The Cathedra l in Tr ie r is a beauti fu l backdrop for the Tr ie r Chr is tm as Market.

3 of My Favorite European Christmas Marketsmonkeysandmountains.com /european-christmas-markets

I love Christmas markets! This year I made it to seventeen Christmas markets in Germany andin Salzburg, Austria – not bad!.

That’s pretty decent, but when you consider that there are twenty four Christmas markets in Munich alone, and thousandsof Christmas markets in Europe, I still have a long way to go. Many other Christmas markets were nice, but all started toblur together after a while. Here are my 3 favorite European Christmas Markets of 2011 that are each unique and standout from the stiff Christmas market competition:

Trier, Germany

Trieris

Germany’s oldest city and with its Roman ruins its steeped in history. Trier is beautiful anytime of year, but it reallyshines during the holidays. The Christmas market is nestled in the historic market square and extends to the UNESCOWorld Heritage Site Cathedral (Trier Dom in German) providing a spectacular backdrop and making it one of the mostbeautiful Christmas markets I have visited.

The s treets s ur round ing the m arket in Tr ie r are a ls o decorated.

Hellbrunn Palace, Salzburg, Austria

If I

The m arket a t He l lb runn Pa lace in Sa lz burg is very rom antic. Note the advent ca lendar in the pa lace windows .

If Ihad to

choose my favorite Christmas market in Salzburg it would without a doubt be the one at Hellbrunn Palace, even though Ienjoyed the other Christmas Markets in Salzburg as well. The palace makes for a dramatic setting and its windowsserve as an advent calendar. It’s also the most romantic Christmas market I’ve been to this year with all its lights and itsnearby grounds making for a perfect place for couples to sneak a quick kiss or two in relative privacy. The HellbrunnPalace Christmas Market is also more spaced out than others are so although it was busy, it never felt claustrophobicas some others do. It also has an unusual Christmas tree that captivated my attention.

A pa lace s etting and beauti fu l l igh ts m ade the Chr is tm as m arket a t He l lb runn Pa lace m y favor i te one in Sa lz burg.

Esslingen Medieval Market, Germany

The Medieva l Market in Es s l ingen, Germ any is h igh ly enter ta in ing.

The Esslingen Christmas Market located just outside of Stut tgart is the most entertaining market I’vebeen to! I think it would be a huge hit with children. It is nestled in the heart of medieval Esslingen with vendorsdressed in medieval costumes selling medieval wares and drinks served in heavy pottery reflective of the middleages. It’s easy to forget what century you’re in, especially if you get caught up in medieval games, which are highlyaddictive and were one of the highlights!

m edieva l gam es a t the m arket in Es s l ingen

Will my list change next year? Quite probably, with thousands of European Christmas Markets to choose from I think itwill be an evolving list and I’ve already started my list for next year including the Christmas Markets in Alsace Francerecommended by Jeff from EuroTravelogue.

What are your f avorites?

About Laurel

Laurel Robbins is a free-spirited adventurer, award-winning travel blogger at Monkeys and MountainsAdventure Travel Blog. Many hats, one travel obsessed Canadian in Germany.