12 Magical German Christmas Markets You Need To Visit This Holiday Season

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Berlin alone has over 80 Christmas markets, making finding the best German Christmas markets extremely difficult. However, some Christmas markets across the European nation stand out from the crowd, offering more unique attractions, rich history, and cultural traditions that have lasted tens of hundreds of years.

That said, we’re here to help you plan the perfect Christmas market vacation in Germany. Below, you’ll find the 12 German Christmas markets you don’t want to miss. You can expect fabulous decorations, vibrant market stalls, exceptional food and drink, and so much more.

Breitscheidplatz Christmas Market, Berlin

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It could be argued that many of Germany’s best Christmas markets are in Berlin, the capital, but the Breitscheidplatz Christmas Market steals the show with over 100 individual stalls selling everything from traditional decorations and handcrafted wooden toys to German market cuisine and mulled wine. This market pops up around Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on Breitscheidplatz at the end of November and in December yearly.

When you’re not sipping mulled wine, eating bratwurst, or shopping for last-minute gifts, admire the beautiful Christmas decorations and take your children to the carousels and amusement rides. Besides bratwurst, some of the tasty treats you can eat at the market include gingerbread, candied fruit, steak, and mushroom stir-fry. Don’t miss the New Year’s fireworks during your visit.

Münchner Christkindlmarkt, Munich

Münchner Christkindlmarkt auf dem Marienplatz, Bayern, Deutschl — © eyetronic / Adobe Stock

Münchner Christkindlmarkt, or the Munich Christmas market, is one of the best traditional markets in Europe. It offers travelers the opportunity to experience authentic German Christmas cuisine, decorations, and gifts. From the moment you step foot into the market, you’ll be transported into a winter wonderland.

The smell of freshly roasted chestnuts fills the air, the historic streets in Marienplatz are lined with wooden Christmas stalls, and festive decorations light up the market. This market’s surroundings are spectacular, but the Bavarian craft stalls and beautiful nativity displays steal the show. It’s also worth noting that many events and activities occur at the market, including live concerts, story readings, workshops, and parades. Don’t miss the Christmas music at the town hall every day, except Friday and Saturday.

Cologne Christmas Market, Cologne

European Destinations for Christmas Cologne, Germany — © Fokke Baarssen / Adobe Stock

Cologne’s iconic cathedral is the ideal setting for a Christmas market, creating an alluring backdrop for a winter wonderland that features traditional stalls, delicious cuisine, and beautiful decorations. This is one of the best German Christmas markets for several reasons. First, the food offerings are out of this world.

As you explore the market, you can tuck into traditional delicacies like reibekuchen, bratwurst, waffles, and mulled wine. Second, there is something for everyone at the market. While you sip mulled wine and shop for presents, your children can explore the Christmas Circus. Meanwhile, serious wine drinkers can take a mulled wine tour. Finally, the market has 80 weekly changing stalls, so you’ll find something new every week.

Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg

Things To Do in Europe Visit the Christmas Markets in Germany — © Mapics / Adobe Stock

If you want to visit one of the world’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets, you need to attend the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg. This pre-Christmas fair in Nuremberg’s main market square dates back to the mid-16th century, making it one of the best German markets for tradition and history.

Along the city’s historic streets, you’ll find many wooden booths selling traditional and often handmade decorations, foods, sweet treats, treasures, and souvenirs in the Nuremberg Christmas market. Make sure you try the local gingerbread and Spekulatius almond cookies. They are delicious. This Christmas market also has a complete program of Christmas concerts, tours, and exhibitions. There is even a Christmas City just for children, which is full of magic. Children can bake cookies, paint, ride the carousel, and meet Santa.

Rothenburger Reiterlesmarkt, Rothenburg ob der Tauber

12 Best Places To Go for Christmas in Europe Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany — © ecstk22 / Adobe Stock

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a fairytale destination year-round, but it’s especially magical at Christmas when the town transforms into a medieval winter wonderland. Picture it now: the town’s vibrant medieval alleys are adorned with decoration, and the sounds and smells of a bustling Christmas market fill the air. Sounds perfect.

The festive spectacle of the Rothenburger Reiterlesmarkt is in the market square. It has many beautifully decorated stalls selling traditional gifts, food, and beverages. Meanwhile, brass bands from the local community take to the Green Market to perform. If you look up at the town hall, you’ll spot the town’s annual Advent window, made by local school children. Don’t miss the enormous Christmas tree, either.

Hamburg Christmas Market, Hamburg

The Hamburg Christmas Market is one of the best in Germany because it offers many exciting things to see and do. In classic German Christmas market fashion, it features multiple locations, many stalls, festive food and drinks, and traditional Christmas decorations, a main highlight being the massive Christmas tree.

