Christmas Markets/Cities Recommendation

Hi aloha8084, with the Christmas markets in Brussels there are a few different ways you can go. If you want to be in the thick of things you could stay in the Ste.-Cathérine area, where there will be markets and easy access to the city, but if you want to do day trips a good compromise could be to stay somewhere near Bruxelles-Central train station, for easy access to the trains. The festive atmosphere will start from that area but you won't get stalls until you reach Place Agora, where there are just a few, and then a big gap in stalls until you get to the Place de la Monnaie. There are more stalls at De Brouckère and Bourse, but most are at Ste.-Cathérine. There is a tree in the Grand' Place.

There is a lot of accommodation around Bruxelles-Central at a range of price points, perhaps you could give an indication of what you are looking for. Brussels is an OK hub for Bruges and Ghent; they are not far apart by train, so I think you would be fine to stay in Brussels.

I think you will find that the Cologne markets outstrip Brussels, Bruges and Amsterdam. Christmas markets are originally German. The Netherlands does not have such a Christmassy culture by comparison - their main gift-giving day is Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas), on December 5. But there will be Christmas lights in Amsterdam, and also light displays.

Lavandula

EDIT: I might just add that last December I was in Konstanz, Amsterdam and Brussels for a short time and in particular I spent time in the Christmas markets in Brussels. I had business in Konstanz and family business in Amsterdam, but in Brussels I was just visiting.

Oh, and if you have time in Cologne, visit one of the perfume houses (last visit we went to Haus Farina, which does English-language tours) and the chocolate museum. It is connected to Lindt and is absolutely fabulous.

Lavandula

Hi Lavandula, Thank you SO much for your thoughtful and helpful suggestions. In each of the cities where we are visiting we are looking for moderately priced hotels and are willing to pay a little more for great location that is safe and convenient to markets and trains as we are open to do day trips out of each. I know we are a little late to the game planning for this coming Christmas season but we have an opportunity in our schedules so want to try to make this work.

Sounds like you are very familiar with this area. If you have one suggestion that is a “do not miss” for each of the 3 cities…please share.,…I would love to know!

Again, my thanks. I also read many of your comments on other posts and all are so helpful!
Alohagirl

Hi aloha8084, there must be a hundred hotels in the Bruxelles Central area, so actually lots of good choices, but I often recommend the Novotel Off Grand' Place and the Ibis Off Grand' Place. Both are reasonably priced without sacrificing too much luxury, the Ibis a little cheaper in delivery and pricing. I can't recommend anything in the Ste.-Cathérine area personally but you could look at the Citadines there. I usually stay at its sister hotel in the Louise district. Another choice close to the Place de la Monnaie would be the Adagio, where my in-laws have stayed. It's a little further than the others from Bruxelles Central but closer to the markets, and you can catch a metro right from your hotel to Gare Centrale and walk to the train station from there. And if you want to be up closer to the station, there is a Hilton right at the station (Hilton Brussels Grand Place). It's downhill from there to the Grand' Place.

In Amsterdam last December I stayed at The Social Hub. It's a way out of the centre, a very good price, and right on the Wibautstraat metro which takes you to Amsterdam Central Station. It's a short walk to tram no 3 which takes you to the museum district. It suited me as I was visiting family nearby but if you are less budget-conscious or just prefer to be more central I would recommend staying in the museum district, which is a little cheaper than the canal district but still in the middle of everything. I think there is sometimes a Christmas market outside the Rijksmuseum but it's not there for an extended period. Don't feel you have to stay in another town because it's expensive in Amsterdam, both The Social Hub and the nearby Volkshotel are acceptably good but meet price expectations.

In Cologne in 2023 I stayed at the CityClass Hotel Alter Markt. It is a small hotel in the middle of the nightlife district but easy access to the museums like Farina and Wallraf-Richarz and there is a market directly there. Opt for a bigger room if you can, I was there with my daughter and we found the smallest room a bit too small. Really good breakfast spread.

Good luck, hope you find some good hotels for your trip.

Lavandula

From a Belgian perspective...

Brussels hosts the biggest event in Belgium https://www.plaisirsdhiver.be/en

Liège is the oldest one in the country https://www.villagedenoel.be/en

Bruges is the most overrun with tourists https://www.visitbruges.be/en/winter-glow

Hasselt is, of course, the best, since it’s my hometown 😉 https://www.winterland.be/en

Valkenburg (in the Netherlands) is truly special https://www.christmastownvalkenburg.com/

Maastricht (in the Netherlands) definitely deserves a spot on the list https://www.magischmaastrichtvrijthof.nl/home-en

And, of course, without a doubt, Aachen (in Germany), although you can also visit it from Cologne https://aachenweihnachtsmarkt.de/en/

And if you want to be up closer to the station, there is a Hilton right at the station (Hilton Brussels Grand Place). It's downhill from there to the Grand' Place.

🤣🤣🤣 Getting to the Christmas markets is never really a problem. After all that mulled wine, jenever, and rum cocktails, the walk back is a much bigger concern… and it’s uphill.

Thank you so much Lavandula and Windyram for your great suggestions! I appreciate you sharing your experience to assist with my plans. This is so helpful!