After visiting France’s Alsace region and spending some time in the nature at Garmish-Partenkirchen, it was time to explore some German Christmas markets.
If you have ever googled “best Christmas markets in Europe,” chances are that several German cities are listed there. So I had to include a few German towns in my European Christmas itinerary, right?
Germany has some of the oldest and best Christmas markets in the world. They are not just full of shopping and food, but with over-the-top decorations and magic all around, it truly makes you feel like a kid again! The vibe of a German market is truly hard to beat.
We visited quite a few German cities on this trip. Some for more than a day, and some just for a few hours. Our main aim was to include a fair mix of big as well as smaller cities. The Christmas markets in smaller cities offer a great variety, are less crowded and provide a more authentic experience. The bigger cities tend to be more commercial and can get insanely crowded. Here are all the German cities we visited on this trip:
- Nuremberg
- Feucht
- Stuttgart
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber
- Baden Baden
- Freiburg im Bresgau (Freiburg)
- Munich
- Mannheim
We stayed in Nuremberg (2 N) and Stutttgart (1 N). Feucht is a small town located 20 minutes from Nuremberg. We stayed in Feucht while exploring Nuremberg, so ended up visiting the Christmas market in Feucht one evening. We stopped by Rothenburg ob de Tauber on our way from Nuremberg to Stuttgart. The remaining cities (listed above) were also visited enroute one destination to the other. Some of the towns are small and you can easily experience the markets in a few hours.
Cologne and Dresden are other popular German towns with dazzling Christmas markets. I didn’t visit them on this trip but will definitely be going back to Germany a few years from now. Safe to say, I have been bitten by the European Christmas bug 😊
German Christmas markets are hugely popular, drawing in around millions of visitors each year. Recommend visiting early in the season rather than going closer to the holidays. Also, if you have flexibility in your schedule, try to visit these markets on weekdays rather than weekends.
Some Christmas markets usually start around November 20-25 and others start by December 1st. But no matter when they start, the last date in most cities is usually December 22/ 23rd . Also, the markets typically run daily from 10am – 9pm (and until 10pm on weekends). Do check each city’s website for actual dates and timings while planning your trip.
When we visited in early December, it was surprisingly COLD. The temperature was in the range of -5 degree C to 1 degree C and with windchill, it dropped to -7 degrees C. The good thing was that in the markets, with the stalls being close to each other and another gazillion people crammed up in that space, it didn’t feel as cold. But as soon as we stepped away from the market, it felt nail bitingly cold. But cold weather means you can sip on gluhwein all day, right 😉
While that most German cities have Christmas markets in the center of town, in the larger cities, the markets are spread throughout the city. So, you will be walking a fair bit. Recommend wearing sturdy, well-insulated walking shoes and lots of layers!
If you’re planning a trip to German Christmas markets, then this guide provides everything you need to know to make the most of your visit!
We also visited Alsace region (Strasbourg, Colmar, etc.) and Garmisch-Partenkirchen on this trip. Click on the individual links for detailed itineraries on Alsace Christmas markets and Garmisch region. We have also visited Germany’s Moselle Valley and the German towns of Rudesheim en Rhine and Monschau in the past. Click on the individual links for detailed itineraries
Best Way to Get Around
We rented a car for the entire duration of our trip, which made it easier for us to explore this region, specially the smaller towns. Even though the towns were busy with both local and international tourists, finding a parking spot was not an issue. There are plenty of parking garages in big cities like Nuremberg, Munich. And in smaller towns, you can find street parking or parking lots right outside the city.
But if you don’t want to hassle of driving and parking, then you can easily get around via trains. Germany has an excellent public transport system.
What to Eat
Gluhwein or spiced wine is the most popular drink offered in Christmas markets. It is an alcoholic drink usually made with red or white wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, orange, and at times, vanilla pods.
In addition to the regular white and red gluhwein, you will find Heidelbeere Gluhwein, a blueberry mulled wine in German markets. It is made with specially selected Italian wines and infused with a mix of spices. It is fruity and tastes very different from the regular gluhwein. A must try when in Germany. You will also find mulled wine with amaretto, rum, etc. in the markets.
Yet another unique drink you find in Germany is Feuerzangenbowle. It is mulled/ spiced wine with a rum-soaked sugar cube that is set on fire and drips into the wine.
Some other drinks you typically find in markets are Eierpunsch, an egg-based drink similar to egg nog and Heiße Schokolade, which is Hot Chocolate. If you are travelling with kids, have them try the non-alcoholic Kinderpunsch, which is hot mulled non-alcoholic drink with similar spices.
While buying a glass of mulled wine, you will need to pay a deposit for the glasses (around Euros 3-4). After you are done drinking, return the mug at any of the stalls to get the deposit back. Or you can just keep it as a souvenir. Each city has its own unique mug so instead of buying magnets, you can keep them as souvenirs 😊
If beer is your preferred alcohol of choice, then don’t you worry, some stalls also sell craft beer.
Like most Christmas markets you can also get crepes, candied nuts, roasted chestnuts, chocolates, chocolate-covered fruit, candy of all varieties, fries, pretzels, baguette, fries, raclette, potato pancakes, waffles, various types of sausages, and much more.
If you are looking for unique savory food, then here is what you need to try:
- Wurst – Sausage; specifically, Nürnberger Rostbratwurst since this is the city where they were created. But you can also go with a traditional Bratwurst, Currywurst, Half metre wurst, etc.
- Reibekuchen and Kartoffelpuffer – shallow-fried potato pancakes made from grated or ground potato, flour and a binding ingredient such as egg or applesauce. They are often served with applesauce or sour cream as a dipping sauce.
- Laugenbrezeln – Authentic German Soft Pretzel
- Champignons – Grilled Mushrooms served with garlic cream sauce
- Lebkuchen/Elisenlebkuchen – Nuremberg is famous for its gingerbread, and once you try it, you’ll see why!
- Gebrannte Mandeln – Roasted, Candied Almonds
- Dampfnudel – Sweet, steamed bun with a caramelized bottom and soft pillowy top that is served in a sweet, creamy sauce and dusted with cinnamon and sugar.
Keep in mind that most vendors do not accept credit or debit cards, so be sure to bring plenty of cash. Also, you don’t want to waste your time searching for ATM and paying an ATM fee while withdrawing money overseas.
Cities to Visit and Things to Do
Nuremberg
Frankfurt and Munich are the closest big airports to Nuremberg. Both offer cheap flights from all over Europe, Asia and North America. Once you get to these cities, you can drive (2 hours from Munich and 3 hours from Frankfurt) or take the train.
Now of all the German cities, why did we pick Nuremberg? With origins dating back to 1628, Nuremberg Christmas Market is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany! It is said that the first record of Christkindlesmarkt dates back to 1530, but many historians believe that the market originated farther back than that.
And with around 2 million visitors each year, it is arguably the most famous and some would even say the best Christmas market in all of Europe! After experiencing it firsthand, I can see why this market ranks on the top of every traveller’s must-visit Christmas destination list.
We visited Nuremberg in early December just when the markets opened. It snowed pretty much the entire time we were in Nuremberg. The gentle sprinkling of snow made the Christmas market in Nuremberg even more magical and gave the historic buildings and cobbled streets a beautiful glow in the warm street lighting. It really was one of the most magical Christmas markets in Europe that I’ve ever visited!
Now coming to the markets, there are several markets in this city but the main one (called Christkindlesmarkt by locals) takes place in the central square of Hauptmarkt, located in the heart of Old Town. The Christkindlesmarkt is one of the best-known Christmas markets in all of Germany and is where people spend most of their time in the city. Even the official Christmas market opening ceremony takes place here each year. And the live band playing here adds to the holiday cheer. Now not sure if they play everyday or only during weekends – we were visiting on the opening weekend and got to listen to the them singing beautiful Christmas carols.
With over 180 wooden stalls with red and white striped roofs, selling all kinds of festive food and Christmas decorations, you have plenty to keep yourself occupied. There is a lot to do, see, and eat. I recommend arriving earlier in the day. In the evenings, this market gets very crowded!
Apart from this main market, there are several smaller ones spread throughout the city. I was equally impressed by all the other markets as well!
Steps away from Hauptmarkt is the Sister Cities Market where Nuremberg’s “sister cities” from around the world set up a stall and sell items that are local to their city. Antalya (Turkey), Cordoba (Spain), Glasgow (Scotland), Nice (France), Prague (Czech Republic), Shenzhen (China), and Venice (Italy) are some of the cities that you can expect to see here.
