(Editor’s note: This is Pt. 2 of our initial Christmas markets round-up. You can jump to Pt. 1 here.)
One cure for the dark of European winter blues is a nightly walk outside to take in the twinkling lights, sip on some hot chocolate or mulled wine, admire the beautifully decorated shop windows, and – naturally – stroll through the Christmas Markets and stands. Here is Dispatches Europe’s roundup of some of the best markets in Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland.
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.
Norway
Oslo
As a little kid I remember strolling through Oslo’s lively main street, Karl Johans gate, in the lead up to Christmas and looking in the shop windows. For me, it was enchanting: colorful little elves looking back at us, red mushrooms, reindeer made out of twisted hay and sparkling lights. It really lifted our spirits when it was bitterly cold outside and the days were so short.
Bundle up and check out two of Norway’s biggest Christmas markets in the Norwegian capital:
• The Winter Wonderland in Spikersuppa (close to the Royal Palace)
This is a seriously high-end market with lots of gifts including winter gear such as fur-lined boots and Norwegian sweaters as well as all the Christmas treats and drinks.
Dates: 9 November–31 December
• The Norsk Folkemuseum Christmas Fair
Dates: 30 November–1 December and 7–8 December.
This Christmas market includes more than 100 stalls around the museum offering Christmas gifts in traditional crafts, jewelry, traditional food, Christmas decorations, warming clothes and much more.
God jul!
Portugal
Lisbon
All of Lisbon’s Christmas markets are free to enter, and even if you can’t afford to shop, you’ll have concerts, workshops, and activities to enjoy.
Here are details courtesy of Monica Da Silva’s post about her four favorite Christmas Markets in Lisbon:
• Even though the Rossio Christmas market (8 November to 21 December) only has about 60 stalls, it tends to get extremely crowded at night because it is located in an area very popular with tourists. However, the square is quite big, and the stalls are well organized, so it is possible to walk around, but I’d recommend anyone to avoid visiting this market during the peak hours.
One of the highlights of the markets is for the little ones: There is a small Christmas train running and the children can take a ride around the square on it for free! Beside that, this market offers a wide variety of local and national products, and there are stalls of artists and artisans with jewelry, woodwork, soaps, clothes and more that you can choose from if you’re still looking for Christmas gifts.
• Wonderland Lisboa (30 November thru 1 January) s located in Parque Eduardo VII. One of the biggest Christmas markets in Lisbon, its location is super accessible. You can actually walk for 25 minutes from Rossio market to this one or take a bus or the subway for a 10-minute trip. Throughout the years, the highlight of this market has always been the enormous Ferris wheel with an amazing view over Lisbon and the river. There is a mix of national and international food and drinks: you can easily drink some mulled wine and then go for a ginja, a Portuguese liquor. This market also has a 19-meter-high Christmas tree and an ice rink.
• The Christmas Kingdom in Sintra
Going to Sintra from Wonderland Lisboa (1 December to 30 December) is very simple; you only need to take the subway and then a train to Sintra. It is not a short trip, though. It takes about one hour, but if you prefer, you could also go by car as there are several parking spots available whose locations you can find on Sintra’s website.
It is a very, very big market, so I’d recommend you check their map on their website and plan your route in advance. Once you’re there, get ready for the full Christmas market experience. There are tons of workshops, exhibitions, shows and concerts going on every day. There is also an ice rink and a small bus that takes children and adults around the streets for free on the weekends.
Feliz natal!
SPAIN
Barcelona
Come along with Dispatches’ Inka Piegsa-Quischotte and see three of her favorite markets. All of these markets are very centric, so depending on your time, you can visit them in one day or split them into several days. The scents that welcome you as you meander around the markets come from the Christmas trees that are sold there, cut or in posts, mistletoe sprigs, and baskets full of gilded pinecones hung on the Christmas tree as decorations.
Then there is the all-permeating aroma of churros con chocolate: deep-fried pastry served with a cup of hot chocolate and sprinkled with cinnamon or sometimes just with sugar.
• Inka recommends starting first with the oldest and most traditional, Fira de Santa Llúcia (Fair of Santa Lucia, 29 November to 23 December), which is located opposite the Barcelona Cathedral and gives the market an especially festive background with its lighted, majestic main entrance. If you wish, you can go to the cathedral first, and perhaps hear a concert, before strolling through the market.
• Then, check out the Fira Nadal de la Sagrada Familia (Fair of the Holy Family, 23 November thru 23 December) to see the Holy Family and go to see the Christmas market next to it.
• Lastly, enjoy the Fira de Reis (Fair of the Kings, 21 November thru 6 January), a Christmas fair popular because of its many stalls that sell handcrafted toys, decorations and books. Fira de Reis lasts longest, until 6 January, Three King’s Day, when kids in Spain receive their gifts.
As they say in Catalan, Bon nadal!
Switzerland
Geneva
Geneva’s Winter Wonderland of a Christmas Market, the Noël au Quai (21 November thru 24 December) is one of Dispatches’ Charlotte Laborie’s recommendations. The Quai du Mont-Blanc, nestled against the waters of Lake Geneva, is more than just a Christmas Market – it hosts kid-friendly delights including carousels and yurts. You will find a myriad of activities from crafting and Christmas decor creation to games, face painting, and story time; arts and crafts.
There are artisanal chalets with street food and hot drinks galore, such as a steaming pot of raclette or a cup of vin chaud (mulled wine). Or for something different, be sure to make a reservation at The grand Chalet serving up mouthwatering fondue in the heart of the market for 26 Swiss francs per person, which is actually not that bad for Geneva. They also have many other yummy things to eat besides fondu.
As they say in Geneva, Joyeux noël!
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See all of our Christmas market posts 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.
