Christmas Markets

[Magnalux]

Hey all, I’d really love to take the family to the Christmas markets in Europe, there’s so many! Has anyone recommendations? Ideally I’d love ones with the outdoor ice skating rink. Thanks

We have been to a few and it’s mostly all the same stuff at the whether it be Edinburgh, Krakow, Berlin. Very overpriced but so nice to do at Christmas- it’s the journey rather than the purchases iyswim? If you want Europe quite honestly I would go wherever there are other things you would like to see whilst you’re away. Wherever you go it will be fab!

ok thanks for that, I’ll be guided by cheapest flight and hotel prices then if they’re all the same!

This thread just came up a couple of days ago
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/holidays/5052354-best-german-christmas-market?page=1

I would always go for a city which short transfer if you only go for 2-3 days and always for something you can out apart from the markets.

I haven’t been yet but heard Copenhagen is super beautiful. Personally I liked Vienna.

Edinburgh's is spectacular but painfully extortionate.

We have been to Krakow, Berlin & Prague all at Xmas time. I thought the Berlin markets were the best but it was the city I liked least in general! Krakow is great for other things to do outside of just visiting the markets and for that reason I would recommend it if I had to pick.

We had a really good time in Prague. What ever you do, don’t go to Riga. It’s like going back in time to the Soviet Union.

Cologne is our favourite Christmas market destination: better than Prague or Krakow as there are about 5 different markets around the city centre...each one has its own distinct personality, and one of them has a beautiful ice rink.

Valetta in Malta.

The underground caves at valkenburg are spectacular and nothing like other Christmas markets. Having been to probably twenty, this is the only one I recommend and the only one I'll return too.

Went to Prague last December - tbh the markets in the old town were so crowded! But there’s loads to do there otherwise and the atmosphere was nice and Christmas-y. Easy to get in to the centre from the airport. We had a lovely time.

I haven't been to a Christmas market where they aren't crowded.

I lived near Nürnberg for years and we never went on weekends apart from once, only during the week, it was mayhem.

Thanks everyone, I’ve had a busy day googling! The cheapest flights I find are for Brussels, so hopefully their Christmas markets are good! Cologne and Vienna look amazing though

Will the Christmas markets be open on Boxing Day in Europe or the few days after 25th? Looking for a European trip just after Christmas.

Antwerp is lovely and easy to get to from
brussels

Bruges is classic and has an ice rink in the centre.

Most close on the 23rd I think

We have flown into Brussels before and went to Bruges, it was gorgeous. This year we are again flying to Brussels, staying one night and then two nights in Ghent which I hear is spectacular. Went to Prague last year and it was just okay but not as good as Prague in summer, it was rainy rather than snowy in December which disappointed me 😂

The Brussels markets are good and spread over several squares. Lots of food, ice rink and big wheel. The Bruges market is a bit rubbish but it's still a beautiful town to stroll round. My favourite Belgian market is Ghent. Not so big, but very pretty. Antwerp also nice.

Other lovely ones - Cologne as already mentioned, though it gets HEAVING - I would not go on the weekend. Aachen, Monschau, Maastricht. The market in Lille is not massive, but there is also a big wheel and the shops are beautifully decorated, so it feels very Xmassy. On my list for this year is Arras - which is supposed to be the biggest market in northern France.

thanks Everyone, booked Brussels for 3 nights so will get a train into Bruges on one of the days for a look. Going Friday 3 weeks.. can’t wait now

What date are you travelling? 29th? Brussels market opens that day.

Where in Brussels would you suggest to stay?

Novotel or Ibis Grand Place are both nice and in a good central location.