THERE’S a cave in Europe that has its own Christmas market – it has over 90 stalls and visitors can only reach it on a boat.
Every year, the island of Fraueninsel (also known as Frauenchiemsee), in Bavaria, Germany is transformed into a festive attraction thanks to its Christmas market.
Prien Marketing GMBHFraueninsel is also the only island in Germany with its very own Christmas market[/caption]
Prien Marketing GMBHFraueninsel is the second-largest island on Lake Chiemsee in Bavaria[/caption]
Fraueninsel is the second-largest island on Lake Chiemsee in Bavaria.
The tiny, car-free, island is home to a convent of nuns and roughly 300 permanent residents.
Despite its small size, the Fraueninsel is also the only island in Germany with its very own Christmas market.
Fraueninsel Christmas Market has been described as one of the “most wonderful” in Bavaria by The Best Places to Visit in Germany.
They wrote: “Fraueninsel: One of the most wonderful Christmas markets in Bavaria.
“The market was absolutely magical! It definitely makes my Best Christmas Markets in Europe list.”
The Christmas market spills across the entirety of the island with both decorations and lights hung from trees and lamposts.
There are over 90 wooden stalls at the market that sell handmade gifts, mulled wine, and local delicacies.
In addition to the market, there are a handful of other activities on the island, including the Abbey and its bell tower.
The easiest way to reach Fraueninsel Christmas Market is to fly to Munich, the Bavarian capital.
Lufthansa operates direct flights to Munich from the UK, with prices starting from £34 for a one-way ticket in November.
From Munich, holidaymakers should board the train to Prien am Chiemsee train station, which takes just over one hour.
Because Prien am Chiemsee is on the mainland, visitors to the market will need to take the shuttle bus (the Winterdampf-Bockerl) to the town’s harbour.
From the harbour, festive holidaymakers will then be able to board a boat to Fraueninsel.
Tickets for the shuttle bus and the boat crossing can be purchased from Prien am Chiemsee train station, costing €14.50 for a full-paying adult and €7.20 for an adult.
While there aren’t any hotels on the island, several options can be found on the mainland, including Hotel Bayerischer Hof, with rooms starting from £95 per night.
Fraueninsel Christmas Market isn’t the only festive European attraction in an unusual location.
There’s a cave in Europe that has its very own Christmas Market, it has over 50 stalls, a 30-metre miniature village, and a winter wonderland.
The award-winning Christmas market in Valkenburg in the Netherlands covers every corner of the town, with events at several locations, including several underground caves.
For those holidaymakers who don’t fancy heading abroad to visit a Christmas market, then you’ll be relieved to know that there are some great festive attractions in the UK.
One of those is The Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham, which is said to be the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany.
Meanwhile, this travel writer thinks their hometown has the best Christmas attraction in the UK.
GettyThere are over 90 wooden stalls at the market that sell handmade gifts, mulled wine, and local delicacies[/caption]