Are you wondering where the best Christmas Markets in Germany are? Look no further, we’ve got you covered. In 2022 we went on a 3-week Christmas Market Expedition. We’ve got all the tips to make your Christmas Market tour of Germany the best one ever full of Christmas cheer!
Before you read about the best Christmas Markets in Germany why don’t you have a look at how we even got to be able to travel in the UK & EU? Click here for our first blog.
Christmas Market Stop #1: Berlin
Berlin was the first stop on our Christmas Market tour. I absolutely LOVE Christmas and Trevor so graciously accepted my idea of touring some Christmas markets over December.
Gendarmenmarkt (Bebelplatz)
Address: Normally this market is at; Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin, Germany. However, due to some construction, it is being held at Bebelplatz, Unter den Linden, 10117 Berlin, Germany, from 2022-2024.
Hours of Operation: Sunday to Thursday from 12 noon to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 12 noon to 11:00 p.m., Christmas Eve from 12 noon to 6 p.m., and New Year’s Eve from 12 noon to 1 a.m.
Entry fee: 1 Euro, children up to 12 years are free.
Gendarmenmarkt is well known for its artisan crafts and culinary delights. We had our first mulled wine and roasted chestnuts here and it will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Alekanderplatz Christmas Market
Address: Alexanderplatz 10178 Berlin
Hours of Operation: November 21 – December 22, 2023
Entry Fee: Free
Aleksanderplatz Christmas Market is one of the busiest in Berlin. Due to its location in the centre of the city, this market is a good mix of a traditional market, a fairground, and a place to party. It also has over 100 stalls, so it is a fantastic place to shop!
This market has a Ferris Wheel and an ice rink. It is also home to the largest walk-in Christmas pyramid in Europe. It is also close to the TV tower, which is a sight in itself!
Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market
Address: Spandauer Damm 20, 14059 Berlin
Hours of Operation: November 27 – December 31, 2023, closed on December 24; 12 Noon – 10:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: Free
This is a Christmas Market you are not going to want to miss. For obvious reasons, it is one of the most beautiful ones we have visited. This market sits in front of Charlottenburg Palace.
This market has more delicious foods and treats you could ask for as well as so many vendors with handmade trinkets and bespoke items. Everything just screams holiday cheer, you won’t want to miss it.
Christmas Market Stop #2: Munich
Marienplatz (Main Square) Christmas Market
Address: Marienplatz, 80331 München, Germany
Hours of Operation: 27 November to 24 December 2023 (hours to be confirmed for 2024)
Entry Fee: Free
The Christmas Market at Marianplatz is said to be the original in Munich. It is a traditional market that dates back to the 14th century. There is an actual nativity scene, a Christmas Tree with over 2,500 lights, and more than 100 stalls. This market sits beside the Neues Rathaus (the New Town Hall) and if you look closely in the photo above you can see the towers of the Frauenkirche (Munich Cathedral).
This is a busy one folks. You’ve been warned. But, it is full of the Christmas spirit and has a woody, sweet and spicy aroma with a hint of fresh-cut evergreens. We wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
Tollwood Winter Festival
Address: Theresienwiese (Oktoberfest fairground)
Hours of Operation: 23 November to 31 December 2023 (market until 23 Dec.) Closed 26 Nov.
Entry Fee: Free (but there are some concerts/performances that have paid entry)
This was a next-level Christmas Market. There is so much going on here. Someone suggested it to us at another market and we are so very thankful because we hadn’t heard about it. This market is referred to as “Munich’s Alternative Christmas Market”. With hundreds of food vendors (even a full circus-size tent on top of those outside) and even more clothing, decoration, arts & crafts, children’s programming, live music and theatre performances, there is something here for everyone (even if you’re not in the Christmas spirit).
One thing that stands out for us the most about this market is the food. There was a stall for every cuisine in the world it felt like. The choice was almost overwhelming! We also wandered for over an hour through all of the stalls, we had such a great time.
Additional Christmas Markets in Munich;
If you’ve got more time in Munich and want to check out a few more Christmas Markets, here is a list of a few more we went to and would recommend;
- Sendlinger Tor (a tiny one but full of local artists)
- Pink Christmas at Stephansplatz (Munich LGBTQ Community market)
- Karlsplatz-Stachus (Bavaria’s largest mobile ice arena)
Christmas Market Stop #3: Frankfurt
Weihnachtsmarkt Frankfurt Römerberg
Address: Römerberg (Main Town Square)
Hours of Operation: Mon, 27 Nov 2023 – Thu, 21 Dec 2023, Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. & Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: There are guided tours and advent strolls you can pay to take part in, but the entrance is itself free.
We knew that Frankfurt was a great place for Christmas Markets but Google really doesn’t do a good job of helping you find much information about them. It’s all very confusing and not specific. Frankfurt is also home to one of the oldest and largest Christmas Markets in Germany which has been running since 1393.
There are over 240 festive stalls, a historic carousel and a 30-meter-high Christmas tree decorated for the festivities. You’ve also got the lovely scene of the Römerberg timber houses on the town square.
We went on a Saturday afternoon and it was bursting at the seams. Wall-to-wall people. So if you don’t like huge crowds we would definitely suggest you go during the week instead of the weekend.
