Which is the best Christmas market in Germany?

Question

I am thinking about planning a trip this year to visit one, any advice as to the best one would be much appreicated. Thanks Tracy

Answer 1

I would recommend the one in Nuernberg , but they're all good

Answer 2

every city has its own christmas market

the christkindlmarkt in nuernberg is the most famous one

the weihnachtsmarkt in frankfurt is very nice, too, and it is one of the biggest in germany

if you have children, you will love the maerchen-weihnachtsmarkt (fairy tale christmas market) in ober-hilbersheim or in kassel

Answer 3

The Nuernberger Christkindl Markt is the best Christmas market that I have been to.

Answer 4

I always go to celle xmas market (just south of hannover)

hope you have fun wherever you go

Answer 5

I suspect that most people will consider "biggest" to be "best". That's true of Nurnburg. The big ones often incorporate a fair ground (complete with the usual stomach-churning rides) too. Unfortunately, above a certain size you tend to see the same type of stall repeating itself too many times. For example, how many big biscuits shaped like a "hexenhous" can you see before you're sick of the sight of them.

One of the biggest is the Neumarkt in Koln, but it's also a bit commercialised. The problem with most of the bigger ones is that they tend to attract the same traders. You can't move for the likes of Kathe Wollfahrt for example. The stuff that's sold and the general atmosphere of all of these tends to be very similar, if not identical.

Personally I like to visit the Rixdorf Markt in Berlin every year. It's very 'folksy'. You can still get completely "ratted" if you want to; Gluwein and Worst stalls abound - But, electricity is forbidden except for the following:

The stage where the local amateur troupes perform (usually excellent and always a laugh if the balls up.

The tent where the stallholders refill their oil lamps. Yes, most of the stalls are tents (very few wooden huts) and they're all lit by oil lamps.

The products are all local (within about 100km) and the food is scrummy.

There's an operating blacksmith (where you can buy all sorts of metal objects that you couldn't carry on an aeroplane), carriage stables and associated crafts.

It only operates for the second weekend in Advent every year and is the most authentically German of the lot. Although it is run by Germans and for Germans they do make visitors very welcome indeed.

The atmosphere is pure magic, especially if there is some white stuff (frost will do) around.

If you want the bigger markets Berlin has a dozen or so and  there is an excellent one in the Berlin suburb of Spandau so you could do both types in one weekend. Because the city is still not on the main tourist drag they haven't gone "universal bland" and the markets all have a distinct character.

The Gendarmen Market is a very classy affair (they charge about 1euro to get in) but it's also unique.

The public transport system is superb (buy a Welcome Card at the airport) and you could visit many of the Berlin markets in a busy weekend. You'll meet lots of Berliners (not the typical rude German) quite a lot of English (they're made welcome in that city) and very few Americans (guess why).

English is widely spoken but if you some German they'll appreciate your effort.

Hotels from about 40 euro/night. General eating and drinking pubs and restaurants are about half the price of London.

Flights from Heathrow by British Airways, Stansted or Bristol by Easy Jet. When you add in the taxes and suppliments, in flight food, costs of getting to the airport, convenience of flight times etc. there's not a lot of difference in the final cost.

Hints, if you've never been to a German Christmas market before -

    Don't waste your time or money on "curryworst". It's just a rubbery hot dog with a poor imitation runny chillie sauce squirted over it. Try a 50cm Worst instead. Much more fun.

   Beware of pickpockets. The crime rate is relatively low but in big crowds they do exist.

   Most Gluwein stalls charge about 2euro deposit (pfand) for the cups or glasses. This will be charged on top of the price of the drink (normally no more than 2 euro for 200ml so don't get ripped-off).

   Make sure that any glassware you buy is very well wrapped or it'll risk being broken (see crowds). You can get very nice glass baubles which are not sold at home.

If you opt for Berlin for 8-9 December (or even a day or two either side) I may see you there.

Wherever and whenever you eventually decide to go - enjoy. They're great fun, especially if you have company.

Answer 6

Nuremburg. It has the church right there, and its real nice place. As all German Weihnachtsmarkts, it is exspensive. I would also recommend the one in Frankfurt.

Also, at whatever one you chose, make SURE you eat a chocolate covered fruit kabob, and a handful of Mandeln (sweet roasted hazelnuts)

Answer 7

Nuremberg is the biggest and famous one.

Answer 8

A couple of years ago we went to a bunch - we visited them in

Bonn

Koeln

Bad Godesburg

Trier

Bernkastel-Kues

Koblenz

Erfurt

Leipzig

Dresden

Goslar

Our favorite was the small town one, Goslar.  And after that Bernkastel-Kues.

But Leipzig and Dresden were also wonderful.  Cologne was pretty good, too.

If you can go to a couple.

Answer 9

Nuremburg is by far the most famous Weinachtsmarkt, I've been to it and it's pretty d**n impressive, but every town has one, even if it's only for one night, and they all have something special to offer.

Berlin is overrated and I believe Stuttgrat is supposed to be amazing, but i haven't seen it myself (not at Christmas, anyhow).

Answer 10

I would pick Rothenburg, Germany

Answer 11

Dresden has the best in the east.  I think its called schwiezelmarkt or something like that.  i never been there but I saw a special onit on Reiseland Deutschland on deutschewelle.  I would recommend going to the schwiezelmarkt because dresden is the best city in germany.

Answer 12

The market in Lübeck (in the north) has both a  regular section and a medi-evil market. The town is also beautiful with medievil architecture and a world renowned marzipan shop. Glüh-Wein and small, doughnut balls coated in powdered sugar MUST be sampled!!!

Answer 13

The best Christmas markets are in Dresden (der Christkindlsmarkt) and in Nuernberg!

Answer 14

Nuernberger Christkindl Markt is the biggest and best. They sell those delicious little Nuernberger sausages. Another one is downtown Munich by the Glockenspiel. Actually, you can go to both. There is a train going from Munich to Nuernberg and I think it takes about 2 hours to get there. Have been there.