Christmas super fan's top 10 festive markets - and the results are surprising
This time of year is perfect for a trip to visit some of Europe's Christmas markets - but with so many popular ones across several countries including France, Germany and Austria, choosing your destination is not an easy task.
To help travellers who are undecided about the country they want to visit, a blogger who has visited more than 100 Christmas markets has now shared her top ten picks. Helene Sula, known on Instagram as Heleneinbetween, said Germany is her favourite destination for Christmas markets, followed by the Alsace region of France.
Helene's favourite destination is Cologne as there are multiple themed markets throughout the city, each with unique decorations, wooden stalls and the cathedral towering over the festive scene. She said Heinzels market, in the old town, which boasts an ice rink, as well as handcrafting activities for both adults and children, is "lovely".
Strasbourg came second in Helene's ranking (AFP via Getty Images)Her second favourite destination is Strasbourg in France which she described as "the capital of Christmas", praising the "incredible Notre Dame Cathedral and over-the-top decor on the streets, and a great French market". In third place, Helene placed Vienna in Austria, which she said is "exquisite, unique and lovely", adding: "Feels like you're walking in a movie."
The blogger's fourth choice was Colmar in France, which she described as "an actual gingerbread town come to life". She said she loves this destination as it is "fairy-like" and has plenty of food options.
Shop prices 'are yet to peak and will remain high' as inflation hits new heights
Helene placed Heidelberg in Germany in fifth place, writing: "This is extremely biased because I lived here but I just ADORE this city. The castle, the history, the easy-to-access market. It's just perfect."
Helene said she has visited more than 100 Christmas markets (Shutterstock / Kite_rin)Next up in her ranking was Mainz, a German city on the Rhine River, which boasts a "magical" Christmas market throughout the city centre. Helene said she also loves Basel in Switzerland, which she said is "magical".
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, also made her list as she wrote: "This looks like a snow globe come to life. Tallinn, Estonia, is tiny but packs a punch." Helene placed Aachen in Germany in the ninth position, writing: "Beautiful medieval city and a gingerbread themed market, this one or Nuremberg are great choices for a classic German Christmas market."
In 10th position, Helene put London, praising the shopping options as well as Christmas lights throughout the city. However, the blogger said decorations in the UK's capital cannot beat the festive air you can breathe in some other European cities.
She wrote in her caption: "While I adore London and the Christmas decor is insane, the markets aren't comparable to Germany or France. It's great for shopping and festive! But NOTHING in this world beats the central European Christmas Markets. But the lights on Regent, Oxford & Bond Street are insane!"
Christmas lights on Regent Street in London (Getty Images)Helene's favourite Christmas markets
1. Cologne, Germany
2. Strasbourg, France
3. Vienna, Austria
4. Colmar, France
5. Heidelberg, Germany
Banksy's artwork has been removed in cities all over the world - see which ones
6. Mainz, Germany
7. Basel, Switzerland
8. Tallinn, Estonia
9. Aachen, Germany
10. London, England
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
