Nothing ushers in the holiday season like walking through a winter wonderland. And nothing is as enchanting as when that wonderland is situated along cobblestone streets and old half-timbered buildings. German Christmas markets are festive with lights, music, and oversized Christmas pyramids yet cozy with hot mugs of spiced glühwein to warm your hands and heart. During our first year in Germany (back in 2015), we made it our family’s mission to identify the best Christmas market in the country. Our very dear neighbor, Thomas, informed us that the greatest market of all, was right in our own backyard…the Esslingen Medieval Market. We thanked him for his input and loaded the car with four little bundled munchkins to investigate for ourselves.
This post is dedicated to Thomas, the ambidextrous lover of train sets, who washed and polished his car with great care and precision, a friend who patiently helped us navigate the complex task of sorting garbage with an explicitly detailed 2-page description. Thank you, Thomas, for ensuring that we were never fined by waste management, for showing us how to eat pretzels the German way, and for informing us about Christmas markets. You were a great neighbor, and after extensive research, I’m ready to pay-it-forward.
My Top Five Favorite German Christmas Markets
Throughout my years of living in Europe, it has become my own personal mission to scope out various “Weinachtsmarkts” or Christmas markets each December. While some are satisfactory, others are truly magical. Below I have ranked my favorites, but before sharing the stars of the show with you, here are some brief notes on “the others” that didn’t quite make the cut.
Aachen – worth going to; be sure to visit the “Re-cutlery” booth and the cathedral; Berlin – nice, but honestly, overshadowed by WW2 history during our visit; Dusseldorf – don’t bother; Essen – they boast an international market by selling macarons and churros; Köln – a vibrant market scene with live music and a plethora of lights; Ludwigsburg – an elegant Baroque style market; Nuremberg – hailed as Germany’s biggest market, but bigger isn’t always better; Schloss Merode – a small, romantic market surrounding the castle with an inviting ambiance and a small admissions fee; Strasbourg – not in Germany, but definitely worth a visit with the gorgeous lights and massive Notre Dame cathedral as part of its backdrop; Stuttgart – grab your ice skates and prepare to merrily muscle your way through the masses.
Honorable Mention: Colmar
Okay, so, it’s not a German market, but it’s close by and should undoubtedly be highlighted. Located less than one hour from the German border, Colmar is a quaint and artistic city with cobblestone streets and half-timbered buildings that sets the scene for a fairytale market. I was told that this town was Disney’s inspiration for Beauty and the Beast; and when you’re there, it’s easy to see why. So, if you want to see Belle’s beautiful village at Christmas time, this is the place to go! https://www.christmas.alsace/colmar-christmas-market/
5) Heidelberg (2017)
If you’re looking for a large market with loads of vendors and traditional charm, then Heidelberg is the one for you! This market is definitely not short on visitors, many of which are there for the holiday atmosphere as well as the notable Heidelberg Castle. Visitors can enjoy a round of ice skating as well as gluhwein, and there’s no shortage of places to refuel along the way with booths selling traditional market food items as well as numerous restaurants to choose from. https://www.heidelberg-marketing.de/en/event/heidelberg-christmas-market
https://www.schloss-heidelberg.de/en
4) Rothenburg ob der Tauber (2018)
The market in Rothenburg is small and can get crowded as it attracts all the serious Käthe Wohlfahrt lovers, but the cities charm at Christmastime is hard to top. Younger visitors will enjoy the carousel and impromptu visits from St. Nicolas. If you’re planning to attend this Christmas market, be sure to also set aside time for the Nightwatchman’s Tour. Offered for one hour in the evening, this tour meets at the market square in front of town hall and is led by a marvelously animated guide who has become an icon for the tour and the city itself! Check the website for tour times, and note that the tour does not meet on Dec 24.
3) Esslingen (2024)
The imperial city of Esslingen is an exceptional place to host a Christmas market. Surrounded by churches, vineyards, and half-timbered houses, this medieval themed market comes to life, making it stand out from others in the region. So, Thomas wasn’t lying when he said that Esslingen offered the best market in the area! Along with the typical vendors selling their wares, this market also gives guests the opportunity to participate in medieval entertainment such as archery, axe throwing, and even mouse roulette. And if you collect Christmas market mugs, you’ll want to add Esslingen’s unique stone mug to your collection.
If you’re looking for a great place to eat traditional Swabian cuisine while you’re in Esslingen, make a reservation at the Winekellar Einhorn. For a special treat, ask to be seated in the cellar which dates back to the 1600s, and note that the restaurant usually closes from Christmas to New Year’s, so plan accordingly!
Finally, if you’re driving to the market and/or the Einhorn, we have found that the easiest place to park is the parking garage underneath the Ecker Forum theater at the APCOA Parkhaus Neckar Forum Esslingen (Grabbrunnenstrasse 19, 73728, Esslingen am Neckar).
https://www.esslingen-info.com/en/events/esslingen-christmas-medievalmarket
2) Bernkastel-Kues (2023)
I absolutely fell in love with the charming ambiance of Bernkastel’s market. This small town of cobblestone streets, half-timbered buildings, and castle on a hill is situated along the Mosel River offering a very warm and welcoming vibe. Additionally, the market boasts a large, live advent calendar, bringing guests together for live community performances each evening. The town also hosts a “torchlight swim” in which divers enter the icy water with fire-lit torches, ushering in St. Nicholas on a boat. While we didn’t have the joy of experiencing that unique entry, we enjoyed attending the market on a night in which fireworks were lit over the river. So, be sure to check their website for activities as they always seem to have interesting events to take part in.
In addition to the festive market events, you may also want to enjoy a quiet boat ride and a glass of wine along the beautiful Mosel.
https://www.weihnachtsmarkt-bernkastel-kues.de
https://www.moselrundfahrten.de/en
1) Trier (2023)
After navigating countless markets over the years, Trier has quickly become my favorite. Here’s why… The market is located in the main square and in front of the Trier Cathedral which allows ample space for vendors and visitors to enjoy the atmosphere, so it’s easy to walk and enjoy the surroundings without feeling claustrophobic or anxious among the crowds. Alongside the traditional booths peddling candied almonds and gingerbread cookies, there are loads of other booths selling everything from homemade decorative soaps to alpaca wool socks. The Käthe Wohlfahrt pop-up store situated near the market’s large Christmas pyramid is always a favorite and is constantly packed.
Ultimately this market is not as quaint and adorable as some of the above mentioned, but the fact that there is plenty of space is a huge bonus for me, and while it may not be as charming as other markets, the church and the décor are still quite impressive. Fortunately, Trier is just a quick drive from Bernkastel-Kues, so it would be easy to experience the quaint, half-timbered market of Bernkastel one night and then pop on over to the spacious and exciting Trier market the next!
For a truly unique Christmastime experience, you could also attend one of the special holiday services at the Trier Cathedral, the oldest church in Germany and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
May you have the privilege of experiencing the joy-filled warmth and excitement of walking through a German Christmas market as you prepare to celebrate our Lord’s birth.
Merry Christmas,
Ali
2 responses to “Walking in a winter wonderland: My Top Five Favorite German Christmas Markets”
Fun! I’ve been to a couple you mentioned!
What’s your favorite?