Heading to Germany for Christmas? Want to steal my epic 2-week itinerary for visiting German Christmas markets? Well, here it is!
I spent the first part of December 2022, with my friend Elise, traveling around the southern German states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, visiting as many Christmas markets as possible.
Here are some quick stats:
- We visited 11 markets
- Stayed in 7 different cities (returned to Munich)
- Slept in 4 hostels, 2 hotels, 1 AirBnB apartment
- Rode in busses, shuttles, trains, and a taxi
- Averaged 15,000 steps/day
- Visited 1 castle and 1 concentration camp
- Got locked in 1 church
It’s totally possible to recreate this exact itinerary, and I highly recommend it! This itinerary will include accommodations, travel tips between cities, markets visited, and any additional excursions. Your timing can be your own, so this won’t be laid out like “at 10:30am, do this.”
My 2-week German Christmas Markets Itinerary
Day 1 – Depart for/Getting to Germany
Depending on where you are in the world, you’ll need to spend a good chunk of a day getting there. Our flight from Salt Lake City, UT to Munich had a layover in Paris. Due to some mechanical issues, our outbound flight was delayed, causing us to miss our connection in Paris, despite having a 5.5 hour layover. We finally made it to Munich, but it took a full day of commuting.
Day 2-4 – Munich
Markets: Marienplatz, Pink Christmas
For these first few days during your adventure to visit the German Christmas markets, you’ll want to take it a little slow to get your bearings. If this is your first experience in Europe or Germany, you’ll appreciate taking things at a slower pace than you initially anticipated.
Use this time to familiarize yourself with the city’s layout, transportation options, and take all the pictures. There’s nothing more beautiful than an idyllic German Christmas setting.
Something to keep in mind is that the German Christmas markets are pretty big. The main market in Marienplatz is extremely popular and snakes out from the main square in an endless maze of decked out stalls, flagons flowing full of Glühwein, and shoulder-to-shoulder visitors. It can be a little overwhelming, so take your time.
I would also recommend only visiting one market per day.
Accommodations: Wombat’s City Hostel Munich Hauptbahnhof
Top 3 reasons I recommend this accommodation:
- The Wombat’s City Hostel Munich is literally around the corner from the main train station in Munich, known as the Hauptbahnhof (Hbf). This makes it ideally located to getting around the city, and easier for taxi, Uber, or other drivers to find. You can simply tell them to drop you off at the Hbf.
- They have cheap laundry facilities
- It’s clean and has a open, airy atmosphere
Side adventures: Dachau Concentration Camp, English Garden
Day 5 – Nuremberg
Markets: Hauptmarkt and Kinderweihnacht, right next door
The Nuremberg Christmas market in the city’s main square is one of the most famous Christmas markets in the world, and for good reason. When you picture visiting German Christmas markets, you’re probably envisioning what Nuremberg looks like: colorful vendors bursting with local crafts and goodies lined up in front of the Frauenkirche (church) like an offering.
After you’ve wound your way around the main market, make your way over to the children’s city, or Kinderweihnacht. Games, activities, and treats are directed towards a younger crowd, making it an ideal spot for families or the young at heart.
Accommodations: Five Reasons Hostel
This hostel is located within the old city walls, so you can’t ask for a more picturesque location. The restrooms are the cleanest I’ve seen, the interior is super modern, and it’s within a few minutes’ walk of the main train station.
Side adventure: if you have time, there is a TON of history around Nuremberg to explore! We chose to stay within the markets and didn’t have any time to explore more of this beautiful city.
Day 6 – Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Market: main city center
If you’ve been anywhere on social media, chances are you’ve seen this town circulating around the holidays. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out my reel here:
This is a typical small-town market, full of charm and locals milling about. This market is a bit of a walk to get to from the main train station, but it’s worth it. Just head towards the walled old city and you’ll be greeted by a picture-perfect town.
Accommodations: Youth Hostel Rothenbur o.d.T.
This is a hostel/hotel situation, and it was an interesting one. While it was a great value for the money, right next to the old city walls that you can walk on, and offered breakfast, it’s not for everyone. I would recommend this to adventurous spirits, but if you need something a little more conventional and accessible, I would recommend looking into an AirBnB or guesthouse in the old town.
