Christmas 2023. The best Christmas markets in Europe. Kraków is on the list

The Christmas market season in most cities in Europe and the world will start soon, at the end of November. The history of Christmas markets dates back to 1298, when the first such event was recorded in Vienna, reminds CNN. In the following centuries, the tradition spread to almost the entire world and has many admirers. The American station has prepared a list of cities where you can expect the best Christmas markets in 2023 and early 2024.

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It opens the list of the best fairs Viennese Wiener Christkindlmarkt, located in front of the city hall. There is, among others, an ice rink, the famous tree decorated with hearts, as well as many stands offering delicacies, including sausages, gingerbread and punch. Fair in the capital Austria lasts from November 10 to December 26.

Another fair recommended by CNN is the one in Swiss Basel. “Most Swiss cities are filled with Christmas markets at this time of year, and the atmosphere is amazing. However, the market in Basel is the largest and probably the best in the area,” it said. It is located on Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz squares. It opens on November 23 and runs until December 23.

Next stop is Strasbourg we France. One of the oldest European fairs has its tradition here – the first one took place in 1570. Today, it attracts two million people a year, with hundreds of wooden stands offering Christmas decorations, gifts and local wine. There will be a huge Christmas tree on the central Place Kléber. The fair can be visited from November 24 to December 24.

CNN also recommends the fair in Brusselswhere one of the most popular festivals in the entire city takes place Belgium. The attractions will include light shows, ice rinks, an amusement park, and traditional food stands. The fair starts on November 24 and will last until December 31.

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Czech Prague is, in turn, according to CNN, during the holidays “the definition of a winter wonderland.” The largest fair can be found on the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, located close to each other. The fairs will be available from December 2 to January 6.

Fair fans can also expect interesting attractions in… Barcelona, where Fira de Santa Llucia will start on November 24 right in front of the Cathedral of Saint Eulalia and will last until December 23. Among the Italian fairs, CNN recommends this one Florence, taking place right in front of the Church of Santa Croce, near the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The fair will start on November 18 and end on December 17.

IN Croatian Zagreb As many as approximately 25 fairs will be held. We will see live nativity scenes, ice sculptures and a Christmas tram with St. Santa and his elves. These events will last from December 2 to January 7. Danish Copenhagen will, in turn, prepare special attractions for tourists in the Tivoli amusement park. This includes: over a thousand beautifully decorated Christmas trees that can be admired from November 19 to December 31. Among the European fairs, CNN also recommends the one in the capital EstoniaTallinn, which will start on December 1 and last until January 7, in the capital SwedenStockholmwhich will last from November 24 to December 17, or the capital of Finland, Helsinki, which will last from December 1 to 22.

In Hungarian Budapest from November 17 to January 1, visitors can count on two large fairs – in front of the Basilica of St. Stefan and on Vörösmarty square. The latter, according to estimates, attracts 800,000 people a year. people. IN Berlin and about 80 fairs will open, the most recognizable of which is the one on Gendarmenmark. Due to renovations, this year and next year it will take place in a different place – at Bebelplatz and will last from November 27 to December 31. According to CNN, the fair is also worth attention Londonwhich will take place in Hyde Park from November 17 to January 1.

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The American station also decided to highlight one of the fairs in Poland. Pointed to Cracow, where the event will take place on the Main Square and will last from November 24 to January 1. CNN notes that the fair is one of the largest in Europe, and the Cloth Hall and the historic St. Mary’s Church constitute a “wonderful background”. It was emphasized that tourists will be able to taste Polish delicacies and buy handmade gifts or delicacies. CNN also notes that there will also be a nativity scene competition on the market square, which will be displayed in front of the Adam Mickiewicz monument.