The 5 most beautiful city breaks during Advent
Seas of lights, Christmas markets and the wonderful smell of cinnamon in the air: if you travel in the run-up to Christmas, you will experience these cities in a very special magic.
12 November 2021
It's not for nothing that they call Christmastime the most contemplative time of the year, because with its many lights, snowy landscapes and the smell of punch and freshly baked cookies on every street corner, even the biggest Grinch gets into the Christmas spirit. If you find the end of the year rather stressful due to work, Christmas shopping or other daily hustle and bustle, you might want to treat yourself to a little time off. How about a city break or a short Christmas trip over the weekend?
Scandinavian Christmas
The Swedish capital is a great destination for a short trip in the run-up to Christmas, as Stockholm is not only surrounded by a multitude of archipelagos, but is itself spread over several islands. In the winter time, when the densely arranged houses sink under a glittering snow cover and the shine of the many lights is reflected on the water, the whole city turns into a postcard motive. A special feature that makes Stockholm particularly attractive as a destination in the advent season is the Riddarfjärden - the skating on the frozen passages in the archipelago in front of Stockholm or in the bays and lakes around the city. Renting skates and enjoying the Christmas atmosphere high up in the north on the ice turns your stay into an unforgettable experience. After the adventurous ride across the ice, travellers can then enjoy a glass of glögg or julmust, traditional Swedish Christmas drinks, at one of the many Christmas markets.
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Nativity show in Valencia
The Spanish city of Valencia also transforms into a Winter Wonderland during Advent: fir trees adorn the large markets and squares, the smell of roasted chestnuts permeates the busiest shopping districts and Christmas lights illuminate the entire city. In addition to its beautiful Christmas markets and the 25-metre-high Christmas tree in the town hall square, one tradition in particular attracts many tourists to Valencia every year: Xàtiva, the making of nativity scenes. This custom goes back to St. Francis of Assisi and has made the city famous. Numerous shopping centres, museums, churches and even private households display their own elaborate nativity scenes. Among the most famous are the nativity scene at the Centro de Artesanía de la Comunidad Valencia, the one at the Mercado de Cllón and the one at the Galería Jorge Juan. The largest and most romantic, however, is the one in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.
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Christmas window shopping in London
It's no longer a secret that London is the perfect destination for Christmas shopping. But at Christmas time, the big department stores like Harrods, Selfridges and Liberty are interesting for a completely different reason: every year, their shop windows are decorated so fabulously that they tell entire stories and are worth a visit due to their impressively illuminated facades and lovingly decorated shop windows alone. The city also has plenty of Christmas magic in store with its many sights, museums and parks. A visit to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is a must, as the glowing rides, the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread as well as the wintry ambience in the middle of the park are guaranteed to create unforgettable memories.
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Salzburg: the oldest Christmas market in the world
Very few people know that Salzburg is home to the oldest, most traditional and most successful Christmas market in the world. If you are planning a visit to the city of Mozart, don't miss the Christmas market at the Salzburg Cathedral in the middle of the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Those looking to experience even more Austrian culture should definitely plan their trip around St. Nicholas Day on December 6. That's where the annual Krampuslauf or Perchtenlauf takes place, where the streets of Salzburg are filled with the wild sounds of bells, shaggy furs and scary masks. Mozart's birthplace also has a lot in store for its visitors in terms of music. On the trumpet tower of the Hohensalzburg Fortress, tower brass players provide a beautiful musical experience.
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Atmospheric Advent in Budapest
The Hungarian capital is known far beyond its borders for the Christmas market on Vörösmarty Tér in front of Café Gerebaud, one of the largest and most traditional coffee houses in Europe. Visitors will find not only the characteristic wooden pavilions, where numerous craftsmen offer their traditional products, but also plenty of culinary delights such as Kürtöskalács (tree cake), langos or various roast and strudel specialties. Every year the Christmas market is accompanied by a cultural programme with music, folk dancing and concerts. With its magnificent illuminations and the many sights such as the Parliament building or the Fishermen's Bastion, Budapest is also always worth a visit outside the Christmas season.
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