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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Best German Christmas market

34 replies

RefreshingCandour · 17/04/2024 20:01

Looking for recommendations for a wonderful German city that has Christmas markets and is picturesque and twinkly. Enough to see and do for 3 nights. Going end of November and ideally flying EasyJet with a not long trip at the other end.

City, hotel recommendations much appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
RefreshingCandour · 20/04/2024 11:01

YeahComeOnThen · 20/04/2024 10:49

@RefreshingCandour

cologne was fabulous, several markets right there and a good base for visiting other places, but central cologne is PLENTY to keep you busy/entertained & fed for a few days!!

https://www.amawaterways.com/connections/a-gothic-winter-wonderland?ra_ref=lmg&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_term=&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADuIRX3-ycTe1db9vMvzYuDlv2qld&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2fjLqsDQhQMV0JRQBh3oWwbeEAAYAyAAEgL8d_D_BwE

not Germany, but I loved Copenhagen

munich was great too.

i could go on, but easier to say I enjoyed them all in different ways.

i can't remember the hotel details, sorry. But no issues with any of them & they were all lower/mid range. For ME I prefer to be very close to the market so when I'm knocked it's not far to go home, or to pop down for a pretzel & mulled wine if we've been out for the day elsewhere.

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Yes being close to them sounds very sensible. So in your list of the best:
Cologne
Munich

for the German ones. Did you visit Nuremberg or Berlin? If so, where would you rank them?

OP posts:
Holidayaddict · 23/04/2024 22:38

Have only done Cologne but the markets were superb (all 5 of them). Chocolate museum was great too. Not much else to see there as not really a stunning city due to being bombed in the war (very 50s/60s). Don't make the mistake we did and go the weekend of "day of the dead". Everything was shut so we lost a full day at the markets. It was the day we were leaving so headed to the airport early! Last weekend of November I think, but definitely check!

Original poster
RefreshingCandour · 23/04/2024 22:55

Holidayaddict · 23/04/2024 22:38

Have only done Cologne but the markets were superb (all 5 of them). Chocolate museum was great too. Not much else to see there as not really a stunning city due to being bombed in the war (very 50s/60s). Don't make the mistake we did and go the weekend of "day of the dead". Everything was shut so we lost a full day at the markets. It was the day we were leaving so headed to the airport early! Last weekend of November I think, but definitely check!

Ooh thanks I checked and it’s the weekend before we plan to go! It’s Sunday 24 Nov this yr

OP posts:
Holidayaddict · 23/04/2024 22:59

@RefreshingCandour no problem, I wish I'd known!

Merrilydancing · 23/04/2024 22:59

I would base yourself in Munich, spend a day there, then take a day trip to Rothenburg aub Der Tauber and another to Salzburg.

All are stunning.

Porridgeislife · 23/04/2024 23:04

I’m going to put in a bid for Stuttgart. I’ve been to approx 30 German Xmas markets (big and small) and this one is lovely, plus you can also easily reach Esslingen and Ludwigsburg markets on the local train. The former is mediaeval themed and quite unique.

H0ghedge · 23/04/2024 23:04

I've been to a few. If your choice is between Munich and Cologne, I'd personally go with Munich as overall I enjoyed the city more (in terms of other activities you can do, in addition to Christmas markets). I really liked Munich and there was lots to do, in addition to some great markets. I preferred it to Vienna and Nuremberg too. I've not been to other markets.

Isometimeswonder · 22/11/2024 00:47

LadyMacbethssweetArabianhand · 17/04/2024 21:15

I loved the Christmas markets in Berlin. There were at least four around the city centre, different sizes and offering different things.

Hi. Just finding old threads.
What can you recommend in Berlin? We're going next week!

reluctantbrit · 22/11/2024 07:29

Isometimeswonder · 22/11/2024 00:47

Hi. Just finding old threads.
What can you recommend in Berlin? We're going next week!

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We went last year. I would recommend the one at the Rotes Rathaus (Red Town Hall). It was very busy on a Saturday late afternoon but a good collection of stalls with decent gifts, food and a ferries wheel.

A nice one is also Gendarmenmarkt. That is around €1 entry fee, a bit more upmarket but has a row of heated marquees with a cafe. We had freezing weather so it was appreciated.

The one at Alexanderplatz was rubbish, mainly food and cheap tat but there are some shops around and we went shopping as well.

Depending where you are based, the one at Schloss Charlottenburg is supposed to be nice as well, the castle is stunning and also worth a visit.

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