When the weather turns cold here in Europe everyone knows its time for the Christkindlmarkt! Christmas in Europe is a very special time of the year, from all the decorations to the beautiful winter foliage – there is sure to be something for everyone!
I am sharing just a few of the Markets that I traveled to this year and in years past. After living over here in Europe and visiting for the last three years I have hit quite a few of them! You can never go wrong with choosing a market, wether they are in Germany or other places in Europe they always have the same things to look for and find that are the best parts of every Christmas market!
The best items to get at a German Christmas market or any markets across Europe are of course… the FOOD, a few handmade items and last but not least, the Gluwhein or the hot mulled wine!
Make sure to take a picture of yourself in front of the Christmas sign, the decorated trees and indulge in the sweet treats that are all around you! My favorites are definitely the crepes filled with Nutella and banana OR the tiny little pancakes called Poffers.. YUM! You are sure to always find a Wurst mit Brochen.. the german way to say a bratwurst with bread 🙂 DELICIOUS! Also they have a pizza type of cuisine called flammkuchen that is a small flat bread pizza with a white cream sauce on top then topped with tiny pieces of bacon, onion and cheese. These are what are traditional to German markets but other places – like hungry – might have other specialty items! One for example is the Kürtőskalács– a dough that has been wrapped around a large wooden stick to make a “chimney cake” desert. They are then cooked over an open fire, once cooked they are then doused with cinnamon and sugar!
There are so many stands that will sell you the traditional Christmas Market drink… Gluhwein, served in a souvenir mug (costs a pfland or deposit) but its yours to keep if you want! If you return it you get your deposit back. They also have Hot Schokolade, or a kinderpunsch if you aren’t into the alcoholic beverages. 🙂
Make sure to grab a few crucial photo ops while at the markets, and continue drinking your Gluwhein!
- Photo of the holiday mug served at every market
- Snap a pic of the live animal manger scenes that will make an appearance at most markets
- Smile big in front of the biggest Christmas tree you can find!
- Make sure to document which market you went to with a pic in front of the arch or sign & entrance.
- Who can find the biggest Christmas carousel? Snap a pic in front of one that you find!
- Snap a pic of your wurst sandwich find.. almost impossible to leave a market with out partaking in one of these as a snack.
- A picture of your handmade ornament that was the most unique
- A picture with your friends and family at the market!
This year my sister and I visited –
- Esslingen Christmas Market (my FAVE)
- Stuttgart Christmas Market
- Berlin Christmas Markets
- Wurzburg Market (smaller)
- Boblingen (smaller)
- ChocoArt Festival in Tubingen!
My husband and I have also visited a few Christmas markets in Italy – Rome, Venice and Milan.
Recently my sister and I have just traveled across the Eastern part of Europe where we got to experience the markets in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and the Czech Republic! Equally could all be my favorites places to go and spend Christmas time. The decorations, the food and the merriment made for a truly enjoyable trip through Europe! My next post will have more on this trip that I just took with my sister. It was such an amazing experience and you don’t want to miss out on the inside scoop!
Girl Meets World 