7 Wonderful Christmas Markets in Germany

Do you have Christmas Markets on your mind? Discover the magic of Christmas Markets in Germany with our guide to seven enchanting destinations.

Germany is synonymous with Christmas magic, thanks to its enchanting holiday markets that transform towns and cities into festive wonderlands. 

These markets, known as Weihnachtsmärkte, offer a delightful blend of tradition, culture, and seasonal cheer.

From the aroma of Glühwein (mulled wine) and roasted chestnuts to the twinkling lights and handcrafted treasures, there’s something for everyone.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, exploring Germany’s Christmas markets is a must-do holiday experience.

The charm of Christmas Markets in Germany is that they are filled with wonderful activities and opportunities to create memories with family and friends.

When you visit Christmas Markets you can buy Christmas gifts, Christmas decorations, or new ornaments.

Many of these markets also provide winter activities like ice skating and curling rinks.

These are our favorites; so far!

Munich Christmas Markets

Munich is an amazing city with castles, squares, and museums to explore.

It also has some of the best Christmas Markets we’ve visited in Germany.

This is great because you can visit this incredible city and explore its wonderful Christmas markets on the same trip.

Our favorite Christmas markets in Munich are:

Marienplatz (Münchner Christkindlmarkt)

Although well-known and always crowded, this is still one of the best markets to visit in Munich.

It is located in Munich’s main square in front of city hall and spills into the surrounding commercial areas.

Marienplatz offers a wide variety of stalls and a large selection of items, making it easy to find a gift for everyone on your list.

Certain nights feature artistic performances. The night we visited the markets, a choir was singing on the balcony of City Hall.

Reaching Marienplatz is easy by subway or tram depending on your location.

The stations for the tram and subway are aptly named Marienplatz.

You can reach Marienplatz by taxi, but the crowds may make it difficult. However, it’s still an option.

Residenz Christmas Village

Another wonderful market in Munich is the Christmas Village at Residenz.

This unique Christmas market takes place in the courtyard of Germany’s largest city palace.

A favorite of tourists and locals this market gets crowded especially on weekends. We recommend you arrive early.

This is a great place to stop for food and drinks after exploring the Residenz Museum and the National Theatre.

If you’re looking for ornaments and crafts you will find plenty of variety here too.

When we visited, the Hansel and Gretel theme in the Village provided great fun for both young and old, making it a great spot for families.

The best way to reach the Residenz Christmas Village is to take the tram. The nearest tram stop is Odeonplatz.

Christmas Market at Sendlinger Tor

Although this market has fewer stalls, we found it very charming due to its location at one of the southern gates of the old medieval city walls.

During our visit, we found some pretty handmade ornaments for our tree.

A 10-minute walk from Marienplatz; there are several main roads you can use to reach Sendlinger Tor.

Sendlinger Strase or Oberanger Strase are the most direct routes.

For dates, opening hours, and more information on visiting Munich Christmas Market visit their official website Muenchen.de

Cologne

Cologne may not boast a large number of Christmas markets like some of its sister cities, but the quality of each market is superb.

The markets in Cologne are themed which makes them fun and distinctive.

The three we visited are all within walking distance of each other.

As an alternative, you can purchase a ticket for the Christmas train that will take you between the most important markets of the city.

Cathedral Market (Weihnachtsmarkt am Dom)

This market is right on the premises of the Dom, or Grand Cathedral of Cologne.

Since this is just across the street from the main train station it is the first market everyone encounters.

So as you can imagine, it is always crowded with tourists and locals.

But this makes the market very festive, very active, and very picturesque with the Cathedral as a background.

In addition to the festive atmosphere, this market offers a wide variety of food and drink stalls. Perfect to start or end the day.

House Elves Christmas Market (Heimart der Heinzel)

An 8-10 minute walk from the Cathedral market, you can step into a fairylike world.

A world inspired by Heinzel, house elves, famous in Cologne.

As you explore this enchanting Christmas market take the time to admire the impressive carvings around the market.

There are many stalls selling wood-carved crafts as well as other handmade items.

The food options in this market were many and varied.

But if you find yourself needing a break from the Christmas markets and shopping, there are ice skating and curling rinks for some family fun.

If you find yourself limited in time this may be the Christmas market to visit. It is beautiful, with a large variety of crafts, food options, and alternatives to Christmas shopping for the whole family or to enjoy with a group of friends.

The Angel’s Christmas Market (Markt der Engel)

A 15-minute walk from Heimart der Heinzel you’ll find another spectacular Christmas market, Markt der Engel.

Inspired by angels this market is magical.

The white, silver, and blue decorations with star-shaped lights hanging from the tree branches are just stunning.

In addition to angels walking on stilts, you will find many angel-themed crafts.

The Markt der Engel is located at Neumarkt Square.

For more information on the Cologne Christmas Markets and the Christmas train visit the Cologne tourism website.

Dusseldorf

Dusseldorf is not a city often in tourist radars, it is best known as an industrial and financial center.

This provides a great opportunity to experience the true vibe of a traditional Christmas market.

Walking around the Christmas Market at the embankment by the Rhine River was like being in a big carnival.

Families and friends gather to enjoy warm wine and festive foods from stalls and food trucks. They chat, laugh, and enjoy the holiday, creating a joyful atmosphere.

Children played with friends and grandparents and enjoyed a ride on the merry-go-round, while the lit Christmas tree reminded us of the wonderful season.

For more information on visiting Dusseldorf during Christmas visit their website visitdusseldorf.de

Planning to Visit the Christmas Markets

For those of you living where the cold season is a given, you may not need to remember these tips. But if you come from a warm place like us the following tips can make your trip more enjoyable:

• Dress warmly – dress in layers and make sure to take a hat, gloves and scarf.
• Warm, comfortable boots – not only should you wear warm boots to keep your feet cozy you will be standing or walking for an extended period of time. Good boots will keep your feet and you happy.
• Hydrate – Glühwein (warm wine) may keep you warm but it is wine just the same. Drink lots of water during the day as the cold and all the walking will tend to dehydrate you.
• Check Opening Hours – Christmas markets in different cities keep different opening hours. This is also true for weekends and weekdays.

Have a Wonderful Christmas Visit

Whether you choose to visit one of these cities or all of them during your trip to Germany make sure to carve out some time to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the Christmas Markets.

You can’t help but feel the joy and energy of families and friends enjoying the Christmas season in these markets.

We hope that this guide will help in planning your visit to the wonderful Christmas markets of Germany. Safe travels!