I’ve simply returned from an unimaginable week spent hopping round Europe visiting Christmas markets! On this journey I began in Manchester after which went to Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. The entire journey was really easy, inexpensive, completely magical and easy to do in 4 days.
I can’t suggest this European Christmas market tour itinerary sufficient and, in case you’ve received longer, then I’ve included some additional stops you possibly can add on.
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Do you have to be part of a European Christmas market tour or do it your self?
If the aim of your European Christmas market vacation is to satisfy different folks and have enjoyable in a gaggle, then I’d suggest taking an organised tour.
In case you’re completely happy to do it and not using a tour group then I’d wish to reassure you that this can be a very simple itinerary to observe, all of the connections had been quite simple and it’s less expensive or extra versatile compared to doing it as a part of a gaggle tour.
Right here’s in every single place I visited and I’ve included an itinerary for the Christmas market tour under to indicate you ways we logistically received round…
UK – Manchester Christmas Market
Greatest for: In case you don’t wish to go away the UK + early to open
What to purchase/eat: These delicate ornaments you wouldn’t wish to purchase and journey house with (go away them in your automobile within the UK!)
What else to do: Christmas gentle path
The place to remain: Manchester Airport Crown Plaza
I’m going to suggest staying at a Manchester Airport resort since you’ll be flying to Budapest the following day. In case you’re driving, search for a package deal that features your resort and parking as a result of you possibly can usually get wonderful offers.
For my readers within the UK, you possibly can’t beat Manchester’s Christmas markets. Some could say London’s are the perfect however I want Manchester.
There are stated to be over 200 market stalls at Manchester’s Christmas markets they usually start opening on November eighth so it’s an early begin to the season up north! The markets are unfold throughout 9 areas across the metropolis together with King Avenue West, St Ann’s Sq., Trade Avenue, New Cathedral Avenue, Trade Sq., Corn Trade, Cathedral Gardens, Market Avenue and Piccadilly Gardens. Not solely that however there’s an unimaginable Christmas gentle path, an ice rink and a Christmas parade on Sunday eighth December.
Getting from Manchester to Budapest
We flew from Manchester to Budapest with Ryanair.
Hungary – Budapest Christmas Market
Greatest for: Nightlife
What to purchase/eat: Langos
What else to do: Go to the wreck bars
The place to remain: ibis Budapest Citadel Hill
Budapest has a lot of Christmas markets and town is gorgeous with all of the twinkly lights. However the actual attract Budapest is the good nightlife. When you’ve had your night on the Christmas markets, head to one of many metropolis’s well-known wreck bars. A wreck bar is mainly a bar in an deserted constructing. Lots of them aren’t truly deserted anymore however they nonetheless have that vibe. They’re darkish and dingy with a lot of graffiti they usually’re a maze of various rooms and corridors. Szimpla Bar is essentially the most well-known for vacationers and also you’ll get that wreck bar vibe with none hazard!
Earlier than you head to the bars I extremely suggest attempting the Langos on the Christmas markets. Langos is a Hungarian flat bread. It’s deep fried and it’s oh so scrumptious. It’s conventional to have it with bitter cream and cheese on high however it’s also possible to get it full of stew and different yummy issues. I beloved it a lot I even had a Langos burger. One was a minted lamb burger with thinly sliced apple inside langos bread. Wow. What a recreation changer. It was so good.
When you’re in Budapest, be sure to head to one of many many thermal baths. We went to Széchenyi Tub and it was beautiful. Additionally head as much as Fisherman’s Bastion and the Citadel for unimaginable views over town.
Getting from Budapest to Bratislava
We took a bus from Budapest to Bratislava. It took about 2.5 hours and was very low-cost, handy and nice. I booked prematurely by way of Omio.
Slovakia – Bratislava Christmas Market
Greatest for: Quaint allure
What to purchase/eat: Loksa
What else to do: Go to different international locations too!
The place to remain: ibis Bratislava Centrum
Bratislava was my favorite European Christmas market as a result of it’s simply so charming and quaint. Bratislava is a small metropolis so it didn’t really feel overwhelming after we had been quick on time. It was so fairly and I like the distinction between this small, quaint metropolis and the others we visited in the course of the Christmas market tour. The markets are scattered throughout town with the largest being subsequent to the Previous City Corridor. You may pay to go as much as the tower and examine town and the attractive markets under. I extremely suggest going up simply earlier than sundown for the perfect views.
Getting from Bratislava to Vienna
We took a bus from Bratislava to Vienna. It took about 1.5 hours and was very low-cost, handy and nice. I booked prematurely by way of Omio.