Paulsplatz Market
Address: St. Paul’s Church Square
Hours of Operation: Mon, 27 Nov 2023 – Thu, 21 Dec 2023, Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. & Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: Free
This is an extension of the primary market in Römerberg. Most of the markets in Frankfurt are. This one is most famous for its backdrop of St. Paul’s Church and Wagner’s Honighaus stall. This is a two-story half-timbered building full of all the honey products you could ask for. Trevor bought the cutest ‘old man hat’ aka a Flat Cap. I also think we ate Bratwürst three times that day.
There are many other Christmas Markets in Frankfurt you can go to as well;
- Main Quay Market (riverside market)
- Hauptwache Market (linked to the most prominent shopping street in Frankfurt)
- Rosa Weihnacht in Friedrich Stoltze Square – Frankfurt Pink Christmas (Frankfurts LGBTQ market)
- Roßmarkt (extends from the Roßmarkt over the Zeil down to the Römerberg and the Main)
Christmas Market Stop #4: Cologne
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market
Address: Roncalliplatz next to Cologne Cathedral
Hours of Operation: November 23 – December 23; Sunday-Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m. Thursday-Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Entrance Fee: Free
The whole city of Cologne felt like one big Christmas Market. It was incredible! This one is the largest and has the beautiful Cologne Cathedral at the heart of it. If you have the time we would definitely suggest a trip inside the Cathedral.
We listened to live Christmas concerts and wandered through the stalls for a whole afternoon. The stalls were decorated with lights and the whole place sparkled and smelled of sweet glüwine and roasting treats.
This is the easiest market to access as it is directly behind the main train station.
Cologne Harbour Christmas Market
Address: In front of the Chocolate Museum in Cologne
Hours of Operation: November 23 – December 23; Sunday-Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Friday – Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: Free
This is a smaller market, but definitely worth the visit. You can easily hop on the Christmas Market train and take a relaxed trip down the Rhine. This market has white “snow” covered tents in replacement of wooden stalls and has a pirate ship and Ferris wheel. It is also right beside the Chocolate Museum for all your sweet tooth needs!
The Angels’ Market
Address: In the Neumarkt to the west of the city centre
Hours of Operation: November 20 – December 23; Monday -Thursday: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Friday – Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: Free
We again took the Christmas train to this market. Easily doable from the Cologne Harbour Christmas Market. This is one of the original markets in Cologne and sits in Neumarkt Square.
Even though this market may be smaller than some of the others, it doesn’t lack beauty. The stalls are covered with grey shingles, there are Christmas wreaths galore, and bright hanging stars hung in the trees.
I tried my first white Glühwein here, not as good as the original red in my opinion. But, you give it a go and let me know what you think!
We walked back to our hotel near Heinzels Wintermärchen from here (which you will read about next) and it was wonderful. Through the city center and a bit of a shopping district, the hustle and bustle screamed Christmas.
Cologne Old Town Christmas Market (aka Heinzels Wintermärchen’ Christmas Market)
Address: Between the Alter Markt and Heumarkt in the old town of Cologne
Hours of Operation: November 24 – December 23; 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: Free
This was one of our favourite Christmas Markets. We were lucky enough to stay in a hotel that looked out over the festivities and we just ate, drank, and slept Christmas cheer. There are so many activities going on here; an outdoor ice rink, curling, crafts, and of course, culinary delights. Each lane of stalls is separated into its own theme and name. Click here for the cutest map of the market.
Being in Old Town there are also a variety of local pubs and restaurants to visit once the market closes at 10:00 p.m. You can never go wrong with live music at an Irish Pub.
Christmas Market Stop #5: Strasbourg, France
Feeling cheeky and want to add another country onto your Christmas Market tour? We would highly suggest Strasbourg in France. There are so many extravagant Christmas markets there.
Here are the five Christmas Markets we went to in one day.
- Place de Cathedrale (most popular)
- Place Kleber (The one with the BIG tree)
- Place Gutenberg (The one with the blue bear)
- Place Broglie (The oldest and largest market)
- Place du Chateau (The prettiest)
There are also a few more located on the Grande Ile if you have more time.
Here is just the cutest map of the Strasbourg Christmas Markets.
Christmas Market Stop #6: Colmar, France
Okay, another stop on the Christmas Market tour, this time: Colmar, France.
We stayed in an Airbnb just outside the Christmas markets in Colmar. There are 6 Christmas markets in the center of Colmar; Place des Dominicains, the Children’s Christmas market in Petite Venis, Place De L’ancienne Douane, Magic of Christmas in Colmar, Gourmet Market, and Place Jeanne D’Arc. They are all within walking distance of each other.
The whole city seems to be decorated for Christmas and is absolutely delightful. It feels like you are walking into the North Pole and Christmas is everywhere. For more information on the Christmas Markets in Colmar, click here!
There are also a few just outside the city as well.
Last but not least… the Christmas Market Food
Here is a collage of “some” of the food that we ate on our Christmas Market trip. You will surely be drooling by the end. It was all delicious.
This is where we leave you. We hope you enjoyed this blog post. Any questions/comments please let them below or send us an email!
