By GlobalDetail.com reader tyron-e

New:Show Edinburgh on GoogleEarth

Having their origin on the European Continent, Christmas Markets have steadily increased in popularity in the UK as well. Edinburgh has been at the forefront of inviting German stall holders to set up in the city centre for years and it has been getting bigger and more popular each year. Its magical setting in the middle of Edinburgh with direct views to the castle and the Princes Street Gardens gives it a charming and fairy-like atmosphere.

The city is perfect for a Christmas Market, as the medieval buildings, narrow cobble-stoned streets and historic layout of the capital blend perfectly with traditional design of the market stalls. Any visitor can’t help but feel taken back in time when horse and carriage were the chosen mode of transport and markets had yet to be replaced by supermarkets. This year, the city will not only have events in the Princes Street area, but throughout the city. You can find more details of these events at www.edinburghschristmas.com.

The centre’s events were opened by a Norwegian Advent Concert on November 24th at the St Giles Cathedral. Traditional Christmas carols put everyone in the mood for the upcoming celebrations – an event for the entire family. Another carol nativity service was performed on November 27th at the West Princes Street Gardens. The dark and cold evening was a perfect setting for this event.

The Christmas market stalls (open daily from 10am to 8pm) over in the East Princes Street Gardens will keep visitors well fed and watered selling many delicious foods and drinks and of course plenty of Christmas decorations. Most well-known fare are Lebkuchen (ginger bread) and Glühwein (mulled wine), but there is so much more to discover, such as marzipan, stolen and other wintery delicacies. Read more on this in the GlobalDetail.com article on Christmas Markets in Hamburg.

However, there is so much more to the celebrations that just the market stalls. There is a whole array of other events on show for the entire month of December and many stay open till January 8th. The market and other events opened their doors on November 25th and will be open to shoppers and visitors until December 24th. If you have your children with you, or maybe even after a Glühwein or two, you may wish to try out your ice-skating skills at the Winter Wonderland ice-rink. The outdoor ice rink, one of Britain’s biggest, is set in the East Princes Street Gardens. It is open-air, which adds to its magical surroundings. With fairy lights in the trees and music playing this is a perfect escape from the busy pre-Christmas shopping frenzy. The ice rink is open until January 8th and daily from 10am to 8pm. Entry is £7 for adults and £6 for children, which includes your skate hire. Entry is one pound less if you bring your own skates.

Other entertainment venues include the Edinburgh Wheel, which takes you 10 meters high up and offers a great view over the rest of the market and Edinburgh’s Christmas lights – it does get a bit windy at times, so if you have someone to huddle up with I strongly suggest you do so. It is £2.50 to hop on and it’s open from 10am to 10pm daily until January 8th. If you fancy a bit more action, check out the Bungydome, where you will be tied in to bungy ropes for some acrobatic leaps. Entry is £5 and its opening times are 11am to 8pm weekdays and 10am to 10pm at the weekend.

It doesn’t really matter where you are in Edinburgh’s centre, as the entire city has been transformed into a Christmas Wonderland. The city really makes an effort for its visitors and it is definitely worth a pre-Christmas shopping trip. Treat yourself to some of the events going on throughout December and you will not be disappointed. This is the positive buzz you need to relax in the run up to Christmas – and what better way to have fun!

For Travel to this destination also read GlobalDetail's Ultimate Guide to no-frills airlines

GlobalDetail.com is rated by: