Final Up to date on December 19, 2022 by Nellie Huang
Having lived in Europe for over 12 years, I’ve visited loads of Christmas markets and have discovered these to be the perfect Christmas markets in Germany.
It’s starting to look rather a lot like Christmas! The aroma of candy mulled wine and gingerbread fills the air, and festive music floods the streets. In Europe, Christmas markets and are a critical affair. Fundamental squares get reworked into large Christmas villages dotted with a whole lot of stalls, Christmas bushes and decorations.
For Europeans, Christmas markets mark the beginning of Creation. These markets often keep open for 4 weeks main as much as Christmas. They first began in Germany throughout the Late Center Ages, earlier than spreading round Europe. It’s no marvel the German Christmas markets are the largest, brightest and most festive.
After we lived in Amsterdam, we went to Germany each winter because it was only a quick drive away. Right here I’ve handpicked among the greatest Christmas markets in Germany so that you can take in the festive ambiance.
Greatest Christmas Markets in Germany
What to Do at a Christmas Market
For Christmas fanatics, going to a Christmas market in Germany is like being let unfastened in a sweet retailer! There’s a lot magic and grandeur in all the pieces, from the wood Nutcracker to the Nativity scene and big pyramids.
Christmas markets in Germany are additionally nice locations to strive conventional German meals just like the Lebkuchen Christmas cookies. I by no means go away a Christmas market with out having a bratwurst (grilled sausage) and glühwein (scorching mulled wine). If you happen to’re questioning what to eat in Germany, right here is my detailed German meals information.
German Christmas markets are the locations to go for the greatest journey presents. Conventional artisan merchandise just like the colourful nutcracker and handcrafted wood incense smoker collectible figurines make nice journey presents for youths. One other glorious memento to convey house is the collectible market mug that the glühwein is served in. You’re requested to pay 2-4 euros as a deposit for the mug which you’ll be refunded if you return it. Or you’ll be able to merely maintain the mug as a memento!
Which German Christmas Market Ought to I Go to?
There are a whole lot of Christmas markets in Germany, even small villages have their very own little Christkindlmarkt. So how do you resolve which Christmas market to go to?
The preferred German Christmas markets are present in Cologne, and obtain over 4 million guests annually. The Christmas markets in Dortmund are available at second place, with greater than 3.5 million guests scouring their 300 stalls. Subsequent hottest ones are in Stuttgart and Frankfurt.
Have a look at the numbers and you’ll think about how common these German Christmas markets are. Don’t let that deter you from visiting although, you simply have to plan your journey to keep away from the gang. I’ve included the opening dates and occasions for every market, in addition to the closest lodge to the market beneath.
Suggestions for Visiting a Christmas Market in Germany
- Christmas markets in Germany often open for the 4 weeks main as much as Christmas. Most finish on the twenty third December.
- To keep away from the crowds, I like to recommend planning your journey near the tip of November to coincide with the opening of the German Christmas markets.
- Go to the Christmas markets within the morning and also you’ll are inclined to have the markets to yourselves. Most markets open round 10am and shut at 10pm.
- Bank cards are usually not accepted in most German Christmas markets, so be ready with some money (euros)!
- In main cities, there are often greater than 1 Christmas market. A few of them even have Christmas market trains that present a hop-on hop-off service connecting the markets.
- The meals on the Christmas markets are superb, but in addition overpriced.
Greatest Christmas Markets in Germany
Right here’s a take a look at the perfect Christmas markets in Germany on a map.
1. Dresden Christmas Market*
Dresden‘s Striezelmarkt was first held in 1434 and is taken into account the primary real German Christmas market. In the present day it’s some of the visited Christmas markets of Germany, drawing in about 2 million individuals annually.
This was additionally the primary Christmas market we ever visited, and it’s nonetheless our favourite to this point! Not solely is it the oldest Christmas market in Germany, the Striezelmarkt additionally showcased the world’s tallest Christmas pyramid in 1999.
The Striezelmarkt’s identify truly comes from the phrase ‘Striezel’, which refers to a cake made right now of yr known as a ‘Stollen’. It’s a conventional German meals from the area and one thing you must strive if you’re right here!
Dates: 27 Nov – 24 Dec 2019
Occasions: 10.00-21.00
Location: On the Altmarkt sq. within the centre of Dresden
The place to Keep: Gewandhaus Dresden Autograph Assortment
2. Leipzig Christmas Market
Nearly an hour west of Dresden is Leipzig’s lesser-known previous city Christmas market. We completely liked the Christmas market right here and had so many enjoyable evenings right here with our native buddy!
Greater than 300 exhibitors arrange store in the marketplace sq. and within the close by streets. At weekends (1pm and 5pm), the sound of trumpeters rings out from the balcony of the Outdated City Corridor, including to the festive ambiance. Children can discover the fairytale forest or benefit from the elves’ workshop.
The market’s foremost characteristic is the big Christmas pyramid by the Nikolaikirche (St Nicholas Church), which is a powerful masterpiece. The festive concert events carried out by the Thomaner choir within the Thomaskirche are additionally glorious.
