Christmas Markets

Visting the Christmas Markets in Bavaria, Germany and Strasbourg, France

Planning a trip to Europe to visit the Christmas Markets is exciting, but can also be overwhelming! There are markets in cities and villages all over Europe, and even multiple markets within the same city. Narrowing down which ones to visit, how to get around, what to buy while you are there, and a thousand other questions, is part of fun and anticipation of planning your trip.

Above photos: Shopping and sweets at Christmas Markets in Germany

I am in the process of preparing for another Christmas Market trip, and thought I would circle back and post about one I took a few years ago with my BFF. Yes, this was a girls trip! Our husbands had literally zero interest in strolling through quaint little stalls while sipping on Glühwein. Fine by us!

This post will provide an overview of our week-long adventure and itinerary through Bavaria, Germany. If you are interested in more in-depth details on each of the markets we visited, I have included links to those individual posts.

Our 6-Day Christmas Market Itinerary in Bavaria, Germany + a stop in Strasbourg, France

Day 1: Arrival; Visit to Neuschwanstein Castle & Munich Christmas Markets
Day 2: Morning in Munich; Evening in Nuremberg
Day 3: Day Trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Day 4: Nuremberg to Strasbourg, France; Strasbourg Christmas Market
Day 5: Strasbourg to Frankfurt; Frankfurt Christmas Market
Day 6: Departure from Frankfurt

Kath, my travel partner lives in Pennsylvania, while yours truly lives in Texas. We decided we would meet up at a connecting airport for the final leg of our flights to Munich. Weather complications completely unraveled our best laid plans, and we ended up flying solo and meeting at Munich airport — amazingly within about 30 minutes of each other!

Day 1: Arrive in Munich; Visit to Neuschwanstein Castle

Our plans for our first day in Germany included renting a car for a quick drive down to Neuschwanstein Castle, located in the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see this fairy tale castle in the foothills of the Alps. It was a little out of the way, but we decided we had to make the effort.

Above photos: Neuschwanstein Castle

After returning our rental car and getting checked-in to our hotel, we ventured out into Munich to enjoy the lights and Christmas Market at night. It is a completely different experience walking through the markets during the day vs. night. It is much livelier later in the day and, of course, you get to see all the decorations lit up.

Above photos: Munich Christmas Market

A complete post of our time in Munich and the attractions we visited can be found here.

Day 2: Morning in Munich; Evening in Nuremberg

The following morning, we had a few hours in Munich before our train to Nuremberg. Because of the limited time we had, we decided to prioritize St. Peter Church, including the Tower Ascent “Alter Peter” for the incredible views. It was nice to see Marienplatz and the historical buildings in daylight and without the crowds on our way to the church. But, of course, the grandeur of St. Peter Church was beyond. I can’t wait to go back again and see more of what this city has to offer!

Above photo: View of Munich, Germany from Tower Ascent, St. Peter Church

Next stop: Nuremberg! Germany has an excellent rail system that is easy to use. Once you become accustomed to reading the schedules and finding your departure platform (you’re a pro after one journey), it is a great way to get around the country. We hopped on our train and were in Nuremberg about an hour later.

When we first arrived in Nuremberg, we grabbed a walking map from our hotel concierge and set out to see some of the historical sites. We found a very nice balance on this trip between seeing attractions and spending time at the Christmas Markets. It would have been a shame to just visit the markets without exploring the towns and getting to know the history of the area. Plus, we are suckers for beautiful churches and couldn’t help going inside to see the nativity displays.

Above photos: Nuremberg, Germany

The Nuremberg Christmas Market, or Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt in German, was a MUST for us. It is one of the oldest and most well-known markets in Europe. Nuremberg is also ridiculously charming. The buildings are old, the streets are cobblestone, there is a castle you can visit, horse-drawn carriages clippity-clopping down the streets, brass music quartets playing carols, and to top it all off, there were snow flurries in the air. It could not have been more perfect or picturesque!

Above photos: Nuremberg Christmas Market

A complete post of our time in Nuremberg and the attractions we visited can be found here.

Day 3: Day Trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Our trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber was a day trip from Nuremberg. Staying in Nuremberg for two nights gave us a break from dragging our luggage with us. It is a short train journey. So, even staying quite a long while in Rothenburg, we were able to get back to our hotel in Nuremberg at a very reasonable hour.

There aren’t too many places in Germany that were not leveled during WWII, but Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of them. When you are walking through the streets and fortifications, the authenticity is apparent.

