There’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than visiting Europe’s famous Christmas Markets. Take it from us, we spent a week sailing the Rhine River last holiday season visiting as many markets as possible. We loved it so much, we’re doing it again this year, this time on the Danube.
What is a European Christmas Market?
If you’re unfamiliar, the markets are seasonal events, usually held outdoors – selling gifts, seasonal treats and hot drinks. Many have ornate light displays as well as festive events and performances.
These markets date back hundreds of years, tracing their roots to Germany. That’s also where the tradition of putting up a tree to celebrate the Christmas holiday started.
Christmas markets grew in popularity, spreading across Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. You’ll now find them all over the world.
In Europe, the markets generally open in late November and close just before Christmas – with some extending into early January.
Here are some quick tips for first-timers visiting the markets:
Dress Warm
What should you wear to the markets? Well, it’s winter so warm clothes are a must. We recommend wearing a thermal base layer under your clothes. We wore warm puffer jackets, stocking hats, and gloves and kept hand warmers in our pockets. Utilize a crossbody bag or backpack to keep your hands free to hold snacks and beverages.
Other helpful things to have on your person: hand sanitizer, wipes, a water bottle, a portable battery to charge your phone, and a packable tote bag in case you purchase gifts or souvenirs.
Wear Practical Shoes
This holds true in general when traveling, but practical shoes are particularly important when exploring winter markets. Consider the possibility of wet weather, combined with uneven cobblestone streets. After a mug or two of hot Glühwein , you may also find yourself a bit unsteady on your feet. For all of those reasons, wear the practical shoes even if they’re not cute.
Carry Cash
Most vendors are cash only. Vendors rarely accept cards, especially for small purchases. For your planning purposes, we found that most snacks and drinks cost between five to ten euros. The portions were often large, and shareable.
KidTripster Tip: If withdrawing cash from a ATM, use an ATM attached to a bank. Don’t use a random standalone machine. Answer no when it asks you if you want to be charged in USD. Instead, choose the local currency for a better exchange rate.
KidTripster Tip: To avoid dealing with sketchy ATMs, we usually order our currency ahead of traveling. Other than the exchange rate, our bank doesn’t charge any extra fees. We like to arrive with cash in hand, ready to hit the ground running.
Hold Onto Your Coins
I hate all the coins that I accumulate when traveling in Europe. They make my purse even heavier! But these coins do come in handy when paying a deposit for a mug for Glühwein. Sometimes you’ll need coins to use the bathroom.
Keep Your Mugs … Or Not
Each market has its own mug, making them popular souvenirs. When you purchase a mug of Glühwein , you’ll have to pay a deposit for the mug, usually around 2-4 euros. You’ll receive a token marked “Pfand” as proof of payment. You can simply keep the mug and forfeit your deposit, or return the mug with your token and get your money back.
KidTripster Tip: If you plan to keep your mugs, we recommend traveling with a gallon sized plastic bag. When you’re done with your drink, drop the mug in the bag so it’s not rolling around loose in your purse or backpack, creating a sticky mess.
Christmas Markets Closed on Christmas
If you’re traveling over the actual holiday, bear in mind that the markets are typically closed on Christmas. Some are also closed on the December 24th and December 26th.
Most markets have a website that lists hours. Check that out in advance when planning your trip.
KidTripster Tip: For smaller crowds, visit the markets during weekdays and avoid weekends and evenings.
See More Markets By Boat
A river cruise in an ideal way to experience multiple markets. Your cruise ship is your floating hotel room. You’ll unpack just once and arrive in a new city each day, making it easy to explore markets you might not otherwise have the chance to visit.
[ Related: 7 Reasons To Book a Christmas Market Cruise ]
For families we recommend sailing with A-ROSA. It’s a German-based cruise company that welcomes English speaking guests. Everything on-board is presented in German and English. A-ROSA welcomes kids, even offering free sailings to kids ages 11 and under. Discounts are available for kids ages 12-15. You’ll want to book well in advance to snag these deals as it only applies to certain cabins.
[ Related: Sail Through Europe Together on A-ROSA’s Family-Friendly River Cruises ]
