“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

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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!

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

Needless to say that at this point, I desperately needed Bratislava to not suck. And boy, did it not! Here’s what I did in my all-too-short but infinitely worthwhile 24 hours in the Slovakian capital.

Visiting Bratislava In One Day

Considering I had a very limited schedule (just a few hours) and that the better part of that precious time was going to be after nightfall, I had to be efficient and logical—that meant not going inside the castle or the museums, and pacing at a rather brisk pace. If you saw a lunatic power-walking around Bratislava and frantically taking pictures in December, that might have very well been me.

First order of business was Bratislava Castle. Standing 85 metres over the capital and the Danube River, the castle has been dominating the city’s skyline for several centuries; first mentions of it go as far back as year 907. But what we see today is largely a reconstruction; indeed, the perched fortress was nearly destroyed by a fire in the late 1800s and wasn’t rebuilt until a century later.

Even if you can’t make it inside to browse the permanent collections, you must walk up to the ramparts for the gorgeous views of Bratislava, and, on clear days, the Carpathian Mountains and even parts of neighbouring Hungary.

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No doubt: this is Eastern Europe. With its retro trams and 18th-century peach-coloured façades, Bratislava really is a picture-perfect capital city that exudes charm. The starý mesto (old town) is rather small in size—a few dozen streets at most—but what it lacks in dimension it makes up for in authenticity and attractiveness. As you can see below, the city is, indeed, blessed with a very pleasant medieval centre.

I may not have done much during my time there but what I did manage to see just floored me: was I falling for Bratislava? Quite possibly.

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Let’s just say my Instagram and I were both very happy about those rainbow-coloured cobbled streets. I ended up leaving Bratislava not knowing a whole lot more about it, aside from the fact that it’s an absolute gem and that I will need to come back in summertime for a proper visit.

Goodbye, Bratislava! Until next time.

Things To Do in Bratislava That I Unfortunately Didn’t Have Time For

• The Blue Church (Church of St Elizabeth)
• Slavín Hill and War Memorial
• Old Jewish Quarter
• Slovak National Gallery
• St Martin’s Cathedral
• Bratislava Forest Park
• UFO observatory

I was a guest of Viking River cruises. All opinions are my own.

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The post Bratislava – My New Favourite City In Eastern Europe appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.