Europe is well known for its Christmas markets – they started in Germany in the late middle ages. But which city to choose and what other child-friendly activities can you pack into your Christmas market city break while you’re there? If you’re thinking about a family Christmas break, read on to find out more about the best Christmas markets in Europe.
The Best Christmas Market in Vienna, Austria
Christkindlmarkt (also known as Vienna Christmas Dream)
This is the main Vienna Christmas market, right in front of City Hall (Rathaus) and it’s spectacular. The 150 stalls surround a central giant Christmas tree.
For those of you feeling a bit affectionate, look out for The Heart Tree (Herzerlbaum) with the kissing square (Bussiplatz) right next to it. There are daily activities for children, such as biscuit decorating, and there’s a large ice rink by the entrance. It does get really busy, particularly in the evenings, but it’s not to be missed.
Location:
Metro U2 U-Bahn station Schottentor
Vienna Christmas Market 2021 Opening times:
12th November till 26th December. Daily from 10am to 9.30pm (10pm on Friday and Saturdays).
Schonbrunn Christmas Market
Stalls are set out in a circular pattern in front of the imposing and majestic Schonbrunn Palace – making it a perfect choice if you want to mix your Austrian Christmas market with a bit of sightseeing (see below). You’ll find live music, beautifully handmade Christmas tree decorations and other traditional gifts as well as mulled wine (Gluhwein) and cheese raclette stalls.
Location:
Metro U4 U-Bahn station Schonbrunn
Vienna Christmas Market 2021 Opening times:
20th November till 26th December. Daily from 10am to 9pm.
Where to Stay in Vienna with kids:
We stayed in an Airbnb apartment a walk or short tram ride away from central Vienna. If you’d rather stay in a hotel, try Hotel Sacher Wein for some Austrian opulence, or Le Meridian which has fantastic spa and pool facilities. Both are suitable for families.
Where to Eat in Vienna with kids:
Weiner Wias Haus for the best Schnitzel in town, Bitzinger’s hot dog stand outside Albertina art gallery and Café Central for coffee and a slice of Vienna’s famous cake, Sacher Torte.
What else to see in Vienna with kids:
I can’t recommend buying the Vienna pass enough. It provides you with so many options and we managed to pack so much in. The highlights were:
- the tour of the Schonbrunn palace,
- the Vienna zoo (oldest in Europe and home to a very shy polar bear) and
- the Spanish riding school.
The other attraction which we loved for kids was Time Travel: Magic Vienna History Tour – so much fun!
The Best Christmas Market in Budapest, Hungary
Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market
Vorosmarty Square Christmas market is the biggest in Budapest, and also the oldest. There are countless food stalls offering goulash and other Hungarian delicacies – but the one food item you really must try in Budapest is chimney cake. You can choose flavours such as chocolate chip or cinnamon sugar and watch it being baked over hot coals before it’s wrapped and handed to you.
You’ll also find lots of craft stalls with beautiful Hungarian designs – the ceramic and jewellery stalls were my favourites. Perfect if you’re looking to buy Christmas gifts for friends and family back home.
Location:
Vorosmarty Square is on the Pest side of the river.
Budapest Christmas Market 2021 Opening times:
8th November 2021 to 1st January 2022. 10am to 10pm on most days.
Where to Stay in Budapest with kids:
We stayed at an Airbnb apartment – we found it gave us lots of flexibility which worked for us. If you’d like to stay in a hotel and you have a larger budget, then it has to be the Kempinski.
Where to Eat in Budapest with kids:
Café Gerbaud for hot chocolate and a slice of cake (try the Gerbaud slice). The front of the café transforms into a giant advent calendar at Christmas. Barack & Szilva was our favourite restaurant for dinner – try the pork tenderloin, the paprika chicken or the goulash soup.
What else to see in Budapest with kids:
A trip to Budapest has to mean a visit to Buda Castle. Entry is free but you may want to pay for a tour or to ride the funicular up to the top.
A walk across the Chain bridge with a view of the Danube is also worth it.
Make sure you visit one of the thermal baths to warm you up in the cold weather – we visited the most famous, Szechenyi baths, and didn’t have any issues with the kids (there were plenty there despite their website dissuading it) however there are more family-friendly options such as Palatinus baths.
