Let’s be real: Germany has over 2,000 Christmas markets.
And if it’s your first time visiting, trying to figure out where to go can feel… overwhelming.
Do you want cozy or grand? Traditional or edgy? Easy to get to—or worth the detour?
That’s exactly why we created this guide about the best christmas markets in Germany.
We’ve spent the past Decembers wandering through Germany with cold fingers, red noses, and Glühwein in hand to explore the best German Christmas Markets.
And here’s what we know: If it’s your first-ever Christmas market trip, you don’t need to see everything. You just need the right cities: the ones that are festive, magical, and easy to navigate—even if you don’t speak a word of German.
So these are the places we’d send our own friends (and have). This guide is your shortcut to a Christmas trip that actually feels like a Christmas movie.
Best German Christmas Markets (Top 2025 Picks)
🚆 How to travel between christmas markets: Train or car?
Check our full breakdown of Renting a Car in Germany →
The 8 Best Christmas Markets in Germany
1. Munich
If you’re flying into Germany and want to hit the ground running, Munich is a perfect first stop. It has that rare combo of classic Bavarian charm and big-city convenience—and during Christmas, the whole city sparkles.
🧑🎄 Why we love it for first-timers:
🎄 Market Highlights:
→ Check out this Christmas Markets Food Tour in Munich* 🎄
Ease of travel:
🛏️ Where to stay:
We recommend staying in → Platzl Hotel Superior*
If it’s already fully booked, look for a hotel in or near the Altstadt so you can easily walk to most markets. Traveling on a budget? The area around Hauptbahnhof (central station) is also a convenient and affordable base.
🚗 Do you need a car in Munich?
Not at all. Public transport is excellent.
But if Munich is your starting point for a Christmas road trip, grab your rental car after you’re done exploring the city.
→ Find Good Deals on DiscoverCars*– Pick Up a Car in Munich
💬 Our tip:
Arrive midweek to avoid the weekend rush, especially if you’re heading to Marienplatz. And bring cash—not all stalls take cards.
🎁 Souvenir to look for:
A ceramic Glühwein boot. Iconic and easy to pack in your suitcase!
2. Nuremberg
When most people picture a German Christmas market, they’re thinking of Nuremberg.
The Christkindlesmarkt is the country’s most iconic—and for good reason.
Imagine red-and-white striped stalls, golden angels floating above cobblestone streets, the scent of roasted almonds in the air, and the Christkind delivering a welcome message from the town hall balcony.
It’s festive, traditional, and compact—perfect for first-timers who want that “storybook” holiday vibe without the stress of navigating a huge city.
🧑🎄 Why it’s perfect for first-timers:
✈️ How to get there:
We wrote a complete guide about the Christmas Market in Nuremberg →
🎄 Market Highlights:
🛏️ Where to stay:
The Sorat Hotel Saxx* is right at the Hauptmarkt, where the famous Christmas Market takes place. But this city gets booked up fast for Christmas time — reserve early!
🚗 Need a car?
Nope. Unless you’re combining with rural Franconia towns, trains are ideal for Nuremberg.
🎁 Souvenirs to look for:
💬 Our tip:
Arrive mid-morning and explore slowly—Hauptmarkt gets crowded quickly.
For a quieter vibe, stroll down to the castle hill or visit the market stalls after sunset when everything glows.
3. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
If there’s one place in Germany that looks like it was built specifically for Christmas, it’s Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
With its half-timbered houses, medieval walls, and cobblestone lanes, this walled Franconian town feels like the set of a holiday movie—especially after dark, when the day-trippers leave and the lanterns flicker on.
It’s small, atmospheric, and full of charm. And yes—it really does look like that in real life.
🧑🎄 Why it’s perfect for first-timers:
🎄 Market Highlights:
🛏️ Where to stay:
Check out Hotel Reichsküchenmeister*, it is in walking distance to the christmas market.
🚗 How to get there:
→ Find Best Deals on DiscoverCars* – Pick up from Nuremberg or Munich
🎁 Souvenirs to look for:
💬 Our tip:
Climb the town walls in the late afternoon for golden hour views over rooftops and twinkling lights—it’s free, peaceful, and completely unforgettable. And don’t skip the Night Watchman Tour (even in winter!)—it’s legendary.
4. Berlin
Let’s just say it: We’re not huge fans of Berlin at Christmas.
It’s massive, it’s loud, and the answer to every logistical question seems to be: “That’ll take about an hour.”
We’re village people at heart—we like our Glühwein within walking distance.
But here’s the thing… we get why Berlin is a bucket list city.
