Christmas market lovers are gearing up for the opening of some of the most charming and popular markets across Europe this month.
And while most of the continent’s best-known and largest markets are definitive must-sees, some that fly under the radar can be just as enthralling to visit.
That’s the case of one hidden gem in a lesser-known Polish destination, where visitors may also benefit from skipping the long queues and avoiding wading through the crowds.
Ranking sixth in Wizz Air’s list of Europe’s most underrated Christmas markets is Poznan, which only has a total of 22,440 searches across Tiktok, Instagram and Google.
While it may seem like a large figure, London’s Christmas market, on the other side of the scale, boasts a whopping 1,552,300 searches – making it the most overcrowded.
Poznan market opens this year from November 19 to December 23, and is located in the town centre, on the Main Market Square of Poznan.
This square attracts many tourists due to its sheer size and cultural interest, and it’s especially crowded at noon, when one special event takes place every day.
The Poznan Goats are a famous clock tower tradition in the Polish city of Poznan, where two mechanical goats emerge from the town hall tower at noon every day.
They butt heads in a playful display before disappearing back inside, a ritual that dates back to the 16th century and commemorates a local legend about the goats and the city’s history.
One Tripadvisor reviewer explained: “We visited in December so there were loads of stalls for the Xmas market.
“Food was tasty if not slightly more expensive than you would expect. There are lots of bars and restaurants around.
“A strange thing happens at 12 midday. Two goats pop out of a small door in the church tower and butt heads for a while. People really seem to get a kick out of it!”
Another commenter recounted: “Lovely town square. Very large square with loads of bars and restaurants where you can eat either inside or out.
“Beautiful old buildings (restored), nice cobbles and the town hold and clock with fighting goats. It rained when we were there but the square looks beautiful in the dark and even in the rain.”