This was our third trip to the Germany Christmas markets! 

Why do we like going to German Christmas markets? If you love Christmas and get into the Christmas spirit, then going to Germany is like being at Disney’s Magic Kingdom at night… BUT it’s authentic! 

 

 

One of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, or “the little city of wood and cloth,” is located in Main Market Square over the bridge and inside the walls of the old city. Officially opened by the Christkind — a young Nuremberg woman dressed in angelic dress with a golden crown. Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is famous for its Rauschgold angels, German-made wooden nutcrackers, nativity scenes, as well as culinary highlights such as gingerbread-like lebkuchen, mulled wine, hot chocolate with rum, and their famous Nuremberg bratwurst.

 

What do we do at the Germany Christmas markets? We head to the market mid afternoon each day to sample their bratwurst in a bun and wash it down with a stein of beer. Then we peruse the individually-designed market booths loaded with many options for authentic Bavarian Christmas gifts. Of course upon arrival, we have to dress the part and look for hats and funky party glasses to celebrate. 

 

As the evening progresses, we migrate towards the music at one end of the square and warm up with gluhwein ( hot wine) or hot chocolate with a shot of rum. The Christmas lights will sparkle and bring the huge square alive with a magical aura.

 

We then find a local restaurant for dinner, cold beers and a fireplace.

 

 

Bamberg is the smallest market of our route, but that’s what makes it special. We stay in a small Inn and walk over bridges to get to the square. Every inch of this city is decorated with lights and pine trees. This city is so charming and friendly. I have relatives that live there and have a booth for hot drinks and roasted peanuts. We engaged them for a couple of nights. 

 

 

On our way to Rothenburg, we stopped for lunch at Wurzburg again we did in a previous visit. 

 

You feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you stroll around this picturesque market, in the Baroque city of Würzburg, in northern Bavaria. With relatively few other tourists around, we enjoyed our brats and a beer. 

 

This is our favorite city for the markets.

 

It doesn’t get much more picture-perfect than the medieval walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We felt like we were being swept into a holiday fairy tale. It’s less commercial and serves more authentic Christmas charm, especially at night. It is the home of the largest and most famous Christmas store by Kathy Wohlfahrt. It is an experience to tour this store/museum. It often has lines to enter.  The main square at night was majestic! 

 

We added this city to our Bavarian Christmas market tour this year. We are glad we did. We stayed in the old city in a 600 year old hotel 100 yards from the market which is in St Peter’s square. It was also festively lit at dusk with the castle as a backdrop. This market had the usual booths and also sported loaded bake potato’s to complement a beer. One side walking trip were visits to Austria’s largest and oldest brewery Augustiner with 1400 seats in the outdoor beer garden. The beer is drawn from only wooden barrels and served in stone jugs, or steins. Regional and traditional dishes can be bought directly from various food stands. We loved visiting there just before dusk .. it served as our Bavarian happy hour. 

 

 

This traditional Christmas market is located on the famous Marienplatz is a festive sight. Home of the Marionettes that perform their show every hour in the tower above the Neo-Gothic town hall/Rathskeller. 

The numerous unique and custom constructed wooden stalls all across the square make this place an authentic winter wonderland. Stunningly adorned with lights, garlands, and ornaments, the kiosks offer the best treat of chestnuts, stollen, wine, and other German delicacies.

The booths allow you to shop for traditional Bavarian gifts. 

 

This year, we are staying local and going to St Augustine, FL to experience their version of Christmas markets.