The best Christmas markets in Germany – The Points Guy

Germany’s Christmas markets are legendary, and for good reason. Christmas markets are one of many holiday traditions, such as the Christmas tree and the Advent calendar, that are thought to have originated in Germany. The oldest known Christmas markets date back to 15th-century Germany, and today, replica German versions of holiday markets pop up every winter in cities across Europe and even the United States. With twinkling lights, festive music, miles of craft stalls and steaming cups of gluhwein (mulled wine), the festive atmosphere in these German gems is unparalleled.

But with many cities offering dozens of different markets, how do you choose? In my opinion, it’s hard to go wrong anywhere in Germany, but for certain types of travelers, some markets are better than others.

Here are my top tips for experiencing the magic of Germany’s Christmas markets.

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Best variety: Berlin

Berlin is second to none when it comes to the number of Christmas markets – er, lebkuchen (gingerbread). The city’s website lists more than 80 independent markets.

From horror markets to sustainable markets, Japanese markets to Swedish fairs, there really is a Christmas market for everyone. There’s even a “Stranger Things” market this year, complete with Demogorgon waffles. (Be quiet, my little girl!)

Highlights include the massive WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt, which attracts some 800,000 visitors a year with its skilled craftsmen and handmade crafts, and the fairytale Charlottenburg Palace Market. If you tire of German cuisine, try Nordic and Scandinavian specialties at the Lucia Market in Kulturbrauerei. For something more active, head to the Potsdamer Platz sports complex’s Winterwelt (Winter World), where visitors can skate or slew on a 40-foot-tall, 230-foot-long slide.

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Best for exploring Christmas markets and more: Munich

If you want to settle in one city and visit plenty of Christmas markets – and maybe some other German attractions – the Bavarian capital is a good choice.

Munich’s main market, dotted around the streets around Marienplatz’s central square, is home to its famous carillon (cuckoo clock) and is a sight worth seeing. Be aware that it can get very crowded in the evenings and weekends, and restrooms are almost impossible to find – you have to use restrooms in department stores and shopping malls, which are mostly closed on Sundays.

Walk a little further and you’ll find smaller gems scattered around the city, such as the China Tower Market, nestled in the quiet green space of Englischer Garten (Munich’s largest park), and the vibrant LGBTQIA+ Pink Market. My personal favorites are the Advent Spectacular and the Medieval Christmas Market, which will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the scene from your favorite fantasy movie. The atmosphere is unparalleled at night, with flames flickering on giant poker-punch goblets, but be sure to visit during the day to see medieval-era entertainment like stilts and falconry, and to watch the shopkeepers (dressed in medieval garb, of course) craft their wares.

If you want to know more about Germany than just its festival atmosphere, there are plenty of other places to experience in Munich. Browse the designer shops lining Maximilianstrasse, grab a snack at the Viktualienmarkt, sample Bavarian cuisine at the 16th-century Hofbrauhaus beer hall, take a day trip to the Munich Zoo or Neuschwanstein Castle, and more.

If you’re flying in or out of Munich Airport (MUC), allow some extra time in your schedule to visit the Christmas market between Terminals 1 and 2.

Best for crowd-weary travelers: Frankfurt

Frankfurt as a financial center may not be able to compete with Berlin and Munich in terms of the number of Christmas markets, but it makes up for it with smaller crowds and a less touristy atmosphere.

I found Frankfurt’s Christmas markets easier to navigate than any other city I’ve visited. The variety of food is unbeatable, including Mexican food stalls and desserts I can’t find in other cities. Another bonus: Frankfurt’s smaller size makes it more manageable for young children or elderly grandparents who don’t want to walk too much.

The main markets are concentrated around Frankfurt’s Old Town (Altstadt). There are only two – the Frankfurter Weihnachstmarkt in the Romanburg, which dates from 1393, and the Weihnachstmarkt an der Hauptwache – but together they can easily fill a day or two. There’s even a small children’s market with live music and other entertainment for the little ones.

After you’ve dined and shopped at Frankfurt’s more than 200 festival stalls, consider a day trip to a nearby town such as Marburg, Limburg or Koblenz. These quaint, historic towns have smaller markets, beautiful backdrops, and far fewer tourists. Wine lovers should not miss Mainz, Germany’s wine capital, where you can taste locally brewed wine and other grape drinks at Weihnachtsstadt Mainz.

If you plan on stopping in Frankfurt, be sure to do it on the weekends, when the crowds at many other German Christmas markets might turn you into the Grinch. (Speaking of which, they have Grinch-themed hot drinks here, too.)

