It’s that time of year again, when the days are getting shorter and colder, especially the farther north you go, and your thoughts might be turning to the Christmas season, shopping and what you can do outside to keep your spirits up as winter settles in. If that’s the case, here’s Dispatches’ roundup of some of the best Christmas markets in Austria, Croatia, Denmark and Germany.
The markets, traditionally held during the four weeks leading up to Christmas, now tend to start in mid-November and extend into the New Year. I’ve listed our favorites in alphabetical order by country and then by city.
Click on the links to find out more.
Austria
Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna:
Austria is full of Christmas markets, from Innsbruck and Salzburg in the west to Vienna and the environs in the east. For Innsbruck and Salzburg, two of my top picks are the Innsbruck Christmas Market in The Old Town and the Salzburg Christmas Market on Domplatz and Residenzplatz.
Vienna, the capital, is resplendent with markets, from the city center to the Summer Palace in the outskirts.
Some of our favorites in Vienna are:
•Stephansplatz, in the area surrounding St. Stephan’s church, 8 Nov – 26 Dec
• Spittelberg, in a charming section of the city, 16 Nov to 23 Dec
• the Museums Quartier, in the famous museum district, 14 Nov – 23 Dec
• Maria Theresien Platz in a large public square, 13 Nov to 31 Dec
• and the two palaces, the first at Michaelerplatz, next to the Hofburg Palace complex, and the second, in the outskirts, at Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, the summer palace from Austria’s days of empire. The Michaelerplatz dates are to be announced, and the Schönbrunn Palace market is open from 8 Nov thru 6 Jan.
Croatia
Zagreb: For our recommendations on Croatia, Dispatches Writer Lauren Simmons extols the virtues of the Zagreb Christmas Market, called Advent Zagreb: Start with the food – kobasice (sausages), roasted chestnuts, fritule (Croatian dough balls for dessert); enjoy the drink – kuhano vino (mulled wine) or a few shots of Croatia’s rakija (brandy); and continue with ice skating at the beautiful ice rink at King Tomislav Square.
The capital of Croatia, with all of its lights and historic sights, is like a fairytale winter wonderland and Advent Zagreb is consistently voted the one of the best Christmas market in Europe.
Advent in Zagreb runs from 30 Nov to 7 Jan
Denmark
Copenhagen:
When I was a kid, my parents took my brother and me to Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens, a fascinating place and Europe’s oldest theme park, which hosts the Danish capital’s most famous Christmas market, Tivoli’s Christmas market. Tivoli is one for the five senses: Christmas lights, trees and decorations; about 50 stalls for shopping; the scent of Klejner (Danish cookies) and cinnamon; the sounds of carousels and other attractions; snow on the rooftops as well as smoke wafting from the chimneys; all of which make for a wonderful destination.
This year, you can visit Father Christmas from 15 Nov, when the tree is lit, to 23 Dec, and the festivities continue until Jan 5. See more details here on Tivoli and other Christmas Markets in Copenhagen, including those for free.
Germany
There are literally hundreds of Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas Markets) in Germany to lift your mood in the dark of winter. Here are nine of our favorites around the land in Berlin, Cologne, Mainz and Rüdesheim.
Berlin
The German Capital is filled with Christmas Markets, with almost 70 in operation. Dispatches Europe’s Chris Loar highlights two of his favorites: the Christmas Market at the Humboldt Forum, located on the
Musee Insel (Museum Island), which has many excellent attractions to check out. It is also very kid-friendly with rides, including a gorgeous historical carousel. At the Feuerzangenbowle Markt, you can watch a historic movie, have some unique, adult punch and hang out around the square surrounding St. Nicholas Church.
Consult the City of Berlin’s website for all the dates and times, which are too numerous to list here.
Cologne
Dispatches’ Monica Da Silva highlights her five favorites in Köln (Cologne), with something for everyone’s tastes. From huge markets that take up the most emblematic spots in the city to smaller ones focused on sustainability, you can decide which ones to visit or, even better, create a plan to visit them all!
• The Angel’s Christmas Market at Neumarkt
18 Nov thru 23 Dec
In this market, you will find delicious local and international dishes and snacks such as sausages, churros, waffles, croquettes, burgers, hot dogs and fries.
“The Market of Angels presents itself as an enchanting Christmas wonderland. Countless glowing stars and fairy lights in the trees create a special atmosphere. Wide alleys invite you to stroll and linger between the elaborately designed houses, and from time to time, illuminated mythical creatures on stilts and magical angels can be seen.” – The official tourism website.
24 Nov to 5 Jan
This is really two markets in one. “Located in the heart of Cologne’s old town, spread over the Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares, the cosy Heinzels Winter Fairytale focuses on the legend of Cologne’s brownies (friendly household spirits called “Heinzelmännchen”).
In addition to various themed alleys and presentations by skilled craftsmen from all over Europe, the spectacular ice rink on the Heumarkt is a highlight of this Christmas market.
18 Nov to 23 Dec
Come on down to Santa’s House! At Rudolfplatz, between Neumarkt and the trendy Belgian Quarter, the Nikolausdorf is in front of the historic Hahnen City Gate. There’s a stage program, hot drinks served in a Nicholas boot mug and, of course, Christmas magic.
15 Nov to 23 Dec.
The Harbour Christmas Market has become one of the most visited by locals and tourists because of the
breathtaking view that surrounds it. The Rhine River defines the city and this market is held on the grounds of the Lindt Chocolate Museum, where you will have a river view. Although it is one of the smallest markets, there are plenty of options to eat, drink, shop and watch. Nonetheless, the main attraction remains the huge Ferris wheel with the most amazing view over Cologne.
• Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market
18 Nov thru 23 Dec.
With its privileged location right in front of Cologne’s defining landmark, this is the biggest and most popular Christmas market in the city and in Germany overall. It includes more than 100 stalls and receives around four million visitors every year.
Here you will find the widest variety of national and international dishes, crafts, soaps, toys and gifts. One of the requirements for vendors to participate in this market is that their products must be
fairly traded, so you can be sure to support sustainable businesses when buying from them.
Mainz
Nov 28 to Dec 23
In Mainz, a university town, you will find the Mainzer Weihnachtmarkt (Mainz Christmas Market), which is centered in front of majestic St. Martin’s Cathedral and is bathed in a sea of festive lights. The Christmas stands spread out in all directions, and there’s also a carousel for kids, an opera house and statues to admire. This market is fun for all ages and is very relaxing to walk around because of its very large
pedestrian zone. Many types of glühwein (mulled wine) or heiße schokolade (hot chocolate) and delicious eats will keep you warm.
It is an easy train ride from Frankfurt to Mainz, and then a quick walk to the market once you arrive.
Rüdesheim
21 Nov thru 23 Dec
Not too far away, in Rüdesheim am Rhein, you can find the Rüdesheimer Weihnachtmarkt der Nationen, the Christmas Market of Nations, which showcases the distinctive wares and specialties of 17 countries on six continents. Stroll up and down the captivating cobblestone streets of the old quarter. Rüdesheim is a delightful village on the Rhine about an hour west of Frankfurt. It is also a major summer tourist destination.
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See all our Christmas Market posts from across Europe here in Dispatches’ archives.
Mary Porcella is a Europhile who has lived in Germany, Norway, Italy, and the U.S. She is a writer, editor, and photographer. She loves seeing new places, returning to old haunts, and meeting up with family and friends. As of today, her travels have taken her to 20 European countries, and she hopes to visit the rest.
