The Top 5 Christmas markets in Europe!

With 2 months to December, we’re certain everyone is already experiencing that sweet tingle of merriment and love as they think of the most joyful time of the year.

Productivity is at an all-time low, celebrations are at an all-time high and somewhere in between, everyone just wants to make memories and bookmark the year gone by.

The magic of Christmas lies in the tiny details: the lilting sound of Christmas carols, the delicious smell of freshly baked cakes, fairy lights in the cold winter nights and thoughtful presents and wishes that warm the cockles of your heart.

We’ve all experienced these telltale signs of Christmas in India, year after year. But have you ever spent a Christmas in Europe? Have you ever shopped at idyllic markets, walked down quaint streets lit up with love and light, stood under giant Christmas trees in historic city squares, eaten scrumptious feasts with a cup of mulled wine and danced to carols with a bunch of strangers? If you have, you’ll agree it’s the most magical experience you’ve had in your life. If you haven’t, here’s the inspiration you’re waiting for!

Christmas in Europe is an experience straight out of a fairy tale. The magnificent Christmas markets across the continent bring alive the romance of the holiday- the fragrance of roasted sausages and gingerbread waft their way through the cold air, intricate handmade ornaments adorn fir trees, artisans showcase their crafts in wooden stalls and bright eyed shoppers bustle about, sipping on glühwein – spiced wine which is symbolic of any authentic Christmas market.

Now that we've given you a vision of what Christmas is like in Europe, without further ado, here’s our pick of the top 5 Christmas markets in Europe!

1. Berlin could easily be called the capital of Christmas Markets, with over 50 of them across the city every year. Kaiser Wilhelm is the most popular one with over 2 million visitors! Visit the city and market hop for experiences vividly unique from each other.

2. Christkindlmarkt in Salzburg is the oldest Christmas market, and as the birthplace of Mozart, offers a cherished holiday experience with cozy enclosures and stunning musical performances in the city square.

3. Vienna makes it to our top 5 for its Schönbrunn Palace Market. With a backdrop of imperial splendour, the widest variety of gifts and handmade craftsmanship and live jazz concerts, this market is a magnum opus you cannot miss!

4. Prague’s Christmas markets are more about the unusual local food and drink than they are about the gifts and decorations. Visitors seek honey liquor (traditional Czech beverage) with carp (a special Christmas dish made with freshwater fish)

5. Copenhagen is famous for its authentic and non-commercial markets. Replete with snow, an ice rink, rollercoasters, theme park rides and pixies, the Tivoli market is for those who have more than shopping on their agenda.

So gift yourself a Yuletide season in Europe to soak in the magic of snow-filled markets and lit up city squares for an experience of a lifetime.

The Backpacker Co takes you to Berlin, Prague and Vienna this Christmas, 
from 19^th-26^th December! Click here for further details

We’ll be back next week with another exciting travel escapade. Until then, happy planning!