Above photo: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Christmas Market at Rothenburg may have been my favorite. It is truly so hard to pick, but this one was really special. The stalls were unique and had things that I did not see at any of the other markets. There were also quite a few little stores that we popped into, including the famous Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shoppe.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market

Above photos: Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market

Rothenburg also serves up spectacular, breathtaking views from Aussichtspunkt an der Eich. We got really lucky spontaneously ducking down a little side street that opened up to these vistas.

Above photo: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

A complete post of our time in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the attractions we visited can be found here.

Day 4: Nuremberg to Strasbourg, France; Strasbourg Christmas Market

Our next train journey from Nuremberg to Strasbourg, France was a bit of a haul, roughly four and a half hours. However, I did not mind having the time to relax and enjoy the scenery out the window after several full days. This region of Alsace is right over the border along the Rhine River and is a cultural blend of both German and French influences.

The Strasbourg Christmas Market, or Marché de Noël de Strasbourg, is another well-known market and the oldest in France. We knew it would be spectacular, but it was even better than we had imagined. The main market square is directly in front of Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg and under a dreamy display of Christmas lights. Every storefront and door front is decorated to the hilt. Its just magnificent!

Above photos: Strasbourg Christmas Market

While there are many similarities between the markets we visited in Bavaria and the market in Strasbourg, it had a vibe all its own. The market was definitely bigger and busier – and more metropolitan. There are luxury boutiques, bakeries, and pedestrian shopping avenues to discover after you’ve had your fill of the market stalls.

Above photos: Strasbourg Christmas Decorations

Don’t forget to leave time to visit the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in Europe. During Advent, the Cathedral presents an 18 meter long nativity scene , which dates from 1907.

Above photos: Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg

A complete post of our time in Strasbourg and the attractions we visited can be found here.

Day 5: Strasbourg to Frankfurt; Frankfurt Christmas Market

We had a few hours in Strasbourg the following morning before our train to Frankfurt. We spent the time walking through the shopping neighborhood along Rue des Orfèvres and Rue des Hallebardes. There are little side streets lined with boutiques and bakeries that have the most wonderful outdoor door decorations. I took so many photos to save as inspiration for my own decorating back home.

Above photos: Strasbourg Christmas Decorations

The train to Frankfurt was just a couple hours. Once settled at our final hotel, we made our way to the Frankfurt Christmas Market, located in Römerberg and Paulsplatz. The setting of half-timbered buildings and a huge Christmas tree were the highlights. The stalls were akin to what we saw in Munich, but there seemed to be an emphasis on food. Since we were pretty much shopped out and hungry, this worked out quite well as a last stop for us. We really enjoyed the ambiance and strolled along at a more casual pace, taking it all in one last time before our flights home the next morning.

Above photos: Frankfurt Christmas Market

A complete post of our time in Frankfurt and the attractions we visited can be found here.

Day 6: Departure from Frankfurt and Some Helpful Tips

Our departure from Frankfurt and flights back home were uneventful. I love spending time on the plane to reminisce about the highs and lows of the trip, flip through the photos on my camera, and make my to-do list of all the things I need to get done once I’m back home.

Here are a few final thoughts I had and advice I would give to anyone planning a similar trip:

Carry cash: The first order of business when I arrive at an international destination is pulling cash out of the airport ATM machine. My bank reimburses me for my ATM fees and gives me the best currency conversion rate. Be sure to research your bank’s policy ahead and determine the best method for you. Most market vendors are able to process credit cards, but some will only take cash. We found this to be especially true with many food stalls. 💶 🤑

Keep the mug: Each market has its own annual mug design for Glühwein. When you order your beverage, you’ll pay a deposit for the mug (which you get back upon returning it) plus the cost of your drink. You don’t have to return the mug though (you just don’t get the deposit back). I kept one from each market as a souvenir. ☕️ 🍷

Pack a packable duffle: You’re going there to shop so be prepared to get it all back home safely. I usually pack a duffle bag inside my luggage and slowly fill it up throughout my trip. I pack light so I have plenty of room for anything I need to take back in my checked luggage. I also take bubble wrap and a small flat box (that I later assemble) to make sure my glass ornaments make it back in one piece! The box should fit inside your carry-on duffle bag for your flight home. 🧳 ✈️

Resign yourself to the crowds: Christmas Markets are very popular and widely visited throughout the holiday season by locals and tourists alike. You’ll be doing yourself a huge favor if you go with the expectation that there will be long lines, slow moving sidewalks, and people from every walk of life in your way. If you are stressed out and/or in a hurry, you won’t enjoy yourself. Thankfully, there isn’t anything another mug of Glühwein and a merry disposition can’t cure. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🎄