While you may think of Europe as a summertime destination, there are plenty of reasons to visit during the winter months, too.
For South African travellers, a trip to Europe in winter also means the novelty of a cold festive season. Besides being able to go skiing or snowboarding, you’ll also enjoy mulled wine, festive lights and roaring fires as you get into the Christmas spirit.
Without a doubt, one of the biggest highlights in Europe at this time of year is the Christmas markets. Held in November and December each year, here are six European Christmas markets you don’t want to miss:
Erfurt’s medieval market - Germany
Erfurt is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval city centres, making it the perfect setting for the quintessential Christmas market experience.
Snack on schnitzel and gingerbread and sip egg punch as you browse the stalls selling everything from handcrafted Christmas decorations to pottery to traditional blue-dyed fabrics.
The market takes place against the backdrop of St Mary’s Cathedral and St Severus Church, and the beautifully lit boutiques and galleries on the Krämerbrücke (Merchants’ Bridge) make shopping hard to resist.
Munich’s Christmas market - Germany
One of Europe’s oldest and most traditional Christmas markets, the Christkindlmarkt is held in Marienplatz Square in front of Munich Town Hall in the heart of the city.
It’s thought that the market first dates back to the 14th century, so it’s rich in tradition.
Browse the stalls selling ornaments, nutcrackers, gingerbread and warm drinks while taking in the twinkling lights, the giant Christmas tree and Christmas carol singers and musicians who entertain the crowds daily.
Christkindlmarkt - Vienna, Austria
Enjoy gingerbread and Glühwein as you wind through the wooden stalls filled with handcrafted toys, gifts and traditional food in Austria’s Christkindlmarkt in front of Vienna’s Rathaus City Hall.
The surrounding Rathauspark is also worth visiting for its tree of glowing hearts and a giant Advent wreath – and get your skates on for the park’s winding ice skating trails and ice skating rink.
Franziskanerplatz Christmas Market - Lucerne, Switzerland
Embrace Christmas in the Swiss Alps at Lucerne’s oldest Christmas market, held at the historic Franziskanerplatz square in the heart of the city’s Old Town.
A small village of wooden cottages adorned with Christmas lights is built each year, while the fountain in the centre of the square is decorated with candles, lights and fir branches to form a giant Advent wreath.
Ljubljana Markets - Ljubljana, Slovenia
The Baroque elegance of Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital, is on full display at the annual Ljubljana Festive Fair. Sip a glass of kuhano vino (mulled wine) as you stroll along the banks of the Ljubljanica River, where wooden stalls decorated with Christmas lights have the Ljubljana Castle, city hall and St Nicholas Cathedral as their backdrop.
The Triple Bridge dotted with cafés and restaurants is also the perfect place to rest and recharge when you finish shopping.
Strasbourg Christmas Market - France
Across the Rhine River from Germany into France’s Alsace Region, the city of Strasbourg sits between the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains.
The city considers itself to be the ‘Capital of Christmas’: the Strasbourg Christmas Market is the oldest and one of the largest in France, dating back to 1570.
The market consists of over 300 wooden chalets spread out around Cathedral Square and Place Broglie, and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to home-made ornaments, toys, food and warm drinks.
Though it may be hard to choose just one of these markets, there is an option to visit more. Consider embarking on a guided tour that covers several destinations in one trip.
For example, Trafalgar’s Christmas market tour of Austria, Germany and Switzerland takes you to markets in four countries and eight cities over eight days, while Insight Tours also offers a range of different Christmas Market tours ranging from eight to 13 days in places like Austria, Slovakia, Germany and Switzerland.
So whether you want to buy beautiful home-made gifts for your friends and family back home or simply soak up the festive atmosphere, European Christmas markets are the perfect way to experience the winter festive season.