Destinations Magazine

Five Christmas Markets to Visit in Germany This Holiday Season

By Rashmi Gopal Rao

It is that time of the year when Christmas magic is in the air and the spirit of Yuletide is hard to miss. A time for friends, family, holidays and get togethers, Christmas is all about having fun and spending quality time with your loved ones. And no celebration of Christmas is complete without a customary visit to the ubiquitous Christmas markets. Stalls filled with gifts and goodies, the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread and the warmth of hot chocolate and mulled wine; Christmas markets have a magic of their own. And if you are looking to visit some authentic markets this holiday season, here are five markets to visit in Germany which is the place where Christmas markets originated as early as the 15th century. Christmas vibes in Germany are truly about celebration aplenty.

Decorations in Christmas Markets

Berlin: Right from the city’s main train station to its main squares and monuments, Berlin is a spectacle to witness during the holiday season. With scintillating lights and dazzling decorations, the city is abuzz with Christmas cheer and hosts over 100 markets. Some of the main markets to visit include the Alexanderplatz Christmas market, which is one of the city’s biggest market and a great place to pick up traditional gifts, decorations and trinkets, and the Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace which is known for its nativity scene accessories and culinary delights.

Christmas Markets in Berlin

If you are looking for bespoke, handcrafted goods, make sure to visit the Gendarmenmarkt (Bebelplatz) market where you can shop for handmade items like wooden artefacts, paintings, woollens etc from artisans. Do not forget to gorge on popcorn, pretzels, roasted chestnuts and gingerbread while here. Wash them all down with a mug of glühwein aka mulled wine.

Christmas Market Stall Decorations in Germany

Nuremberg: this is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe and dates back to the 17th century. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is an iconic market that is famous in not just Germany but throughout the world. With an antiquated vibe, cobble stone pathways and the Church of our Lady in the centre, the backdrop for this market has an old world charm and is replete with traditional vibes. Apart from handmade goods like ceramics, pottery and decorations, there is plenty of regional food and drink which includes Lebkuchen (gingerbread-like cookies), Bratwurst (Grilled sausages), roasted and glazed almonds apart from hot chocolate and mulled wine. Nuremberg is located just over 100 miles from Munich.

Christmas Market Stalls in Germany

Frankfurt: Frankfurt’s Christmas market stretches from Hauptwache down to the river quayside and is indeed a large one with plenty of activity. With millions of visitors, the markets are teeming with people who come with family and friends to enjoy the celebratory atmosphere.  While here do not forget to sample local specialities like the white marzipan cookies called Brenten and Bettmännchen which are traditional pastries made from marzipan for Christmas.  The Rosa Christmas market on Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz with its signature pink theme and decorations is especially popular with the LGBTQ+ community.

Christmas Market Stalls of Frankfurt

Munich: With over a dozen markets, Munich is another city in Germany known for its Christmas markets. One of most famous markets is the Münchner Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz. It is famous for its nativity scene models with stalls selling everything from lanterns, gifts of the Magi, animals and figurines of all kinds. While here do not forget to sample the traditional Gebrannte Mandeln (candied almonds) and Currywurst (German sausage with curry ketchup). Activities for children include rides and carousels. Along with eclectic shopping stalls, these markets are a place perfect for children and adults alike. Do not miss the vibrant Viktualienmarkt for fresh, delectable treats during the Christmas season.

Artefacts in Munich’s Christmas Markets

Cologne: The main Christmas market of the city which is hosted against the backdrop of the main cathedral boasts of some bespoke handicrafts and organic gastronomical delights. There are special activities for children too like plays, face painting and games.

Christmas markets in Cologne Christmas markets in Cologne

Other attractions include the village of St. Nicholas at Rudolfplatz and the Heinzels Winter Fairytale in the center of the old town.

Roasted chestnuts in Christmas markets in Germany

Another version of this article was originally published in Seema.com.


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