beautiful christmas markets

Dominated by a 50-meter (165 feet) high Ferris Wheel, the Lille Christmas markets consist of hundreds of picturesque wooden chalets packed with gifts, nativity figurines, Christmas decorations and festive food. But it is not just the Christmas markets what creates the magical festive spirit in Lille. In the Advent time, the whole city gets covered in a huge crown of garlands and Christmas ornaments with all the shop windows competing to have the most original and beautiful decoration.

An easy train ride from the Belgium capital Brussels, the Christmas markets in Leuven consist of about 150 stalls located in the historical center of the town. The place is especially popular among families with children because the Leuven markets feature a life-size nativity scenes, musical performances, fun fair rides and even a forest in which the children can visit Father Christmas. The markets run from the 9th-18th of December.

Located in the city of Bolzano in South Tyrol, the Bolzano Christmas markets are the largest Christmas markets in Italy. What makes them different from other Christmas markets of this list is the fact that they are usually themed (for example, Meeting of Cultures for 2012) and various events are held accordingly. Another aspect of the Bolzano Christmas markets is the traditional pattern regarding the exhibitors, stalls and partners of the markets.

Situated in the Vorosmarty Square in the Pest district of Budapest, the city s Christmas markets are a great opportunity to experience traditional Hungarian food, folk dances and live music. Housing more than 100 wooden pavilions, the Budapest markets are also a perfect spot to shop for handmade items, as the city has an association which checks products for quality and authenticity and certifies all items sold at the market.

As one of the largest world

Christmas markets in the largest Swiss city are very special because as the only markets on the list they are not held outside. Arranged in the covered concourse of the city s enormous railway station, the Zurich markets can proudly boast of being Europe s largest indoor Christmas markets. But the unusual setting has no influence of the wide range of goods sold there. Over 150 festively decorated market stalls offer mulled wine, baked Christmas goodies, handmade products and decorations, jewelry and much more.

Christmas is a very important event for Riga, the Latvian capital. According to a legend, it was here where the very first Christmas tree was decorated in 1510. The Riga Christmas markets await visitors in a unique architectural setting, in the lovely Town Hall Square. Along with traditional festive food, hand-made decorations, Christmas clothes and gifts, the markets offer several special events intended for an audience of children such as a carousel of wooden figures, ponies and a horse drawn carriage, animal corner, or a cat house.

Situated on the west coast of Sweden, Gothenburg, a home to over a half a million people, can boast the largest Christmas markets in the country. Held at the Liseberg amusement park, the markets feature impressive 5 million Christmas lights, transforming the park into a real bright winter wonderland. Visitors can try Swedish candy cane known as polkagrisar, smoked fish, baked goods and other traditional local specialties and drinks.

Located in the city central Vrijthof square, the Maastricht Christmas markets, also known as Magical Maastricht, will appeal to those who do not enjoy an overly large sprawling market experience but rather cozy, feel-like-home atmosphere and magical festive spirit. Visitors can try local home-made treats, skate on the temporary 100-meter (330 feet) squared ice-rink that is put up for the duration of the market or take a spin on the big Ferris which provides panoramic views over the lights of the city.

In the Scottish capital, Christmas markets are held as a part of the Edinburgh Christmas a spectacular, six-week season of festive entertainment in the heart of the city centre. Attracting over 2.6 million visitors the last year, the event features a host of shows, as well as ice skating, markets and fun rides. The Christmas markets offer a wide range of souvenirs, presents, handcraft items, traditional food and drinks as well as clothes