7 must-visit Christmas markets around the world: Strasbourg, Vienna, Gdansk, and more

One of Europe’s largest Christmas markets is located in the heart of Budapest, Hungary. Vörösmarty Square hosts hundreds of stalls and vendors offering traditional Hungarian cuisine and wines. Must-try dishes are goulash, fisherman’s soup, chicken paprikash, and Kürtőskalács.

Tatler Tip: Located just three kilometres away is the Vajdahunyad Castle which has its own Christmas Market and the biggest ice skating rink in Europe.

The Christmas market runs from November 15 to December 31.

Looking for somewhere more tropical to experience the holidays? Indulge in an Aussie Yuletide by the bay at The Rocks Market with their Christmas special. Browse around some of the local crafts or have a picnic under the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the Opera House as your background and you’re sure to feel the festive spirit even without the snow.

The Rocks Markets: Christmas Edition runs every weekend from November 30 to December 22.

Every year, Christmas markets scatter the streets of Vienna. One could start from the Schönbrunn Palace where you’ll find a lively market under the backdrop of an architectural Baroque masterpiece or the University of Vienna Campus where you can explore the city’s oldest Christmas Village. From there, you can go down the road to see the most famous Christkindlmarkt, Vienna’s Rathausplatz—the plaza in front of Vienna City Hall. Here, you’ll find small log cabins selling a wide variety of traditional seasonal cuisines such as Ofenerdäpfel, Grammelknödel, and Germknödel among others.

Tatler Tip: Tourists can find the Viennese Ice Dream—an ice skating experience that can be enjoyed from above through the Sky Rink—at the Rathausplatz. 

The Rathausplatz Christmas Market runs from November 15 to December 26.

Also see: The golden visa: How and where to get it?

While most Christmas markets in Seoul take place in popular shopping centres, a special Christmas Village will be set up at Gwanghwamun Square—offering tourists a wide variety of handcrafted trinkets and souvenirs. Plenty of authentic street food and winter treats can also be found here, so make sure to go on an empty stomach!

The Christmas Market at Gwanghwamun Square runs from December 13 to January 5.

For a traditional Swedish Christmas, head to Stortorget—Stockholm’s oldest square where medieval gatherings often happen. With a Christmas market dating back to the Middle Ages, you’ll find handmade crafts ranging from ceramics and smithing to mulled wine and authentic food. 

The Old Town Christmas Market runs from November 23 to December 23.

Sunsets in Gdańsk usually come at 3 pm in December, and when darkness falls, the city is illuminated by breathtaking lights and smiles. In 2022, the Gdańsk Christmas Fair won second place in the Best Christmas markets competition organised by Europe’s Best Destinations and, this year, they’re gunning for first with live artistic events, magical attractions, and good food.

Gdańsk’s Christmas Market runs from November 23 to December 23.

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