The Best Christmas Market in Gothenburg, Sweden
Liseberg Christmas market
Liseberg is not just a Christmas market but a Christmas village and a theme park too! A fantastic option for kids, they can meet Santa and skate on the huge ice rink (there are fantastic professional shows on the ice too). There are plenty of restaurants, shops and stalls inside and lots of rides – including some big rollercoasters if you have any thrill-seekers in your family. You’ll need to purchase admission tickets to enter – you can do this in advance via their website: liseberg.com
Location:
Orgrytevagen 5, SE-402 22 (bus/ tram stop: Liseberg)
Gothenburg Christmas Market 2021 Opening times:
19th November till 30th December 2021. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Open between 3pm and 9pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3pm and 10pm on Fridays, 12pm and 10pm on Saturdays and 12pm and 8pm on Sundays.
Where to Stay in Gothenburg with kids:
We stayed at Hotel Flora. Central and stylish, you won’t regret staying here for the absolutely amazing Scandinavian breakfast alone.
Where to Eat in Gothenburg with kids:
Smaka in the centre of Gothenburg (reputedly the best meatballs in Gothenburg – I wouldn’t disagree), Café Husaren in Haga (for the biggest and best cinnamon rolls).
What else to see in Gothenburg with kids:
Our hotel was right opposite Universeum. It’s a wonderful place where children can get to interact with Science and Technology. They have a fantastic Space section and a Rainforest and Ocean Zone – with lots of animals to see and learn about. It’s a combination of a zoo and a science museum!
The Best Christmas Market in Bruges, Belgium
Grote Markt
In the main square, overlooking the belfry and close to many of Bruges’ other attractions, you’ll find the Christmas market (in fact, you won’t miss it). The square has been used as a marketplace since 958 and is still used as a marketplace on Wednesdays each week. At Christmas time, wooden chalets surround a large ice rink and waffle vans and chocolate shops are in substantial supply. You won’t go hungry at Belgian Christmas markets!
Location:
Market Square (centre of Bruges)
Belgium Christmas Market 2021 Opening times:
26th November 2021 till 9th January 2022
Where to Stay in Bruges with kids:
Monsieur Maurice makes a perfect base. In a beautiful, quiet setting on a cobbled street just a stone’s throw from the main square, this hotel has really helpful staff and is a great option for families.
Where to Eat in Bruges with kids:
The Potato Bar for chips with loads of different toppings to choose from. Go.Fre Brugge for easy-to-eat waffles on a stick.
What else to see in Bruges with kids:
If you haven’t eaten enough chocolate-covered waffles, head to the Chocolate museum: Choco Story to learn about the history of cocoa and Belgium’s part in it (and pick up lots of chocolate along the way).
We also loved Historium – the movie and special effects make learning about the history of Bruges fun for kids. The virtual reality experience is also a fantastic experience.
The Best Christmas market in London, UK
Winter Wonderland Christmas Market
You’ll find Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park – follow the crowds. There are over 100 stalls, as well as several restaurants, an ice rink, a magical ice kingdom, shows and many rides (try the Real Ice Slide and Ice Mountain). There are plenty of options for food and drink with a street food village and sit-down restaurants too. The Bavarian village offers live music and DJs. Make sure you book a table online if you’re a larger group (8 people or more). Tickets must be booked in advance for 2021. You’ll need to pay for entry, but the ticket fee is deducted when you book any other activities costing £20 or more at the same time.
Location:
Hyde Park (closest stations are: Victoria, Bond Street, Knightsbridge, Green Park, Marble Arch and Hyde Park Corner)
Winter Wonderland 2021 Opening times:
18th November 2021 till 3rd January 2022
Where to Stay in London with kids:
The London Marriott Hotel Marble Arch makes a great central base for families and is close to Winter Wonderland.
Where to Eat in London with kids:
Kids will love the interactive projections on the tables at Pan-Asian restaurant Inamo. They’ll be able to play games while they wait for their food and order their food via an Ipad. Not far from Hyde Park is Fortnum and Mason – a London institution and a great place to pick up both gifts and ice cream and sweet treats at The Parlour.
What else to see in London with kids:
Head down to London’s South Bank for a visit to Shrek’s Adventure, Sea Life London Aquarium and the London Eye. Or head to South Kensington where you’ll find the Natural History Museum and Science Museum. Entry is free but take a look at their websites as they also often have special exhibitions on.
I hope you’ve found a European Christmas market itinerary here to inspire you!
For Christmas gift ideas for socially conscious kids, have a look at:
The Best Gifts for Socially Conscious Kids
The Top 10 Books To Help Kids Think About the World Around Them
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Kudos, A lot of knowledge.