Pictures: The best Christmas markets of Europe

On the build-up to Christmas (and for those who like to travel at this time of year), TripAdvisor has published a list of the best and most magical Christmas markets in Europe. They are marvelous pockets of Christmas, filled with magic and tradition. It may be cold, but very worthwhile.

The hometown of Father Christmas is a Christmas landmark with its own Father Christmas post office. You can meet Father Christmas or greet Rudolph and everyone who passes through Rovaniemi will fall even more in love with the spirit of Christmas.

One of the oldest markets in Europe, dating back to the 16th century, it retains the magic of yesteryear and its opening ceremony is a symbolic event. You must try its famous sausages or the traditional glühwein.

In addition to a spectacular collection of stalls, there's an imposing Ferris wheel and a mesmerizing double carousel. Let's not forget the outdoor ice rink, the heart of this majestic market. On another note, the lighting of lights at dusk is the perfect time to propose to your partner.

Vienna's largest market is a small city in its own right, exuding Christmas on every corner. With the majestic Town Hall building crowning the market, it is the center point from which 10 other markets pivot. The sunset from Viennese Dream should be the eighth wonder of the modern world.

The normal surroundings of the area are pretty spectacular, but at Christmas, the majestic tradition is multiplied by the lights, the carols, and the New Year's Eve atmosphere enjoyed by tens of thousands of people. Don't leave without trying the roast ham and a glass of mead.

If Strasbourg is known as the Christmas Capital, that's because it has seriously earned it. The Christkindelsmärik on Place Broglie offers history, crafts, food, and an atmosphere where the Christmas spirit flows. A ride on the carousel is a must.

This is one of Florence's Christmas landmarks, located in front of the Basilica of Santa Croce and its imposing marble façade. After exploring the market and its stalls, be sure to try the chimney cake, mulled wine, traditional cheeses, and chocolates. There is nothing like a gastronomic Christmas.

Having Notre Dame de Reims Cathedral as the setting for a Christmas market is a bit of an advantage. That's not to say that the craft and food stalls at the city's six Christmas markets don't have a magic of their own. Now, the jewel in the crown is the ride on the big Ferris wheel, while you sip a glass of champagne and see the whole of Reims lit up. A moment you will never forget.

Waffles, beers, chocolate, a skating rink, and an endless combination of lights make the majestic Belfry of Bruges look even better in the background. And for those who want to add a romantic and classic touch to their visit, there's nothing like a horse-drawn carriage ride.

For lovers of the over-the-top, the Christkindlimarkt tree at Zurich's main station rises to nine meters, adorned in all its glory with sparkling Swarovski crystals. It is a place that has become a symbol of the city and Christmas.

Attractions, lights, a majestic Ferris wheel, ice rinks, ice sculptures, street performances... Winter Wonderland is everything you could ask for in a day of Christmas activity and entertainment, spiced up with more than 100 stalls at its Christmas market. Not to be missed. Be sure to try the mulled wine and doughnuts.

The Christmas market at Cologne's Gothic Cathedral is literally right next to this monumental church. Its lights, its aromas, and its atmosphere perfectly combine the most deeply-rooted Christmas traditions with the latest trends.

Less than an hour's drive from Strasbourg is a place that combines six markets with recognizable wooden houses, huge decorations, and indescribable white trees that run the length of the town. A journey to the very heart of Christmas, in a fairytale-like setting.

Its huge Christmas tree crowns this market, next to the iconic red sandstone Münster. There are activities and attractions for the kids, local food for the adults, such as raclette, and a relaxed and elegant atmosphere for those looking for a more laid-back Christmas experience.

Christmas stalls everywhere, a giant tree, Ferris wheels, and, above all, the sound and light show in the spectacular Grand Place. A city devoted to Christmas and to those who come to enjoy it. By the way, waffles, chocolate, mussels, cheese? All of it is impossible to resist.

At Piccadilly Gardens you'll find an unforgettable party atmosphere. Local beers, traditional dishes, live music, and DJs set the mood for the evenings, in an experience not suitable for those who want something quiet.

Situated at the foot of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and next to Salzburg Cathedral, the setting of the Salzburger Christkindlmarkt is unparalleled. The Austrian tradition bursts from six markets where Christmas and the elegance of the city transport visitors to a dreamlike and marvelous world. You can't leave without trying the local coffee.

There are seven Christmas markets in the center of Düsseldorf, each with its own individual charm. The gingerbread houses of the Altstadt-Markt meet the magical red huts of the Handwerker-Markt. Past and present come together in Düsseldorf.