Cologne, Germany

From the stunning city cathedral to more quirky neighbourhood markets, Cologne has seven Christmas markets across the city that attracts visitors from 21 November to 23 December. The Cathedral Christmas Market is the most impressive with the largest Christmas tree you can find in the Rhineland and the red-topped stalls that flock around it. Make sure to make it to the staged area on Saturday nights when a brass band of over 40 musicians gets the crowd singing along to Christmas classics. One of the best parts of browsing any of these markets is the helpings of food on offer. The local gingerbread, spicy biscuits and cinnamon star biscuits are abundant. Other delicious delicacies include hirtenbrot, which is a chunky Tyrolean version of a Danish open sandwich, and pfannkuchen, which is like a pancake or crêpe with apples added. Make sure to try the one with deep fried apples and plenty of sugar – it will melt in your mouth like a donut. For a more savoury treat, try deep-fried cauliflower and hollandaise sauce or opt for the local speciality of reibekuchen, which is potato and onion fritters, served with apple sauce.

Berlin, Germany

Travel to the capital of Germany, rich in history and culture and also alive with fabulous Christmas markets. See the sparkly lights brighten up Unter Den Linden that leads on to the beautiful Brandenburg Gate. Berlin offers over 60 Christmas markets, which means there really is something in store for everyone. The Charlottenburg Castle Christmas Market is one of the most famous with the castle and park immersed in a romantic light with 150 vendors from all over Germany and abroad. Try some traditional German food, with plenty of brattwurst available. Another Berlin speciality that might tickle your fancy is the bulette, which is like a flat pork meatball, and the gulaschuppe, which is a warming goulash soup.

Budapest, Hungary

Visit the Hungarian capital for one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe. The city, which is split by the River Danube, is fabulously lit up at night with the Buda hills looming over the festive lights. Stalls with everything from toy crafts to beautiful waffles greet visitors. Eat your way through the Hungarian cuisine by trying tasty cabbage stuffed with pork and rice and don’t miss their speciality ham hocks. All drinks are catered for at the Budapest Christmas Markets with gluwein and punch. The mulled wine is a wonderful treat as its sweet and spicy aroma cuts through the crisp winter air.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague sets the perfect backdrop for its Christmas market with its colourful baroque buildings, Gothic churches and medieval Astronomical Clock, which all help to create a festive atmosphere once the lights are switched on. The three main markets entice visitors every year and are open from 26 November to 1 January. One of the delicacies you should try when walking around the little huts are the Czech sweets. Poppy seeds, nuts and Czech rum are some of the flavours to find. Other foods you simply won’t be able to pass include Prague ham, which is boneless and roasted over flames. Klobása is a type of grilled sausage popular throughout Europe, but served here with dense Czech bread. There are plenty of Czech beers as well as svarák, a hot wine that varies from region to region, and even from household to household.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna’s Christmas Market is the perfect embodiment of the city that hosts it – both elegant and authentic, it really is spectacular. The main market is beside Vienna’s town hall. A tall arched gateway with candles welcomes visitors into the City Hall Square, which hosts 150 stalls roasting hot chestnuts and selling freshly baked ginger bread. This year is the first time visitors can skate around the City Hall Park over two large ice rinks and along numerous paths. From 12 November to 26 December, visitors can try erdäpfelpuffer, which is very like a potato fritter, or rösti, which is traditionally a Swiss potato dish. It’s not just mulled wine to warm you up, but also spiced tea. Enjoy seasonal music from bugles and violins, as well as carol singing on most afternoons. J