I’ve been visiting Christmas markets in Europe for decades. However, my Christmas Market wishlist grows longer each year. In large cities, there is more than one market to visit. Some are divided by themes or just by beautiful locations or sponsors. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting many unique markets over the years. These are some of my top favorites:
- Valkenburg, Netherlands: A Christmas Market in Caves
- Munich Germany: Pink Christmas
- Montreux, Switzerland: A Magical Lakeside Christmas Market
- Hamburg, Germany: St. Pauli’s Sexy Christmas Market
- Munich, Germany: A Medieval Christmas Market
1- A CHRISTMAS MARKET IN CAVES IN VALKENBURG, NETHERLANDS
The beautiful little town of Valkenburg, clustered around the only hilltop castle (ruins) in The Netherlands is the self-proclaimed “Christmas Center” of Holland. Valkenburg means “Falcon Mountain”. The town showcases live falconry exhibitions in milder weather.
The amazing aspect of the town is the caves under the castle. These caves were used as hiding places in World War 2. There is even graffiti on the walls left by Allied soldiers.
Unlike most Christmas Markets there is an entrance 9 Euro entrance fee. It’s more than worth it. there are two cave Christmas markets to explore. The Velvet Cave and the Municipal Cave.
Selling tulip bulbs.
They each have separate entrance fees. The Municipal Cave is the largest underground Christmas market and has cafes and elaborate displays.
Tip: There is also a Christmas market in the old town. This is free to the public and also worth a look.
More scenes from Valkenburg’s Christmas Market in the Caves:
2- A PINK CHRISTMAS IN MUNICH GERMANY
Munich has approximately 16 Christmas Markets., each with a different flair. l I love so many of them. However, Pink Christmas has my heart. It’s an LGBTQIA+-themed market. I distinctly remember how I discovered it. I was on my way to a friend’s apartment and I heard someone singing the last stanza from The Love Boat theme. I turned a corner and discovered a gorgeous drag queen on a stage surrounded by lit-up pink Christmas trees and instantly fell in love. As the song says, it was exciting and new.
There are clusters of stands selling goods, snacks, and drinks in tiny Stephansplatz in the Glockenbachviertel (GBV) section of Munich. The booths are adorned with large pink ribbons and inside were fabulous, PINK trinkets to buy. With disco balls, great music, and pink Christmas trees, it’s just adorable.
Tip: On December 1st World AIDS Day, the market has a special program.
3- A MAGICAL LAKESIDE CHRISTMAS MARKET IN MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND
This market, a short downhill journey from the central train station is a collection of 500 vendors clustered around Lake Geneva under a picturesque backdrop of the snow-capped mountains.
My train ticket included a special coupon redeemable at a number of the stands at the market for a hot mulled wine (Vin Chaud) or a soft pretzel. Guess which one I chose? Didn’t even care it was 11 AM. Not. One. Bit.
There were many cozy places within the market to stop, eat, sit, and sip your hot wine—some of them with gorgeous views.
The vast market also includes stalls on the street’s other side and has a large covered section in the center.
There was so much to see, taste, and experience at this market, that I walked it several times between dusk and darkness. Like most Christmas markets, the ambiance changed significantly. During the day, the lake and mountains view was the star. During the evening, the beautiful lights were the focus.
Tip: If you are a Queen fan don’t miss the Queen-The Studio Experience. This is located in a hotel walking distance from the market. There is a wonderful statue of Freddy Mercury at the Markey where fans still pay him tribute.
More Scenes from the Christmas Market in Montreux, Switzerland:
4- ST PAULI ‘S SEXY CHRISTMAS MARKET HAMBURG, GERMANY
As far as outside the box, this Christmas market is tops. Located in Hamburg’s red-light district of St. Pauli, this funny, sexy Weihnachtsmarkt is a sensational stop in Hamburg.
A strip tent, a fantastic Elvis impersonator performance, and booths selling sex toys and hot drinks with naughty names. The branding alone is hilarious.
Glühwein is hot mulled wine sold at every Christmas market in Germany. “Glühfick” is a specialty of the St. Pauli Christmas Market. Take the word “Fick” and replace the “i” with a “u” and you can translate the name of the drink yourself. There is a liquor they used in the drink named “Ficken” which means “To Fick”.
This little hot drink stand was the gay hangout area (more like the “hot little drink stand”) and the adorable queen who ran it was hilarious. He would heckle the foreign tourists in German as they walked by.
We visited this market every day because it was so convenient to stop there for a drink on our way out for the evening. Here are a couple of hot Lumumbas we had one afternoon. Notice how the St. Pauli version of Frosty the Snowman is Frosty the Flasher.
Tip: For the opposite experience in this lovely port city, visit the main Christmas market in the old town. It’s gorgeous and full of German Christmas traditions.
5- A MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS MARKET IN MUNICH, GERMANY
The medieval Christmas markets I have visited in Europe, are serious about authenticity. Workers speak in old languages and the goods on offer are items such as handmade forged swords and animal pelts. Instead of gluhwein, here you will find Met, a delicious ancient hot concoction made from fermented honey and a shot of whiskey.
There is swordplay on display and singing of Medieval songs. Everyone is dressed in era-appropriate costumes.
There were several falcons to admire. The handlers were very friendly and answered tons of questions.
Handmade bows and arrows and faries:
More scenes from Munich’s Medieval Christmas Market:
Check out these other European travel posts:
NAVIGATING NETHERLANDS’ CANALS BY HOUSEBOAT
MY TOP 10 TIPS WHEN VISITING EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS
NAVIGATING NETHERLANDS’ CANALS BY HOUSEBOAT
THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS OF LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND
