Europe is known for its great Christmas markets. These holiday markets will put you in the festive spirit! From the classic German Weihnachtsmarkt to more unique offerings like those in Copenhagen and Prague, there's a market for everyone. Here are ten of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

1. Viennese Dream Christmas Market - Vienna

The Vienna Christmas market is considered one of the most beautiful markets in Europe. Set against the stunning backdrop of Vienna's City Hall, the Viennese Dream Christmas market features over 150 stalls selling traditional Austrian handicrafts, decorations, and delicious food and drink. Don't miss trying some of Vienna's famous hot chocolate!

2. Copenhagen Tivoli Gardens - Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens transforms into a Winter Wonderland during December and January, making it the perfect place to enjoy a festive day out with family or friends. Tivoli Gardens also boasts an array of charming Christmas stalls selling everything from handmade gifts to roasted chestnuts.

3. Dresden Striezelmarkt – Dresden, Germany

Held annually since 1434, the Dresden Striezelmarkt is one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world. Located in the historic city center, the market features over 250 stalls selling traditional handmade crafts, delicious food, and festive decorations.

4. Old Town Square Christmas Market – Prague, Czech Republic

If you're looking for a festive and charming Christmas market, Old Town Square in Prague is the perfect place to find it. With its beautifully decorated stalls and traditional Czech goods and is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. You can buy anything from handcrafted wooden toys to scrumptious holiday sweets.

5. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – London, England

Winter Wonderland is a yearly festive event held in London's Hyde Park. The Christmas market features an array of attractions, including an ice rink and a Ferris wheel. Winter Wonderland is a popular destination during the holiday season.

6. Krakow Christmas Market – Krakow, Poland

Poland's most popular and best Christmas market is located in the 13th-century square of RynekGlowny, right in the heart of Krakow's old town. Pay a visit to the market or shops in Kazimierz for unique, handmade gifts.

7. Winter Villa Massena Christmas Market – Nice, France

The Winter Villa Massena Christmas Market is one of the highlights of the city's festive offerings. Held in the iconic Massena square, the market features a wide variety of traditional French Christmas decorations, delicious food, and unique gifts.

Photo: unsplash.com/joaching

8. Christmas Market - Tallinn, Estonia

Located in the picturesque Town Hall Square, the market features a wide variety of traditional Estonian Christmas foods and drinks, handmade gifts, and festive entertainment. Visitors can enjoy roasted almonds, grilled sausages, mulled wine, and even ride on the carousel.

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

9. Christkindelsmärik - Strasbourg, France

The market dates back to 1570, making it one of the oldest in the world, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The market is spread across 12 different squares, each with its unique character. You'll find traditional Christmas items like gingerbread, mulled wine, handmade toys and exotic spices.

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

10. Christkindlesmarkt – Nürnberger, Germany

Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world. Christkindlesmarkt is held in the square opposite Nuremberg's main church, St. Lorenz. The market is famous for its traditional gingerbread, known as Lebkuchen.

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Hrvatska nogometna reprezentacija u petak će u četvrtfinalu Svjetskog prvenstva igrati protiv Brazila, koji je je u susretu osmine finala bio uvjerljiv protiv Južne Koreje sa 4-1 (4-0). 

Brazil je sve dvojbe oko prolaska riješio u prvom poluvremenu kada su mrežu Korejaca tresli Vinicius (7), Neymar (13-11m), Richarlison (29) i Paqueta (36). U nastavku je Seung-Ho Paik (76) ublažio poraz Južne Koreje.

Bio je to jedna od najboljih predstava Brazilaca u zadnje vrijeme, a prvo poluvrijeme možda i najbolje Carioca u zadnjih 30-tak godina. Razigrani i opasni Brazilci opsjedali su vrata Korejanaca, a njihov vratar može biti sretan sa samo četiri gola u svojoj mreži.  Nakon poraza od Kameruna, brazilski izbornik Tite je izveo najbolji sastav, na čelu s oporavljenim Neymarom.

Brazilska samba započela je u 7. minuti kada je ubačaj Raphinhe pronašao samog Viniciusa na drugoj strani, a napadač Reala gađa precizno kut vrata. Šest minuta kasnije Richarlisona ruši Woo-Young Jung, a Neymar zabija iz penal za 2-0.

Suočeni s velikim zaostatkom nakon samo 13 minuta, Korejanci su se otvorili pa In-Beom Hwang gađa rašlje u 17. minuti, ali Alisson čudesno brani.

U 29. minuti Brazilci su odigrali najljepšu akciju uopće na mundijalu, odigranu iz prvoga dodira. Počela je minijaturom Richarlisona, odigran je dupli pas sa Thiago Silvom, a Richarlison izlazi sam ispred vratara i gađa dalji kut za 3-0.  U proslavi gola su tada sudjelovali svi Brazilci, kao i izbornik Tite,koji je i sam zaplesao sambu.

U 36. minuta nova atraktivna akcija Brazilaca, koju je završio golom Paquete.

Heung-Min Son je početkom drugog dijela dobro pucao u desnu stranu gola, ali je golman pokazao odličan refleks i obranio mu šut, a i korejanski vratar je 55. minuti obranio šut Raphinhe, koji je atraktivno predriblao dva braniča.

Hrabri Korejanci odigrali su drugi dio bez kompleksa i nagrađeni su golom u 76. minuti. Seung-Ho Paik je došao do lopte i uputio snažan udarac sa velike udaljenosti koji je odsjeo u samom kutu brazilskih vrata.

Brazilska nogometna legenda Pele večeras je iz bolnice navijao za reprezentaciju svoje zemlje.

“Godine 1958. hodao sam ulicama razmišljajući o ispunjenju obećanja koje sam dao svom ocu”, napisao je trostruki osvajač Svjetskog prvenstva na svom Twitteru, uz fotografiju tada 17-godišnjeg Pelea. “Znam da su mnogi sada dali slična obećanja i također traže svoje prvo Svjetsko prvenstvo. Gledat ću utakmicu iz bolnice i navijat ću za svakog od vas. Sretno,” dodao je Pele u poruci koja je dodatno motivirala Brazilce.

BRAZIL – JUŽNA KOREJA 4-1

Strijelci: 1-0 Vinicius Junior (7), 2-0 Neymar (13pen), 3-0 Richarlison (29), 4-0 Paqueta (36), 4-1 Seung-Ho Paik (76)

Pred 44.000 gledatelja na stadionu 974 sudio je Turpin iz Francuske.

BRAZIL: Alisson (80. Weverton) – Eder Militao (63. Alves), Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Danilo (72. Bremer) – Paqueta, Casemiro, Neymar (80. Rodrygo) – Raphinha, Richarlison, Vinicius Junior (72. Martinelli)

JUŽNA KOREJA: S. Kim – M. Kim, Kim, Y. Kim, J. Kim (46. C. Hong) – J. Lee (74. K. Lee), I. Hwang (65. Paik), W. Jung (46. J. Son), H. Hwang – H. Son, G. Cho (80. U. Hwang)(Hina)