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However, the Hamburg Christmas Market takes things to the next level by offering visitors exciting attractions like an ice rink, Christmas-themed boat tours, Ferris wheels, and Christmas parties. It might also be worth noting that Hamburg hosts an annual Winter Pride Christmas Market for the Queer community. There are several Christmas market locations in Hamburg, so you have plenty of exploring to do.

Dresdner Striezelmarkt, Dresden

The Dresdner Striezelmarkt in Dresden is widely believed to be the oldest Christmas market in the world. It dates back to the 1430s when it was held for only one day. Today, this market is one of the biggest and best in Germany, featuring over 200 festive stalls, fairground rides, vibrant Christmas decorations, and traditional Christmas treats.

This epic Christmas market is open for an impressive 49 days, so there is plenty of time to visit. At the market, you’ll likely spend your time riding the historic Ferris wheel, eating roasted almonds, drinking mulled wine, and shopping for last-minute gifts for your friends and family. However, you can also listen to live concerts, explore the city’s historic landmarks, and take photographs under the Dresdner Striezelmarkt archway.

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market, Breitnau

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market is potentially the most unique German Christmas Market, so make sure you visit if you’re searching for a more memorable Christmas experience. This picturesque winter wonderland sits under a towering stone railway viaduct in Ravenna Gorge, Breitnau. At Christmas, this unique location and its lush surroundings look magnificent.

If you’re lucky, it might even snow. Underneath the viaduct, you’ll find a magical winter village with bright lights, beautiful decorations, and wooden stalls selling Christmas delights. The bright lights warm the atmosphere while the varied food and drinks fill your belly. As you walk around the market with glühwein (mulled wine), admire the handcrafted gifts, buy a unique souvenir, and try local cuisine.

Leipzig Christmas Market, Leipzig

At the Leipzig Christmas Market, you can take in the breathtaking architecture at Marktplatz, admire the marvelous Saxon spruce Christmas tree, get lost exploring over 250 festive wooden stalls, and eat and drink your body weight in festive treats and mulled wine. We don’t know about you, but that sounds like an excellent German Christmas market experience.

However, beyond the glitz and glamor, there is more to the Leipzig Christmas Market than meets the eye. This market is one of the most historic Christmas markets in Germany. It has been an annual tradition since 1458. Besides the labyrinth of stalls, you can enjoy live music performances, ride the carousel and Ferris wheel, and visit a small Finnish Christmas Market in Augustusplatz.

Trier Christmas Market, Trier

Trier Christmas Market is one of the newest in Germany, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the best. Beloved by the local community and travelers for the past 40+ years, this Christmas Market is situated by Trier Cathedral and the Main Market. The brightly decorated wooden stalls and Christmas-themed events are spectacular, but the town’s romantic medieval setting steals the show.

Everywhere you look, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking architecture. At this market, you can explore approximately 100 stalls, most of which sell food, drink, handicrafts, and traditional Christmas gifts and decorations. You can also enjoy a family-friendly Christmas program that features Christmas concerts, puppet theater performances, and tours.

Frankfurt Christmas Market, Frankfurt

The Frankfurt Christmas Market is visited by approximately three million people yearly, making it one of Germany’s most popular Christmas markets. Promising several Christmas market locations, an entertainment program, exciting decorations, and fun for all the family, it’s not hard to see why it’s so popular. The Frankfurt Christmas Market starts at Rossmarkt and stretches along the Zeil down to Römerberg.

Right the way along the market, you’ll discover charming market stalls bursting at the seams with festive traditional gifts, unique souvenirs, delicious food, and festive drinks. Grab yourself a mulled wine and meander through the market. Besides the Christmas stalls, you can watch the Sign Language Choir, listen to the Grand Bell Ringing of Frankfurt, and ride the Christmas Harbor railway.

Heidelberg Christmas Market, Heidelberg

Heidelberg Christmas Market is one of the best Christmas markets in Germany for travelers seeking a traditional German experience. For starters, the town’s gorgeous riverside location and 17th-century architecture create a magical Christmas scene that’s festive, picturesque, and romantic. Second, this market is spread across several locations, each offering something different.

For example, at the entrance to the Old Town (Bismarckplatz), you’ll find a traditional Christmas market with wooden stalls selling decorations, handmade gifts and ornaments, and traditional food and drink.

Meanwhile, at Market Square, you’ll find a Santa’s House. Other points of interest at the Heidelberg Christmas Market include the ice skating rinks at Karlsplatz, the illuminated fir trees at Kornmarkt, and the Heidelberg barrel at Marktplatz.