The Heidelberg Christmas market is a charming and underrated market in Germany, known for its romantic setting and quaint old town. Set beneath the ruins of Heidelberg Castle and spread across multiple picturesque squares, this Christmas market offers a quieter, more intimate experience compared to the larger and busier markets in cities like Frankfurt and […]
With a vibrant Christmas market right at the foot of the iconic Cologne Cathedral, plus several more spread across the city, Cologne is one of the top destinations for German Christmas markets. Combine that with easy day trips and a rich history, and Cologne makes a fantastic base for a northwestern Germany itinerary. We added […]
We spent a December day wandering Frankfurt’s sprawling Christmas Market, one of the world’s oldest, through historic squares, festive stalls, and a cathedral tower with views over it all. This guide covers the best market sections plus the top things to do in Frankfurt any time of year. Frankfurt is often known for its modern […]
This two-week (14-day) Central Europe itinerary visits Munich, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Vienna, and Prague, combining historic cities with alpine scenery. It’s perfect for travelers seeking convenient train travel and day-trip options to fully immerse themselves in the region. On this itinerary, you’ll travel from Bavaria, through the scenic landscapes of Austria, and end in the historic […]
Discover the best things to do in Dresden, Germany, from historic sites in the Old Town to a few unique, off-the-beaten-path destinations. We’ll also cover where to eat and where to stay. Dresden is a historic city in eastern Germany known for its stunning Old Town filled with churches, a royal palace, an opera house, […]
For us, the Erfurt Christmas Market exceeded our expectations. And to think we almost skipped it. While researching which Christmas markets to visit in Germany, we put Erfurt high on our list, but we couldn’t quite work it into our itinerary. That changed when we had some extra time on the drive from Dresden to […]
The Trier Christmas Market is one of Germany’s lesser-known markets. Located in western Germany, not far from Luxembourg, this ancient city is home to a small Christmas market and several churches and historical sites well worth visiting. We visited the Trier Christmas Market as part of a bigger trip to northern Germany. Cologne was our […]
Traben-Trarbach is a small town set along the Moselle River in western Germany, best known for its wine heritage and distinctive underground architecture. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Traben-Trarbach became one of Europe’s most important wine trading centers, second only to Bordeaux. To support this booming industry, vast wine cellars were built […]
We spent several winters exploring the Christmas markets in Europe, first in London, then in Vienna and Prague, followed by a two-week trip through southern Germany and France. We had always heard wonderful things about the Dresden Christmas markets, but we could never quite fit them into our itinerary. The Dresden Christmas markets are known […]
In this guide, we will narrow down the long list of Berlin Christmas markets to a few must-see’s, complete with photos, a map, and what makes them special. Berlin is home to an incredible number of Christmas markets. In our research, we found this city hosts 70 to 80+ of them, which makes trying to […]
Würzburg, a small city nestled in Bavaria’s picturesque wine region, is a historic gem that makes for an unforgettable day trip on any southern Germany itinerary. This charming city is packed with stunning landmarks. Highlights include the imposing Marienberg Fortress perched above the city, the iconic Old Main Bridge adorned with statues of saints, the […]
Of all the palaces we’ve visited, Neuschwanstein remains our favorite, and it’s no wonder, since it’s also one of the most visited sites in all of Germany. This fairytale palace, which was Walt Disney’s inspiration for Cinderella’s castle, is located in Bavaria, Germany. As a family that grew up taking trips to Disney World each […]
With its colorful timbered houses, medieval streets, and stunning setting on the Regnitz River, Bamberg is one of Germany’s most photogenic cities. This small town simply oozes charm. And come the month of December, add in a Christmas market and holiday decorations and Bamberg becomes a magical place to visit. Bamberg is listed as a […]
It’s no secret that Germany hosts some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. But unless you have tons of time, it’s best to concentrate on one region of Germany. This Christmas market itinerary focuses on southern Germany. Not only will you visit some of the most historic markets in Europe, but you will tour […]
The Nuremberg Christmas Market (Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt) is widely regarded as one of Germany’s best Christmas markets. It’s often a favorite among those who tour the country’s holiday markets – a remarkable feat in a country renowned for its spectacular number of unique, festive markets. You only need a few hours to visit the Nuremberg Christmas […]
If you are planning a Christmas market trip to Germany, there is a trio of cities not to be missed. Stuttgart is home to one of Europe’s largest and oldest Christmas markets. This historic market features some of the best decorated stalls in all of Germany. From Stuttgart, travel Ludwigsburg by train, to visit the […]
Regensburg is a historic city in Bavaria, Germany. During the Christmas season, Regensburg hosts four Christmas markets, and one of them, the Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace, is often sited to be the most beautiful in Germany. We loved visiting Regensburg. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making the […]
The Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market is one of Germany’s most unique markets. Brightly lit, decorated stalls sit around the base of a train viaduct, which is illuminated in a rainbow of colors throughout the night. It’s a beautiful sight to see. But is it worth it? This market is only held on a few weekends […]