We spent some time browsing through the stalls and loved how unique each one was. Specially loved the Venetian masks, Nicaraguan coffee and all the Turkish spices! It was more like a global bazaar. If you’re looking to buy one of a kind Christmas gifts or souvenirs, then this market is for you. Even if you don’t want to shop, definitely stop by, it is quite interesting.
My personal favorite market in this city was undoubtedly the Children’s Market (Kinderweihnacht). And the best part – this market is not just for kids – adults can have a blast here too, just like we did 😊
Now what made this market so much fun? Well, expect an entire Christmas market created keeping children in mind. Here you will find everything kid-friendly, right from a carousel, to mini-Ferris wheel, to steam trains, to baking activities and much more! Most of the booths here are topped with animated figures who wave and move. It is such a cute sight!
On special days, children can meet the Nuremberg Christkind in person and enjoy free merry-go-round rides. As for the adults? There is plenty of festive food and drinks, and just experiencing the joy of markets through kids’ eyes will melt your heart!
Another interesting market you will find in Nuremberg is the Feuerzangenbowle Village. For those not familiar, Feuerzangenbowle is a popular German holiday drink. It is made by setting a rum-soaked sugarloaf on fire and letting it drip into a bowl of mulled wine, giving it a truly special flavor. You can find Feuerzangenbowle at almost every Christmas market in Germany, but Nuremberg has the unique claim to fame of having the largest Feuerzangenbowle in the world. Beware though, it is a lot stronger than your typical mulled wine.
This massive bowl of strongly alcoholic punch isn’t located at one of the main Christmas markets, but it is easy to spot since, well, it is big. It is located below the Fleischbrücke, right next to the Starbucks at Hauptmarkt 1 street. And apart from the famous drink, you will find a few stalls around to grab food and other drinks.
In addition to the above markets, there is also the Original Regional Christmas Market, located around St. Sebald Church. It is made up of 6-12 stalls selling local, artisan goods from the Nuremberg region. Some of the local goods you can look forward to sampling at the Original Regional Market include regionally produced sausages, honey, fruit spreads, liquors, soaps, pralines, etc. If you’re into organic, locally made products, then this is the market for you.
Now the Airbnb we were staying at was located in the town of Feucht, around 20-25 minutes from Nuremberg. We reached Nuremberg the day the markets opened (December 1st ). Being the opening day, we realized that the city would be insanely crowded. So decided to spend the evening in downtown Feucht.
Little did we know that Feucht had a cute little Christmas market as well. Since it was the opening night, all locals were out and about frolicking around the market. We saw Santa distributing sweets to kids as well as the local band belting out Christmas carols. It was cute to see little kids playing in the snow and even adults fully participating in all the Christmas activities.
So, as I mentioned earlier, certainly visit a small German town, in addition to the big ones. I will always remember Feucht with the biggest smile on my face. It was truly one of the most memorable days on this trip.
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is yet another beautiful German city to visit during the holiday season. Each year, over 3 million visitors attend Stuttgart markets.
Now sadly, I was down with fever and cough and cold by the time I reached Stuttgart. So couldn’t really explore much and spend a lot of time outdoors. But here is all that you need to know to plan your trip to Stuttgart during the holiday season.
The main Christmas market is held right in the middle of the city centre, Schlossplatz, with stalls and displays spread out in every direction. There are nearly 300 stands sprawled throughout the large pedestrian downtown area. You can easily spend a day strolling around the different squares and checking out the stalls.
A little fun fact for you – did you know there is a competition each year for the best-decorated rooftops at the markets? So, all market stalls to go all out with its roof decor😊 You get to see unique displays of baubles, lights, lots of mechanical teddy bears, reindeers, etc.
At the main square, Schlossplatz, there is an ice skating rink and plenty of Gluhwein to keep you warm. For children, there is a mini train that takes the little kids through the miniature landscape. In addition to the mini-train, kids can take a spin on the mini-Ferris wheel or the carousel here.
Don’t miss the tall Christmas Pyramid (Weihnachtspyramide) at Schlossplatz. This one stands roughly 87 feet high and is the tallest of its kind! There is a rotating nativity with 24 large figurines.
