Travel to Europe your way | Christmas Markets in Germany & Austria

Christmas Markets in Germany & Austria. The scents of cinnamon, roasted almonds, hot chestnuts and hot wine fill the air. In the weeks before Christmas, during the time of Advent, in many cities, towns and villages in Central Europe streets the popular Christmas Markets take place. This long tradition of street markets during the time of Advent originated in the German-speaking countries almost 600 years ago. A visit to the different Christmas Market is a true highlight. A tour to visit different Christmas Markets can easily be done self-guided, with the Christmas Market Tour by Rail or, if you prefer to have a rental car, with the Self-Drive Christmas Markets Vacation.

Festive Atmosphere, Long Tradition

The Christmas Markets, called Christkindlmarkt, Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket (all meaning “Christ Child’s Market” ) and Weihnachtsmarkt (meaning “Christmas Market”) are quite different from one another – each has its own local specialties like the “Christstollen” (Stollen), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, roasted almonds), the “Zwetschgenmännle” (dried plums man), the “Nussknacker” (Nutcrackers), traditional Christmas cookies such as “Lebkuchen” and “Magenbrot” (gingerbread), Marzipan, the Bethmännchen. the Bratwurst, and the “Glühwein” of course, a hot mulled wine.

Christmas Market in Salzburg©Tourismus Salzburg GmbH

At the Christmas markets, you will find stalls which offer traditional and handcrafted Christmas decoration items, ornaments and toys. The whole family enjoys visiting the Christmas markets where they will find carousels and entertainment, enjoy great food and the popular Glühwein (or hot fruit punch) to keep them warm.

The best way to visit some of the most beautiful Christmas Markets is with an independent tour package, at your own pace. For 2016 and 2017 we have four Rail or Rail & Coach Combination tours and two Self-Drive tours in our tour program. Please visit the tour page of the tour you are interested in where you will find more detailed information about the itinerary, what exactly is included, the names of the hotels we usually book and the price information. You will get to the tour page by clicking on the name of the tour you are interested in – at the specific tour page you will also find a printable pdf for you to download.

Rail or Rail & Coach Combination tours

Self-drive tours

We specifically designed those tours for traveling during Christmas time. However, it is just fine to book one of our regular tours that you will find in our tour program if this tour fits better into your time frame. You will find a Christmas Market in every city in Germany and Austria, and also in most cities in the neighboring countries in Central Europe.

Nuremberg

For many, the Nuremberg Christmas Market, the “Christkindlesmarkt”, is the most famous Christmas Market in the world. It attracts millions of visitors every year. It was first mentioned in 1628 and is located on the Main Market square within the Inner City of Nuremberg’s Old town, where the Imperial Castle is located. A visit of the Christmas Market and a night in Nuremberg is included along the 9 Day Germany & Austria Christmas Rail Tour (9R01) (the most popular of our Christmas Holiday Packages in the recent years), 8 Day Central Germany Christmas Highlights Self-Drive Tour (8S04), the 10 Day Central Europe Christmas Rail Tour (10R01), the 8 Day Romantic Road Christmas Self-Drive Tour (8S01) and the 9 Day Christmas Magic 1st class Rail Tour (9R04). Along the way from Frankfurt to Munich, a visit of the Christkindlesmarkt is an optional stop along the 8 Day Christmas Classic Rail Circle Tour (8R08).

Nuremberg Bratwurst and Nuremberg Ginger Bread© Congress- und Tourismus-Zentrale Nürnberg, Steffen Oliver Riese

Frankfurt

The Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of the oldest Christmas Markets in Germany, its beginnings reaching back to the year 1393. It is located at the “Roemerberg”, a square in between the historic Town Hall “Roemer” and the Cathedral and it stretches into two directions, north, to the square in from of the “Paulskirche” and south to the banks of the river “Main”. The Frankfurt Market is a very traditional one where you not only find the “Gluehwein” but also the local specialty, hot apple wine. Frankfurt is a stop along the 8 Day Central Germany Christmas Highlights Self-Drive Tour (8S04), the 10 Day Central Europe Christmas Rail Tour (10R01), the 8 Day Christmas Classic Rail Circle Tour (8R08) and the 9 Day Christmas Magic Rail Tour (9R04).

Heidelberg

The Heidelberg Christmas Market is held on five squares around the Old Town, featuring those typical stalls displaying Christmas handicrafts and local specialties. There is also an ice rink located within the Christmas Market – maybe Germany´s most beautiful one. Enjoy a perfect Christmas Market setting in Heidelberg: the atmosphere is unique – the stalls nestle idyllically among the historic squares of the Old Town and you enoy a splendid view of the illuminated Castle towering above thousands of lights coming from the Christmas Market located below – a really beautiful setting. The “Winter Woods” located at the “Kornmarkt” are open during Christmas Market time and also after Christmas – a fairy-tale setting! A visit of the Christmas Market in Heidelberg is included along the 8 Day Central Germany Christmas Highlights Self-Drive Tour (8S04), the 8 Day Christmas Classic Rail Circle Tour (8R08), the 9 Day Germany & Austria Christmas Rail Tour (9R01) and the 9 Day Christmas Magic Rail Tour (9R04).

