Monday, November 28, 2016

Best Christmas Markets in Europe [Through My Lens Nr. 70]

There is something so charming about Christmas Markets, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. It’s hard not to get into a festive mood with hearty comforting food that warms your body and soul, the cheerful and lively atmosphere in the market squares, and the fairy tale surroundings (often majestic cathedrals or city halls serving as backdrops in a town that seems to have halted in time). For this weeks Through My Lens I will be sharing my personal favorites as well as some that are on my bucket list.

Best Christmas Markets in Europe

 

1. Strasbourg, France

The Christkindelsmärik was chosen as the “Best Christmas Market in Europe” two years in a row by European Best Destinations. It is currently the largest in Europe with about 300 stalls over 12 areas within the city. Enjoy the special Christmas concerts, bring children to the “Children’s Village” where you’ll find a circus and merry-go-round as well as traditional Alsatian-crafted decorations, and savor “bredele,” the traditional Alsatian Christmas biscuit. They come in different flavors but the ones with orange and cinnamon are particularly delicious.


2. Cologne, Germany

There are seven markets in the city of Cologne. The Alter Markt in front of the Old Town Hall is the most impressive and picture perfect, thanks to the majestic Cologne Cathedral in the background and the largest Christmas tree in Germany. Walk through the 160 stalls for traditional wooden decorations and then enjoy kartoffelpuffer (golden potato pancakes) served with applesauce, lebkuchen(gingerbread) andgluhwein. Children will be delighted with the merry-go-round, puppet theater and the legend of the famous Heinzelmännchen (the gnomes who created the Christmas splendor at this very place).


3. Brussels, Belgium

Brussels’ “Winter Wonders” is a hugely popular event every Christmas. The 21-meter high Christmas tree will be placed on Grand Palace — a Unesco Heritage Site — where you can enjoy a beautiful sound and light show every evening at 6 p.m. from November 27. The modern lights that move to lively music makes the old imposing buildings come alive in the dark. An ice skating rink is set up on the Place de la Monnaie and, this year has been expanded to 740 square meters, including the children’s area.


4. Coppenhagen, Denmark


The Christmas market in the world-famous Tivoli Gardens doesn’t have a long history but has a wow-factor that attracts a huge number of visitors. This year they added 30,000 new Christmas balls and created a spectacular light show with 16,000 bulbs. The traditional “Lucia Parade” consists of a hundred girls dressed as angels while the Tivoli Youth Guard Christmas Ensemble plays a variety of festive music. The little ones will be entertained with a variety of fun rides such as the Tyrolean Carousel and the Music Carousel.


5.Vienna, Austria

The Christmas markets in Vienna truly are an age-old tradition. The forerunners of the present-day events date back to the Middle Ages when in 1298 Albrecht I granted Vienna's citizens the privilege of holding a December Market or "Krippenmarkt". Since then, the character and prevalence of these markets has changed considerably. Nowadays, over 20 official Advent Markets sell a vast array of seasonal gifts and mouth-watering treats.


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34 comments:

  1. Ich habe Weihnachtsmärkte immer geliebt und bin früher in D. oft auf welche gefahren. Besonders schön ist wenn sie noch ursprünglich sind, nicht so ein Kommerz.

    Leider gibt es sie hier nicht in dieser Form, aber man kann ja nicht alles haben.

    Wünsche dir noch einen schönen Wochenstart und sende liebe GRüsse

    N☼va

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    Replies
    1. Ist bei mir genauso. Hier gibt es nicht so schöne Weihnachtsmärkte wie früher in Deutschland als ich dort gelebt habe. Deswegen muss ich um diese Zeit immer dort hinreisen :)

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  2. Amazing. Loved the post.
    Have a nice week ahead.

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  3. Mersad, I would love to be able to visit any of these Christmas markets!

