When the holidays arrive, an incomparable atmosphere grips Europe, one that you can only experience by actually visiting the continent. This winter, I finally had the opportunity to live out my dream of experiencing a European holiday season and it did not disappoint.
I traveled through central Europe and visited several charming Christmas markets in Vienna, Krakow, and Budapest. I learned a few things along the way about the markets and European holiday traditions, and today I want to share them with you!
Here is everything you need to know before visiting Europe’s Christmas markets:
Not all markets are created equal
While all the Christmas markets across Europe give off that unique holiday magic vibe and many markets feature similar crafts, there are still differences between them. Some of them are massive and will take hours to walk through, while others are a lot smaller and feature only a couple of stalls. Some cities have more than one market; when I landed in Vienna, I was speaking with my car driver about the markets. When I asked how far the markets were from my hotel, he simply laughed and said: “you can walk in any direction from the hotel and be at a Christmas market in five minutes”. Make sure to give yourself enough time to check out the different markets in the city that you’re visiting!
Window shop first
Give yourself enough time to explore the markets so that you can do more than one lap through all the stalls. Like I said, some of these markets are HUGE and house hundreds of different vendors. My tactic was to do a “window shopping” lap when I first arrived at a new market to take everything in and see what different vendors we’re offering. Then, on my second lap around I started making some purchases. This way you’ll avoid impulsively purchasing something you don’t really love and get to take everything in twice!
Go at night
There is absolutely no question that Christmas markets are much better after dark than during the day. This is the time of day when the holiday lights can shine and you’ll appreciate that mulled wine a little bit more as the temperature drops.
Pack lightly
Make sure to pack lightly on your way to Europe so that you leave plenty of room for bringing back souvenirs! Trust me, even if you have no intention of buying anything, some of the crafts at these markets are so charming that you won’t be able to resist bringing back a gift for a loved one. Leave enough room in your suitcase to pack your holiday purchases and make sure you have clothing items to act as padding for anything breakable.
Don’t make dinner reservations
Instead, plan to eat at the markets for a more authentic European Christmas experience! There are tons of vendors at the Christmas markets making hot, fresh, and traditional food for a fairly inexpensive price. Think toasty flatbreads, hot smoked sausages, steaming chimney cakes, and fresh donuts.
Bring cash
As you’d probably expect, almost all vendors at the market are cash only. Be sure to bring enough cash of the right currency (remember, not all countries in Europe are on the Euro!).
Visit on weekdays
Europe is generally less busy in the winter season, but those who do visit are undoubtedly headed to the markets. Combine this with the locals heading to the markets on their days off and weekends can quickly become incredibly cramped. If you’re able to, I highly recommend visiting the markets during the week when the crowds will be smaller. You’ll have a better opportunity to experience everything when you’re not pushing your way through crowds.
Wear layers
You’re bound to get chilly after a few hours of exploring the Christmas markets, especially as the temperatures drop later in the day. This is European winter after all – be prepared for cold, snow, and sometimes rain. Make sure to layer up and dress appropriately so you can keep warm and enjoy the markets for even longer.
Try gluhwein
If layers aren’t keeping you warm, some traditional mulled wine definitely will! You can find this at pretty much every single market across Europe. The mulled wine is often served in a reusable, ceramic mug in which you leave a deposit for on your first drink and can either return it when you’re done to get your deposit back or take it home as a souvenir!
Have you been to the Christmas markets in Europe before?
Stay tuned for some more posts about the different markets across Europe and which ones I rank as my absolute favorite!
