If you're ho ho hoping to visit Christmas markets
in Europe this year, be sure to watch this video first because
as magical as Christmas markets are
they can also be stressful and confusing to plan for
but don't worry in this video we'll be running through
the top must knows before you visit Europe's famous Christmas markets,
from practical advice to lesser-known hacks t
hat will make your experience as smooth as possible
Now hit that cheesy intro [Music]
Hi everyone it's Christina from HappytoWander.com,
back again for more Christmas Market fun.
This channel is all about practical travel tips for Europe and beyond
so be sure to hit subscribe if that sounds like your
kind of thing and stick to the end
to get a free printable packing list for
winter in Europe. Now I've been to dozens of Christmas markets
across Europe over the years and today my goal is to make you a
Christmas Market pro with my must knows
and prepare you for the most magical trip of your life
If you are lucky enough to be headed to
Europe this Christmas, leave a comment with where
and I'll be sure to chime in with more tips if I can.
Now onto the tips.
First off do your research by using Google Translate to search in that local language.
Oftentimes when you're traveling to a country where English isn't
the main language the best and most up-to-date information
about Christmas markets will of course be available in the local language so
what I would recommend you do is firstly type in the name of the
Christmas Market on Google translate get it translated into the
local language and then search that up on Google.
I like using Google Chrome as my internet browser because it has
translation automatically built in so you
can just click and then translate it all into English be sure to also look
in the corner of every website and double check the local language
version of the site as well which is often more thorough and more up to
date than the English version.
Tip number two: know the traps when it comes to Christmas Market dates
There is no uniform rule across countries or even across one city
as to when Christmas markets will open which creates a bit of a
logistical mess when you're trying to plan dates
are never the exact same each year nor are
they consistent across places and it is surprisingly easy
to get dates wrong when researching for
Christmas markets so here are a few tips to
make sure you get them right.
First always look for official event websites to confirm dates.
Oftentimes the results that come up first on Google are websites
that are not run by the official event organizers and
therefore they're mainly based on second-hand information.
This means information can become outdated or
inaccurate so be sure to cross-reference dates with official
pages like the organizer's website or the official
tourism board for that destination.
Second be mindful of closure dates.
Often Christmas markets have closure dates
that aren't immediately obvious when they show
their dates in a range. For example most
Christmas markets will actually be closed on
Christmas Eve or Christmas day even if they list
their dates as extending past Christmas and in Germany
there are markets which open earlier in the season that are always
closed for Totensonntag aka the Sunday of the Dead.
third remember that most cities have multiple Christmas markets
which can have different opening dates.
Often we have a tendency to refer to Christmas markets
as the Munich Christmas Market or the Frankfurt Christmas Market
but it's helpful to know in your planning that in most major cities
the Christmas Market scene is actually made up of several independent markets
which can open and close at different times.
Of course because my goal is to make travel easier
for all of you, I've created a resource over at
ChristmasMarketsinEurope.com that has detailed lists
of Christmas Market dates broken down by country
along with links to whatever official websites
I can find so feel free to use it as a resource when you're planning.
Tip number three: consider traveling midweek if you can.
If you have the luxury of flexibility be sure to plan your
trip so that they happen mid-week this is because weekends
tend to be incredibly chaotic and busy sometimes to the
point where you can't even see the stalls or enjoy your time
without drowning in a giant festive cuddle puddle.
