in Europe: The Ones on My Bucket List

Strasbourg, France

Stockholm, Sweden

Colmar, France

Innsbruck, Austria

Trondheim, Norway

St Gallen, Switzerland

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

St Petersburg, Russia

[left][/left][right][/right]

Christmas Markets in Europe: Know Before You Go

• There are several ways you can plan a trip encompassing Christmas markets in different countries. You can get a Eurail pass, hire a car or if your budget allows, book a Christmas-themed river cruise.

• While markets are similar in form and atmosphere, no two Christmas Markets in Europe are exactly the same.

• Beware of the sprawling markets with “Made in China” memorabilia that isn’t even one bit authentic. Markets are supposed to be about artisans and traditional workmanship; try and prioritise these ones.

• As anywhere else in the world these days, temperatures can be notoriously hard to predict. I’ve visited Christmas markets in subzero temperatures and with loads of snow, but I’ve also drank mulled wine in balmy +10 degrees. Look at the forecasts before you leave and pack accordingly, but don’t go in expecting the perfect winter postcard — with recent climate changes, it’s very likely you might not get that experience at all.

• If you can’t bear the thought of having to buy yet another tie for your dad or bath products for your mum, why not do your Christmas shopping at the markets? You can get lovely jewellery, winter attire, gourmet treats (that you will NEVER find elsewhere), wooden trinkets and even lovely wines. Make sure you leave enough room in your suitcase for gifts!

[wpgmza id=”246″]

The post My Favourite Christmas Markets in Europe appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

I only had a day and a half in the famed Hungarian capital when I visited in December, as the starting point of my Danube Waltz river cruise with Viking. Not a whole lot of time, admittedly – but on the other hand, I was never particularly drawn to Budapest. 36 hours seemed like plenty of time, to me.

With my coat buttoned up to my chin and my wool scarf firmly tied (gosh it was a cold and humid weekend), I left the comfort of my stateroom and set off to explore Budapest, the crown jewel of Eastern Europe according to travel experts. Here’s what I did during my visit.

Things To Do In Budapest On A Long Weekend

 Chain Bridge

Buda Castle is right up there on the left, hidden in the fog

[left][/left][right][/right]

It’s just a bridge, right? Errr, not really. At the time of construction, it was considered one of the great engineering wonders of the world; the twin-towered Széchenyi bridge was the first permanent structure to span the mighty Danube River and link the two banks, Buda and Pest. It holds great significance in the development of Budapest as the unified, cohesive city we know today.

Good to know: on clear days (aka not the incredibly foggy day I had to deal with), the right-hand side of the bridge offers gorgeous views of the Hungarian Parliament.

Castle Hill

The Chain Bridge is right down there in the middle. On the left, you would normally see the Parliament. Thanks, fog.

Sure, you *could* walk the 170 metres up Castle Hill – but where’s the fun in that? I strongly suggest you opt for the old-timey-looking funicular, which only costs a handful of forints. Not only is it infinitely more enjoyable (again, not a hiking kind of gal) but it also offers unobstructed panoramas of the Chain Bridge, the Parliament, and the Pest side of Budapest. Money well spent, I tell you!

[left][/left][right][/right] I swear this is Budapest. You can sort of make out the Chain Bridge on the left!

Castle Hill dominates the Buda bank and essentially consists of the Royal Palace and the medieval quarter – which partly explains why it’s a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site. My tight schedule didn’t allow me to visit the interior of the Palace nor the celebrated Hungarian National Gallery, especially since I knew I wanted to spend some time in the rainbow-coloured maze nearby.

Budapest sure has Instafriendly streets.

[left][/left][right][/right]

Fishermen’s Bastion

Located right at the end of the medieval quarter, therefore, just a few minutes walk from the funicular, Fishermen’s Bastion is one of Budapest’s most emblematic attractions. The neo-Romanesque meets Gothic is a beautiful place to relax, people watch, admire the Parliament on the adjacent bank, and to generally permeate yourself with the Budapest atmosphere.