Stuttgart’s Glanzlichter is a winter light festival that takes place in this city. The light sculptures create a magical atmosphere on Schlossplatz, on Königsstraße and Schulstraße. There are thousands of LED lights that illuminate the city during the winter months and make for a dazzling sight.
Starting December 1, the Stuttgart Town Hall (Rathaus) becomes a giant Advent Calendar. With strategic windows blocked off with numbers (and framed by beautiful lights), one image is revealed a day up until Christmas.
A few steps away from Schlossplatz, you will find a Finnish Christmas Market. Here, you will find the Finnish version of Glühwein called Glögli, which is made of wild and meadow berries and has a fruity taste. They also have their popular Flammlachs or flamed salmon.
If you have additional time on hand, visit the town of Esslingen, located 20-25 minutes by car or train. Esslingen is a quintessential German town with gorgeous half-timbered buildings and one of the most incredible medieval-themed markets Germany has to offer.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
We visited this town on our way from Nuremberg to Stuttgart. By the way, there are several “Rothenburgs” in Germany, so ensure you type “Rothenburg ob der Tauber” in Googlemaps if and when you plan to visit this city.
I will admit, I wanted to visit this town for its sheer beauty rather than its Christmas market. Beautiful cobblestone streets, colorful facades, picturesque corners and the gentle dusting of snow made this town postcard perfect! See what I mean?
But it helps that every December, this town transforms itself into a fairytale winter wonderland. Over the years, this town has become one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Germany.
The market is located on winding, narrow streets, the Market Square and in front of the town hall building. Browse through the markets while sipping on hot gluhwein. For the best view of this market, climb up the town hall tower.
No trip to Rothenburg is complete without popping into a Käthe Wohlfahrt store. While you will find this store in almost every German town, and nowadays even in other European countries, the one at Rothenburg is the best.
The moment you step into this store, you will feel like you have stepped into Santa’s workshop ! You will find everything from delicate handcrafted ornaments to nativity scenes and candles – perfect for decorating your home. If you are looking for unique ornaments for your tree or a special gift, this is the place to go.
The store is like a maze – it is never ending but in a good way. I was in awe of the cute little details and figurines. The 16 ft tall revolving white Christmas tree, decorated with over 1,000 glass balls and 12.500 sparkling lights, is bound to leave you speechless. Even if you don’t intend to shop anything, do pay a visit to this store. It will be a wonderful experience I promise.
And the best thing is that this store is open all around the year and not just during the holiday season. Since it is one of the most famous stores in Germany, try to get here as soon as it opens or be prepared to wait in line.
And there is a Christmas museum here as well, where you will find German traditions mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries! It is located right above the store. While there is no entry fee to visit the store, the museum does charge an admission fee.
Oh and you can’t leave the city until you have tried a Schneeballen. The literal translation of Scheeballen is a snow ball and it actually resembles one! It is a deep fried pastry in the shape of a ball and lightly coated with powdered sugar. Apart from a plain schneeballen, you can find plenty of flavors like strawberry jam filled Schneeball, chocolate covered, or a nutty snowball. They are not overly sweet but definitely worth a taste.
And lastly, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of Germany’s best-preserved, medieval walled towns. There is a beautiful city wall still intact that you can walk up and around. You can either do the full circuit, but that could take you 2-3 hours, or do a shortened 30 minute loop.
Baden Baden
The one town that truly surprised me the most (in a good way) was the German town of Baden Baden. Known as the greatest spa town in Europe, Baden Baden is located in the iconic Black Forest region.
We stopped by this town on our way from Frankfurt airport to Strasbourg. Our flight landed early in the morning and since Strasbourg markets didn’t start until later in the day (it was the first day of markets), we decided to stop by this town on the way.
The main market is located in Kurhaus with over 100 wooden chalet huts selling homemade ornaments, scarves, soaps, etc. in addition to a variety of food. We ate the best wood fired oven pizza at 87 Mamma Lina, one of the stalls in the market.
Also, be sure to stop by the street where the restaurant, Löwenbräu, is located for its cute holiday decor.
And just few steps away is Hotel Laterne, which is also beautifully decorated.
Once you are done strolling through the markets, walk along the Trinkhalle, a 90-meter long portico structure with Roman columns, admiring the beautiful nativity scene displays.