Another perk of going midweek is that flights tend to be
cheaper. I do have a video all about finding cheap flights to
Europe so be sure to give that a watch if you want to learn
more. Another important tip is you should plan to mix up your
itinerary. Whenever overseas visitors come
to Europe for Christmas markets they tend to focus on the
biggest and most famous Christmas markets that they've
heard of. Of course these markets are famous for a reason
but some of the most charming Christmas markets in Europe
are the ones that take place in smaller towns. This is why
whenever I plan a Christmas Market trip I like to base myself
in one city and then do day trips out to smaller towns or
villages to round out my experience. On a similar note I also
try to find unique markets nearby as the big ones can get a
little bit samey after a while. There's often smaller craft fairs or
medieval and Nordic themed markets in every city so be sure
to dig around and try to find some special ones to mix up your
itinerary a bit. Tip number five: look into passes for public
transportation in that region. Now this tip is more for Germany
specifically but I know these offers exist in other countries as
well if you are planning on traveling to many markets in a day
be sure to look into regional day tickets in Germany these are
available in each state meaning you can pay one set price and
get unlimited regional train rides in one state for the day. This
is great for Christmas Market hopping because you can do a
bunch of rides for one set price without needing to pre-book
which leaves a lot of room for spontaneity. Now for our final
tip in this sectionL book experiences and tickets in advance
when needed. With a few exceptions most Christmas markets
in Central Europe offer free admission meaning you don't need
to pay to get inside but oftentimes there will be components
and activities within these Christmas markets that require
booking in advance like seating areas fun workshops or
festive activities so be sure to sleuth around on the event's
official website to see if there are any must-dos that require
booking in advance. Now let's move on to the next section.
I'll start with the things that nobody ever tells you to pack.
First be sure to bring a tote bag or a small bag with you.
These are incredibly helpful for holding your market
purchases without needing to bring a big bulky backpack as
many vendors don't actually give bags for smaller items.
Also be sure to bring sanitizer wipes or baby wipes.
The truth is Christmas markets can get sticky and sometimes
napkins just don't do the job, plus you might want something
to wipe the mulled shame off the mugs before you pack them.
Lastly bring a reusable water bottle. Whereas in North America
there's often free water on site at events whether it's through
refillable stations or just provided at the event itself, this is a
lot rarer at European Christmas markets so if you want to stay
hydrated then it's best to bring your own bottle just in case or
of course you can usually buy a bottle of water while you're
there. Just know that it won't be free.
Now on to some tips on specifics to packing your suitcase.
First be sure to pack layers for warmth.
You'll be changing up temperatures a lot during your
Christmas Market visits going from indoor to outdoor quite
frequently this is why it's crucial to layer for warmth rather
than rely on a few bulky items. Good layering starts with a nice
thermal base layer and I can highly recommend the heat tech
line from Uniqlo as an affordable option they're super thin
keep you incredibly warm and don't take up too much space.
Second be sure to prioritize darker shades of clothing.
Listen, I love a nice white sweater as much as the next gal but
the reality of Christmas Market food is that it is incredibly
messy. If you're packing light and need to prioritize certain
items in your wardrobe go for darker shades because the
last thing you want is a giant mulled wine stain on your only
sweater of course if you can't resist the cutesy appeal of
having light-colored clothes then another hack is to simply
pack a really big scarf. Think of it as a fashionable bib for
catching spills and incidents. In terms of outerwear try to bring
a coat that is both waterproof and also has an inner pocket.
The thing about Christmas in Europe is that the weather can
be incredibly unpredictable so while snow tends to be rare
unless you're higher up north, one universal theme across
most parts of Central Europe is that you can get very gray
and very wet. Umbrellas can really be cumbersome to
lug around in crowded markets especially when it's windy
so I'd advise bringing a really solid waterproof coat with a
hood for protection if you only have space for one coat make
sure it is waterproof also try your best to bring a coat with an
inner pocket so you can keep your valuables close with ease
and also provide ease of mind when it comes to pickpockets.
Boots-wise, comfort is key unless you're going to Christmas
markets in northern Europe you likely won't need full-on snow
boots but it's important that whatever boots you do bring are
warm and have solid grip on them because those European
cobblestones are no joke. Lastly don't forget to leave space in
your suitcase if you're visiting Christmas markets in Europe.
Odds are you are planning to do at least a bit of shopping or
hoard a million of those amazing Christmas Market mugs
that's why it's very important to leave space in your luggage
for all those amazing new goodies. I do share this tip in my
how to pack for Europe video but if you want to save money
on checked bags on your way there, you can always nest
suitcases within one another or pack a duffel bag or large
backpack that you can use to haul your goodies over on the
way home. That way you only pay once for the additional
checked bag as a bonus tip if you plan to buy wine or other
fragile goodies like mugs while abroad you should definitely
look into getting some wine protectors which come flat but
can be inflated with a pump to create the perfect cushioning
for all your fragile goods. Now let's move on....