[left][/left][right][/right]

Great Synagogue

Further east on the Pest bank, the Great Synagogue is an absolute must-see in Budapest. It’s the largest Jewish house of worship in Europe and, as such, houses the Hungarian Jewish Museum.

Unfortunately, like many of its European counterparts, the Jewish community of Budapest was virtually annihilated during World War II. The Jewish quarter, which surrounds the synagogue, was converted to a guarded ghetto surrounded by a high fence and stone walls where Jews were forced to live; even though Budapest was only occupied for a brief time at the very end of the war, hundreds of thousands of Jews still lost their lives to the Nazis. The Synagogue commemorates the tragedy in various ways, notably with the Holocaust Memorial Room, which is built right over the mass graves, as well as a metal Tree of Life, whose leaves are inscribed with the family names of the victims.

Alexandra Book Café

Budapest probably has hundreds of elegant cafés where you can have leisurely cakes and coffee but I think the most sumptuous of them all is the Book Café; perhaps because it is so inconspicuously concealed from the street (it’s hidden on the second floor of a really rather plain-looking bookstore).

Ruin Bars

I’m really not into nightlife (the sleeping is what keeps me pretty) but ruin bars are endemic to Budapest so I had to check one out; admittedly, Szimpla Kert was pretty quiet at four in the afternoon but it was quite fun to see bars literally made out of ruined furniture and appliances in what is essentially a heavily graffitied and glorified squat. Located in abandoned buildings throughout the city, these ramshackle pubs are *the* place to be after nightfall if you enjoy drinks, good company, and live music.

Eat borsch

One thing I am TOTALLY into though is food, as demonstrated by the tightness of my jeans at the end of a trip (I have realised it’s not a coincidence). I had heard good things about the borsch, a traditional Eastern European meat soup, at Stonesoup Restobar, and I wasn’t disappointed! It’s a beautifully peculiar space. They also have a little boutique where you can purchase their homemade, traditional Hungarian delicacies and canned goods.

Night Cruise on the Danube

I will write another post about this shortly but OH MY this was the best part of my trip. If you think Budapest is stunning in the daytime, wait until you see it from the historic banks of the Danube River after nightfall. The city truly comes alive then, once it dons its shiny and bright evening coat on. There are a few cruises you can choose from, including a booze cruise (because why the hell not) and even a themed dinner cruise.

Things To Do In Budapest – Additional Suggestions

If you have more than 36 hours to spend in the Hungarian capital, here are a few suggestions of things you should check out and places you should eat at that all came highly recommended by my local friends.

[col1]

Fun and quirky attractions:

• Central Market Hall
• Margaret Island
• Vajdahunyad Castle & Heroes Square
• Memento Park
• House of Terror
• Thermal baths: Art-Deco Gellért Baths, touristy but stunning Széchenyi Baths or quiet Király Baths
• Worthwhile walking tours: a visit for joggers, a visit for history buffs, a visit for foodies, a free visit for visitors travelling on a budget, a visit by bike or a visit for book lovers.

[/col1][col2]

Cool indie coffee shops:

• My Little Melbourne (Madách Imre út 3)
• Kontakt (Károly krt. 22)
• Fekete (Múzeum krt. 5)
• Blue Bird Café (Dob u. 16, 1072)
• Espresso Embassy (Arany János u. 15)
• Bambi Eszpresszó (Frankel Leó utca 2/4)
• Madal Cafe (Hollán Ernő u. 3)

[/col2][col3]

Yummy restaurants where locals go:

• Kiskakukk Étterem (Pozsonyi út 12)
• Centrál Kávéház (Károlyi utca 9)
• Spíler BistroPub (Király u. 13)
• Borkonyha (Sas utca 3)
• Borbiróság (Csarnok tér 5)
• Doblo (Dob utca 20)

[/col3]

I was a guest of Viking Cruises on this trip. All opinions are my own.

[wpgmza id=”208″]

The post 36 Hours In Budapest appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.