Christmas markets in Europe
Open air markets are not just for the nice, warm weather of summer. Some of the best Christmas markets just happen to appear in Europe during the festive season.
Traveling Europe during Christmas time offers you a unique adventure into the world of traditional Christmas markets. Many of them are well known and they offer you a wide variety of items that range from modern knick knacks to handmade crafts and foods that you can’t find anywhere else. You never know what you will find at these Christmas markets, but you can be sure to find Santa Claus and rides at all of them.
German Christmas markets
German Christmas Markets really are the templates in which other markets across Europe and in the United Kingdom are based. These markets range in all sizes and carry goods that can be found nowhere else in the world. It is at these German Christmas markets that you can find handcrafted nutcrackers and Christmas decorations and gifts. You can also enjoy traditional sweets, hot spiced wine, and other great food, like Bratwurst, Potato Pancakes, Pfannekuchen (crepes), and Bratkartolffen (fried potatoes). Most of the German markets open around the 23rd or 25th of November and visitors should dress appropriately with winter coats, gloves, warm socks, boots or insulated shoes, scars, hats, and long underwear. And Santa will be on hand to give out cookies and gifts to the kids.
Christmas Markets in the warm Mediterranean sunshine of Italy
The markets in Italy are not as large in Italy as they are in Germany, but you will find these open air shops in every village and city throughout the country. No matter where you are travelling through Italy during the Christmas season, you will find a market. Some of the top markets are located in: Trentino-Alto Adige Region; Trento; Campo Santo Stefano in Venice; Treiste; Verona; Torino; Piazza Navona; Piazza Santa Croce; and Siracusa in Sicily.
Scandinavian markets
The area known collectively as Scandinavia includes the countries of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Switzerland. It is here that you can enjoy local crafts, food, drink, and more. Most of the markets open late November and go through December to about the 23rd of the month. The largest include but are not limited to: Gothenburg, Sweden; Stockholm, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark; Oslo, Norway; Lapland (Finland); and Helsinki, Finland. You could come home from your vacation with a new handmade clock or authentic chocolates that melt in your mouth and can only be found in this area of the world.