Austria – Vienna Christmas Market
Greatest for: Epic backdrops
What to purchase/eat: Mugs filled with punch
What else to do: Admire town
The place to remain: Moxy Vienna Airport Lodge
We stayed at this airport resort as a result of we had a flight house the next day.
Vienna’s Christmas markets are the largest and most spectacular I’ve ever seen. Town simply goes on and on and on and there appears to be a cluster of market stalls subsequent to each well-known constructing.
There’s just one factor you really want to do in Vienna and that’s admire the unimaginable metropolis. These grand and imposing white buildings are merely spectacular.
Vienna is often very chilly so wrap up and heat and keep toasty with steaming mugs of punch, both alcoholic or non alcoholic, the selection is yours. Vienna is pricey however you possibly can decide up a punch and a really cute mug for 10 euros. You may select to take the mug house as a memento or hand it again and get your 5 euro deposit again. Personally, I wish to take it house as a memento to drink sizzling goodies from and keep in mind my journey to Vienna!
We completed our journey in Vienna and, actually, we had been Christmas market’ed out by this level and we had been able to go house! Whereas I did take pleasure in Vienna, it felt a lot greater and extra commercialised than Bratislava so I did not take pleasure in it fairly as a lot.
However in case you have the time and power and wished to go additional then right here’s an extended itinerary possibility. That is positively one thing I might think about doing subsequent 12 months to proceed the epic European Christmas market tour!
Getting from Vienna to Prague
You may take a practice from Vienna to Prague. It takes about 4.5 hours and could be very inexpensive!
Czech Republic – Prague Christmas markets
Greatest Christmas market in Europe for: fairytale allure
What to purchase/eat: trdelník, a candy, spiral-shaped pastry coated in sugar and cinnamon.
What else to do in Prague: Stroll throughout the Charles Bridge for breathtaking views of town, go to the majestic Prague Citadel, or discover the long-lasting Astronomical Clock within the Previous City Sq.. Take a ship cruise alongside the Vltava River.
Prague is famend for its magical Christmas markets, which mix a fairy-tale setting with genuine Czech allure. The Previous City Sq. market, with its beautiful Gothic and Baroque structure as a backdrop, is especially enchanting. The glowing Christmas tree, illuminated by 1000’s of lights, creates an unforgettable festive ambiance. Smaller markets in Wenceslas Sq. and Prague Citadel add selection, making town a high vacation spot for vacation cheer.
Getting from Prague to Berlin
You may take the practice from Prague to Berlin and it takes 4 hours quarter-hour
Germany – Berlin Christmas Markets
Greatest for: Industrial stylish Christmas markets
What to purchase/eat: Spiced Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Stollen, a wealthy, fruit-filled Christmas bread
What else to do: Go to the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag constructing. Discover Museum Island, the place world-class museums showcase the whole lot from historic artwork to trendy historical past. Stroll by way of the snow-dusted Tiergarten Park or take a ship journey alongside the Spree River.
Berlin is a dynamic metropolis with so many distinctive Christmas markets. The Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market is among the hottest, celebrated for its elegant setting surrounded by historic structure and a large Christmas tree. The Winterwelt at Potsdamer Platz affords a wintry paradise with ice skating and sledding, whereas the Kulturbrauerei Market combines festive cheer with a contact of historical past.
Berlin to Cologne
You may take the practice from Berlin to Cologne and it takes 4 hours 44
Germany – Cologne Christmas Markets
Greatest for: The largest European Christmas market
What to purchase/eat: Bratwurst!
What else to do: Go to the Koln Triangle
Everyone knows the Germans do Christmas markets greatest and Cologne is the largest and greatest of all of them. It’s additionally one of many earliest to open so if you wish to get into the Christmas spirit ASAP then Cologne is the place to go.
There are 7 markets throughout town so that you’re going to want a night or two to understand all of them! The Cathedral Christmas Market is essentially the most well-known because of the unimaginable backdrop of Cologne’s iconic Gothic cathedral. There are over 150 wood stalls promoting handcrafted items, ornaments, and seasonal delicacies. The Alter Markt within the Previous City has an enthralling and old school really feel with a conventional carousel, puppet theaters, and child-friendly actions for a family-friendly and nostalgic really feel.
When you’re in Cologne, be sure to go up the Koln Triangle. It’s a tower with an statement platform at 300m excessive! It’s stunning to go up at sundown for an unimaginable view over town. I’ve received a full weblog publish about tips on how to spend 48 hours in Cologne.
