Visiting a Christmas market is one of the most exciting things to do during the festive season. Christmas markets, with their many stalls selling everything from festive decorations and gifts to sweet treats and delicious traditional foods, are the perfect way to help get everyone in the Christmas spirit and bring the whole family together.
While the UK boasts many incredible Christmas markets of its own, there’s no harm in taking a look at some of the most beautiful festive spots across the continent, and according to Conde Nast Traveller, these cities are home to Europe’s best Christmas markets.
Take a look in our photo gallery below and don’t forget to click onto the next page.
Antwerp’s Christmas Market is one of the most popular in Belgium, where visitors can explore more than 100 stalls at the market.
The market is typically spread across various squares in the city’s historic centre, and features a miniature golf course in its enchanting Magical Winter Forest, a Ferris wheel, and a brand-new ice-skating rink this year.
Visitors can enjoy the festive event from December 5 to January 4.
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In the UK, we are fortunate to have many beautiful Christmas markets, and Glasgow’s happens to be is one of the best.
The festivities begin with a Christmas lights switch-on to kick off the season, before George Square and St Enoch Square are transformed into a Winter Wonderland.
Visitors can enjoy live theatre performances, a trip to Santa’s grotto, a taste of delicious food from independent food vendors, and goodies from local sellers.
It opens from November 21 to January 4.
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Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest and most famous Christmas Markets not only in Europe, but in the world.
Traditions, including the Christkind, a Christmas gift-bringer to the city’s original Bratwurst, date back centuries and remain treasured today.
In the many wooden booths that make up the traditional market, you can find the perfect festive goodies, such as handmade decorations and Spekulatius almond cookies.
The Christmas Market will run from November 28 to December 24.
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Cologne is renowned for its Christmas markets, but its Weihnachtsmarkt am Dom (Cathedral Christmas Market) is particularly iconic, thanks to its location directly adjacent to the city’s stunning cathedral, which serves as a stunning backdrop.
The Christmas market also boasts more than 150 stalls to pick up Christmas treats and items, and an extensive programme of more than 100 free events.
Children also have the opportunity to experience special shows, face painting, and plays at the Christmas market from Tuesday to Thursday.
The market is open from November 17 to December 23.
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The Christmas market located in Finland’s capital is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the city. Similar to Cologne’s number one market, Helsinki Christmas Market is also located near a beautiful Cathedral, and last year it hit a record of 600,000 visitors.
You can enjoy everything from performances to a game of bingo, some mulled wine to variations of rice porridge. Helsinki’s Christmas market has it all.
Visitors can explore the market from November 28 to December 22.
(Image: Getty)