Germany's eight best Christmas markets

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For an authentic dose of festive cheer, look no further than GermanyThe undisputed home of the Christmas Market.

The country where the beloved traditions first originated continues to put a huge amount of effort into glasses that are as eye-catching as they are memorable.

From the bustling urban amenities of Berlin to the rustic charm found in Bavaria, almost every German city and town proudly presents its own unique seasonal festival.

Tourists can enjoy the comforting warmth of mulled wine, taste traditional bratwurst and enjoy many regional dishes.

Meanwhile, the diverse range of arts, crafts and gifts available in cities like Dresden provide ample opportunity to find thoughtful gifts for loved ones.

Adding to their charm, many of the markets are set against breathtaking backdrops, from the dramatic bridge over the Ravenna Gorge to the iconic Cathedral of Cologne.

For anyone tempted by the promise of Glühwein and gingerbread, Germany offers a festive delight unmatched. Here are eight of the best Christmas market To check.

berlin

Berlin definitely has the most markets in the country. There are around 80 venues in the capital, ranging from smaller, more intimate affairs to the city’s largest venues, a vast – yet still cozy – collection of stalls that combine great food with plenty of gift options in the western suburb of Spandau.

Potsdamer Platz hosts a winter village of market stalls along with various activities, while the centrally located Gendarmenmarkt houses a traditional-style market and AlexanderPlatz is home to a funfair-type market with some touches of the medieval. There are over 100 stalls in many locations, and with individual markets in many areas of the city, just follow the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread to find one.

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nuremberg

Nuremberg makes a large contribution to Christmas markets, with a focus on diversity and markets that cater to different groups (something that is not always seen throughout Europe).

The Sister Cities Market is a unique example, where more than 20 stalls sell products from Nuremberg’s sister cities, including Nice, Antalya and Kraków. The second is the children’s market (known as ‘ children’s christmas), where children can enjoy Ferris wheels and fairground rides as well as activities such as cake making.

Christkindelsmarkt, which takes place in the central Neumarkt, is one of the country’s most famous Christmas markets. A large area known locally as the “City of Wood and Fabric” features dozens of rows of stalls selling traditional food, souvenirs and gifts, all with the spectacular backdrop of the city’s 14th-century cathedral.

rothenberg

Rothenberg may not be off the beaten path for tourists visiting Germany, but this northern Bavarian town is the ideal location for an atmospheric Christmas market.

The maze of cobbled streets, hundreds of festive lights and scattered snow on the roofs of wooden buildings provide a quintessential festive backdrop, while Reiterlesmarkt Ideal venue and supplies the usual festive specialties.

The market is spread across the Market Square, Town Hall and Green Market, with around 50 stalls. While exploring you’ll likely hear carol singing and other musical performances, adding to the festive atmosphere of this market. Don’t leave without trying local comfort foods like snowballA fried pastry topped with powdered sugar or chocolate.

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dresden

Strizelmarkt was founded in 1434. ,getty images,

Dresden is another city with many markets spread across Frauenkirche Hosting an arts and crafts market and the Mittelalter-Weihnachts is based on a medieval theme, while also offering some unique features, such as the opportunity to purchase gifts made using tools and materials from the Middle Ages.

Main market of the city, StreiselmarktOne of the oldest markets in Germany, considered by some to be the original Christmas market. It’s located near the banks of the Elbe in the city’s charming Baroque old town, and with over 200 stalls, its own Ferris wheel, and a giant, 14-metre-high Christmas pyramid, it’s one of Germany’s grandest markets.

Perfume

Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in the 13th century ,Getty Images/iStockphoto,

Cologne is home to several Christmas markets, ranging from an excellent food market and the romantic “Village of Angels” around the Neumarkt to Heinzl’s Winter Fairytale, a “winter village” in the old town featuring an ice rink and dozens of chalet-style stalls. The Harbor Christmas Market is one of the most beautiful settings, with a Ferris wheel that offers views from 48 meters up.

Despite the abundant diversity throughout the city, the largest and most famous is the market Kolner HouseWhich is located at Roncalipilitz, flanked on one side by the dramatic UNESCO-listed cathedral.

The square is filled with red-roofed market stalls selling all the usual trinkets and German delicacies, placed around a giant Christmas tree and a stage that hosts around 100 free events between 5 and 23 December.

erfoot

Erfurt is the capital of the Thuringia region. ,getty images,

Erfoot is a city that really gets into the Christmas spirit in December, with a market spread that turns many of the squares into a real winter wonderland. It is located in the city’s historic quarter, surrounded by the multicolored facades of its Gothic buildings and spanning the squares of Domplatz, Fischmarkt and Willy-Brandt-Platz.

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DomPlatz is the heart of the market, decorated with a giant, 20-meter-high Christmas tree and an equally grand Ferris wheel. As well as over 200 stalls (selling everything from pottery and clothing to Thuringian bratwurst), there are plenty of attractions for both children and adults, including fairground rides, festive floral displays and a life-size nativity scene.

ravenna gorge

Possibly the most picturesque market in the country – and perhaps on the continent – is located in Germany’s famous Black Forest, in the southern part near the border with Switzerland. Its setting is unmatched, situated at the base of a 40-metre-high viaduct and surrounded by its stone arches, with a sea of dazzling lights and splashes of snow creating a picture-perfect backdrop.

Visit in the evening to see the bridge lit up along with the stalls, and save some room for the selection of German specialties including pork shoulder or pork shoulder. Tarte FlambéAn Alsatian take on pizza. Potential gifts are also sold in abundance, from handmade glass and artisan produce to Black Forest cuckoo clocks. To reach the gorge, take a train to Hinterzarten or Himmelreich and then board a free shuttle bus.

Goslar

For something that’s more intimate while still offering a true taste of the quintessential German market, head to Goslar in central Germany. Christmas there is a more modest affair than in other German towns and cities, with only two markets taking place between 6 and 30 December.

The main event takes place on the Market Square, where around 80 wooden huts offer arts, crafts and Christmas delicacies like gluhwein or roasted almonds in beautiful surroundings decorated with Goslar’s timber-framed medieval architecture. An enchanting Christmas forest has also been set up, taking place in the nearby Schuhhof, where 60 large coniferous trees are decorated with lights to provide a magical festive atmosphere.

This piece was first published in December 2023 and has been revised and updated

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