1. Strasbourg (France)

The Christmas market of Strasbourg, the emblematic Christkindelsmärik, which means “market of infant Jesus” in Alsatian and is one of the oldest of Europe, began in 1570 around the same time as the famous German markets of Dresden and Nuremburg. In the Middle Ages, a market was held in Strasbourg on 6 December to celebrate the festival of Saint Nicholas. Nowadays hundreds of stalls pop up all over the city, plying handicrafts and culinary delicacies, an “Off Market” is devoted to responsible consumption and the town stages a magnificent programme of Yuletide festivities.
Information: Strasbourg Christmas market

Christmas tree in Strasbourg – ©LeonidAndronov/iStock

2. Dresden (Germany)

Welcome to Germany, THE land of Christmas markets. Among the twelve of so top German Christmas markets from Bremen to Heidelberg and Lubeck to Stuttgart, start at the oldest, Dresden, which began in 1434. It owes its name, Striezelmarkt, to Strietzel, a local version of stollen, the traditional German yeast cake of candied fruit, spices, lemon zest and marzipan. Amusingly, back in the day, the first market on Altmarkt was actually devoted to meat! The market kicks off when the huge 14m-high Christmas pyramid (Weihnachtspyramide) is lit up and a gigantic stollen is sliced. Dresden Christmas market offers a whirlwind of festivities including numerous concerts on a Christmas theme.
Informations : Dresdner Striezelmarkt

3. Brussels (Belgium)

One of the most recent European Christmas markets, the Winter Wonders of Brussels have become a reference throughout Europe. The concept is gloriously simple: over a 5-week period, some 240 wooden chalets transform the city centre of Brussels, from Place Saint Catherine to Place de la Monnaie and Grand’Place, into a gigantic winter village, giving rise to a frenetic series of festive, fun and fairy tale-like events, including monument mapping that turns historic facades into wonderland scenes.
Informations: Winter wonders

*Winter Wonders of Brussels* – ©Poike/iStock

4. Valkenburg (Holland)

Located in Limbourg some twenty kilometres west of Aachen, Valkenburg is a picturesque Dutch city that boasts a historic castle (part of which still stands) and caves carved by the River Marne. The caves, such as the Gemeentegrot (Municipal cave) and the Fluweelengrot (Velvet cave), provide the unique location for the main Christmas stands of this scenic town, which also stages a Christmas parade, carol singing and other festivities.
Information: Valkenburg Christmas Village

*Christmas decorations in the municipal cave in Valkenburg* – ©JohnnyWalker61/iStock

5. Zurich (Switzerland)

As soon as the Advent Season begins, each Swiss village stages its own Christkindlimarkt (“market of infant Jesus” in Swiss German). Zurich’s main Christmas market takes place in the railway station. Inside the immense hall, home to a huge hanging sculpture by Niki de Saint-Phalle, some 150 stalls are grouped around a 15m-high Christmas tree decked in glittering Swarovski crystal ornaments. The rest of the enchanting historic city, which provides an exciting cocktail of tradition and modernity, is dotted with other magical Christmas markets.
Information: Zurich Christmas Market

*Zurich Christmas market* – ©Flavio Vallenari/iStock

The ideal season