Christmas markets

[Moonshine86]

Where to go?

I would like to arrange a trip this year to visit a Christmas market. I am thinking about taking my mum and Nan.

I have already been to Brussels so would like to try somewhere new.

Can anybody recommend somewhere that they have first hand experienced a real Christmas atmosphere? Something beautiful.

Many thanks in advance.

[Kat160417]

Edinburgh! We went last year and was gorgeous! Loads there and it was just so lovely

[Moonshine86]

Thank you!

Were the markets based in the city? I would be looking to stay dry near to the markets to accommodate for my Nan.

X

[Kat160417]

Yeah they are right in the centre of Princes Street (main street in the city - not sure if you've been before).

The are loads of hotels along Princes Street and loads of Princes Street down the little side roads

[Moonshine86]

That's great. I hadn't thought of Edinburgh.

I will have a look on Expedia.

Thank you.

[Rosehyd2]

I'd recommend Prague, right in the centre too so easily accessible. But lots of cobblestones. And it'll be freezing.

[AndNoneForGretchenWieners]

My favourites are Cologne and Dusseldorf.

[Birdsgottafly]

The Markets are in the Princess street gardens and another part a short walk away.

I went with my Adult Daughter, it's a lovely city.

There are plenty of apartments and hotels located centrally.

You can walk around Edinburgh easily and they've got a hop-on-hop-off bus.

I love Christmas Markets, Birmingham was rubbish last year.

[Birdsgottafly]

If you want abroad. I know people who've done Strasbourg and its supposed to be Magical. I want to go to it next year.

[Spam88]

Prague has a lovely feel (and yes, bloody freezing) but I didn't think the market was that great and wasn't particularly big so I probably wouldn't opt for that if the market is your main focus. The Vienna markets are supposed to be great but I haven't been.

[ErnesttheBavarian]

Munich! There are loads of different ones, with a different feel to them. And they are all magical. you could come for the weekend and visit loads. Weather nicer than Strasbourg too!

[Dazzalm]

We went to Salzburg a couple of years ago and it was amazing! Markets in every square (and there are lots!) but the old town is pretty compact and flat. Loads of other stuff to see too, like Mozart's house, museum of modern art, a fortress accessed by funicular railway if you don't fancy the walk up (with more markets in its courtyard), Sound of Music bits if that's your thing.
Outside of Salzburg you can get the bus and a cable car up a mountain (although might be a bit snowy / slippery for your nan) or a bus to Salzkammergut which is a beautiful 'lake district' again with Christmas markets in every village. We got the bus to the far end (Strobl) then a boat from there to another village, and another boat to the next village and got the bus back to Salzburg from there. It was amazing!
We went the weekend before Christmas expecting it to be freezing but it was actually unseasonably warm - double figures at least!

[Dazzalm]

Sorry, my phone ate my paragraphs!

[Moonshine86]

Wow, thanks for all of your responses! I shall look into each recommendation!

Excited now.

X

[RuggerHug]

Another vote for Edinburgh, went a few years ago with DM and it was amazing. If you're wanting to go further then Krakow was brilliant as well. Was going to suggest Brussels as another but I see you've ticked there off already!

[Moonshine86]

Thank you. I have made a few enquiries about Edinburgh! Kraków was somewhere I had considered. What are the markets like there? Are there lots of stalls? I'd like to go somewhere with a rather large Christmas market 😀

[dementedma]

Edinburgh market is very very crowded and has had pretty much the same stuff for the last few years. The city itself is great and worth a visit but I'm not overly impressed by the market and gave it a miss last year, even though I live fairly close by. We are going to Brussels this year instead and booked an air B&B apartment within walking distance - £130 for two nights for three of us. You will be lucky to get one hotel room for one night for that in Edinburgh.
Krakow is a beautiful city and easy to get around. Again, we have stayed there Air B&B for next to nothing. Krakow has fabulous amber jewellery and the market is bigger than Edinburgh

[kizzywizz]

A christmas markets cruise is lovely. My sil and I go every year, just us. This year its 4 nights, visiting Amsterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg, we take a trip at each to a christmas market. We laugh from the minute we get aboard until the minute we get off and have a fabulous time. Im already excited and we dont go till dec 14th .

[Moonshine86]

Update, I've just booked Warsaw 2 night break in December! I would like to visit Edinburgh next year! Saw a deal for Poland and went for it. Very excited.

[JaneEyre70]

Was going to say we found Prague very disappointing.....so glad you've booked somewhere else . Have a fab time.