Best Christmas markets in Germany

Wondering which city in Germany has the best Christmas markets? We’ve you covered.

There are around 60 markets dotted all over Germany’s culture-packed capital, each with its own unique atmosphere. Our top pick's the Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt. Here, twinkling star-topped stalls rub shoulders with historic buildings like the Concert Hall and the French and German Churches, and a huge Christmas tree sits centre stage. Or head southeast, to the old town of Berlin-Köpenick, and you’ll find the Köpenick Christmas Island. This one usually takes place over a weekend in December, and if you make it to Friday night’s grand opening, expect to see the ceremonial cutting of a two-metre-long Christmas Stollen fruit bread.

Ready to join the festivities? Check out our holidays to Berlin.

This iconic German city’s split down the middle by the Rhine River, and Christmas markets pop up on either side during the festive period. The city’s old town hosts an impressive one in front of Cologne Cathedral – one of the tallest cathedrals in the world. Here, you can wander through the cobbled streets, shop for hand-carved nativity sets and tuck into hearty German grub like currywurst – fried sausages coated with curry ketchup. Fancy ticking off a few markets during your trip? Hop on the Christmas market express – a mini-train that’ll whisk you off to some of Cologne’s prettiest markets, including one by the Chocolate Museum. Say no more. 

Sound up your street? Check out our holidays to Cologne.

Next up’s the capital of Bavaria – Munich. It may be a city with a small town-feel, but the Christmas markets here are next level. If you ask us, a visit to Marienplatz – located in the main square and dubbed the city’s original market – should be on your must-see list.  With around 150 wooden stalls and a huge Christmas tree decorated with thousands of sparkling lights, this festive spot ticks all the right boxes. Picture it: Bavarian Stubenmusik AKA traditional German folk music playing in the background as you shop for handmade tree decorations and tuck into lebkuchen – traditional German gingerbread. Plus, you might even spot the spooky Krampus Run – a parade of more than 300 people dressed in Krampus outfits, Saint Nicholas’s evil twin. 

Fancy more info? Check out our holidays to Munich.

Move over Munich, here comes Frankfurt. Like most, Frankfurt’s Christmas markets open around late November and run throughout December – finishing just before Christmas Day. You’ll find the main market around the city’s old town centre, with a ginormous Christmas tree towering in the middle. The best bit is, must-see sights like St Paul’s Church and Frankfurt Cathedral are all within walking distance, so you can tick off the city’s best bits easily on a short trip. And if you fancy traditional German festivities paired with a skyline view you’d expect to see in New York, head to the rooftop market at City Beach. We promise you won’t be disappointed.  

Looking for classic wooden huts, handmade trinkets and a non-stop flow of glühwein – mulled wine to the rest of us. Make tracks for Winterwald in Hamburg. It’s one of the city's main markets and it’s nabbed a spot in front of the iconic Hamburg City Hall. From November to December, you can expect traditional stalls spilling out into the nearby streets, and festive fir trees creating a winter wonderland scene fit for a snow globe. Plus, if you’re lucky, you could spot Santa Claus himself roaming the city, as he’s known to pop up on his sleigh throughout the festive period, joined by his friendly elves.