Of all the Christmas Markets that you might have visited in Germany - which stand out as your favorites?
Russ ...In 2006, the Speyer market began extending its market season through the first week of January; like a lot of people, I can't regularly get away before Christmas, but we were able to include a stop in Speyer on our after-Christmas Germany/Italy trip last year. It was a nice, medium-sized market with all the essentials and an emphasis on food and drink. As far as I can tell, this is the only market that has gone to the "Weihnachtsmarkt-Neujahrsmarkt" format.
RJKARR - ...The last time I went to the Markets, I based myself in Munich and took day trips. That was really nice because I could easily walk to the train station from my hotel and also could enjoy Munich at the same time. I visited the Würzburg, Rothenburg, Munich, & Salzburg markets. Salzburg was my favorite of those. I've been considering doing the same thing again because Nürnberg, Bamberg, Regensburg and so many places are easy train trips from Munich.
PWilson374 - ...I've visited the markets in Freiburg, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Stuttgart. Stuttgart was my favorite. We took the train into the city, so no problems with traffic or parking. The market is huge and held in the large Königsplatz. The markets consist of two or three sections (all the Glühwein has my memory a bit hazy), one of which is the children's market. That market had every child's fantasy of Christmas and it was great fun to watch the children enjoying the fun and excitement. Other areas had a skating rink, stalls with heavenly food and various booths selling just about anything. People watching was the most fun. I don't think Stuttgart is as large and famous as some others, but we really enjoyed it. Strasbourg is a close second, but of course, it's in France.
NBarnes503 - ...a great Market that very few Americans visit - Michelstadt features one of the nicest markets in all of Germany. The town has many half timbered homes and one of the most famous Rathaus's in all of Gemany. There are quite a few tour buses, but filled with Germans, not Americans or Asians. I felt that if this many Germans came to see the market then it must really be a special place. The town had many nice shops and lots to see and do. The drive through the Odenwald from Darmstadt is very nice, with lots of hills, villages and a few small castles along the way. The Odenwald reminded me a little of the Rhön near Fulda, simply because it was so real. Not many tourists, but what few tourists I saw were all German. I would love to come back in the spring or fall to see all the tree's in full color and maybe enjoy a Volksmarch on my next trip. Anytime of the year Michelstadt and the Odenwald is a great stop. Another great market that really surprised me with its quality was Bacharach. I went up for the day to tour the Asbach factory and ended up enjoying the wandering alleys filled with Christmas booths and lights. Is that Glühwein and roasted nuts I smell?
PatBee - ...We have never made a pilgrimage to Christmas Markets all across
Germany, but we did have a memorable weekend at the famed Nürnberg Christkindlmarkt. We were living in Baumholder, and had our two daughters
at home with us. Heidi was attending U of Maryland in Munich, and had come home for the holidays, and Christina
was a Freshman at the Baumholder American High School. So one weekend, we bundled up in our warmest winter clothing--boots
and all--and took off in our white Volkswagen bus for Germany's historic toy city. On a previous visit to Nürnberg,
I had spied a friendly Fremdenzimmer/Gasthaus in the little village of Gross Weissmansdorf, a bit southwest of
the city, so I called and made reservations for us to spend a couple of nights there. It was a good choice. We
had a magical day in Nürnberg--visiting the wonderful Toy Museum (with a huge replica of the Omaha, Nebraska
train station on its upper floor), and strolled through the marketplace with its gay red-and-white-striped tent
stalls filled with Christmas decorations, toys, prune dolls, and gingerbread houses. The weather was briskly cold,
a white frosting of snow lay upon the rooftops, the spicy smell of Glühwein and roasting Nürnberger Wursts
filled the crisp air, the sound of Christmas carols floated around our heads, and everyone we saw seemed to have
a smile on his or her face. Just as dusk began to fall, we heard music coming from the church that overlooks the
marketplace. The front doors opened, and a wedding party came out--the bride looking radiant in her beautiful white
gown, and her attendants all dressed in bright Christmas red taffeta. It was a joyful ending to a happy shopping
day. We went to our car and drove out of the city to our small, cozy village inn, where we ate huge schnitzels
and watched the locals come in and order hot beer (the innkeeper had an immersion coil plugged in at the bar, and
he would dunk it in a glass of beer until it began to bubble). Later, tired but content, we went upstairs to our
rooms and snuggled down under the fat featherbeds and drifted off to sleep, lulled by the sound of snowflakes tapping
against the windowpanes as they whirled down from the sky. The next morning we awoke to a glistening white winter
wonderland and a hearty German breakfast. Could life get any better than this, I wondered? Now our daughters are
all grown up, with children of their own. And sometimes (although I don't REALLY mean it--or maybe I do) I wish
we could go back in time and relive that enchanting visit to the Nürnberg Christkindlmarkt, when we were all
safe and together and under the spell of the happiest holiday of the year. Thank goodness the memory will always
be in my head--and my heart.
