Christmas Markets

One of my absolute favourite things about Christmas would probably have to be all the Christmas markets. In Europe as a whole, it basically seems as if almost every single town has one (at least). If it were up to me, I’d be visiting each and every single one of them. Unfortunately, though, I have classes up to and including Christmas Eve, so I’ll just have live vicariously through this post…

1. Brussels

This one was always going to make first place in this list, if nothing else then just because it’s basically the biggest in Belgium. I think. Anyways, from November 25th up to the first day of the New Year (so 1/1/2017), the entirety of Brussels looks, basically, like a Winter Wonderland. There’s tiny cabins everywhere, just about all the streets and buildings are decorated and there’s just general Christmas-ness everywhere.

Maybe the only downside: there’s so many people everywhere. Then again, a couple of glasses of gluhwijn does seem to make most of them slightly more nice than they might usually be, so at least there’s that 🙂

2. Köln / Cologne

Probably one of the best things about the Christmas Market (or Weihnachtsmärkte) in Cologne, is that it’s actually not 1 Market. It’s more like “a whole bunch of little markets that are spreaded all over the place”.  Probably my favourites of those are the Old Market (pictured above) and the Angel’s Christmas Market (below). Not that I’ve ever been there, mind you, but, you know – they look so gorgeous!

And then, of course, there’s the one near the Cathedral which sounds amazing just because of it’s location and… I just really got to get to Cologne, mkay?

3. Bruges

Now, Bruges basically looks like something off a post card as is, but add in the Christmas decorations and the Christmas market, and you’ll understand why this one just had to be on here. The Christmas market is a relatively ordinary one, although it’s ice skating rink might just be the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. In this case, however, the surroundings completely lift it to a whole another level!

4. Bath

So, I’ve always wanted to go to this town – blame it on Jane Austen, I guess? However, to go there during Christmas, when everything looks so amazing? Yes please!

5. Edinburgh

Source: ChristmasCruises

I mean, I already gushed about how much I love Edinburgh a couple of times, so of course I’d want to go there around Christmas time! The city was gorgeous as is, so I can hardly even imagine how stunning it must be with all the Christmas lights and decorations!

Anyways, there you have it, that’s 5 of my favourite Christmas markets – whether I’ve been there or not, I love them! Do you have any recommendations for additions to this list? Be sure to let me know below, and do come back for the rest of this year’s Blog-mas series!

-Saar