I was surprised at how little the things on sale interested me though I did find some hidden gems (Image: Getty)
It attracts millions of visitors from all over Scotland and further afield every year, and it’s just been crowned the most beautiful Christmas market in Europe.
Edinburgh’s famous Christmas market forms part of a winter festival that offers an array of festive activities suitable for all ages – from a Christmas Tree Maze at St Andrews Square to an Ice Rink on George Street. However, the traditional Christmas market located at East Princes Street Gardens is arguably the main attraction.
So my partner and I decided to explore the market just after it opened. Despite it being mid-November and neither of us feeling particularly festive, we thought a stroll around the famous market might ignite some Christmas spirit. Unfortunately, our initial impressions were less than favourable.
It was still daylight when we arrived, which certainly didn’t help the atmosphere. But the throngs of visitors jostling past each other coupled with the screams emanating from the nearby Star Flyer ride gave the impression of a fairground rather than a quaint Christmas market.
Edinburgh Christmas market on its opening weekend (Image: Alexander Smail)
The music selection also left much to be desired, with an overemphasis on contemporary pop that didn’t quite fit the setting. Transitioning from a classic Frank Sinatra track to Justin Bieber’s ‘Mistletoe’ felt somewhat discordant for a supposedly traditional Christmas market.
Many of the market stalls left me feeling underwhelmed. While I anticipated high prices, I was taken aback by how few items piqued my interest – with a majority peddling what can only be described as tat.
However, amidst the clutter, there were certainly some treasures to be found. My first purchase of the evening was a charming decorative bowl adorned with a fish pattern, sourced from Palestine and priced at a reasonable £8.
While most stalls left me disappointed, there were a few that are definitely worth checking out (Image: Alexander Smail)
The clothing on display was surprisingly top-notch. Given a larger budget, I would have been tempted to snag a snug scarf or a pair of gloves.
Everywhere you turn at the Edinburgh Christmas market there are stalls selling all kinds of food and drink and we opted for a Belgian waffle.
Edinburgh Christmas Market Belgian waffles (Image: Alexander Smail)
The waffle stall boasted an array of toppings that left me spoilt for choice, ranging from chocolate and nuts to Oreos, toffee, bananas, and strawberries. Having visited the market the previous Christmas, I was prepared for steep food prices.
However, I was still taken aback when the friendly vendor informed me that my waffle topped with a smattering of melted chocolate cost £9 – more than the bowl I had just purchased!
The hot chocolate with bells and whistles at the Edinburgh Christmas market (Image: Alexander Smail)
But it was good. The rich chocolate was a delightful complement to the cake-like waffle, making for a pleasant taste experience. However, its size left something to be desired and I found it hard to justify the cost.
As night fell, the atmosphere took on a more festive feel, which I found quite enchanting. I would certainly recommend visiting the market after sunset when the area is bathed in the mesmerising glow of Christmas lights.
Edinburgh Christmas Illumination Trail (Image: Alexander Smail)
To combat the cold, we opted for a hot beverage to accompany our waffle. A nearby vendor was offering a gingerbread ‘deluxe’ hot chocolate, which seemed like the perfect antidote to the chilly evening.
The hot chocolate came with cream, marshmallows, a flake, and a crushed gingerbread biscuit. It cost an eye-watering £6.80 but there were cheaper options available without the bells and whistles, as well as coffees for around £4. While not as hot as I would have liked, it definitely helped warm me up — and the ginger gave it a fittingly festive flavour. Like the Belgian waffle, though, I wouldn’t pay for it again.
We concluded our visit with a stroll along the Illumination Trail, a pathway featuring red buttons that, when pressed, illuminated the surrounding trees. While not particularly awe-inspiring, it was charming and undoubtedly the most festive aspect of the evening.
Browsing the traditional Christmas decorations and toys at a market stall (Image: Getty Images)
A photo snowglobe was also situated close by, offering the opportunity to snap a picture with Santa Claus. This could be a hit with younger visitors.
In summary, the Edinburgh Christmas Market fell short of my expectations. Despite a handful of appealing stalls and activities, the steep prices and overall sense of being in a ‘tourist trap’ somewhat marred the experience.