Nuremberg Prunemen and Christmas Gifts © Congress- und Tourismus-Zentrale Nürnberg, Steffen Oliver Riese

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Christmas Market in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is definitely a lot smaller than the Christmas Market in Heidelberg for example, but the setting of the so called “Reiterlesmarkt” located in the historic Old Town, which is surrounded by the historic Town Wall, is exceptionally beautiful! The medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is transformed into a winter’s fairy tale! In Rothenburg ob der Tauber the Christmas Market dates as far back as the 15th century. And ones you are here you should also visit the Christmas Museum which is located just across from the Market Square where the Christmas Market in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is located. A visit of the Christmas Market in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is included along the 8 Day Central Germany Christmas Highlights Self-Drive Tour (8S04), the 10 Day Central Europe Christmas Rail Tour (10R01), the 8 Day Romantic Road Christmas Self-Drive Tour (8S01) and the 9 Day Christmas Magic Rail Tour (9R04).

Munich

The origins of the Munich Christmas Markets are reported to date back to the 14th century. The first Christmas Market was mentioned in town records as “Nicholaus Markets”. of the 14th century. There are several Christmas Markets in Munich but the most traditional and most centrally located one is the original Christmas Market located at the beautiful Marienplatz (St. Mary’s Square). Just a few walking in the street “Neuhauser Strasse” , you will find what probably is Germany’s largest “Christmas Crip Market“. A visit of the Christmas Market in Munich is included along the 8 Day Christmas Classic Rail Circle Tour (8R08), the 9 Day Germany & Austria Christmas Rail Tour (9R01), the 8 Day Romantic Road Christmas Self-Drive Tour (8S01) and the 9 Day Christmas Magic Rail Tour (9R04).

Dresden

In Dresden the Christmas Market, located at the “Altmarkt” square located right in the middle of the historical city center, is called “Striezelmarkt“. It dates back into the 14th century. The Striezelmarkt is one of the most popular Christmas Markets in Germany, certainly the most popular one in the area of what was called East Germany before the German reunification took place in 1990. Not only on weekends you will find many Germans from all over the country visiting this market. The “Dresden Christstollen” is the culinary highlight of the Dresden Christmas Market, a rich, sweet cake filled with fruits and nuts, also known as “Striezel” – so this is where the name of the Dresden Christmas Market came from. The Christmas Market in Dresden has the world’s tallest Christmas pyramid, with a height of 14 meters, and the world’s biggest nut cracker. Enjoy a visit of the Striezelmarkt along the 8 Day Central Germany Christmas Highlights Self-Drive Tour (8S04) or the 10 Day Central Europe Christmas Rail Tour (10R01).

Salzburg

Also the Salzburg Christmas Market dates back to the 15th century. It is located at the foot of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and Salzburg’s Cathedral and Residence Squares. In front of the facade of the Cathedral with Hohensalzburg Castle towering above the old Town of Salzburg, this Christmas Market has a romantic location. In the city of Mozart music plays an important role and so many performances, plays and processions take place. Enjoy a visit of the Salzburg Christmas Market along the 8 Day Christmas Classic Rail Circle Tour (8R08), the 9 Day Germany & Austria Christmas Rail Tour (9R01) or the 9 Day Christmas Magic Rail Tour (9R04).

Vienna

There is more than one Vienna Christmas Market, but the most traditional one takes place at the “Rathausplatz” (Square of the Town hall). More than 150 stands offer Christmas tree decorations, culinary delights, and warm drinks. Close by is the romantic Christmas Village (Maria-Theresien-Platz), situated between the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum. Here you also find areas for playing “ice stock sport”, an Alpine game similar to curling. The Old Viennese Christmas Market (located on the “Freyung” square in the City Center) is committed to tradition. A Christmas market was held here as early as 1772; today, it is a perfect place to buy handicrafts, decorations, and ceramics. Festive Advent music can be heard on the square from 4 pm every day. The Cultural and Christmas Market has a most beautiful setting in front of Schoenbrunn Palace and so does the Christmas Village located at Belvedere Palace which provides an impressive baroque background to this tranquil Christmas Market which is located just a few walking minutes from Vienna Central Station. A visit to the Christmas Market in Vienna is included along the 9 Day Christmas Magic Rail Tour (9R04).

