I tried an overlooked Christmas market and it has to be the best in Europe

Normally you think Christmas markets and you’d be forgiven for thinking of crowds, chaos and overpriced mulled wine.

However one market in Europe has manage to retain its heritage and festive charm, without amassing hordes of crowds.

With many markets dotted around beautiful Vienna, it means there’s no bottleneck of visitors, just hot spiced Glühwein and plenty of festive treats.

Schönbrunn Palace Market is perfect for a travel day, because it’s best visited at dusk. As you walk down the path, the twinkling lights set against the stunning palatial background fill you instantly with the Christmas spirit.

Here you can stroll around the plaza to peruse quality gifts and huddle under heaters while eating Kaiserschmarren, thick shredded pancakes which you dip into sweet but sharp plum jam. 

For a quieter experience, the Spittelberg Christmas Market is slightly off the beaten track in the Museum Quarter, and it’s nestled in a charming narrow cobbled street, with boutique unique handmade gifts. 

Food lovers need to head to the Naschmarkt Christmas Market, where a must try is the Erdäpfelpuffer, essentially a beefed up hash brown which you laden with apple sauce.

You simply can’t miss the picturesque Belvedere Christmas Market, set against the stunning baroque palace. It’s the perfect place to wander with a thick hot chocolate in one hand, and a pillowy gingerbread in the other. 

The most famous of all has to be the Vienna Christmas Dream at Rathausplatz (City Hall), with beautiful lights, a skating rink, and over 150 stalls. However, this one obviously attracts the crowds. 

Each market even creates its own keepsake festive mug for mulled wine, so you can take home your favourite Glühwein goblet. 

Aside from the markets, it’s imperative to try a schnitzel while in Vienna, and two restaurants to taste some of the best in the city are Figlmüller or Lugeck, but be prepared to queue if you don’t make a booking. 

It can be pricier to stay here than the German counterpart markets which are equally as famous, such as Cologne, but for me the crowds were miles apart.

While walking through Cologne’s markets, I could take one step every thirty seconds as the throngs of people pushed me forward, whereas Vienna left me free to move.