Dates: 26 Nov – 23 Dec 2019
Occasions: 10.00-21.00 (Solar-Thurs); 10.00-22.00 (Fri-Sat)
Location: On Marktplatz within the coronary heart of Leipzig
The place to Keep: Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof Leipzig
3. Cologne Christmas Market*
The world-famous Am Dom Markt is essentially the most visited Christmas market in Germany, receiving round 4 million individuals annually. Located on the foot of the UNESCO World Heritage Cologne Cathedral, the Am Dom Markt has a spectacular setting.
The 150 stands that make up this Christmas market is ready across the largest Christmas tree in the entire Rhine. Discover its glittering wood pavilions, strive some scrumptious German meals and discover handmade presents together with wooden carvings and tree decorations.
Different Christmas markets I like to recommend visiting in Cologne are Angel’s Market in Neuwmarkt Sq. and the Outdated Market at Alter Markt. We’re heading again this yr and will probably be writing extra about it!
Dates: 25 Nov – 23 Dec 2019
Occasions: 11.00-21.00 (Solar-Wed); 11.00-22.00 (different days)
Location: On Roncalliplatz subsequent to Cologne Cathedral
The place to Keep: Excelsior Lodge Ernst am Dom
4. Munich Christmas Market*
Munich is my favourite metropolis in Germany — we celebrated New 12 months’s Eve right here as soon as and it was significantly our greatest ever! What I really like most about Munich is the sturdy Bavarian tradition and traditions. It’s really the greatest place to go to in Germany to expertise the normal facet of Germany.
Held within the well-known Marienplatz, the Munich Christkindlmarkt is actually a standard German Christmas market surrounded by historic buildings together with the New and Outdated City Halls. The pedestrian coronary heart of the town turns into a large market annually.
Don’t miss the Center Ages Market at Wittelsbacherplatzhis recreates the ambiance of what the unique Munich Christmas markets will need to have been like, with music, handmade stalls and stallholders wearing clothes from the Center Ages.
Dates: 27 Nov – 24 Dec 2019
Occasions: 10.00-21.00; 10.00-14.00 on Christmas Eve
Location: On Marienplatz and the primary procuring centre streets
The place to Keep: BEYOND by Geisel
5. Heidelberg Christmas Market
One other private favourite, Heidelberg is well amongst Germany’s most lovely cities. However to see the picturesque previous city and the fortress illuminated by fairy lights throughout the Christmas season is the icing on the cake.
The Christmas market in Heidelberg is an ideal mix of custom and romance. It’s unfold out throughout seven places within the previous quarter: within the pedestrian space and on Bismarckplatz, Anatomiegarten, Universitätsplatz, Marktplatz and Kornmarkt, essentially the most lovely sq. of all.
There are many issues to do in Heidelberg: Head to the internal courtyard of Heidelberg fortress that gives a picturesque setting for an additional Christmas market. Beneath the fortress, you’ll be able to go ice skating and revel in vigorous music on the ‘Christmas on Ice’ rink at Karlsplatz sq..
Dates: 25 Nov – 22 Dec 2019
Occasions: 11.00-21.00; Karlsplatz ice rink 10.00 – 22.00 till Jan 2020
Location: On Hauptplatz within the coronary heart of Heidelberg
The place to Keep: Hip Lodge
6. Dortmund Christmas Market
The Dortmund Market is lauded as one of many greatest Christmas markets in Germany, with over 300 stalls packed round a big Christmas “tree” that stands 45 metres (148 ft) tall. Actually, it’s not only one tree — it’s made up of 1,700 particular person fir bushes, lit up by 13,000 mild bulbs.
What I like in regards to the Dortmund Christmas Market is the way it caters to households. Each day there’s a colourful present program by the Alter Markt Theatre Firm and a puppet or magic present for youths of all ages.
The Dortmund Christmas Market is cut up throughout ten completely different sections, all inside Dortmund Metropolis Centre. They’re all shut to one another and solely about 10 minutes’ stroll from the Dortmund Prepare Station.
Dates: 21 Nov – 30 Dec 2019 (closed on 24 & 25 Dec)
Occasions: 10.00-21.00 (Mon-Thurs); 10.00-22.00 (Fri-Solar)
Location: The primary part is at Hansaplatz
The place to Keep: Espresso Fellows Lodge Dortmund
7. Frankfurt Christmas Market
Frankfurt, as a serious monetary centre with skyscrapers marking the surroundings, has a popularity as a booming fashionable metropolis. However within the previous city, you’ll be able to nonetheless really feel the sturdy historical past of old-world Germany.
Drawing in round 3 million guests annually, the Frankfurt Christmas Market is a single large market within the historic quarter of the town round Römerburg and Paulsplatz. It stretches from the Hauptwache Sq. to the quayside on the river.
Over the centuries, the Frankfurt market has developed its personal speciality and it’s turn into well-known for its baked marzipan (a confection product of sugar and almond).