Plan your visit

If you plan to take a tour during Christmas to visit some of the beautiful Christmas Markets in Germany and Austria you need to be aware that most markets open on the Friday preceding the first Sunday in Advent. Many Markets close before Christmas (most markets are open until Dec 23rd or the late afternoon of Dec 24th). Only a few Christmas Markets are open on Christmas, some even until the beginning of January. If you are looking for a Christmas Market Tour by Rail you may want to click the picture below which shows the Christmas Market in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, if you prefer to drive yourself and you are looking for a Self-Drive Christmas Markets Vacation you may want to click the picture below which shows the Christmas Market in Bamberg. If you have a question concerning your visit of the Christmas Markets in Germany and Austria please do not hesitate not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. You may want to consider to book early since visits to the various Christmas Markets are also popular for locals who travel there for a short break from all over the country, especially on weekends.

Christmas Markets Vacation by Rail

Take a more detailed look at our Christmas Market Tour by Rail:

On our 8 Day Christmas Classic Rail Circle Tour (8R08), you will stay in Frankfurt (on your arrival day) for one night, in Munich for four nights and in Heidelberg for one night. You will not only visit the Christmas Markets in Frankfurt, Munich, and Heidelberg but you will also be able to visit the “Christkindlesmarkt” in Nuremberg. On a day trip by high-speed Rail from Munich, you will visit Salzburg and the Christmas Market and also enjoy the beautiful 4 hour Sound of Music tour, on a day trip to Innsbruck along a very scenic journey through the Alp Mountains by Speed Rail you visit the Innsbruck Christmas Market. The tour also includes an escorted coach tour from Munich to Oberammergau and to the Royal Castles: you enjoy English-speaking guided tours of Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle!

On our 9 Day Germany & Austria Christmas Rail Tour (9R01) (most popular Christmas Market tour in 2014!), you will travel by High-speed (“ICE”) rail directly from the Frankfurt Airport “AiRail” Terminal to Nuremberg, where you will stay on your first night, to visit the “Christkindlesmarkt”. Along the tour you will also stay in Regensburg, Vienna (2 nights), Salzburg, Munich (2 nights) and Heidelberg. The Rail tour combines some of the most beautiful cities and Christmas Markets in Germany and Austria and it includes escorted tours like the 4-hour Sound of Music tour from Salzburg and the Oberammergau/Royal Castles tour (Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle) from Munich!

On our 9 Day Christmas Magic Rail Tour (9R04) you will travel by 1st-class rail directly from the Frankfurt Airport “AiRail” Terminal to Wurzburg, “gateway to the Romantic Road“. The next day takes you to the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber where you enjoy the English-speaking tour with the Night-Watchman. The “Christkindlesmarkt” and Nuremberg is your next stop before you travel on to Munich for a 3-night stay. On a day trip by high-speed 1-st-class Rail from Munich, you will visit Salzburg and the Christmas Market and you will also enjoy the beautiful 4-hour Sound of Music tour. Your 1st-class Christmas Holiday Package also includes an escorted coach tour from Munich to Oberammergau and to the Royal Castles, Linderhof Palace, and Neuschwanstein Castle. After Munich, you will stay in Heidelberg for one night to visit the local Christmas Market located in a most romantic setting in the Old Town – below Heidelberg Castle. Before you fly back home you have a night in Frankfurt and you have time to visit one of the oldest Christmas Markets in Germany!

On our 10 Day Central Europe Christmas Rail Tour (10R01) you travel by rail and bus. The tour starts from Frankfurt International Airport with a short 12-minute train ride into Frankfurt where you stay for one night. The next day you travel by High-speed (“ICE”) rail directly from the Frankfurt to Berlin. After a two night stay in Germany’s Capital City, you will visit Dresden, with its beautiful Christmas Market, the “Striezelmarkt”. Your two day stay in Prague will be another highlight before you visit the famous “Christkindlesmarkt” in Nuremberg. The next day takes you will visit the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber where you enjoy the English-speaking tour with the Night-Watchman. Before you fly home from Frankfurt Int. Airport you will visit Wurzburg for one night, “gateway to the Romantic Road“.

Take a more detailed look at some of our Christmas Market Tours by Rail – by clicking the picture below you will find a selection of our beautifully designed Christmas Markets Tours by traveling on board of (mostly) High-Speed-Rail:

Self-Drive Christmas Markets Vacation

Take a more detailed look at our Self-Drive Christmas Markets Vacation:

the 8 Day Romantic Road Christmas Self-Drive Tour (8S01) runs from Frankfurt International Airport southbound – you first take the “Autobahn” to Wurzburg where you stay your first two nights (also for a visit of Bamberg the next day). The charm of this Christmas Markets Rental car tour is the drive along the Romantic Road towards the Alp Mountains, visiting many of the scenic medieval towns along the way. You stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber for two nights (also for a visit of the “Christkindlesmarkt” and Nuremberg on one day), in Noerdlingen, in Augsburg, and in Fussen/Hohenschwangau for a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle. On your way towards Munich, you drive through the Austrian side of the Alp Mountains and back into Germany to visit Linderhof Palace.

the 8 Day Central Germany Christmas Highlights Self-Drive Tour (8S04)

By clicking the picture below you will find a selection of our beautifully designed Christmas Markets Self-drive Tours.