This is an update to our article from November 22, 2022 (All dates are current for Advent 2023)
Do you love Christmas markets as much as we do? They are as much a part of the Advent season as getting the Christmas decorations out of the boxes, baking grandma’s recipes, and lighting the long evenings with candles wherever possible. Sounds kitsch? Well, it is! But it can be, at least for the Advent season. Better cheesy than Christmas frenzy 😉 That’s why we’re going to show you some wonderful places where you can consciously take a break and get that real pre-Christmas feeling. Not only sustainable hotels, but also the most beautiful Christmas markets!
Paris and Advent
Experience Advent à la Française at the sustainable hotel Le Pavillon, close to the Eiffel Tower. From here, you can reach countless Christmas markets. One of the most beautiful is the Paris Notre-Dame Christmas market on Rue du Fouarre, where you will find many stalls selling sustainable local products from French producers, artists and craftspeople. Read more in our blog about Sustainable Christmas in Paris 2023.
Christmas in Southern Italy
Okay, admittedly: Temperatures between 10 and 15°C don’t exactly conjure up the spirit of Christmas. But the winter grouches among you can listen up for a moment. There are Christmas markets in southern Italy, too. For example, in the medieval village of Castellabate in Campania (south of Naples). On the three weekends before Christmas, traditional crafts are on display and, of course, there is plenty of delicious food. In fact, village festivals are held everywhere on the days of Christmas itself, says Lucia from the historic A’ Cràpa Mangia estate in the Cilento National Park. “There is never a shortage of good food,” she says with a wink.
Traditional Christmas Markets in Germany
Advent in the Harz Mountains
The historic towns of the Harz Mountains focus on arts and crafts, lights, and an Advent atmosphere. The Naturresort Schindelbruch in Stolberg recommends a visit to the Advent City of Quedlinburg. The romantic Quedlinburg Christmas Market takes place on the historic Market Square and Kornmarkt/Marktstraße. And on all Advent weekends, “Advent in the Courtyards” invites you to stroll through Quedlinburg’s otherwise closed historic courtyards. Christmas food and shopping included. Goslar and Werningerode are also well worth a visit in the run-up to Christmas.
Between Nature and Art in Bavaria
The STURM is located on the edge of the Rhön Biosphere Reserve, surrounded by an extensive nature park. The love of nature (and art) is not only evident in the sustainable hotel, but also in the recommendations for Christmas markets! Some are smaller, like the Oberstreu Advent Market, idyllically nestled in the forest, while others focus on arts and crafts, like the Bad Neustadt Christmas Market. The Christmas market in Bischofsheim is particularly beautiful and regional. There you can find products made of wool from the Rhön. Perfect for Christmas gift shopping. STURM also recommends the market in Mellrichstadt, right on the hotel’s doorstep.
Christmas market fans, take note!
There are three Christmas markets in Erlangen, where the sustainable Hotel Luise is located. There’s something for everyone. Or you can visit all three, try the hot wine/ children’s punch, and look for small, local gifts for your loved ones.
If you still haven’t had enough after the Forest Christmas Market, the Historical Christmas Market and the Old Town Christmas Market: From Erlangen, it’s only a short ride on public transportation to Nuremberg or Fürth.
Culinary Christmas Market in Füssen
The Christmas market in Füssen in the Allgäu region opens its doors and stalls between December 8 and 17. The culinary Christmas market on December 10 is a special highlight for the trainees at Hotel Das Rübezahl in Schwangau. They will be there again this year with their own stand. The special thing about it is not only that the stand is thoroughly organized and stocked by the trainees themselves. The net proceeds will be donated to social institutions in the region.
By the way, the Swiss hotel CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt, Switzerland is also represented at a Christmas market: In Zurich, you will be treated to delicious delicacies from the Ferdinand by CERVO restaurant.
Advent magic in the Black Forest
It’s hard to choose between handicrafts, small works of art and homemade delicacies… It’s not easy for us and the SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA to pick out the highlights at the Bad Herrenalb Advent markets. Especially since there is also a colorful and contemplative supporting program and numerous other events in the run-up to Christmas. These include the “Albleuchten” with mulled wine and guided evening walks through the festively illuminated town.
Comfortable and cozy
Another wonderful Christmas market you find at the Herrmansdorfer Landwerkstätten near Munich. Located within walking distance of the Gut Sonnenhausen, it offers arts and crafts stalls and tasty treats. Guided tours of the farm and the farm market will also be open. What we are especially excited about: A shuttle bus will run between the Grafing train station and the Christmas Market. So you can leave your car at home. Or you can stay at Gut Sonnenhausen for a few days 🙂 .
Winter magic in Seefeld, Austria
Do you know those Christmas markets where unromantic plastic tents are lined up next to each other? You won’t find that in Seefeld. Instead, the Christmas market is set up with huts modeled after traditional Tyrolean log cabins. In addition to the typical food and drink stalls, you can find arts and crafts, magical lights in the Kurpark, and a toboggan hill for the kids. The team at Hotel Klosterbräu tells us that there are also numerous events taking place all around. If you want to see the Christmas market with your own eyes and don’t want to miss out on the pure Christmas atmosphere in the hotel, the former monastery is the place to be! Keywords: candlelight, baking cookies and making things together.
Christmas in South Tyrol
This year the Rittner Christbahnl will once again travel to Klobenstein, Oberbozen and the Plattner Bienenhof in Wolfsgruben to combine the three individual markets with their small but fine selection of traditional handicrafts, local specialties and music. But even without an official Christmas market, these traditional South Tyrolean towns are always festive and welcoming.
If you like it a little more lively and colorful, it is only a stone’s throw from Ritten to the Bolzano Christmas Market, the largest Christmas market in Italy. And of course, what we especially like: The original South Tyrolean Christmas markets are all about sustainability and are therefore certified as “Green Events”. The sustainable Green Pearls® partners APIPURA hotel rinner and ADLER Lodge RITTEN offer sustainable accommodation and special Advent packages.
The oldest Christmas market in South Tyrol can be found in Bressanone/Brixen. It’s not far from Hotel My Arbor. And while you’re there: the COLORS light musical takes place in December at the Hofburg in Brixen.
You’re not overly fond of bad weather on Christmas? Check this: FARAWAY TRAVELS WITH A GOOD CONSCIENCE
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