27 November 2024
Magical Christmas destinations: discover the winter charm of these 9 cities in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany!
- COSH! Member Publicity
- City Guide
Are you dreaming of a magical getaway as the holiday season approaches? These enchanting cities are just a train ride away! Get into the Yuletide cheer by strolling through charming Christmas markets, savouring the flavours of spiced mulled wine, and discovering the delightful local boutiques they have to offer. Whether you’re planning a day trip, a weekend escape, or an extended holiday stay, COSH! is excited to guide you through your festive journey.
Belgium
1. Bruges
As you meander through the cobbled streets of Bruges, the festive stalls beckon with artisan gifts and the sweet aroma of Belgian hot chocolate, promising a Christmas shopping experience as picturesque as the city’s storybook setting. Find your way through the city with the COSH! Bruges More Sustainable Shopping map, which you can pick up right at the train station. Our map includes clothing boutiques, jewellers, and gift shops from more sustainable brands. You’ll find the perfect Christmas presents for your loved ones — and perhaps a well-deserved treat for yourself too.
After picking out gifts, duck into a cosy local pub to enjoy a tasty Belgian beer with some hearty Flemish food, or treat yourself to some world-famous Belgian chocolate as the perfect end to your shopping day.
2. Antwerp
Antwerp’s Christmas vibe is as stylish as it is spirited! Easily accessible from the Netherlands, this fashion city has a well-known Christmas market that stretches from the Grote Markt to the Steenplein. Pick up some great Christmas gifts and to get into the Belgian Christmas spirit, don’t miss the stalls offering local spiced gin, a warming embrace against the winter’s chill.
Keep the COSH! Antwerp Shopping map at hand to discover all the more sustainable stores the city has to offer. Slow fashion, handmade jewellery and natural cosmetics are strongly represented in this city. Find the perfect outfit for yourself and pick up an original gift for someone else. Staying for the weekend? Then be sure to visit the Fashion Museum too!
3. Ghent
Ghent is a great city to visit all year round for a day or weekend of shopping, but it is extra fun during the holidays. In December, Ghent is completely in the Christmas spirit. Every year there is a gigantic Christmas market with 150 stalls that spread from the St.-Baafsplein over the Botermarkt to the end of the Korenmarkt. Stroll between the pine trees, discover local shops full of unique Christmas gifts and stylish party outfits from more sustainable brands. Are you staying for a whole weekend? Then the Ghent Winter Festivities are definitely recommended!
Germany
4. Berlin
Berlin is a true shopper’s paradise – every shopping trip comes with a side of history and a dash of the unexpected. Perfect for a Christmas shopping city break! Grab the COSH! Berlin Shopping guide to discover the city’s finest clothing stores, designer boutiques and gift shops, perfect for picking out a festive Christmas outfit and finding unique gifts for everyone on your list.
Berlin is renowned for its Christmas markets, known in German as “Weihnachtsmärkte.” During the holiday season, the city comes alive with numerous markets that pop up in various squares and streets, offering everything from traditional handicrafts and decorations to seasonal treats like mulled wine and gingerbread. Each market has its unique charm and is a key part of the holiday experience in Berlin. Enough to fill a week with activities!
Tip: Book Green Fashion Christmas Tour in Berlin on December 7th, for a Christmas shopping experience that is both magical and mindful.
5. Hamburg
Somewhat less known, Hamburg transforms into a winter wonderland during the Christmas season! The Port town hosts more than 15 Christmas markets that are all rich in tradition and festivity where you can shop for traditional German Christmas crafts, seasonal treats, and unique gifts and on Saturdays throughout Advent, Hamburg dazzles with Christmas parades with historic carriages.
Hamburg’s also a city with a rich fashion scene. Check out the COSH! Hamburg Shopping guide and book a Green Fashion Christmas Tour in Hamburg on December 14th to discover the local stores, boutiques and designer studios.
6. Munich
Munich is a city in Bavaria with beautiful parks, classic buildings, a lively art district and unique boutiques. Take a city trip to Munich during the holidays and discover local shops, designers, concept stores and ateliers with unique gifts and festive outfits from more sustainable brands. You can also visit several Christmas markets in this city, where you can buy cool handmade things and taste German delicacies.
Netherlands
7. Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city renowned for its vibrant culture and innovative spirit, which extends into its approach to fashion, particularly the growing slow fashion movement. Slow fashion in Amsterdam is all about sustainability, quality, and timeless design, and lots and lots of secondhand/vintage shops to find the outfit to make your holiday perfect! Discover the city with the COSH! Amsterdam Shopping guide and discover the best stores in the city. Or how about renting this year’s holiday outfit at the LENA Fashion Library?
Get in the Christmas spirit with a walk past the lights on the canals and take to the ice on Museumplein. You can also visit several Christmas markets in Amsterdam.
8. Rotterdam
Rotterdam, with its modern architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere, offers a unique Christmas shopping experience that blends traditional holiday charm with a contemporary edge. The city is known for its innovative spirit, which is evident in its approach to more sustainable shopping and fashion. Visit the cutting edge shops, local designers and second-hand/vintage shops to find your perfect outfit for the holiday season! The COSH! More Sustainable Shopping map will guide you to the best hotspots of Rotterdam. Not just shops, but also some great restaurants which work in a more sustainable way.
Rotterdam, like many of the other cities in this list, also has some smaller scale Christmas markets in addition to the larger ones. These quaint markets are perfect for those who prefer to avoid the hustle and bustle of larger events while still enjoying the warmth and joy of the holiday season. COSH! recommends the Delfshaven Christmas market, where the charm of historic Rotterdam comes alive with festive stalls, traditional treats, and a uniquely intimate holiday atmosphere. Or experience the Rotterdam festive spirit with a touch of Nordic magic at one of the Scandinavian Christmas markets the city has to offer!
9. Utrecht
Utrecht is a great city to visit all year round for a day or weekend of shopping, but during the festive month of December it is extra fun here! This time of year Utrecht turns into a winter paradise with cosy Christmas markets, Christmas decorations in the shopping streets and beautifully decorated Christmas windows. Stroll through the historic streets and along the canals, where you’ll find countless nice shops with more sustainable gifts and festive clothing.
Tip: take a COSH! Green Fashion Tour through Utrecht on December 7th and discover the best hotspots in Utrecht led by guide and more sustainable fashion stylist Janneke Cloosterman!
Choosing the train for your Christmas shopping adventures isn’t just about convenience; it’s a commitment to sustainability. Trains are one of the most energy-efficient modes of transport, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to car or air travel. By opting for rail, you’re not only weaving through cities with ease but also supporting greener, cleaner holidays.
Whether you choose the bustling streets of Berlin, the atmospheric Christmas market of Bruges, or the enchanting charm of Amsterdam, it is sure to be a magical experience. So, pack your bags, book those train tickets and set off on an adventure to the most beautiful Christmas shopping destinations Europe has to offer. Enjoy the beautiful decorations, the warm atmosphere and the delicious treats. Surprise your loved ones with the perfect gifts for the holidays and create memories that will last a lifetime. COSH! wishes you a Merry Christmas!
