THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN EUROPE
Every year, in December, Christmas markets mark the return of festivities.
Every square and town holds at least one Christmas market, but, in the end, they all look the same, and something unique and rare is really hard to find.
So, I was searching for the origin of this tradition, when I found a list of very original Christmas markets held all over Northern Europe.
In this post I’ll share with you a list of 4 Christmas markets to visit in Europe, and maybe it could be a good chance for you to enjoy a surprise journey 😉
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1. HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN CHRISTMAS MARKET (ODENSE, DENMARK)
Odense is the birthplace of the famous fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen.
Here every year the city holds a market where you can lose yourself into the Christmas fairytale atmosphere and where you can meet people dressed in old times clothes belonging to the era in which Andersen lived.
The Odense market is a dive into the past, where among books and knitted jumpers you can also taste the “Glogg”, the typical Danish hot drink made with wine, spices and rum.
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN CHRISTMAS MARKET (ODENSE, DANIMARCA)
2. NOEL OFF (STRASBOURG, FRANCE)
Street art, contemporary art and ethical and responsible products are the key words to describe the most creative Christmas market in Europe.
This market is held from December 1st to 24th, and just like an Advent calendar each day an art object is displayed from a window of one of the historical buildings of the city.
If artworks countdown to Christmas day, the market consists of products aimed at encouraging social economy, with handmade objects coming from all over the world and from past epochs, since there’s a section dedicated to vintage objects.
NOEL OFF (STRASBURGO)
3. CHRISTMAS MARKET VELVET CAVE (VALKENBUR, THE NETHERLANDS)
Among the most peculiar Christmas markets this market is one of a kind, because it is held underground: inside a cave.
It’s an original location for a market, but here you can explore a piece of Dutch history, admiring the mural paintings, sculptures and the 18th-century chapel this place houses.
If you think this market doesn’t suit you because you’re afraid of narrow places, you’ll swing round because this is one of the most popular markets among families with children.
CHRISTMAS MARKET VELVET CAVE, CHRISTMAS MARKET VELVET CAVE (VALKENBURG
4. STIEGL-BIERADVENT (SALZBURG, AUSTRIA)
In my list of the most original Christmas markets the one dedicated to beer couldn’t be missing.
In the Stiegl brewery courtyard a market dedicated to beer lovers is held, and during Advent the beer isn’t served as usual.
Instead, an iron poker is dipped into a stein, giving the beer a malty and caramel note. Here you can buy a costume-designed stein decorated by a glass engraver.
STIEGL-BIERADVENT (SALISBURGO, AUSTRIA)