Dates: 25 Nov – 22 Dec 2019
Occasions: 10.00-21.00 (Mon-Sat); 11.00-21.00 (Solar)
Location: On Römerburg
The place to Keep: Motel One Frankfurt-Römer
8. Stuttgart Christmas Market
I’ve by no means been an enormous fan of Stuttgart, however the Stuttgart Christmas Market positively received my coronary heart because it’s some of the distinctive within the nation.
Firstly, the Stuttgart City Corridor transforms into a large Journey calendar (from 1 December onwards). Home windows of the constructing symbolize the dates and every quantity is revealed per day up till Christmas.
One other distinctive characteristic of the Stuttgart Christmas Market is the rooftop decor on the stalls. Virtually each stall has whimsical shows of teddy bears, big nutcrackers, mechanical reindeer that go all out to impress.
Dates: 27 Nov – 23 Dec 2019
Occasions: 10.00-21.00 (Mon-Thurs); 10.00-22.00 (Fri-Solar)
Location: The primary part is at Marktplatz
The place to Keep: Residence Central 11
9. Esslingen Medieval Christmas Market*
Simply 12km away from Stuttgart is a small, charming metropolis that was voted the ‘Greatest Christmas Metropolis‘ in 2018. The time-warped city oozes with character and attraction, particularly so throughout Christmas. It’s additionally dwelling to the oldest row of half-timbered homes in Germany.
The Esslingen Medieval Christmas Market is what the city is most well-known for. Retailers in historic clothes supply their items on the market throughout 80 stalls, simply as they did a whole lot of years in the past. Craftsmen like blacksmiths and rope-makers reveal their craftsmanship.
Famend performers from throughout Europe additionally be a part of within the leisure program which adjustments day by day. Count on to see puppet exhibits, fireplace exhibits and storytelling periods.
Dates: 26 Nov – 22 Dec 2019
Occasions: 11.00-21.30 (Thurs-Sat); 11.00-20.30 (Solar-Wed)
Location: The primary part is at Rathausplatz
The place to Keep: Buroma-Aside Suites Esslingen
10. Nuremberg Christmas Market
Poised within the middle of the Outdated City, the gold-hued Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt oozes with historical past and Bavarian custom. Greater than 180 market stands have on show conventional Christmas ornaments of all sizes and styles, together with the native gold-foil angel, “Zwetschgenmännle”.
Nuremberg Christmas market is most well-known for its regional German meals. Make sure to order a drei im weggla (three in a roll) Nuremberg Bratwurst or the well-known Lebkuchen (gingerbread).
Professional tip: Climb to the highest of the Church of our Woman to see the crimson and white cubicles on the streets beneath.
Dates: 29 Nov – 24 Dec 2019
Occasions: 10.00-21.00; 10.00-14.00 on Christmas Eve
Location: On Hauptmarkt within the coronary heart of Nuremberg
The place to Keep: Sorat Lodge Saxx Nürnberg
11. Berlin Christmas Market
Germany’s capital metropolis, Berlin, is dwelling to over 70 Christmas markets and they’re as numerous as the town itself. They vary from heat indoor markets to out of doors enjoyable festivals and markets with historic themes.
The historic Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market is my favourite and doubtless essentially the most well-known. It’s a small tent metropolis with a whole lot of stands as and greater than 1,000 fairy lights enhancing the ambiance.
The nostalgic Christmas market on the Opernpalais has a powerful array of artisans from everywhere in the world. You’ll additionally discover amusement rides and conventional culinary delights comparable to roasted almonds.
Dates: 25 Nov – 1 Jan 2020
Occasions: 11.00-22.00; 11.00-18.00 on Christmas Eve; 11.00-01.00 on NYE
Location: On Gendarmenmarkt
The place to Keep: Titanic Gendarmenmarkt Berlin
12. Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market
Situated within the Franconian heartland of Germany, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a kind of candy fairy-tale cities that you must see to consider. Whimsical timbered homes line the cobblestone lanes that weave previous bell towers and old-world church buildings.
Step again in time on the Rothenburg Reiterlesmarkt, and benefit from the festive season amidst its magical setting. If you happen to’re there for the opening ceremony, look out for the looks of the “Reiterle” determine. The determine was believed to be an envoy from one other world that introduced the souls of the deceased at winter time. Now it’s been reworked right into a pleasant character.
Additionally, be sure you strive Rothenburg’s trademark Schneeball biscuit, a type of fried dough coated in powdered sugar or melted chocolate. Rothenburg ob der Tauder is certainly one of many greatest locations to go to in Germany all yr spherical.
Dates: 29 Nov – 23 Dec 2019
Occasions: 11.00-19.00 (Mon-Thurs); 11.00-20.00 (Fri-Solar)
Location: On Grüner Markt within the coronary heart of the town
The place to Keep: Lodge Reichs-Küchenmeister
Are you planning to go to a German Christmas market? Which of those Christmas markets in Germany do you need to go to?
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