If it’s your first time in Germany and you want to mix Christmas markets with history, nightlife, and world-class museums, Berlin delivers. You just have to plan it right.
🧑🎄 Why it’s worth considering:
🎄 Market Highlights:
→ Check out this Berlin Christmas Markets Walking Tour*
🚶♀️ Ease of travel:
🛏️ Where to stay:
Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz* is within walking distance of several Christmas markets and offers easy U-Bahn access to the rest.
🚗 Do you need a car?
Nope. It’s more of a liability in Berlin. Use public transport or rideshares.
🎁 Souvenirs to look for:
💬 Our tip:
Pick 2–3 markets max per day. And bring comfortable shoes. Berlin isn’t a fairytale village—it’s a full-blown capital city with history and a Christmas twist.
5. Dresden
If you’re after historic charm, buttery stollen, and a market with serious Christmas credentials, Dresden is where you go. This eastern gem is home to the Striezelmarkt, which has been running since 1434—making it the oldest official Christmas market in Germany.
The setting? A glowing Baroque backdrop, giant wooden pyramid, and a skyline that looks straight out of a snow globe. It’s one of the few cities where the architecture actually competes with the markets for your attention.
🧑🎄 Why it’s perfect for first-timers:
🎄 Market Highlights:
🚶♀️ Ease of travel:
🛏️ Where to stay:
If you want to stay near the Christmas Market, stay at the “Star G Hotel Premium Dresden Altmarkt”*. The location is amazing: right in the center of the old town and at the Striezelmarkt (Christmas Market).
🚗 Do you need a car?
Not unless you’re planning to explore Saxony’s countryside. The city itself is best done on foot or by tram.
🎁 Souvenirs to look for:
💬 Our tip:
Come hungry. Dresden has some of the best Christmas food stalls in the country—try Grüne Soße, Kartoffelpuffer, and of course, the official Stollen with a PGI seal.
6. Ravenna Gorge
If you’re looking for something completely different, the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market is the kind of place that makes jaws drop—and Instagram feeds explode. It is also known as the christmas market “under the bridge”.
Set deep in a forested canyon beneath a towering 40-meter-high viaduct lit up with festive lights, this market doesn’t just feel magical… it feels otherworldly.
But here’s what you need to know: We spoke with someone from the Black Forest tourism board, and they told us straight: “It was featured in a travel show, and now… it’s packed.”
So yes, it’s absolutely worth it—but only if you’re up for some planning.
🧑🎄 Why it’s special:
🎄 Market Details:
🚗 How to get there:
🛏️ Where to stay:
Stay in Freiburg, Titisee, or Hinterzarten for easy access to the shuttle system. Freiburg is the largest city nearby and has its own charming market too. In Freiburg, check out Hotel Rappen am Münsterplatz*.
🎁 Souvenirs to look for:
- Hand-carved wooden forest creatures and candleholders
- Small-batch schnapps and forest honey
- Ravenna-themed mugs that glow with the viaduct outline
⚠️ Please be aware
This market is in a remote location and you need tickets. It sells out fast, so book your tickets weeks in advance, check the weather forecast (it’s colder down in the gorge!), and bring proper winter boots—it gets muddy.
7. Cologne
Cologne offers one of the most scenic Christmas market experiences in Germany. With the majestic cathedral as a backdrop, the city transforms into a festive wonderland, home to several themed markets—each with its own character, from angelic to maritime to artisanal.
🧑🎄 Why we love it for first-timers:
🎄 Market Highlights:
→ Discover Cologne’s Christmas Market Magic – Cologne Christmas Market Tour*
🚶♀️ Ease of travel:
🛏️ Where to stay:
Motel One Köln-Neumarkt* – excellent location on the edge of the city centre and close for the Christmas markets.
For a trendier scene with cafés and boutiques, try the Belgian Quarter—it’s just a few stops away.
🚗 Do you need a car in Cologne?
Not at all. Parking is a hassle, and public transport is excellent.
💬 Our tip:
The Cathedral Market gets packed in the evenings—go earlier in the day or midweek if you can. And don’t miss the mulled wine at the Harbor Market—it’s often from small regional wineries.
🎁 Souvenir to look for:
A handcrafted gnome (Heinzelmännchen) or a Christmas ornament with Cologne Cathedral—both are uniquely local and easy to pack.
8. Hamburg Winter Pride
If you want a Christmas market experience that’s a little different, a little more local, and a lot more inclusive, then Winter Pride in Hamburg should be on your list.
Tucked into the city’s St. Georg neighborhood, this LGBTQ+ friendly market is small, cozy, and packed with personality. Think twinkling lights, mulled wine with a twist, disco balls above the stalls, and a lineup of DJs, drag shows, and live music that keeps things festive and fabulous.