Tip number 15 is to get the Google Translate app installed on
your phone. Depending on where in Europe you're headed for
Christmas markets many vendors will speak enough English
for you to get by. Of course this isn't always the case which is
why it may be helpful to have Google translate on hand if you
download a language for offline use this means you can also
use it without any data on your phone. If you find that
interesting I have a full video about helpful apps to download
before visiting Europe so be sure to give that a what if you
need more recommendations.
The next tip is to pack light when you're visiting the markets.
Bigger busier markets can sometimes have restrictions on
bigger bags during busy times or at least there's sometimes
security bag checks which can take longer if you're carrying a
lot so practically speaking be sure to pack light because big
bags can also get in the way in a crowded environment.
Another important must know is to bring cash.
While Christmas markets are increasingly becoming card
friendly these days especially in northern Europe and the UK
by and large cash is still king at European Christmas markets,
plus it just makes things easier for things like mug deposits.
Small bills and some coins are a good idea especially in
Central Europe as it's often customary to leave a tip for the
bathroom attendants who keep the facilities clean the next tip
is to solidify your Christmas Market strategy.
This is a few tips rolled in one so bear with me firstly I'd
recommend avoiding peak hours whenever possible especially
when people get off work because markets can be super
congested I'd also recommend shopping during the day when
there's fewer people and more room to browse and then
returning again at night to enjoy the atmosphere lastly
be sure to do a few laps before committing to buying anything
because there are way too many possibilities for regular
humans with limited stomach space, budgets and suitcase
room so be sure to get a lay of the land first before you
commit to purchasing. Doing a few laps can also help you
learn to spot mass-produced goods. While it is romantic to
imagine that all Christmas Market vendors have handcrafted
every single item themselves, mass-produced gifts are
becoming increasingly common at Christmas markets
especially in larger cities. For some this isn't a huge deal
breaker... after all a nice ornament is a nice ornament but if it's
important to you that your purchases are handmade locally
then walking around first can help you spot which items are
probably mass produced as they tend to appear over and over
across stalls and markets. Another practical tip to keep in
mind is to set a meeting point in case you get separated. If
you're traveling in a group, Christmas markets are the perfect
place to accidentally lose each other plenty of people plenty of
distracting shiny objects and a surplus of tasty hot drinks that
will leave you a bit silly this is why it's important to set a
designated meeting point in case you do get separated even if
you do have phones because sometimes it's tough to get
signal and the markets can be loud.
And now finally for the most exciting part
I've already written an article with specific food
recommendations so I won't get too much into that but be
sure to give it a read before you go of course you can never go
wrong with mulled wine, potato pancakes or sausages of all
kinds. What's also important to know is usually at Christmas
markets food is eaten standing up while perched at a table.
This is why it's crucial to pack light and wear comfortable
shoes as you'll be standing quite a bit. Also be mindful of
deposits on cups. You know those adorable Christmas Market
mugs that you see in every photo and which haunt my
cupboard most stalls will charge a deposit on those meaning
you will initially be paying a bit extra for the mugs of course
you get this extra deposit back when you return the mug but
just know that the cost up front will typically be higher than
what you see on the side, simply because of this additional
deposit so don't have a heart attack when your mulled wine
costs 8 Euro. Last but not least if you have food intolerances
definitely be sure to research beforehand what you might be
able to have Christmas markets aren't really the friendliest
place for food intolerances. Add in a language barrier and it
might be difficult to know which foods you can safely enjoy.
This is why research is key and also downloading Google
Translate to avoid any misunderstandings.
And there you have it - my top European Christmas Market tips
for those planning a visit or those who are just nosy and
preparing for the future. If you're still here thanks for sticking
around and you can find that winter in Europe packing list
through this link right here let me know in the comments
what your favourite Christmas Market is or where you might be headed this year
And for more practical travel videos like this in the future be sure to subscribe.
Thanks for watching - byeee!