Step into the enchanting world of Riga's Christmas Market 2024! 🎅 Experience the festive magic as we explore the twinkling lights, traditional crafts, and delicious treats of this winter wonderland. Discover the charm of the Old Town, hear the stories behind the market, and soak in the joyous holiday spirit through a captivating voice-over tour. Perfect for Christmas lovers, travelers, and culture enthusiasts!

3 Underrated Christmas Markets You Must Visit:
If you’re heading off to explore some European markets this winter season, but want to find some of the lesser-known ones that just as beautiful, if not even more beautiful than the popular ones, then you’ve come to the right place.

Don’t get me wrong, these Christmas markets still get busy, just not as busy or well-known as the others that are plastered over social media this time of year.

So, to explore some hidden gems, read this guide to find my top 3 underrated Christmas markets and whats more, they’re close together, meaning you can easily see all 3 over the course of a week if you want to do a Christmas market tour!

So, let’s begin…
Helsinki, Finland
First up is Helsinki. Helsinki’s Senate Square Christmas Market is a must visit this Christmas. Think snow-covered square with beautiful neoclassical architecture, over 100 stalls selling everything from Finnish crafts to gingerbread.

Don’t miss a cup of glögi (Finnish mulled wine) to warm you up because trust me, it gets COLD here in Finland and wrap up really warm.

Top tip: Bring a reusable shopping bag. You’ll want to take home some unique Lapland-inspired decorations so make sure you leave some extra space in your luggage!

You can fly into Helsinki’s International Airport to begin your Christmas market adventure!
Tallinn, Estonia
Next up is Tallinn, in Estonia. Tallinn may not be on the top of everyone else’s Christmas market list, but it’s definitely at the top to mine. Whilst everyone else is rushing off to London, Strasburg and Vienna, why not take a detour to Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, it’s one of the best European Christmas markets I’ve ever been to!

Stepping into Tallinn’s Christmas market feels like walking into a magical fairytale. It’s held in the medieval Town Hall Square and is known for its giant Christmas tree and magical atmosphere. Spend your days strolling through the old town streets, and the evenings browsing the stalls for woollen scarves, wooden toys, and homemade honey.

Top tip: Try the local black pudding and sauerkraut for a true Estonian Christmas treat!

If you’re doing all 3 cities on your trip, you can simply get the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn which takes about 2 hours. If you’re only visiting Tallinn, you can fly into their International Airport.

Riga, Latvia
Last but not least, for another lesser-known but extremely beautiful Christmas market, head to Riga, Latvia’s capital. Here you will find one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, in one of the prettiest old towns I’ve ever visited.

You’ll find the Christmas markets in Dome Square, they are perfect for discovering unique gifts like hand-knitted socks and colourful ceramics. And don’t leave without tasting some piparkūkas (gingerbread cookies) – they’re divine!

Top tip: Visit in the evening when the lights make the market even more magical and everyone comes out for hot chocolates and Christmas snacks.

If you’re visiting all 3 markets, you can simply get the bus from Tallinn to Riga, which takes around 4 hours. If not, you can fly into Riga International Airport and start your journey from there.


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Christmas, Estonia, Europe, Finland, Latvia, Travel
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