Germany's most beautiful Christmas markets: the top 10
During the Advent season, we often ask ourselves the question: What are the best Christmas markets in Germany?
As we are big fans of Christmas markets ourselves, we have already visited many of them in recent years. Whether at the Schlachte in Bremen, around Freiburg Minster or archery in Hanover - we have always had great experiences.
We want to share our highlights with you here and give you a few Christmas market tips along the way:
Germany's most beautiful Christmas markets at a glance
Germany's most beautiful Christmas markets - the details
1. Bremen: The magical Schlachte spell
Christmas markets in a historic setting have a very special charm. In Bremen, this is combined with a Hanseatic maritime atmosphere. The Weser promenade is transformed into a magical sea of blue lights, illuminated ships and quaint little huts. No wonder that the "Schlachte-Zauber" has been voted first place in many rankings of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany.
Christmas market tips: Experience the Middle Ages with all your senses in the "Pirate Village". The smell of roasting and spices is everywhere. You can watch craftspeople at work, enjoy jugglers and open-air performances, let warming mead melt in your mouth and listen to festive sounds.
Also worth seeing: Walk towards the town hall. An equally beautiful Christmas market is set up around the "Roland" - the famous knight statue from 1404. Here you will find, among other things, a stand of the "Bremer Bonbonapotheke" and can snack on handmade sweets from local producers
Dates: November 27 to December 23. December 2023
Opening hours: Mon. to Thu. 11 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun. 11 am - 8:30 pm
2. Dresden: Striezelmarkt
Since 1434 there is the Striezelmarkt in Dresden. This makes it the oldest - and perhaps also the most beautiful - Christmas market in Germany. One of the market's landmarks stands out from the festively decorated huts in the middle: the world's largest step pyramid from the Ore Mountains - with a height of 14.62 meters. If you stand in the right place, you can even see the uniquely beautiful Church of Our Lady in the background. The sacred building is just a few minutes' walk away and makes the dreamlike, historical backdrop perfect.
3. Hamburg: Christmas market hopping
In Hamburg, fifteen large and two dozen small Christmas markets invite you to come together on the Elbe and Alster during Advent. Our Christmas market tips include three in particular, which you can easily combine with each other: Start at Jungfernstieg on the "White Magic". Here, white tents stand between water and department stores decorated for Christmas. From the historic Ferris wheel, you can look out over the beautiful scenery. At 6 pm, you should then head over to the Rathausmarkt to make sure you don't miss Santa Claus. Three times a day, he flies over the 80 stalls with Rudolf and his sleigh. You can take the U3 underground line from here to St. Pauli. At Santa Pauli - probably the most sensual Christmas market in Germany - the boundaries between a classic Advent feeling and frivolous neighborhood life are blurred.
Christmas market tips: We are thrilled that the Christmas market at the town hall is 100% powered by green electricity and that plastic packaging is banned. Our culinary highlight is the Pfaffenglück, which you can get warm on your hand in the middle of the market.
Opening hours:
City Hall: daily 11 am to 9 pm
White Magic: Mon. - Thu. 11 am to 9 pm, Fri. - Sun. 11 am to 10 pm
4. Erfurt: Christmas market on the cathedral square
When we wrote for you about "city breaks in Germany", we raved about Erfurt. The city in Thuringia not only offers architectural highlights such as the Krämerbrücke, but also one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany. Right in front of the cathedral, pretty wooden huts are set up around a gigantic Christmas tree. This is fittingly 23 meters high in 2023. It comes from the region and was selected together with a tree nursery to deliberately find the right one.
Christmas market tips: If you want to sample Thuringian specialties, you should look out for Erfurter Schittchen®. Or come to the cutting by the Stollen Queen on the 1st Advent. In the Eco-Backstube children can cut out cookies while learning lots of interesting facts about organic farming in Thuringia
Dates: 28. November until 22. December 2023
Opening times: Sunday to Wednesday: 10 am - 8 pm, Thursday: 10 am - 9 pm, Friday/Saturday: 10 am - 10 pm
5.Freiburg: Christkindlmarkt
There was already a Christmas market on Münsterplatz in the 19th century. The Christmas market in Freiburg continues this tradition to this day. Around the cathedral, you can discover one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany with over 120 stalls offering regional food, specialties and toys. Looking for sustainable gifts? How about stars or traditional Black Forest finches, which are made by hand from local wood. Among other things, you can fortify yourself with the "Lange Rote", without which Freiburg would not be Freiburg. In addition to the "Queen of Sausages", there are also vegetarian highlights - such as the homemade cheese spaetzle from The Seinfeld.