We love it because it feels personal. Community-driven. Like you’re hanging out with friends. It’s also the perfect contrast to the larger, more traditional Rathausmarkt just 10 minutes away.
If you want to know more, check out our → Queer-Friendly Guide to Hamburg
🧑🎄 Why it’s a standout:
🎄 Market Details:
Want to spend 2 days in Hamburg, here is our→ 2 day itinerary for Hamburg
🚶♀️ Ease of travel:
🛏️ Where to stay:
We enjoyed staying at the Reichshof Hotel Hamburg*. It’s located in St. Georg and near the Hamburg central station. St. Georg and Sternschanze are both fantastic neighborhoods—local, lively, and full of character. Plus, they put you within easy reach of both Winter Pride and the city’s best nightlife.
🚗 Need a car?
Definitely not. Hamburg’s public transport is excellent, and driving in the city isn’t fun in December anyway.
Train or Car? What’s Better for Visiting Christmas Markets in Germany?
One of the biggest questions we get:
“Should I rent a car or just use the train?”
Here’s our honest answer: It depends on your vibe and your route. We’ve done both—and there are pros and cons to each.
→ Find the Best Car Rental Deals at DiscoverCars* 🚗
Train – Best for Big Cities & Stress-Free Travel
Why it’s great:
When to choose the train:
Cities that work well by train:
Car – Best for Small Towns & Flexibility
Why it’s great:
→ Find the Best Car Rental Deals at DiscoverCars* 🚗
When to choose a car:
→ Find the Best Car Rental Deals at DiscoverCars* 🚗
Where a car helps most:
→ Find the Best Car Rental Deals at DiscoverCars* 🚗
Our Hybrid Recommendation:
→ Find Good Prices for Car Rental in Germany at DiscoverCars* 🚗
Final Thoughts – You Don’t Need to See Every Christmas Market
Here’s the truth: you don’t have to crisscross Germany to have an unforgettable Christmas market experience.
The magic isn’t about quantity. It’s about atmosphere. Music. The smell of roasted nuts. That feeling on the Christmas market, when it starts to get dark and all the little lights begin to glow.
So pick a few cities that fit your vibe—and don’t overplan. Some of our best memories happened by accident. A hidden courtyard market. A choir in a cathedral. A quiet moment at dusk with warm socks and stollen.
Enjoy your Christmas trip!
FAQs – Planning Your Christmas Market Trip to Germany
How many Christmas markets can I realistically see on one trip?
It depends on your travel style, but 5–7 cities in 10–14 days is a great pace. Any more, and you’ll spend more time in transit than enjoying the markets.
When do German Christmas markets usually start and end?
Most open in the last week of November and run until December 23–24. Some (like Hamburg and Berlin) continue until New Year’s Eve, but traditional ones close before Christmas Eve. → Check out our guide to “When do German Christmas Markets open?”
Can I do this trip in early December?
Yes! Early December is actually the sweet spot—markets are in full swing, it’s less crowded than mid-December, and accommodation is easier to find.
Do I need to book hotels in advance?
Absolutely—especially in places like Rothenburg, Ravenna Gorge, and Nuremberg, where rooms fill up fast. Book at least 2–3 months ahead if you’re coming in December.
What should I wear?
Layers, warm boots, gloves, and a hat that covers your ears.
Markets are outside, often cold and sometimes rainy or snowy. → Checkt out our full “Winter Packing List for Germany”
Can I visit Christmas markets on a Sunday?
Yes. The markets are open! But keep in mind: shops and supermarkets are closed on Sundays in Germany.
Is there a Christmas market pass or discount card?
Not exactly—but you can find regional train passes like the Bayern Ticket or Sachsen Ticket that make getting between markets much cheaper. Also check for city tourist cards that include transit and museum discounts.
Can I do this on a budget?
Yes—but Germany isn’t cheap in December.
Budget tips: Use regional trains instead of ICE where possible, stay just outside the city center, and limit souvenir splurges—those Käthe Wohlfahrt souvenirs add up fast.
What’s Next?
If you’re ready to start planning your own trip, here’s where to head next:
→ Download our free Germany TravelPlanning Guide
Includes packing tips, itinerary suggestions, and our printable checklist!
→ Best Souvenirs to Buy at German Christmas Markets
What’s worth it (and what isn’t) – plus where to find the good stuff
→ When Do German Christmas Markets Open?
Opening Dates, so you can plan your Winter vacation in Germany
→ How Kid Friendly are German Christmas Markets?
Want to visit with your kids? Best time to visit and things to do with kids