Weber6560 - ...My favorite
Christmas market is in Michelstadt, about 40 miles SE
of Frankfurt. It is not the biggest but had the best atmosphere I found. Not many tourists as it is not on the
list that everyone has but great fun. I was there on a Sunday and it was filled with locals. Super!
DJNippert -...Although some of the best Christkindlmarkten are in the major cities we found that so many smaller towns each have their own and they are just as fun. Augsburg's has special memories for us. I first arrived in Germany on December 18th after 8 months apart from my husband while we waited for finality on his actual assignment and then for government quarters... the next day he took me downtown to the Christkindlmarkt... I was thoroughly enchanted. It was snowing lightly, it smelled wonderful (later found out it was the Glühwein) and everything was so Christmas-as-I-had-always-imagined-it. We found several strings of special lights (which we still use with adapters) and more straw and wooden ornaments. I had my first authentic German wurst there too and I think my first Spezi. We returned many times over the years we lived there. Christkindlmarkten are my favorite part of Germany. A special memory is returning with our 2 children. When we decided to return after 10 years I insisted we go in December so I could go to as many markets as possible. I think we did 14. Another favorite ended up being the tiny (I think only 6 stalls) market in Bad Reichenhall. It was sponsored by Reber, the local chocolatier so of course, one of the stalls was Reber Chocolates. It was tucked in a little alley just off the Fußgängerplatz. What made that one incredibly special was finding a lady doing Scherenschnitte, that intricate cut paper work done with tiny scissors. We had had our son's portrait done at the Muenchen Oktoberfest when he turned one. So we thought it would be special to have his picture done again. The lady was so thrilled to talk with some Americans and use her rusty English that she ended up doing our daughter's for free. It's those kinds of special moments that only happen at the small, not-so-well known markets. And I still haven't been to Nürnberg's! Next time! :-)
JUHLOLSON - ...This
was my second winter season living here in Munich. I went to the Chriskindlmarkt on a Sunday and it was really nice
- no rain and not too crowded! Saturdays at the Marienplatz are incredibly crowded even without the markt, it can be a real
zoo with all the Christmas booths. Sundays are calmer because all the regular stores are closed. There were some
nice handmade things and a very pleasant atmosphere. It was a good chance to practice my poor German because the
people working the booths all understand English but are willing to let me try my German. We enjoyed the fresh
roasted Mandels und Erdnuße (my kids favorite thing at the Marienplatz) as we wandered around admiring the
decorations. The Ratskeller, which we like when shopping the Marienplatz, was too full to seat us at dinner time
so we we bought wurst from a stand and it was delicious. Just by chance, we found another small, even less crowded
Chriskindlmarkt just outside the Sendlinger Tor U-bahn which is only one station away. ..Our family later enjoyed
the Nürnberg Markt - even better than Munich..
BavariaBen - I haven't been to the Christmas Markets in many years but during the three
years I lived in Germany in the early 80's we enjoyed several markets and spent a lot of time at the closest which
was Mannheim.
Booths cram-packed with ornaments and all sorts of goodies - cool, brisk evenings with the mandatory Glühwein.
Wundervoll!
Related Links
Christmas Markets - Christmas in Germany
Glühwein - Christmas Markets (Travels Through Germany)
Augsburg Christmas Market - Mannheim Christmas Market
