'TIS THE SEASON TO BRING YOU TO A GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKET BY BUS

Germany’s Christmas markets are one of a kind - There is no country in all of Europe where there is a centuries-old history and deeply-rooted meaning of this tradition like in Germany. Every year millions of locals and tourists from all over the world come to sip mulled wine and wander in between the festively decorated huts that sell handmade Christmas presents and treats. From Nuremberg to Hamburg and from Dresden to Cologne you will find the most beautiful Christmas markets for a lovely day trip for the whole family. We will bring you to all Christmas markets by bus with a driver, so you can’t start the Christmas season relaxed and can enjoy the famous Glühwein, mulled red wine that is the locals and visitors go-to drink at the all Christmas markets.

To help you make a choice, we put together a list of the 10 best Christmas markets in Germany:

1. CHRISTKINDLESMARKT, NUREMBERG

One outstanding Christmas markets that attracts many million visitors each year is the Christkindlesmarkt in the Bavarian city Nuremberg, which is just by itself worth a visit. The Christmas market tradition in Nuremberg goes back to the 17th century, and is until today located in the heart of the city, the Hauptmarkt. The highlight each year is the parading of the holy cherub Christkind through the city of Nuremberg.

2. STRIEZELMARKT, DRESDEN

The city of Dresden in the East of Germany is Germany’s oldest official Christmas market. The Striezelmarkt is known for presenting the world’s largest Christstollen, a Christmas bread baked with raisins and topped with powdered sugar. The highlight and probably most photographed landmark each year is the 14-meter tall Christmas pyramid, a traditional Christmas decoration from the nearby Erzgebirge region. Dresden is definitely worth a day trip – during the Christmas season the city and especially its old town around the Frauenkirche is festively decorated in dazzling lights.

3. LUCIA CHRISTMAS MARKET, BERLIN

Germany’s capital has many stunning Christmas markets to offer. We recommend the visit to the Lucia Christmas market in front of the historic brick buildings of the old brewery Kulturbrauerei where you find the festively decorated and carefully curated market stalls in the eastern district of Prenzlauer Berg. On this market you find a mix of German traditions with Scandinavian influences and the smell of Scandinavian and German Christmas foods and drinks that evoke the right atmosphere. Also stop by the Christmas market in front of Charlottenburg Palace if you’re looking for a magical Christmas experience with gifted crafts and wintertime treats.

4. MARIENPLATZ CHRISTMAS MARKET, MUNICH

The Marienplatz where you find rows upon rows of wooden stands that sell Bavarian goodies and boozy mulled wine called Glühwein in German is in the heart of the gorgeous city that also hosts the famous Oktoberfest each year. You will be enchanted by the historic buildings including the Rathaus, the new town hall which is festively decorated. When in Munich, come for a couple of days, explore also the Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks, the Munich Residenz, a palace complex of ten courtyards, St. Peter’s church, Munichs oldest church. Also plan a day trip to Schloss Neuschwanstein a beautiful 19th-century Romaesque Revival palace that could easily be the setting of a fairytale.

5. AM DOM MARKT, COLOGNE

Welcome to the Christmas market that gave birth to the mulled wine, the deliciously spiced red wine called Glühwein. There are plenty of charming Christmas markets all over Cologne but especially the one in front of the magnificent and spellbinding Gothic Cathedral Kölner Dom, which is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site is the point of attraction for many million winter tourists coming into the city each year. Here you find more than 160 stalls full of authentic German food, like Bratwurst and Grünkohl and can browse around the enormous Christmas tree decorated with lights and red ribbons.

6. LEIPZIG CHRISTMAS MARKET

Just an hour west of Dresden and the Striezelmarket you find the second oldest Christmas market at the historic Marktplatz in the University City Leipzig in Saxony. The market with its heart in front of the beautifully decorated Town Hall stretches throughout the whole city center along cozy cafés, shops and restaurants in case you need to warm up. Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt is also home to the world’s largest free-standing Advent Calendar, a large Christmas tree and a Ferris Wheel. It’s a magical place for the whole family with German culture, history and a festive atmosphere.

7. HAMBURG CHRISTMAS MARKET

Welcome to the north of Germany to the second-largest city in Germany. Known for its famous fish markets that were exported around the world, the city also hosts a range of buzzling Christmas markets. The most famous one in front of the Town Hall where you find a large illuminated Christmas tree in the center, surrounded by many hundred stalls Christmassy stalls. After a mulled wine, visitors should walk over to the enchanting Winterwald in Hamburg, a winter forest created in the city center. Also, don’t miss out on the White Magic on Jungfernstieg, a very romantic location by the Binnenalster, an artificial lake in the city of Hamburg where you can also go ice skating and find more Christmas market stalls and the smells of Christmas treats in the air.

8. DUSSELDORF CHRISTMAS MARKET

The classy city along the river Rhine turns into Christmas wonderland each winter. As in most bigger German cities you find a row of Christmas markets in Dusseldorf, but the main one is concentrated around the Königsallee (Kö), a shopping street packed with designer stores that has a beautifully glowing Christmas feel with all the shiny lights and festively decorated windows. Also stop by the Engelchen market on Heinreich-Heine-Platz or for the more traditional feel browse along the wooden stalls in the Marktplatz in front of the enchanting town hall.

9. STUTTGART CHRISTMAS MARKET

Located in the Southwest of Germany, you find one of Germany’s largest and oldest Christmas markets, which is known for being one of Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets. The Stuttgart Christmas market boasts almost 300 ornately decorated stalls all spread throughout the city center. Stroll through the market in front of the New Castle, Old Castle and Collegiate Church. The Christmas market is also known for the top-class choirs and musicians performing in the courtyard of the old palace. When in Stuttgart, add a day to your agenda and go to the Porsche and Mercedes Bez Museum as well as the beautiful Baroque palace Ludwigsburg.

10. ERFURT CHRISTMAS MARKET

Last in our list but definitely not least important to mention is the gorgeous Christmas markets spread out all over the medieval oldtown of Erfurt. Erfurt is located in the heart of Thuringia and Germany, a beautiful state worth visiting for its stunning nature. The Christmas market is located at the foot of vast Cathedral square, with the imposing Erfurt Cathedral in bright lights overlooking the Christmas scenery. You also find a medieval market, where you find beautifully decorated wooden huts selling handcrafted. Also found there is the famous Thüringer Rostbratwurst, a regional delight you shouldn’t miss as well as well as the Baumkuchen, a buttery, eggy cake cooked on a spit. While there stroll along the 14th century Krämerbrücke and visit the nearby historic city Weimar.