EVERY year, a charming medieval town in southern Germany hosts the best Christmas market in Europe.
The commuter town of Esslingen, also known as Esslingen am Neckar, is known for its half-timbered buildings, cobbled streets and its festive outdoor market.
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Located just 10 miles from Stuttgart, the Christmas market in Esslingen has been named as the best in Europe thanks to data from TripAdvisor.
Independent travel agency Iglu used TripAdvisor data to reveal the highest-rated Christmas markets in Europe.
The research analysed five star customer reviews from the biggest Christmas markets in Europe, with Esslingen coming out as the highest-rated.
The travel agency found the German Christmas market to have the highest “excellent” rating on TripAdvisor, making it Europe’s best.
Read More on Christmas Travel
Located 10 miles south of Stuttgart, ‘Esslingen Medieval Market And Christmas Market’ has over 280 stalls.
At the Medieval Market, a range of craftspeople like jewellers, blacksmiths and glass blowers will sell handmade gifts, with demonstrations from some vendors also taking place.
Other goods like incense, leather-bound books, berry wines, spices and fragrances.
Traditional food and drink like Swabian cheese spätzle and a Swabian ravioli called ‘Maultaschen’ will also be sold at the market.
Visitors can also expect to find waffles, crepes, grilled sausages, crispy potato chips, stews and mulled wine.
The Christmas market also has a living nativity scene with sheep, newborn lambs, a donkey and figures of Mary and Joseph.
Other attractions at the Christmas market include a vintage carousel and a candle workshop.
Travel blogger Happy to Wander praised last year’s market, writing: “I’m no stranger to the magical wonders of German Christmas markets, but if I were to pick a single city last year that really wowed me and spun me into borderline obsession, it would be the Esslingen Christmas Market & Medieval Market, located near Stuttgart.”
Other holidaymakers have also raved about Esslingen Christmas market on TripAdvisor, with one simply writing: “the most amazing Christmas market”.
Another wrote: “After a week of touring western Germany and Strasbourg, so seeing lots of Christmas markets, this one is our favourite.
“The beautiful setting in the old town, and easy to reach from central Stuttgart”.
Esslingen Medieval Market and Christmas Market will open on November 23 and will run until December 21.
There are plenty of other attractions and activities in the German town to keep holidaymakers entertained, including Esslingen Castle.
The 700-year-old castle was once part of the city’s defensive fortifications.
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Nowadays, the medieval castle acts as a tourist attraction, with its picturesque courtyard and tower.
Other attractions in the German town include St. Dionys Church with its twin towers and stained glass windows.
The town is also home to Kessler – the oldest sparkling wine producer in Germany, so a glass of fizz is a must.
Hotels in Esslingen remain relatively affordable with Sun Online Travel finding one-night stays from £108 per night per room.
Direct flights operate from both Manchester and London to Stuttgart, with return fares from £92 in December.
Flights take just under two hours from the UK.
From Stuttgart Airport, it’s a 23-minute drive to Esslingen.
TripAdvisor’s Highest-rated Christmas markets
- Esslingen, Germany – 72.2%
- Krakow, Poland – 71.4%
- Cologne, Germany – 70.5%
- Prague, Czech Republic – 70%
- Vienna, Austria – 62.7%
- Nuremberg, Germany – 62.4%
- Frankfurt, Germany – 58.4%
- Munich, Germany – 55.9%
- Salzburg, Austria – 52.4%
- Brussels, Belgium – 50.7%
Meanwhile, this travel writer thinks their hometown has the best Christmas attraction in the UK.
A city in Germany has been dubbed “Christmas city” because it has one of the world’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets.
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