Christmas Markets

December 22, 2018 Aga

Christmas Markets are for me something special. I know that it may seem strange to some people but this is how it is. I guess it has become my tradition that in December I go to different places and mentally prepare for Christmas there. All has started during my Erasmus studies in Germany. We went to nearby towns for different Christmas markets. I’ve really liked the magic atmosphere of these trips and since then I have been going somewhere every year. I often combine these trips with meetings with friends. It’s wonderful to catch up with them with the mulled wine in a hand:)

Wrocław, Poland

This is the first Christmas market that I’ve managed to visit. I was surprised how it reminds me of German ones. Due to the fact that I was at the opening weekend, it was quite busy. It was difficult to walk around. Rynek, Oławska, Świdnicka and Plac Solny were overwhelmed by Christmas craziness. The organizers made sure that kids don’t get bored at the Christmas markets In Bajkowy Lasek, children can listen to classic fairy tales, ride a carousel and visit Santa Claus Galerie on Plac Solny. At the Wrocław’s Christmas market you can try different local food or buy interesting presents for the Christmas. To fully enjoy the magic of the Wrocław’s Christmas market it is worth going during week. There are definitely too many people at the weekends and this may be annoying for some.

Hanover, Germany

The first market in Hanover can be simply visited by walking outside the train station . It is smaller and a bit less climatic than the one in Altstadt, the old town. About 10 minutes from the station, the main Christmas market is located. At 130 stands you can find handicrafts, sweets and something to eat and drink. As usual, I ate Kartoffelpuffer – potato pancakes with additional apple sauce. Of course, I couldn’t miss mulled wine with the addition of Amaretto.

Berlin, Germany

There are about 75 different Christmas markets in Berlin this year. The choice is therefore quite large. Last year I was, among others at Alexanderplatz, which was very touristy and at a very interesting market in Kulturbrauerei. This year I had the opportunity to visit the Prinzessinnengarten – city garden in the heart of Kreuzboerg, which was such an alternative version of traditional markets. Prinzessinnengarten (with German “Princesses Garden“) is a very interesting initiative. This urban garden was created by a group of volunteers in 2009. They adapted the abandoned areas of the Moritzplatz subway station. Today, this place is one of the most popular spaces of this type in Berlin. You can read more about this here.

Kraków, Poland

Definitely Kraków‘s Christmas market was the closest one. Even so, for a long time it was out of my way. When I finally went there, I was a bit disappointed. Not only that, there is a queue for mulled wine, it is also served in disposable cups. I went quite fast through the stands, but I noticed that everything was the same as a year ago. Although the Kraków‘s Christmas market is not the best one, Krakow is still beautifully decorated during Christmas and this year even the Christmas tree looks better than in previous years.