There exists a quite long tradition in Europe to have Christmas Markets in every town. Sometimes they are only several days, sometimes some weeks.
2019 is one of my years with a lot of travel, so I have had the chance to visit very different Christmas Markets.
Sometimes with friends, with colleguages, with customers, with familie. And sometimes alone, while at least after I stop at a Glühweinbar (Hot wine) I always get in touch with some locals or travelers. And not only due to the company of people, but as well due to the region/location there is always something to discover.
My homebase is of course Munich. The Christmas market is quite big and mainly overgrowded by locals and tourists from all around the world. During the Market time the Christmas Market is even visual in Google Maps as a special event! There are estimated about 3 million visitors, while the town has about 1,4 millionen inhabitans. Beside Glühwein you can as well get beer. Atmosphere is more hectic like it is normal in a big city.
Munich, Germany
Kraków in Poland in fact feels like my real home, since I did study here and met my wife in the last century. The Christmas market offers a brought range of handmade art. Much more than the once in Germany and gives somehow a historical flair on one side, but is very colourful and modern on the other side. Here beside the Glühwein you also find hot beer with juice and cynamon. As well here you find on the market square a stage and different groups (mostly not professionals but accosiations) make music. You hear of course Polish but a lot of Spanish, Italian and Nordic. Atmosphere is more romantic as the sun goes quite early down.
Kraków, Poland
Bückeburg is not far from Hannover. The Christmas Market here is called Weihnachtszauber or Christmas Magic. You have to pay 15 € entrance fee for a day. For this price you get a lot of shows (light, horse, music shows) and an entrance to the castle. The castle and souroundings are really nice. It is more like a luxus Christmas Market where you can buy nice special staff like juvelliers, expensive international handbags, hand made traditional clothes. Beside Glühwein you find a lot of Snaps, whyskies, brandy and so on. Atmosphere is more like country nobility, a bit formal. (No dancing like in Poland)
Bückeburg, Germany
Münster, Germany, where I did study is one of the most beautiful towns. While there are many small Christmas markets in the center. In my opinion exactly in the not so nice modern parts of the down town. But maybe this is the secret, because due to this the whole town looks nice. It is this kind of more typical Christmas Market, with no outstanding highlight, but a lot of food, handmade art and Glühwein. As a student I do not remember that I have visited the Christmas Market. Guess it closed to early… Atmosphere is more intelectual with a slide “do-gooders” touch, so good discussions are possible here.
Münster, Germany
I have visited several more this year, but I also need to have some secrets
What I need to say: without any exception, every Christmas Market has his individual outstanding flair. Not important where in the world, you need to adope the atmosphere and you will get out something very good for you during the visit.
Part of the challenge by @MariaNgo
