img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-8::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-8{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-9::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-9{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-10::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-10{display:block;}Christmas is right around the corner, but if shopping mall ice rinks and overpriced ski resorts in Colorado don’t exactly help you get in the festive spirit, there’s only one thing that will.
Picture ancient cobblestone-paved towns dusted with snow, a medieval belfry in the distance with resounding bells marking the hour, and an endless row of wooden stalls serving mulled wine and succulent sausages of all kinds:
Yep, good old Europe is where it’s at.
Maybe it’s the fact that it all started there, or maybe just the Old World allure of it all—we’ll never know for sure, but what we do know is that spending the holidays across the pond feels particularly magical in these 5 fairytale cities:
Dresden, Germany
Speaking of historic markets, how about you checked out Europe’s first ever ‘Weihnachtsmarkt’? That’s just another long, complicated German word meaning Christmas market, but we’re trying not to repeat ourselves here.
It’s located in Dresden, a beautiful city in southeastern Germany oftentimes referred to as the ‘Florence of the North’, and according to public records, this market first took place in 1434, making it nearly 600 years old.
It’s incredibly picturesque, set in the heart of Dresden’s Old Town Square, flanked by landmarks such as the Baroque Frauenkirche Church, the recently renovated Dresden Castle, and the stately Semperoper Opera House.
Beautiful setting aside, you can sample the original stollen, Germany’s famous fruit bread served during the holidays—originally baked in Dresden—and down a few pints of glühbier (hot beer) as you watch the little nutcrackers do their dance up the Christmas pyramid.
Tallinn, Estonia
Surprisingly quaint for a capital city, Tallinn is a picture-perfect harbor city on the shores of the Baltic Sea, still surrounded by imposing walls, erected all the way back in the Middle Ages, and with a festive atmosphere like no other.
Not only does it feel like being in a literal storybook scene, with the winding alleys, conical towers you could swear you saw in a Disney movie, and pointy church spires, the market by Tallinn’s Old Town Hall is one of the oldest on the continent.
As a matter of fact, the first public Christmas tree ever put up in Europe was right in this same square, back in 1441, under the orders of the Brotherhood of Blackheads. This year, the tree-lighting ceremony is expected to take place on November 21.
With medieval-themed stalls and traditional, hearty recipes passed down through generations of families across centuries, Tallinn’s market is as Christmassy as Europe gets—make sure you try the local blood sausage (verivorst), typically served with potatoes or sauerkraut.
Strasbourg, France
One of the most famous Christmas destinations in Europe, Strasbourg is the cultural heart of France’s heavily Germanic Alsace region, and an idyllic city centered around a monumental Gothic cathedral built in the Middle Ages.
There’s plenty about Strasbourg to keep the culture buff in you entertained regardless of season, from the canal-traversed Petite-France to the maze of half-timbered houses in the vicinity of the cathedral, but there’s no denying December is when it truly comes alive.
With around 13 different markets spread around the Historic Center, Strasbourg has rightfully earned its title of Europe’s Christmas capital, for the oldest and most traditional, head to Place Broglie, where the famous Christkindelsmärik has been held for 450 years.
The cheese-heavy bretzels (yes, with a b) and tartes flambées served there are truly off the charts. Other highlights include the market on Cathedral Square, and the one by Place Kléber, where there’s a huge, ornately-decorated pine tree.
Cologne, Germany
One of Europe’s largest, the food trucks and souvenir stalls of Cologne Christmas Market typically spring up in the shadow of a towering Cologne Cathedral, an aged, dark-stone medieval wonder that’s survived the World War II shelling largely unscathed.
It instantly provides that dramatic backdrop only European cities can, but the main reason why tourists flock here from all over the world starting from late November is the sheer size and scale of the two-month-long festivities.
Much like in Strasbourg, there are several markets to pick from, and since they’re all within short walking distance of one another, it almost feels as if the entire city has become one big Christmas village.
Hoping to try different draft beers and enjoy some live music? Domplatz, the closest one to the cathedral, is the place to be, and it turns into quite the party as soon as the local band strum the first guitar chords.
Now, if you’re craving some bratwurst and potato pancakes, Alter Markt has the best array of Christmas grub in town—just make sure you take out some cash beforehand, as several stalls don’t take credit cards.
Zagreb, Croatia
We’re sure you know Croatia for its sun-drenched Dalmatia Coast, and beach destinations like Split and Dubrovnik, but in case you weren’t aware, the seriously overlooked capital city of Zagreb puts on an unforgettable Advent.
Instead of the Mediterranean, this part of Croatia is culturally anchored in Central Europe, and it closely resembles nations like Austria and Hungary. Needless to say, they take their Christmas celebrations seriously:
The main one spreads across the central Ban Jelačić Square and into the cathedral-dominated Old Town, and somehow, it feels a lot more intimate and family-friendly than the sprawling French or German markets.
We’re talking ice skating rinks with views of historic buildings, most notably the one in King Tomislav Square, Ferris wheels, carousel rides, rows upon rows of street food stalls—ćevapi in winter just hit different—and even a Christmas train for children.
Vinicius CostaVini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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