Side adventure: spend time wandering around the old city and taking all the pictures. If you want to stretch your legs, I would highly recommend walking along the old city walls! If you stay at the youth hostel, there’s an entrance to the wall close by.
Day 7 – Ludwigsburg
Market: Ludwigsburger Barock-Weihnachtsmarkt
The Ludwigsburg Christmas market is known for its unique baroque feel, and I would have to say this was my favorite market. Locals dominate the scene with the feeling of Gemütlichkeit, angels encircle the center of the market, and tantalizing smells hang in the air. If you time your visit right, you’ll happen to be there when a band hits the stage and rocks the night away!
Accommodations: Boutique Hotel Kronenstuben
This was a cute little boutique hotel in the city center, close to the main shopping center and a few minutes’ walk to the Christmas market. Note that this place doesn’t have an elevator (which is pretty common in Germany). But that being said, it was super cute, clean, homey, and had great staff!
Day 8 – Stuttgart
Markets: Main market and Finnish Market
The Stuttgart Christmas market is right in the middle of the city center, with stalls and displays spread out in every direction. Also just outside of the Neues Schloss, you’ll find a small, Finnish-themed market, complete with food, goodies, and good times from the Nordic country.
This was one of those cities that I wished we had more time in. There are so many activities at this German Christmas market: ice skating, trains, curling, and so much more! Definitely carve out some time to take advantage of all the offerings and food here.
Accommodations: MS Hostel ALEX 30
While this hostel wasn’t anything special, it wasn’t too far from the center of the markets, and an easy walk to the main train station. Honestly, we stayed here because of the location. The automatic locks on the doors were a little weird and I didn’t use the showers here. But that being said, it was lovely, safe, warm, and full of friends.
Day 9-10 – Tübingen
Markets: Old Town Tübingen, Hohenzollern Castle
This was about the time that I needed to slow down a bit and stay 2 nights in one location. The realities of having to pack up and move every. single. day. wears on a traveler, and sometimes it’s nice to just stay put for an extra day or so.
Tübingen is a super cute town in Germany that I’m pretty sure most people outside of the area haven’t heard about. And that is what I wanted. This is the German Christmas market experience you’ve been dreaming about: quaint, fairytale-like old town, market encircling the magnificent church, windy roads filled with shops.
Also – if you time your German Christmas markets adventure right, you might also be in town when Chocolart is happening!
Accommodations: AirBnB (link)
I opted for an AirBnB for these 2 nights in Tübingen. I didn’t want to have to worry about cleaning up and locking up my stuff while out adventuring. The flat was super comfortable, and about a 10 minute walk to the train station through the cutest neighborhood. It felt great to be out in a residential area and get a small taste of what it might be like to live in Tübingen. The host was amazing, bed and pull-out couch were massive and comfortable, with a little balcony and bus stop across the street. 10/10 recommended!
Side Adventure: Royal Winter Magic at the Hohenzollern Castle, just outside of Hechingen. Check out this blog post for more information if you want to party at a castle during your German Christmas markets adventure!
Day 11-12 – Munich
Markets: Chinese Tower, Residenz Christmas Village
Heading back to Munich, it’s time to check out a few other markets, and possibly head back to Marienplatz for one last run-through. The smaller markets around town also give you an opportunity to discover more of what Munich has to offer. While some of the stalls might have the same offerings, you’ll definitely find new food items, gifts, and crafts. And whenever you get out of the “main” markets, you’re bound to be surrounded by more locals.
Accommodations: Wombat’s City Hostel Munich Hauptbahnhof
Head back to Wombat’s next to the Hbf for easy access to the transportation system. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out a new location. We were running out of steam and it was nice to have some familiarity, know where we were going, and be so close to the train station.
Day 13-14 – Heading Home via Amsterdam
When you’re planning your epic German Christmas markets adventure, no matter where you’re coming from, book a long layover/stopover in another major city to experience it at Christmastime! While we didn’t make it to a market, we managed to visit the Anne Frank House, walk along the canals, and do a little sightseeing before heading back to the US!
I hope this German Christmas markets guide helps you start planning your own wintertime adventure! Have you ever been to Germany at Christmas?
Sharing is caring! Please show some love by sharing on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Thank you!
PIN ME
