As much as we love it for sunny getaways ourselves, there’s no denying Europe is at its most magical in the wintertime:
There’s nothing quite like a snow-dusted medieval town dotted with smoky chimneys, streets lit up in fairy lights, and of course, the world-famous Christmas markets.
From admiring the stunning decorations to sampling local delicacies, there’s just no better way to get into that festive spirit than strolling cobbled lanes, mulled wine in hand.
If you plan on crossing the pond this December for a cozy winter escapade, these 5 lesser-known Christmas destinations offer beautiful sights and affordable prices:
Colmar, France
Located in France’s historic Alsace region, lining the border with Germany, Colmar is a storybook town of colorful half-timbered buildings, postcard-ready medieval squares, and winding canals that turn into a (literal) winter wonderland over Christmas.
Despite its small size, it plays host to as many as six Christmas markets, all lined with food stalls selling local delicacies, like bredele, traditional Alsatian biscuits flavored with orange, cinnamon, chocolate or walnuts, you name it, and foie gras served with toasted gingerbread.
Snacks and sweets typically cost between €5 and €10 per bag, a full meal such as tarte flambée or cheese-filled crepes average €8 – €15, a pint of beer is an affordable €4, and mulled wine is roughly €5 per cup, with markets staying open from November 26 through December 29.
Cologne, Germany
Over the border in Germany, the culturally-charged Cologne hosts Christmas festivities from as early as November 18, when the gates to its seven magical Weihnachtsmärkte fling open to the public, and the smell of curry wurst and cinnamon rolls fills the air.
Besides sampling the food, you can admire the well-crafted moving figures, pretty much everywhere you look, ice-skate for only €9, or take a ride on the Ferris wheel for the same price, taking in the incredible views of Cologne’s Altstadt and its towering Gothic cathedral.
Exploring by foot is the best way to soak up the wintery atmosphere, but if the cobbles are not gentle on your feet, you’re free to hop on the Christmas Market Express, rattling through Cathedral Market, the whimsical Heinz’s Winter Fairytale, Nicolas Village and many more holiday spots.
Brasov, Romania
In the very heart of Transylvania, a territory best-known for its vampiric tales, Brasov is a hidden gem ringed by snow-capped mountains, boasting a high concentration of historical monuments, including medieval Saxon bastions, a 14th-century ‘Black’ Church, and colorful Baroque facades.
It also plays host to one of the most budget-friendly Christmas markets in Europe, centered around a monumental yule tree flanked by stalls, serving fresh sarmale (cabbage rolls) and grilled sausages for around 10-15 Romanian leu, and beer or mulled wine for a negligible €2 – €3.
There is a main stage where Romanian folk music is performed live, an ice rink within short walking distance of the square, with prices starting from €10 for a one-hour access, and our personal favorite, you can even take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride for €20.
Tallinn, Estonia
There is a reason why Christmas enthusiasts flock from all over the world to visit Tallinn in the winter: its maze of an Old Town is one of the best-preserved in the whole of Europe, completely surrounded by intact 13th-century walls, and the winter vibes are unmatched.
What with the thick layer of snow sheathing the conical towers, the impossibly-tall Christmas tree, that has been ceremoniously set up before Town Hall since the year 1441, and the cobbled lanes bordered by joyfully-decorated, cozy eateries, it is the textbook definition of a frozen fairyland.
Besides the affordable food––you can gorge on some yummy black pudding sold by a street vendor for €5 and warm yourself up with a generous mug of hot cocoa for €3––accommodation is pretty inexpensive, too: a single room at Citybox Tallinn will set you back by €42 a night!
Zagreb, Croatia
We know Croatia is hugely popular for its turquoise seas and long, hot Adriatic summers, but it can be just as an enchanting destination in the dead of winter, when its seriously-underrated, inland capital Zagreb comes alive with its fair-packed Advent.
There is definitely a reason why this jolly event––a city-wide celebration involving concerts, ice skating, impressive light projections and gastronomy––has been named the Best Christmas Market in Europe for three years in a row now:
Be it exploring the picturesque streets of the Lower and Upper Towns, dominated by spires and a twin-towered cathedral, or munching on smooth, €4 sausages to the sound of Christmas carols as you browse through all the lively handicraft shops, there’s just no way those winter blues will ever get you here.
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