This post has been written by Scott, my better half. If it’s possible, he loves Christmas (and Christmas markets) even more than I do! Here’s his contribution about the most romantic markets we’ve visited so far. You can read more from Scott’s point of view about our travels over on his own blog worldwideScott.
If you are a regular reader of Confused Julia, you know that we absolutely love European Christmas markets. And if you’re just stopping by today for the first time, it probably hasn’t taken you long to come to that same Christmassy conclusion either. I mean seriously, is there anything in the world better than Christmas markets?
Actually, yes: romantic Christmas markets.
Now, for the most part, almost all Christmas markets in Europe are covered in a small dusting of romance, but some very special ones are home to an extra cozy, warm, and snug atmosphere. Romantic Christmas markets make skipping along and staying warm with that special someone just a little more fun and memorable. The romantic Christmas markets that we have been to are definitely the ones where we’ve had the merriest of times and the ones we look back on most fondly.
Here are a few of our favorites.
Goslar, Germany
Located at the foot of the Harz Mountains, Goslar is home to one of the most romantic Christmas markets in Lower Saxony. The Harz Mountains that surround Goslar are rife with legends of witches that live on mountain tops, and staying safe and warm far away from them at the Christmas market is a great way to spend a winter night or two. Goslar is crisscrossed by a babbling brook, which is a great setting for a dreamy arm-in-arm stroll, and the Goslar Christmas market features a fairy-tale fountain along with a cute Winterwald, which is a forest made up of dozens of real trees. Hiding from the witches in the pines of the Winterwald with a steaming mug of mulled wine is pretty much the epitome of romantic in my opinion.
Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin
As far as romantic Christmas markets are concerned, in my opinion, it’s all about the backdrop. Historic and alluring buildings are great, snow-capped mountains are even better, but castles and palaces are probably the best. The Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin is an exquisite example of a Christmas market in the middle of a bustling city, but since it has the right backdrop, manages to feel like a romantic escape.
You enter the Charlottenburg Palace market past two glamorous chandelier-esque light displays and then soon after you see the Baroque beauty itself. The palace is elegantly bathed in colorful lights and musicians stroll the market setting the perfect holiday tone.
Bolzano, Italy
While it may be in the far reaches of Northern Italy, it’s still Italy, and Italy is absolutely synonymous with romance in my book. The Bolzano Christmas market is also home to a Christmas tree forest, and in true Italian style, you will find a bar inside the forest serving prosecco and other classy holiday cocktails. Taking a stroll down Via dei Portici is a treat too, as Bolzano’s cobblestoned beauty is lined with gracefully arched arcades that ooze romanticismo. I also recommend a sunset ride on the funicular up to the surrounding hills which offer enchanting views of the soaring Dolomite mountains.
Grossarl, Austria
High in the Austrian Alps, Grossarl is home to one of the smallest and snowiest romantic Christmas markets we’ve been to. The market town is located in a beautiful Alpine valley, and the night we were there, snow was on the ground making the atmosphere powder perfect. The wooden chalet-style buildings of the town make for a fantastic backdrop and a stroll up to the chapel overlooking the town is a really romantic thing to do here.
Salzburg, Austria
Famous for being the town whose surrounds played host to the filming of The Sound of Music, the Salzburg Christmas market should strike a starry-eyed chord with you whether you are a fan of the film or not. Huddled under the snow-white crown of the town, Hohensalzburg Castle, the stalls of the Salzburg Christmas market peddle their wares next to a beautiful baroque church and a cute little ice skating rink near a statue of Mozart. If you stay on the other side of the mountain from the market like we did, you’ll even get to start your night out right by walking through a romantic mountain tunnel to reach the Christmas market.
Leave a Reply