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    Replies
    1. Yeah these are awesome. Maybe you'll get to one day. :)

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  4. Lieber Mersad,

    unser Plan für dieses Jahr ist,
    dass wir mal viele kleine, gemütliche und historische Weihnachtsmärkte besuchen wollen.

    Herzliche Grüße
    Julia

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    Replies
    1. Das ist ein sehr guter Plan! Die sind ja auch am besten!

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  5. Verzauberte Weihnachtsmärkte MIT Schnee und Glühweinduft...herrlich...wenn da nicht immer so ein Gedränge wäre...
    Danke für deine tollen Bericht!
    Und deine Bilder!!!
    Liebe Grüße, Gabi

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    Replies
    1. Ja man muss schon manchmal das besinnliche suchen, wenn es so viele Leute dort gibt. :D

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  6. A white Christmas is so beautiful, but not found anywhere in the southern hemisphere where I live. The markets all look so festive.

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    Replies
    1. Even here it gets hard to find them covered in snow. Maybe later in December :)

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  7. Oh your photographs make me feel all Christmassy Mersad.
    Wouldn't it be great to just be whisked away to each one... just like here on your blog. I've only managed to visit one so far.
    The snowy scene looks so festive.
    Thanks for hosting and I hope you have a great week ahead.

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  8. We have a Christmas market locally, but nothing like these. Your images are magical...thanks for sharing!

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  9. Wunderschöne Bilder.
    Das Bild bei Brüssel ist halt von München, der Marienplatz. ;-)
    Ich mag gerne durchbummeln, durch Weihnachtsmärkte, aber kaufen brauche ich meistens gar nichts. Vor paar Jahren waren wir auch in Wien zur Adventszeit und es hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
    Liebe Grüße

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wurde korriegiert, danke Dir. Wollte auch München reinstellen, hab aber die anderen ausgewählt, und sie sehen immer so gleich aus :D

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  10. Visiting the Christmas markets in Europe is in my bucket list.

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  11. Hello Mersad,
    great topic - Christmas Markets :-) I love them, too, and I have been to 3 of them: Brussels, Strasbourg and Cologne. In Cologne more often, as it is only half an hour drive from where I live. Always worth the visit!
    Have a good week and thanks for the linky.
    Moni

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  12. awesome markets, the outside is amazing and I can only imagine the inside. I don't think we have these here

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  13. Wow what a place and all the snow!!

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  14. Wonderful list! Wish I could visit them all.

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  15. Me too! That first one is so child-like perfect.

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  16. Wow - I don't think we have anything close to those here in the USA, but I could be wrong. Amazing night shots, as always, Mersad! Enjoy!

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  17. Beautiful Mersad! We have nothing to compare with this in the U.S. and your photos of what we are missing are spectacular!

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  18. It is wonderful to see the different markets tits in the five different countries. Many thanks for hosting and I hope you have a good week

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  19. I have always wanted to go to one of these. I have to say Strasbourg looks fantastic

    Mollyxxx

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  20. I have been to the Christmas markets in Strasbourg and Cologne, and both are indeed wonderful, as are those in Baden-Baden and Basel.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Germany has some great ones (Baden-Baden, Cologne, Berlin, Munich), Switzerland too.

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  21. Hi Mersad, I would love to visit any one of these Christmas markets. Maybe one day.

    Thank you for hosting.

    xx

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  22. How marvelous a trip to these markets would be!

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  23. I love Christmas markets! Our starts on 2 Dec (in Kolobrzeg, Poland).

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  24. Such beautiful markets and such beautiful photos indeed. I liked the Strasbourg one the most. It's just wow!

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  25. I was devastated to here about the Berlin Christmas market terror attack, and thought immediately of your joyous post telling us the joys of Europe's Christmas markets. I pray for a safe 2017 for all of us. Take care.

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  26. I must say this Christmas market is so amazing and beautiful! German Christmas markets are so so beautiful!I would love to visit one day! Have a wonderful Christmas and a great start to the New Year, Gabrielle! Germany Visa UK

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