Christmas market tips: To get an overview of all the stalls and attractions, you can download the "Christmas market flyer". A highlight to create more awareness in the long term: The Advent meditation with music, words and silence, which takes place daily at 5.30 p.m. in St. Martin's Church
Dates: November 23 to 23. December 2023
Opening times: Mon to Sat 10 am - 8.30 pm, Sun 11.30 am - 7.30 h
6. Lübeck: Middle Ages, maritime, fairy tales
It is the historic buildings that provide the perfect Advent backdrop for the Christmas market in Lübeck. You look up at the medieval town hall, while above you sparkling fairy lights are strung between the half-timbered houses. You can simply follow these twinkling lights and stroll from stall to stall until you finally arrive at the maritime Christmas market which recalls the tradition of the old seafaring quarter of the old town island. Old wooden barrels, nets, beach chairs and a stranded shipwreck create a uniquely cozy harbour atmosphere.
Christmas market tips: Are you traveling with children? Then be sure to visit the fairytale forest at Marienkirche. In 20 lovingly designed huts, the most famous fairytale scenes fascinate young and old alike.
Dates: November 27 to December 30, 2023
Opening times: Sun. - Thu. 11am-2pm, Fri. + Sat. 11am-2pm
7th Aachen: Between Printen and Christmas choir
When it comes to the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany, Aachen is not to be missed. Of course, we also come here to admire how wonderfully the squares and alleyways around the magnificent cathedral are decorated. However, we particularly love one thing: the Aachener Printen, a special type of brown gingerbread that only exists here and has been a tradition for 200 years. As we nibble on them with relish, we stroll past stalls selling beeswax candles, natural cosmetics and fair trade fashion. And listen to children laughing merrily on the historic carousel.
Christmas market tips: Whether it's a band, brass band or choir - it's worth listening to the musical events of the Christmas market. It is simply unique when the sounds fill the historic square
Dates: November 24 to 23. December 2023
Opening times: daily from 11 am to 9 pm
8. Hannover: Middle Ages to join in
Lower Saxony's capital attracts visitors with a wide variety of Christmas markets. We particularly like to spend time in the old town - on the "Hannover Triple". You stroll from stall to stall along the Marktkirche and finally arrive at Ballhofplatz. Here, the "Finnish Christmas Village" welcomes you with specialties such as salmon from the open fire. A little further on - along the Leine and the city wall - the medieval market opens up. Not only can you watch blacksmiths swinging their hammers or jugglers making people laugh, you can also take part yourself. We have already thrown an axe here and aimed a bow and arrow at a target (and only just missed).
Christmas market tips: The three locations actually merge seamlessly into one another. That's why it's called the "triple" and not just the one most beautiful Christmas market in Germany. We recommend traveling by train and strolling from the station towards Marktkirche. It's only 750 meters on foot - and there are two more great Christmas markets along the way. Among them is the "new one by Roncalli".
Dates: November 27 to 22. December 2023
Opening times: daily from 11 am to 9 pm
9. Nuremberg: Christkindlesmarkt
One of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany is the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg. Its roots date back to 1530 and its historical charm remains to this day, making every visit a unique experience. In the wooden stalls you will find traditional, often handmade Christmas decorations and sweet treats such as original Nuremberg gingerbread from Lebkuchen Schmidt. The "Tour 4" was newly introduced - a tour of the Christkindlesmarkt, stopping at four stalls that donate the proceeds from the products sold to a good cause.
10.Cologne: Heinzels Wintermärchen
With around 120 stalls and a 1.800 square meters of ice landscape, "Heinzels Wintermärchen" is the largest Christmas market in Cologne. There is a children's carousel, the Christmas post office and above all: an ice skating rink. Whether winter sports to swing music or curling rinks - fun in a wintery atmosphere is guaranteed.
Christmas market tips: The "smallest Christmas market in the city" takes place in the inner courtyard of the Carthusian Church in 2023. There will be hot mulled wine and cold Kölsch beer and performances by artists and bands. What makes the market so special is the voluntary work and the fact that the proceeds are donated to local social projects.
Dates: November 24 to December 23. December 2023
Opening times: daily from 11 am to 10 pm
Christmas market tips for even more IMPACT
The great thing about Christmas markets is that you can buy lots of regional food and products at the stalls. Your visit to one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany will be even more sustainable with our ideas for more impact:
2. Take your own jute bags to store the presents you have bought for your loved ones. This way, you don't have to buy any new bags and go full "Zero Waste" movement.
3. Combine your visit to the Christmas market with a city trip. This saves you a trip and allows you to experience the chosen city at a very special time. Don't forget to pack warm clothes and shoes in your IP1 hand luggage suitcase.
4. Buy small gifts from local retailers instead of going on a wild Christmas shopping spree in large chains. In this way, you support regional craftsmanship and make several people happy at once: your loved ones when giving gifts and the retailers when buying them.
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