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Decisions, decisions. If you’re weighing up which Christmas market to head to for your next festive fix, we hear you. While their roots are mainly Germanic, Christmas markets have spread all over Europe since the Middle Ages and there’s a bumper crop to pick from these days. To help you whittle down which one to visit, we’ve pipped two of Europe’s finest against each other. Will you be sipping a vin chaud while nibbling a macaron beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Or eating a sugar-dusted Danish pancake while sipping grogg in Copenhagen? You decide.
PARIS CHRISTMAS MARKET
Why pick Paris Christmas market?
Paris is up there in the big league of Christmas markets. Along with favourites like Vienna, Budapest and Prague, it’s a regular feature in Europe’s top ten list. Its proximity to the UK helps – the capital of France is a short flight away, so you’ll be on French soil in no time. And it runs all the way from late November to the end of December, so you’ve got loads of time to enjoy it. There’s also the fact that nowhere in the world can match the Champs Élysées lit up by fairy lights. This is the City of Light, after all.
What’s the Paris Christmas market like?
It’s big. And it’s spread out all over all four quartiers of the city, so pack your most sensible shoes. Wooden chalets and white tents pop up everywhere from the banks of the Seine to the foot of the Eiffel Tower. One of the best markets is La Magie de Noël – The Magic of Christmas – in Tuileries Garden, which is equal parts market and festive fairground. Quaint carousels, roasted chestnut stands and stalls selling Christmassy trinkets line up next to the Louvre. If it’s artisan gifts you’re after, put the Notre Dame Christmas market on your list. Jewellery, paintings and pottery top the list of take-homes, and the food menu ticks off raclette and dainty macarons. On the subject of food, don’t miss the Christmas market in Monmartre. This one may be small, but you’ll find the best vin chaud – mulled wine – here. Sip it beneath the snow-topped Sacré-Coeur.
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What should I not leave Paris without?
A ride on the giant Ferris wheel at Tuileries Garden, for incredible views of the Paris skyline. And as many ornate tree decorations as you can squeeze into your hand luggage.
COPENHAGEN CHRISTMAS MARKET
Why pick Copenhagen Christmas market?
One word: hygge. The capital of Denmark embraces cosy, comforting vibes all year round, but this place really excels itself at Christmas. Warm your gloved hands around a steaming glass of glogg – or gluhwein, depending on who’s selling it. Shop for comfy woollen slippers to take home and never take off. Then stroll arm-in-arm through the winter wonderland that is Tivoli Gardens in your happy, hygge bubble. Copenhagen’s Christmas markets are also dotted all over the city, and most run from late November to Christmas Eve. It’s worth checking the dates though, as they all do their own thing. Tivoli Gardens continues all the way to December 31st if you fancy a New Year’s Eve break.
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What’s the Copenhagen Christmas market like?
It’s pretty magical. The Christmas market on Højbro square in the middle of the old town is the one to beat. You can’t see for decorated Christmas trees, festive wooden huts and stalls serving steaming mugs of glogg – the Danish version of mulled wine. There’s a distinctly German feel here, so don’t be surprised to find gluhwein and frankfurters on the menu, too. And Santa comes to visit on certain days, so kids can get a photo with him for free. The Christmas market at Tivoli is another absolute must, but make sure you do this one in the evening. Once the sun’s set the gardens sparkle with thousands of lights and baubles, and a huge Christmas tree glitters on Tivoli Lake. There’s a light show in front of the Nimb Hotel and loads of rollercoasters in the world-famous theme park if you fancy splashing out on a ride pass. There’s an entry fee to get into the gardens, which includes the Christmas market, but it’s well worth the cost.
What should I not leave Copenhagen without?
A skate at the Frederiksberg Runddel, a free ice rink by the entrance to Frederiksberg Garden. You’ll need it to work off all the pancake puffs – called Æbleskiver – that you had at Tivoli Gardens.
Still undecided?
Check out all our holidays to France and our holidays to Denmark. For more inspo, take a look at the best Christmas markets in Paris or read our foodie’s guide to Europe’s Christmas markets.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Katie Gregory
Last updated: 23/10/23
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