One of the most magical Christmas markets in Europe is open for only one day a year. The Hallstatt Christmas Market in Austria is an authentic, community-driven event held on December 8 every year.
The festive market takes place in the tiny square of the picturesque town of Hallstatt, and it lasts just one day because it is tied to a public holiday, the day of the Immaculate Conception, which is a national holiday in Austria. The village has only a few hundred residents but attracts a million visitors from around the world annually. Despite the small size of the market, the charming wooden stalls in the cobbled square, surrounded by pastel houses, make it one of the most idyllic destinations for a winter break.
A travel expert who recently visited Hallstatt explained on the travel blog In Old Cities that “out of the 20-some Christmas markets I visited during a month in Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany, Hallstatt’s tiny, unique market was one of my favourites”.
On Facebook, visitors shared their thoughts with one saying: “We went last year. It was small and cosy. The shops were open, and we spent the night, took the funicular up to the lookout, purchased some locally made ornaments and gifts, food, etc. It’s beautiful.”
On TripAdvisor, people described the town of Hallstatt as “walking into a fairytale”. They said: “Most people would have seen the jaw-dropping beauty of Hallstatt from the pages of travel books or the internet, but to fully appreciate the world’s most beautiful town, exploring the Old Town of Hallstatt is a must.
“The entire town looks like something out of the children’s fairy-tale books. The Old Town is compact enough for visitors to freely explore without any guides.
“At the heart of the Old Town is Marktplatz, the bustling market square with all the typical shops and restaurants to feast your senses for shopping and dining, as well as to soak in the unique atmosphere of this charming town.”
Holidaymakers can reach Hallstatt by flying from major UK airports to Salzburg Airport, the nearest airport, before continuing their journey by car, taxi or bus. The journey from Salzburg takes approximately one and a half hours.
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