EUROPE'S BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS
The festive season in Europe is unlike any other in the globe. Get into the Christmas spirit with a winter adventure and explore enchanting Christmas markets. Pick up glistening gifts, wander around food stands, sip on warming drinks and soak up the heart-warming atmosphere. Here are 5 of Europe's top Christmas markets.
Cologne Christmas Market, Germany
Cologne Christmas Market
With 6 interconnected markets across the city centre, Cologne may boast the largest Christmas market of all. The market in front of the Cologne Cathedral is given the same grandeur as the city's most famous monument. There's also one of the region's largest Christmas trees (although the largest Christmas tree in Germany is at Dortmund). It's illuminated by 50,000 LED lights. Children can also be seen riding a carousel in the heart of the excitement.
Trento Christmas Market, Italy
Trento's streets are lit up with Christmas lights starting in mid-November, and there are magnificent wooden huts in two locations in the old town (Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti). Trento's Christmas market, which fascinates with its local products, is approaching.
A tour around the stalls will reveal local handcraft, gift ideas, and Christmas decorations, as well as Trentino specialities and unique activities, which have earned Trento the title of "Christmas Town" (Città del Natale).
Trento's Christmas market, the capital of Trentino, is not only a Christmas market characterised by craftsmanship, traditions, and a unique ambiance, but it is also a "green market": sustainability is prioritised, and negative environmental impact is minimised as much as possible.
Tuomaan Markkinat, Helsinki
Around 100 carefully selected artists, crafters, and small businesses, as well as 11 cafes and other food outlets, will be present at Helsinki's famous outdoor Christmas market. The Christmas market will be open until the 22nd of December, giving visitors over a month to peruse the large selection of high-quality Finnish crafts, gifts, and cuisines available.
Small, local producers devoted to sustainable methods are among the vendors at the Helsinki Christmas Market. Delicious seafood, jellies, mustards, and other seasonal delicacies will be available for purchase. Gift-givers will be spoiled with choice, with handcrafted sweets, jewellery, and natural cosmetics, as well as woolly socks, hats, and other warm and snug products, all available.
Brussels Winter Wonders, Belgium
Photo by Bambi_Ringo
In the heart of Brussels, from November 29th to January 5th. The Winter Wonders event is held in Brussels' Grand-Place and city centre before and throughout the Christmas season. Winter Wonders features a Christmas market with more than 200 chalets, fairground rides (Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds, etc.), an ice skating rink, a sizable Christmas tree (Grand-Place), a sound and light show (Grand-Place), cultural events, and an external website called Winter Pop at different parts of Brussels.