The Voyages Guide Christmas Market

If you’ve ever been to one of Vienna’s coffee houses, you know the Austrian capital does ‘cosy’ incredibly well. In December, the smokey smell of roast chestnuts and baked potatoes wafts through City Hall Square’s Christkindlmarkt, and little kids will be particularly delighted by the Tree of Hearts, carousels and creative cookie and candle-making classes in Rathaus. Over at the gorgeously grand Schönbrunn Palace, a stylish market sells bespoke gifts and artisanal goods in the courtyard.

Set against the backdrop of Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Salzburg Christkindlmarkt is a celebration of Austrian elegance and holiday traditions. It is one of the oldest Advent markets, with its roots in the 15th century when the ‘Tandlmarkt’ was held on Cathedral Square. Today, local choirs perform the Adventssingen (traditional Advent songs), and classic Austrian sweets such as Maroni (roasted chestnuts) and Gebrannte Mandeln (candied almonds) are widely available. Make sure to try the local warm brew, jagertee, a winter drink made with rum, black tea and spices.

Zagreb’s Advent Market is one of the most popular Christmas markets in Europe, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and themed zones catering to different tastes. Stalls brim with ceramics, hand-printed textiles and unique handmade jewellery. Fritule, small deep-fried doughnuts, are a cherished sweet treat and a quintessential part of the Advent experience. Another beloved specialty is sarma – cabbage rolls filled with a mixture of minced meat and rice, simmered in a rich tomato sauce. For those seeking a warming beverage, a cup of kuhano vino, or mulled wine, is a must-try. Traditional Croatian music and dance troupes often take the stage, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Krakow’s Main Square, one of the largest mediaeval squares in Europe, is transformed each year into one of Europe’s finest Christmas markets. It’s known for its unique handmade decorations, many of which are created by local artisans, such as Polish pottery and ornate papercraft. Try traditional Polish food such as oscypek (smoked cheese) and kielbasa (sausage), as well as pierniki (gingerbread), makowiec (poppy seed cake), and sernik (cheesecake). You can also drink a cup of grzane piwo – a hot mulled beer seasoned with spices – and take part in the sharing of Opłatek, a holiday tradition where family and friends share the thin, unleavened wafer decorated with nativity scenes.

Prague’s picturesque Old Town Square Christmas market centres around a 24m spruce tree which is felled in the Liberec countryside before being embellished with red and gold shiny baubles, star decorations and 100,000 LED lights. The market opens from 10am, but we recommend arriving at sunset when the Church of Our Lady before Týn and the famous 15th-century astronomical clock light up the square. You’ll find all the usual stocking fillers here including handmade tree decorations alongside traditional pieces such as Czech blown glass. Warm up on bowls of fish soup, klobása (sausage served with bread and mustard), and, of course, palačinky – think a crepe-meets-pancake served savoury or sweet depending on your filling of choice. Grog (Czech’s take on a hot toddy), is made with rum, hot water, lemon and sugar, and is essential in the sub-zero temperatures.

Unlike some of Europe’s big-hitters, Tallinn’s Christmas market is an intimate event. What makes it extra special is the fresh snow, real icicles on the trees and flakes falling from the sky. Under a blanket of white, Town Hall Square is transformed with fairy-lit wooden huts selling glögi (a fruitier version of gluhwein), Nordic knitwear, baubles, crackers and trinkets. Since it’s not overly touristy, you’ll find locals unwinding after work and doing their own Christmas shopping here, too.

There were rumours that one of Europe’s best Christmas markets would be cancelled last year, but a last-minute change in organiser put it back on the festive calendar, much to the delight of those hankering after a Hungarian honey cookie and a bread bowl of steaming gulyas (you’ll need it – temperatures can drop to minus numbers). There are arts and crafts materials to purchase, including hand-printed wrapping paper and scented candles; a 3D light show projected onto the facade of St Stephen’s Basilica, and an impressive array of live music such as folk, blues, jazz and soul.