When you say Christmas markets in Europe, you’ll find that no one does them better than Germany. Which makes sense, seen as the Germans practically designed them.
From Nuremberg and Hamburg to Dresden, Berlin, and Cologne, the days leading up to Christmas sees town squares all around Germany packed with festively adorned huts selling handmade goods and tasty food. It doesn’t matter if you enjoy an old-fashioned stroll in Guteneck or a flavor of tradition in Munich, Germany’s a celebratory marvel, and this guide divulges the top Christmas Markets of Germany.
Weihnachtsmarkt Am Kölner Dom, Cologne
If you’re looking for the best Christmas markets of Germany then look no further than this, situated in front of the medieval setting of Cologne Cathedral and underneath the biggest Christmas tree in all of the Rhine, is Weihnachtsmarkt Am Kölner Dom – the largest and most famous Christmas market in Cologne. Tour its dazzling wooden marquees to find handmade presents which include wood carvings, tree ornaments, and soaps.
With a certain prominence on local organic foods, this is an ideal spot for foodie travellers. Get yourself a mug and fill up on gluhwein, before partaking in the celebrations with song and dance in the streets. There’s entertainment offered for all ages, as well as for kids, who would enjoy a ride on the old-fashioned merry-go-round, or spin their destiny on the wheel of fortune.
Elsewhere in the metropolis you’ll come across the Angel’s Christmas Market, which is well-known as Cologne’s oldest. It consists of numerous artisan stands and sweetened wine stalls around the shopping quarter and has an additional dash of magic by angels scattering glitter down alleyways. If you’re lucky enough, you might even catch a glimpse of Santa Clause riding about on a horse.
Also make sure you visit the other markets which are well worth exploring, counting the stunning Old Market Christmas situated in the front of the town hall, and the Harbour Christmas Market beside the chocolate factory. Travel Center offers the best deals to explore various festive Christmas markets in Germany, Cologne. The Christmas cheer runs from the 25th of November until the 23rd of December.
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Dresden Striezelmarkt, Dresden
With a flash of lights sparkling above the river, a heavy aroma of mulled wine in the air, the sound of celebratory music, and the spinning of carousels, Dresden Striezelmarkt lays the ambience for Christmas cheer.
Not only is it this one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, but it also displayed the world’s highest Christmas pyramid during 1999, which reached an astounding height of 14.62 metres. The most current record was crowned at Berlin Christmas Market at an elevation of 20 metres.
While visiting the stalls, look out for customary handmade nutcrackers that are favourites at the market, and the Dresden Pflaumentoffel – a tiny chimney sweep created with dates. Apart from small statues, tourists could try some of Germany’s classic stollen fruit loaf.
The natives enjoy it so much that there’s even a market day devoted to stollen, which sees a radiant parade and huge fruit bread sweep across the decorative city. You could also try and make some at the Stollenfest baking stall.
Berlin’s Christmas markets, Berlin
Like in Cologne, you’ll find yourself pampered for choice in Christmas markets in Germany, Berlin during the festive season. For a magical encounter to remember, travel to Charlottenburg Palace where you could choose your way through gifted crafts and wintertime delicacies, which include obligatory roasted chestnuts. Those with kids could go to the winter forest for a ride on the carousel or a ride on the train.
Considered to be the most stunning square in Berlin, Gendarmenmarkt is particularly striking in the festive season. Look around as craftsmen elaborately sculpt wooden presents and dressmakers sew in their booths. It is also a famous site for artists to get together and show their work; anticipate everything from jugglers and fire-eaters, to a range of musical shows.
The 17th Fairy-Tale Christmas Market at Jagdschloss Grunewald makes for a charming day tour not far from the metropolitan centre. Situated beside the lake, the market booths open in the courtyard of Berlin’s most ancient palace on Advent weekends, where tourists are welcomed by fairy tale characters like Hansel and Gretel. The Christmas cheer runs from 25th November until the 31st December so get in touch with Travel Center and grab our best deals available and experience these Christmas Markets in Germany, Berlin!
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Römerberg market, Frankfurt
In the weeks approaching Christmas, hundreds of timber huts move to the ancient old town squares surrounding Frankfurt’s Römerberg. The market stalls are situated in the middle of the district’s timber-framed houses, clashing with the flashy high-rises of the financial region in the background. As one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets, with information suggesting it goes back as far as 1393, the market at Römerberg is an excellent way to relish some customary goodies and Christmas cheer. Handcrafted jewelry and crafts make for great keepsakes and presents, and the native culinary specials – from hot apple wine to Bethmännchen marzipan cookies – would offer you the complete Franconian experience.
Leipzig Christmas Market
Only around an hour west of Dresden and its popular Striezelmarkt, travellers are learning about Leipzig’s unfrequented Old Town Christmas market. Nearly 300 exhibitors put up stalls on the market square and in the neighboring streets and turn the metropolitan centre into a festive atmosphere with lights and evergreen wreaths. Merchants in the Old Town provide a mixture of customary German handcrafts and food, while Augustusplatz is where the Christmas feel goes global with Finnish goods, Swiss cheese, and South Tyrolian decorations. The musical performances on stage are just as diverse, and younger guests could tour the fairy-tale forest or meet Santa Claus.
Suggested Read: Christmas Markets: Mirthful, Bright & Full of life
Dusseldorf
Once the St Martins procession has made its way across the roads of Düsseldorf in mid-November, the metropolis gets ready for Christmas. The customary Christmas markets in Germany, Düsseldorf is presented independently at numerous places all through the busy metropolitan centre. Surrounding the Königsallee intricately planned theme worlds are set to take tourists on a real discovery tour.
For five weeks, about 200 huts decked in Christmas splendour turn the metropolis into a winter wonderland for the entire family to enjoy. As one of the most stunning Christmas markets in Germany, the market in Düsseldorf offers exceptional encounters for travellers. The Christmas cheer runs from 23rd November until the 30th of December 2020.
When you are booking your flights to visit these Christmas markets of Germany make sure you reserve them after June 15th, 2020 as Germany has announced that it would be lifting its travel ban, and it’s reducing its travel warning to travel advice, or guidelines for certain countries. So check with your embassy before travelling.
