Christmas Markets
Why not combine a cheap city break with your Christmas shopping?
Enjoy the fantastic sights and smells of the Traditional European Christmas markets, with Christmas card views and the aroma of roasted chestnuts, grilled sausages or almonds filling the air.
Citybreaks-Direct offer cheap deals on trips to see the Christmas Markets in some of the most popular citybreak destinations including Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Riga, Tallinn, Stockholm & Copenhagen.
Traditionally the Christmas Markets run from around the 26th November until the 23rd December, but if you are travelling at the end of November, please confirm what dates they start so you make sure you can bag those bargain Christmas offers at the market.
Below are our top 10 city break Christmas markets:
Berlin Christmas Markets
Market dates: 24th November 2008 - 1st January 2009
With over 50 Christmas markets every year, Berlin is a one of the great cities from the wide choice of Germany’s Christmas markets. The capital is spectacular during the Christmas season and is a fantastic choice for a short break. With many decorated stalls and the amazing aromas of mulled wine and cinnamon rising in the air, Berlin Christmas breaks are just one of our recommendations.
Allow yourself to discover the vendor booths’ magic, charm, and unique items along the large boulevards and squares as well as on the small side streets and even in several museums.
3nts 4*B&B inc flights from £169pp - Call 0844 553 3504. Search online for Berlin city breaks
Budapest Christmas Markets
Market dates: 29th November 2008 - 24th December 2008
The Budapest Christmas Fair is one of cities highlights of the year. The market is annualy held in Vorosmarty Square, one of the most beautiful in the city. With over 100 stalls, most of which offer unique hand crafted Hungarian produce from glassware, to sausages and everything in-between. Normally there is also stage area where you can watch Hungarian folk dancing, music and stage plays and for those that are hungry there is no shortage of thick hot ‘goulash’, pancakes and sweet savouries, not forgetting gluh(mulled wine. The highlight of the market is the opening of the Gerbeaud Advent Calendar at 5.00pm each evening. The Gerbeaud building is annually transformed into an ‘advent calendar’, with all the windows depicting a christmas scene and opened each day up to Christmas day.
3nts B&B inc flights from £129pp - Call 0844 553 3504. Search online for Budapest short breaks
Cologne Christmas Markets
Market dates: 28th November 2008 - 23rd December 2008
The oldest market in Cologne is the Neumarkt, one of the city’s liveliest and beautiful markets set close to the main shopping area. Also the traditional medieval market, is well worth a visit during a Cologne market break. In the Old Town you will find the Alter Markt – the perfect place to enjoy a warm glass of glühwein.
Another Cologne Christmas market is the enchanting fairytale market, as well as the interesting floating Christmas market on board the elegant cruise vessel, ‘MS Wappen von Mainz’, set aside the banks of the Rhine. During the Christmas period the city also houses a large ice rink, making a Cologne Christmas market holiday a great choice for some festive family fun.
2nts B&B inc flights from £169pp - Call 0844 553 3504. Search online for Cologne city breaks
Copenhagen Christmas Markets
Market dates: 13th November 2008 - 28th December 2008
For Christmas markets in Copenhagen, head for Tivoli, Europe's oldest amusement park. At Christmas each year, Tivoli Gardens is transformed into a fantastic winter wonderland with 3 quarter of a million colourful lights illuminating the park.Something like 60 small shops sell all kinds of things: from gallons of delicious hot glögg (mulled wine spiced with raisins and almonds) and candied apples, to wooden toys and Royal Copenhagen porcelain.
There are concerts, pantomime and ballet performances for the family, you can also go ice skating under the stars on the park's frozen lake, or try the many exciting fairground rides.
2nts B&B inc flights from £159pp - Call 0844 553 3504. Search online for Copenhagen short breaks
Hamburg Christmas Markets
Market dates: 24th November 2008 - 23rd December 2008
In the Christmas run up, Hamburg’s Town Hall will again provide the superb setting for Hamburgs’s most charming Christmas market. Over 100 hundred sellers will set up their shops on Hamburg’s largest urban square.
Roast apples vs. hotdogs, hand-crafted items vs. mass-produced merchandise and the quaint cottages designed by Bernhard Paul, director of the famed nostalgic Circus Roncalli, set this Christmas market apart from run-of-the-mill seasonal activities elsewhere.
2nts B&B inc flights from £129pp - Call 0844 553 3504. Search online for Hamburg city breaks
Krakow Christmas Markets
Market dates: 30th November 2008 - 31st December 2008
Krakow’s Christmas market takes place on the city’s huge Rynek Glowny central square, amid the Old Town district, each year.
During the Krakow christmas markets, wooden stands sell a wide range of Christmas decorations and sweets as well as other items. Open-air eateries offer hearty meals and mulled wine. Plus there are additional attractions such as shows, folk dances, concerts of carols, etc.
The trees in the square are adorned with bright lights that twinkle in the darkness. You might hear street musicians playing carols, or just watch revellers staggering home after a good night out.
2nts B&B inc flights from £149pp - Call 0844 553 3504. Search online for Krakow short breaks
Munich Christmas Markets
Market dates: 28th November 2008 - 24th December 2008
Munich's most famous and traditional Christmas market on Marienplatz in the heart of the city centre goes back as far as the 14th century. Around 100 merchants set up their stalls on Munich's largest urban square, offering many kinds of hand-crafted items and delicious goodies like roast apples and gingerbreads.
The popular Kripperlmarkt, a short stroll away on nearby Rindermarkt, specialises in cribs and other Nativity articles. Christmas music is played live from the town hall balcony every day. For children there are many free creative activities.
2nts B&B inc flights from £149pp - Call 0844 553 3504. Search online for Munich city breaks
Prague Christmas Markets
Market dates: 29th November 2008 - 01st January 2009
The Christmas markets in Prague are not just about the shopping. It is all about the special Christmas atmosphere that they create. The markets offer you not only a great opportunity to buy some unique presents, but experience the traditions that are still alive. Prague at Christmas is an extra special time.
The most popular markets are on the Old Town Square and the famous Wenceslas Square where Christmas items are sold by up to 80 stalls. Smaller ones are located on Namesti Republiky, Havelske Trziste and Namesti Miru.
2nts B&B inc flights from £129pp - Call 0844 553 3504. Search online for Prague short breaks
Tallinn Christmas Markets
Market dates: 29th November 2008 - 05th January 2009
This charming market located in the old town reflects a medieval atmosphere and breathes new life into old traditions.
You get the chance to get familiar with variety of Estonian products and handicrafts: toys, handmade Christmas decorations, candles, basketry, woollen sweaters and socks, sheepskin, linen fab-rics as well as painted silk; the popular colorful felt hats, patch blankets, glass-ware, goods from clay, paintings, graphic art and many other.
2nts B&B inc flights from £149pp - Call 0844 553 3504. Search online for Tallinn city breaks
Vienna Christmas Markets
Market dates: 15th November 2008 - 24th December 2008
During Advent Vienna is a city of nostalgia and romance, concerts and nativity displays and traditional Christmas markets. With several Christmas markets at Schönbrunn Palace, the Christmas market in front of City Hall, the traditional Viennese Christmas market on Freyung, the markets at Spittelberg, Am Hof and in front of the church of St. Charles Borromeo (Karlskirche).
Stalls selling Christmas decorations, arts and crafts dominate. The decorations are not your cheap plastic type, but are often made of blown glass or handcrafted wood. And the arts and crafts stalls show off the handiwork of numerous artisans from Austria and surrounding countries.
2nts B&B inc flights from £169pp - Call 0844 553 3504. Search online for Vienna short breaks