If you are travelling with kids, then there are plenty of unique things here to get them in the holiday spirit. Visit the Christmas Bakery located right at the entrance of the market. Here, young kids get to try their hand at baking traditional holiday treats under the guidance of experienced bakers. From rolling out the buttery biscuits to cutting them out and creatively decorating them – it is a fun activity for kids. After the baking is done, these goodies can either be snacked on directly or taken home as a gift for friends and family.
Freiburg
We stopped by Freiburg on our way from Colmar to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and spent around 2 hours in this town.
The city is known for its university and cute old town, and it serves as a great base if you want to explore the Black Forest. We spent around 2 hours browsing through the markets and admiring the beautiful architecture of this city.
The biggest market can be found in front of the town hall, on the Rathausplatz. You will find plenty of food here including chestnuts, churros, corn on a cob and some local delicacies. Some of the stalls here also sell handicrafts and gifts. Also, stop by Munsterplatz which transforms into a farmer’s market of sorts. With more than a 100 stalls selling fresh, seasonal and regional products, plants, flowers, and bakery items, you are bound to find something interesting here. We picked up delicious chilli and dill cheese from one of the stalls here and enjoyed it with fresh baguette.
Look out for the candle stall where children can make their own candles or buy a rolling pin with patterns for making beautiful cookies. The Candle Workshop is quite a unique experience for both young and adults. Here, you get to create personalized candles, under expert supervision.
If you want to be more creative, visit the candle workshop on Franziskanerstraße, where you will be able to make your own Christmas candles or have the candlemaker produce one especially for you.
Kartoffelmarkt is yet another market where you will find a variety of food items.
Also stroll through the beautiful Old Town, which has some centuries-old buildings. You can also step inside the cathedral, well-known for its 380-foot (116m) Gothic spire that soars above the city.
Munich
We stopped by Munich on our way from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Nuremberg. There is a lot to see and do in this city, but we only concentrated on the markets for this trip. Also, it started snowing pretty heavily after we reached so we couldn’t spend much time in this city.
Munich’s main Christmas market is located in Marienplatz Square, the heart of Old Town. Here you will find dozens of stalls selling ornaments, nutcrackers, gingerbread, and warm drinks. The New Town Hall, built in 1905, provides a picturesque backdrop with its ornate façade and soaring clock tower.
Every day at 11am and midday (and 5pm between March and October) the Glockenspiel performance beings visitors to the central Marienplatz Square. You will find the dancing figurines re-enacting stories from Munich’s history from the 16th century. Each performance lasts 10-15 15 minutes.
Munich, being a big city, we found the main market to be busy even at 10 am on a weekday. So we simply browsed by a few stalls, watched the Glockenspiel performance and grabbed a few hot drinks and food.
We then made our way to Munich’s Viktualienmarkt. This place initially started out as a farmers’ market where people would come to do their weekly food shopping. But now it is a real foodie hub, where you can buy gourmet local produce, from cheese and meat to bread and honey. Just like the rest of the city, the area gets a festive makeover for the holiday season. This is a great place to buy some special treats for foodies.
There is also a fun Pink Christmas market held at Stephansplatz. The Christkindlmarkt of the LGBTQ community has been held in the Glockenbachviertel since 2005. This market is not just restricted to LGBTQ community, but you see everyone gathering here, regardless of their sexual orientation. Since it opens later in the afternoon, we couldn’t visit this one on this trip.
Mannheim
On our last day in Germany, we spent a few hours in Mannheim since it was enroute Stuttgart and Frankfurt airport.
We didn’t want to visit yet another touristy town and preferred visiting a smaller town where we wouldn’t be bombarded with huge crowds of tour groups.
The main market is held in the center of town, in front of the large water tower. The Wasserturm, water tower, is Mannheim’s well-known landmark, where the main market is held. Here, you will find almost 200 huts selling a range of traditional German Christmas goods, a Ferris wheel, plenty of delicious food and of course, a traditional Christmas pyramid.
Just a few blocks from the market on Kapuzinerplanken, this market is fairy-tale themed. Characters and scenes from popular stories are displayed throughout the square and audio recordings of the stories play continuously. There is also a large talking tree, which is a favourite for young kids. There are also a few stalls selling goods, including warm drinks and several small warming areas for families or small groups.
*All prices are as of December 2023