Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, is home to a very cosy Christmas market, constantly expanding as more people want to gather together for hot mulled wine and buy gifts and souvenirs.
History of the Bratislava Christmas Markets
Starting in post-Soviet times, Bratislava’s modern Christmas markets were first held in 1993. The official intention was that locals could “spend the advent period together in the historic heart of the city”. Soon, however, the markets attracted all the ex-pats who work in the embassies in the Old Town and over the last decade or so many tourists from Vienna and further afield have come to enjoy the cosy markets that don’t feel quite as commercial as the larger markets, for example in Prague.
When and Where Are Bratislava’s Markets?
The Bratislava Christmas markets usually run from late November until a couple of days before Christmas – the 2006 dates are November 26 to December 23. Each year, the markets are officially opened the Christmas tree lights are switched on. While the original market was centered on the Main Square (Hlavne námestie), the markets have since expanded to include the courtyard of the Old Town Hall (Stara Radnica) and the Františkánske Square (Františkánske námestie). They usually run from 10am to around 10pm each day.
What Can You Do at the Christmas Markets in Bratislava?
You can go shopping, you can eat and drink and you can meet up with friends and locals at the Bratislava Christmas markets – the choice is yours. If you want to do your Christmas shopping, then there are plenty of stalls selling local folk handicrafts, including dolls, ceramics and jewelry. When it’s food you’re after, the choices are many, varied, and usually very good (although translated into English they don’t always sound it!) – bread with dripping and onion, pancakes with goose livers, lokse (potato crepes – my favorite) that come with various sweet or savoury fillings, pancakes and apple pies. Very importantly in the chilly Slovak winter, you can get a good hot drink of mulled wine, honey wine or Christmas punch (and alcohol-free versions too), or some hardier Slovak spirits if the temperature goes too far under freezing.
Nearby: The Prague Christmas markets run from 2 December to 1 January, with over a hundred stalls spread on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Our tip: a little more commercial, but still beautiful.
