One of the most popular traditions in Europe “The Christmas Markets” are only held during the Christmas time. This tradition is so popular that even tours from the Far East are organized to this Christmas Markets every year.
During the Christmas time, such markets are always being held in most European countries, but some countries are more popular or known for its Christmas Markets than others. Some of these countries are Germany, Britain and France.
This year in Germany I’ve visited Frankfurt and Heidelberg Christmas Markets and in France Strasbourg, also know as the capital of Christmas, Christmas Markets.
Christmas Markets in Europe
Here are my impressions of the Christmas Markets in these cities.
First of all I would like to give you some information about the Christmas markets and what you can expect to see in these places. In Christmas time, many of the local people set up small shops on the predetermined streets of the cities.
These shops are always decorated with a lot of Christmas decorations, a huge Christmas tree and a cock-horse is an essential decoration. In these small shops you can generally find a variety of local dishes, souvenirs and handmade arts. Of course you can see different things depending on where you’ve gone, even a top notch barbecue is within the bounds of possibility. The only downside of these Christmas Markets is that, especially in the evening they become very crowded.
Christmas Market in Frankfurt
In German, Weihnachts means Christmas time and markt means market, so Weihnachtsmarkt is the name for the Christmas markets in Germany.
Christmas markets in Frankfurt are filled with mulled wine (Glühwein) stands. Every year, these wines are presented with special festive glasses. The cost of these wines are 6 euros and you buy the wine with the glass. If you don’t want the glass you can get your 3 euros back, but I assure you it will be a great souvenir for you to remember your times in the Christmas markets.
Frankfurt, known for its sausages, have a great surprise for you. You will find every one of these sausages in Christmas Markets. This is the right place to eat huge sausages, overflowing from the both ends of the bread! My advice to you is, buy the ones which are cooked in those big round barbecues. There are a lot of varieties of sausage in here, classic, curry, pepper… You must try every one of them at least once. Within the “reasonable” limits of your stomach of course. The price of these sausages is usually between 3,5-5 euros.
Other dishes you’ll encounter in the Frankfurt Christmas Market are pancakes, waffles, fruit sticks dipped in chocolate sauce, roasted almonds, pretzels, cookies and chocolates.
In the market you can find other small shops which sells decorations, handmade wooden toys, stones, candles, mugs and magnets too.
The giant Christmas trees and the cock-horses “every Christmas Market’s essentials”… You can find them in Römer district of Frankfurt too.
Christmas Market in Heidelberg
Heidelberg is a place highly praised by tourists and the city share this praise with its Christmas Markets. With its old but well-cared houses on the river, the city is a popular place for the weekend trips and is also known for its giant beer keg in its castle.
Around the Cristmas Markets in the city, you can see small shops decorated with Cristmas trees and cock-horses. But these markets are very small when you compare them with the ones in Frankfurt.
But this situation quickly change when you “enter the castle”. The markets held in the castle grounds are quite large and they have a larger standard for food too. Salmons and meats cooked on wood fire and other foods you would not normally find in a small shop. I’m sure the size of the portions will surprise you too.
Christmas Market in Strasbourg
Strasbourg is; a city located on France which is very close to Germany borders, a city which has changed many hands throughout its history and a city which declared itself the Capital of Christmas.
The Christmas Markets in this city are very big. In fact, it will be more accurate to say Strasbourg itself is a big Christmas Market. The variety of products sold in these shops are so much that you can spend your hours without even realizing. The building and street decorations here are amazing too. Some of the decorations even have an accordance with a certain theme. I can assure you, after seeing this place, you will say “this is really the capital of Christmas”, I know I did.
Strasbourg, without its Christmas Markets, is still a beautiful city. This is a city with a rich history where you can enjoy the rivers and scenic landscapes. I highly recommend you to visit this city, not just at the Christmas but all other times as well.
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