Photo - European cities shine for the Christmas season

2023-12-19 14:49:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

European cities shine for the Christmas season

The streets and squares of Vienna are illuminated for the Christmas season with twinkling lights, giving the Austrian capital a particularly festive atmosphere during the holidays.

These are the Christmas lights along Graben Street in Vienna, a lively and busy shopping street.

A large, festively decorated fir tree graces the center of Prague - although traditionally, trees are not decorated until Christmas Eve morning.

The center of Prague decorated with a large fir tree

Various Christmas markets cover the city inviting customers to try for example 'trdelník', a pastry covered in powdered sugar.

Copenhagen's world-famous park "Tivoli Gardens"

Copenhagen's world-famous park "Tivoli Gardens" attracts visitors from all over the world at any time of the year. However, the atmosphere is more special around Christmas, as the entire park is decorated for the holidays and filled with lights. Santa and his reindeer also pay a visit to the huge Christmas market.

Christmas tree, 27 meters high, in front of the Cathedral in Palma

Majorca, the favorite Mediterranean island for German holidaymakers, is covered in Christmas glitter. One of the highlights is the 27 meter high Christmas tree in front of the Cathedral in Palma. Around 4,200 lighting elements and over 415 kilometers of string lights illuminate the island's capital

Basel, the Christmas market

Every year, hundreds of stalls and countless lights make Basel one of the most beautiful Christmas cities in Europe. The picturesque center of the old town, including the 'Barfüsserplat', shines in festive decorations. Many Christmas market stalls attract tourists and locals to buy beautiful gifts.

The picturesque alleys of the historic center of Stockholm

The picturesque alleyways of Stockholm's historic center, such as Osterlanggatan in the Gamla Stan district, are lit up by festive decor during the cold winter evenings around Christmas. At the traditional market at the Skansen open-air museum, visitors can make their own candles or relax with a glass of spiced wine called 'glögg'. and gingerbread cookies.

Katowice, Poland, Christmas Market

Under the decorated Christmas tree in Katowice's market square, visitors immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere. The roller coasters or other games, such as the Ferris wheel and the ice rink, delight both young and old. Those who still need to buy gifts are sure to find something suitable at the countless stalls selling Christmas decorations, handicrafts and culinary specialties.

Brussels, Belgium, Christmas market

The Belgian capital becomes a wonderful place during the winter when the Grand Place and other city squares host Christmas markets. Several hundred small wooden lodges and thousands of lights create a festive environment. And if you want to escape the stress and rush during the end of the year for a few minutes, you can ride the Ferris wheel.

The Norwegian Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square in London

Every year a Norwegian Christmas tree shines in London's Trafalgar Square. The fir is a gift from the city of Oslo in gratitude for British support during the occupation by Nazi Germany in World War II. But to most passers-by it is just one of many beautifully decorated Christmas spots in the British capital.

Finland: Rovaniemi known as Santa's Village

Perhaps no other place evokes Christmas quite like snowy Rovaniemi in Finland, known as Santa's Village. Tourists can cross the Arctic Circle, which runs through the countryside and is marked by beacons. It is also said that the lanterns help Santa find his way home again./ DW