Best for kids and the young at heart: Cologne

This mid-sized city in western Germany is my pick for the most magical place to experience a Christmas market. There are a variety of markets in Cologne, and there’s even a lovely Christmas market train that connects the most popular ones.

The most amazing market is located at the foot of the stately Cologne Cathedral. String lights on the ceiling create a spectacular ambience at night, and the stalls sell some unique souvenirs and delicious food (including many vegan-friendly options). The gnome-themed Heinzel Winter Fairy Tales is equally popular, offering more than a dozen different gnome gluhwein cups for collection and fun, as well as games like skating and curling. Meanwhile, the riverside Harbor Market features a Ferris wheel and is adjacent to the Chocolate Museum.

All in all, these central markets offer a variety of exploration opportunities for market hoppers and fun activities for the kids. Plus, their flat ground and proximity to public transportation make them very accessible, and you’ll see a lot of wheelchairs and walkers among the crowds.

But the magic of Cologne Market comes at a price. I’m not exaggerating when I say you probably won’t be able to move for everyone at Cathedral Market on a Saturday night. If you’d like to try curling in the gnome-themed market, you’ll need to book in advance – bookings open in July.

Your best bet is to plan your stop in Cologne this week and start the festivities early (most markets open around 11am) so you can shop before the crowds get too crowded. If you venture further afield, you’ll also find some less crowded but equally magical markets – like the elegant Angel-themed Market, the delightfully quiet St. Nicholas Village, and the gay-friendly Evenu Market.

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Best for art and history lovers: Dresden

The Striezelmarkt in Dresden’s Old Town holds the title of Germany’s oldest Christmas market, as well as the world’s largest Weihnachtspyramide (Christmas Pyramid), a decorative tradition in the Erz Mountains region on the border between Germany and the Czech Republic.

This market began in 1434 and has a history of nearly 600 years. Here you can learn about the area’s mining history, buy Ore Mountain handicrafts (such as candle smoke-driven pyramids and schwibbogen candlesticks), and taste the famous Dresdner Christstollen.

(Dresden takes its fruit cake so seriously that it has its own version, which is a protected food under EU law, meaning it can only be produced in and around Dresden under strict guidelines. Dresden Kristollen even has its own festival in December.)

Other markets in the Old Town recreate history in different ways. The Stallhof Advent Festival creates a medieval atmosphere in the front courtyard of Dresden’s Royal Palace, with performances by acrobats and other entertainers. The Neumarkt in front of the Frauenkirche has a replica of its history from 1830 to 1920, showing visitors what the Christmas market looked like more than a century ago.

But don’t worry, there are modern markets too, such as the Winterlights Market for children and the Dresdner Huttenzauber Market for adults’ après-ski.

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How to use points and miles to visit German Christmas markets

Unfortunately, the holidays are the peak travel time to Germany, which means air tickets and hotel prices can be unaffordable. Good news: Since there are so many markets to choose from in Germany, you can plan your trip around where you can find the best deals.

That’s exactly what I did this December when I took my family to Frankfurt, Cologne, and Munich (mostly) using points and miles.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Munich Airport (MUC) offer direct flights to and from many cities in the United States. You can also fly to Cologne-Bonn Airport (CGN) and Dresden Airport (DRS), but direct flights are difficult to find.

Here are just a few examples of cheap award flights from various airline programs (up to 30,000 miles one-way in economy class, plus taxes and fees). Seats.aero is a great place to start your search.

Most of the cities on this list have plenty of points hotel options, such as the Koenigshof, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Munich and the Kimpton Hotel Frankfurt.

However, not all hotels are suitable for Christmas markets. I recommend you check out Rooms.aero, look at some options on a map and find one that is in the city center or near a train or bus station.

If you’re planning to travel to multiple cities, consider our points and miles car rental guide. You can also save yourself some trouble by using Germany’s excellent train system, but you’ll need to do some research to determine which station is most convenient to your hotel. You can usually save money by buying your tickets in advance on the Deutsche Bahn website, or if you’ll be traveling by train frequently, you can buy a rail pass.

bottom line

While it might be tempting to make a list of the most appealing individual markets (I’m looking at you, Stranger Things ) and check them all out on a whirlwind tour of Germany, I advise against this approach. Some of the cities I mentioned above are quite far from each other. For example, if you try to visit Berlin in the northeast, Cologne in the west, and Munich in the south, you’ll spend more time riding in the car or train than soaking up the festive magic of the markets.

Instead, maximize your time in market by choosing destinations that are relatively close to each other. Or, use a big city as a base and take day trips to smaller towns.

Finally, any Christmas market in Germany will become magical. Focus on having a great time in the places that work for you rather than trying to hit every market.