The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than by visiting some of the best Christmas markets in Europe With their twinkling lights, delicious food, and unique gifts, Christmas markets are a must-visit during the holiday season And what better way to travel to these markets than by train?
Traveling by train is not only a convenient way to get around Europe, but it also adds to the festive experience Imagine sitting back and watching the snow-covered landscapes go by as you make your way to some of the most magical Christmas markets in the world Here are some of the top Christmas markets to visit by train:
1 Strasbourg, France
Known as the Capital of Christmas, Strasbourg is home to one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in Europe The market dates back to 1570 and features over 300 stalls selling everything from traditional Alsatian decorations to handmade gifts The city’s historic center is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with a giant Christmas tree and an ice-skating rink To get to Strasbourg, you can take a train from Paris, which takes just under two hours.
2 Vienna, Austria
Vienna is a city that exudes charm and elegance year-round, but during the Christmas season, it truly comes alive The city is home to several Christmas markets, with the most famous one being the Christkindlmarkt in front of the Rathaus Here you can browse through rows of wooden stalls selling handcrafted gifts, ornaments, and delicious treats like glühwein (mulled wine) and roasted chestnuts To get to Vienna, you can take a train from cities like Budapest, Prague, or Munich.
3 Cologne, Germany
Cologne is home to several Christmas markets, but the most iconic one is located in front of the city’s stunning cathedral The market features over 160 wooden huts selling everything from traditional German crafts to festive foods like stollen and gingerbread After browsing through the stalls, be sure to climb to the top of the cathedral for a panoramic view of the market below Traveling to Cologne by train is easy, with frequent connections from cities like Amsterdam, Brussels, and Frankfurt.
4 best christmas markets by train. Brussels, Belgium
Brussels may be known for its waffles and chocolate, but during the Christmas season, it’s all about the markets The city hosts several markets, the most famous one being the Winter Wonders market in the Grand Place Here you can skate on the ice rink, ride the Ferris wheel, and shop for handmade gifts and decorations To get to Brussels, you can take a train from cities like Paris, London, or Amsterdam.
5 Budapest, Hungary
Budapest’s Christmas markets are some of the most beautiful in Europe, with the main market located in front of St Stephen’s Basilica Here you’ll find rows of stalls selling traditional Hungarian crafts, ornaments, and food like chimney cake and mulled wine The market is also home to a giant advent calendar and a light display that illuminates the basilica at night To get to Budapest, you can take a train from cities like Vienna, Prague, or Bratislava.
6 Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich may be known for its luxury shopping, but during the Christmas season, it’s all about the markets The city hosts several markets, with the main one located in the heart of the old town at the Bellevue Here you can shop for handmade gifts, sample traditional Swiss foods like raclette and fondue, and enjoy festive performances like carol singers and live nativity scenes To get to Zurich, you can take a train from cities like Milan, Munich, or Paris.
Traveling by train to Christmas markets is not only convenient but also adds to the festive experience So this holiday season, why not hop on a train and visit some of the best Christmas markets in Europe? From the historic streets of Strasbourg to the snowy landscapes of Vienna, these markets are sure to bring holiday cheer and magic to your trip