THE 4 BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN ALSACE
September 9, 2024
Christmas markets in Alsace are among the most renowned and well-known in the world. Come and discover the 4 best Christmas markets in Alsace!
Colmar is a firm favourite for Christmas markets. Every year, lots of tourists visit this city on organised tours by bus, train or independently in their own car. The magical atmosphere in Colmar in December makes it a truly unique experience for adults and children alike. Visiting this city during the Christmas markets is an opportunity not to be missed!
Here are some tips and useful information for visiting the Christmas markets in Colmar!
On our four-day tour of Alsace, we made sure to stop in Colmar, one of Europe’s Christmas market capitals. The city really deserves its fame. The old town centre and the charming ‘little Venice’ are transformed into enchanted settings with beautiful decorations, creating a tangible Christmas atmosphere and making Christmas in Colmar a very special time. Here are some tips on how best to plan your visit to the Christmas markets in Colmar!
The Christmas markets in Colmar usually take place from the last weekend in November until the last weekend in December. Due to the large number of visitors during this period, we recommend that you opt for the first two weekends. In particular, the last weekend in November is generally less crowded and costs are still low.
The most popular and expensive periods coincide with 8 December, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and Christmas week. On these two weekends, the flow of tourists in Colmar reaches its peak, making it potentially difficult to move around the city and enjoy the stalls in a peaceful manner. Christmas in Colmar is synonymous with crowding, so we advise you, if you can, to avoid Christmas itself. If possible, consider visiting Colmar during midweek days, when the atmosphere is generally less chaotic than during the holidays.
Colmar's Old Town at Christmas
A full day in the city is certainly enough to explore the old town and visit the Colmar Christmas markets. One option to consider could be a day trip, opting to stay outside Colmar where prices are slightly cheaper.
However, based on our experience, we recommend that you consider spending at least one night in town. This is due to the fact that during the day, the centre is extremely crowded, to such an extent that it might be difficult to get close to the Christmas stalls or to fully appreciate the beauty of the decorated and illuminated alleys. Instead, the evening hours prove to be the ideal time to take a leisurely stroll through the streets of the old town and the ‘Petite Venise’, as the streets empty of daytime tourists and a relaxing calm envelops the city.
In order to be able to enjoy some peace and quiet, we recommend sleeping in Colmar, at least for one night. If you decide to spend a night in Colmar, we recommend that you choose a hotel close to the historic centre. We opted for an Ibis chain hotel, which offers quality service at a reasonable price. Alternatively, you can consider the picturesque towns nearby, such as Eguisheim or Riquewihr, which are only a few minutes’ drive from Colmar.
It is important to keep in mind that there is not a big difference in price, as during the Christmas market period, accommodation costs tend to be high, with rates starting at approximately €100 per person for accommodation and breakfast, and going much higher.
In order to save on the cost of accommodation, our advice is to book well in advance or close to your stay, as unbooked rooms are made available at a low price approximately one day in advance due to the high demand.
Christmas lights and decorations in Colmar
Romantic night in the center of Colmar
The Petite Venise at Christmas in Colmar
Colmar is well served during the month of December, both by public transport such as buses and coaches and by trains. The railway station is located a short distance from the centre and can be reached with a pleasant walk of about a quarter of an hour. Alternatively, you can use public transport, with the most convenient stop located near the Parc Champs de Mars.
The network of public shuttles and buses covering the Alsace villages during the Christmas markets is well organised, connecting the main centres, including Colmar. Departures are approximately every hour on weekdays and every half hour at weekends. For more detailed information, you can consult the official website dedicated to Colmar’s Christmas markets at this link.
Alternatively, if you prefer to travel by car, you can drive into town and park for around €15 for the whole day in one of the public car parks located close to the old town, such as the RAPP car park at the Parc Champs des Mars.
The Christmas markets in Colmar are located mainly in the historic city centre and are spread over 6 areas:
The markets are open from 11 am to 7 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to 6 pm from Saturday to Sunday.
The market located on Rue de la Montagne Verte is a gastronomic market where you can sample many local specialities and is open from 11am to 10pm.
We recommend visiting the official website of the Colmar Christmas markets, where you can download the map with the locations of the stalls, consult the list of exhibitors and check opening hours.
Christmas decorations and lights in a restaurant in Colmar
Along the canals of Petite Venise in Colmar
Christmas Markets in the Old Town of Colmar
The answer to this question would be: anything! The variety of products offered by the stalls is vast, you can find:
The Christmas markets in Colmar will satisfy all your needs and you are sure to find some great gifts, both for yourself and for those left at home!
As mentioned earlier, many stalls in the markets offer delicious local gastronomic products. If you decide to have a quick meal outdoors, you can enjoy specialities such as the typical baguette flambée with bacon and onion, a choucroute, sweet or savoury crepes and stuffed pretzels.
As for restaurants, we recommend booking well in advance, especially if you visit the markets at the weekend. From our personal experience, restaurants tend to be fully booked at weekends and often do not take reservations on the same day, so we advise you to plan ahead.
Alternatively, we advise against looking for a restaurant after 20:30, as queues to get a seat start as early as the afternoon. However, after this time, some venues start to free up seats and it will be easier to find availability without long waits.
Local gastronomy at Colmar Christmas markets
With this article, we hope to have given you some useful tips for visiting the Christmas markets in Colmar. If visited when the influx of tourists is not at its peak, it is a magical experience that will make you feel wrapped up in a warm Christmas atmosphere! Besides Colmar, there are many quaint villages in the vicinity where you can find other markets. If you are interested, we recommend reading the article below!
We wish you a fantastic Christmas trip and as always…trip to try!
Christmas markets in Alsace are among the most renowned and well-known in the world. Come and discover the 4 best Christmas markets in Alsace!
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