Germany’s best Christmas markets — and how to get there on points and miles
Germany’s Christmas markets are legendary, and for good reason. Christmas markets are among many holiday traditions, like Christmas trees and Advent calendars, thought to have originated in Germany. The oldest known Christmas markets date back to the 15th century in Germany — and today, holiday markets modeled after the German version pop up each winter across Europe and even in some U.S. cities. Between the twinkling lights, festive music, handicraft stalls stretching on for miles and mug after steaming mug of gluhwein (mulled wine), you can’t beat the festive atmosphere in one of these German gems.
But with many cities offering dozens of different markets, how can you possibly choose? In my opinion, it’s hard to go wrong anywhere in Germany, but some markets are better than others for certain types of travelers.
Here are my top recommendations to experience the magic of Germany’s Christmas markets.
Related: I went on a Christmas market cruise — but not on a river
Best variety: Berlin
When it comes to sheer volume of Christmas markets, Berlin takes the cake — er, lebkuchen (gingerbread). The city’s website lists well over 80 individual markets.
From spooky markets to sustainable markets, from Japanese markets to Swedish bazaars, there is truly a Christmas market for everyone here. There’s even a Stranger Things market this year, complete with Demogorgon waffles. (Be still, my fangirl heart!)
Highlights include the huge WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt, which draws some 800,000 visitors each year with its skilled artisans and handmade crafts, and the fairytale-esque Charlottenburg Palace market. If you tire of German food, sample Nordic and Scandinavian specialties at the Lucia market at Kulturbrauerei. For more active pursuits, head to the Potsdamer Platz sporting venue’s Winterwelt (Winter World), where visitors can go ice skating or toboggan down a 40-foot-high, 230-foot-long slide.
Related: 11 festive destinations to celebrate the holiday season
Best for exploring Christmas markets and more: Munich
If you’d like to base yourself in one city and see a ton of Christmas markets — and maybe some other German attractions, too — the capital of Bavaria is a great choice.
Munich’s primary market, sprawling across the streets around the central Marienplatz square with its famed Glockenspiel (cuckoo clock), is a sight to see. Just beware that it can get absolutely packed on evenings and weekends, and there are virtually no restrooms to be found — you’ll have to use the ones in department stores and shopping malls, which are mostly closed on Sundays.
Venture a little farther out, and you’ll find smaller gems scattered around the city — like the Chinese Tower market, nestled in the quiet green expanse of the English Garden (Munich’s largest park), and the energetic LGBTQIA+ Pink Market. My personal favorite was the Advent Spectacle and Medieval Christmas Market, which will make you feel like you’ve been dropped into the set of your favorite fantasy movie. The atmosphere at night is unbeatable, with flames flickering on hefty goblets of feuerzangenbowle (fire-tongs punch), but be sure to visit in daylight to see medieval-era entertainment like stilt walkers and falconers, and to watch the shopkeepers (in medieval dress, of course) crafting their wares.
If you’d like to see more of Germany than just its holiday spirit, Munich offers plenty of other things to do. Browse the designer stores that line Maximilianstrasse, snack your way through the Viktualienmarkt, feed your inner Bavarian at the 16th-century Hofbrauhaus beer hall or take a day trip to the Munich Zoo or Neuschwanstein Castle — to name a few.
And if you’re flying into or out of Munich Airport (MUC), build some extra time into your schedule to check out the Christmas market between Terminals 1 and 2.
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Best for crowd-weary travelers: Frankfurt
The financial hub of Frankfurt may not be able to compete with Berlin and Munich in terms of the quantity of Christmas markets, but it makes up for it with thinner crowds and a less touristy vibe.
I found Frankfurt's Christmas markets easier to navigate than those of any other city I visited. The variety of food was unmatched, including Mexican food stalls and desserts I couldn't find in other cities. Another benefit: Frankfurt's smaller size makes it more manageable for young children or elderly grandparents who prefer not to take as many steps.
The main markets are centrally located around Frankfurt’s Altstadt (Old Town). There are only two — Frankfurter Weihnachstmarkt at Romerberg, which dates back to 1393, and Weihnachstmarkt an der Hauptwache — but together, they can easily fill a day or two. There’s even a small children’s market with live music and other entertainment for the kiddos.
When you’ve eaten and shopped your way through Frankfurt’s 200-plus festive stalls, consider taking a day trip to a nearby small town like Marburg, Limburg or Koblenz. These quaint, historic towns offer smaller markets, beautiful backdrops and far fewer tourists. Wine enthusiasts shouldn’t miss Mainz — the wine capital of Germany — where you can sample locally made gluhwein and other grape-based drinks at Weihnachtsstadt Mainz.
If you plan a stop in Frankfurt, be sure to do it on a weekend, when crowds at many other German Christmas markets could threaten to turn you into a Grinch. (Speaking of which, they have hot Grinch-themed drinks here, too.)
Best for kids and kids-at-heart: Cologne
This midsize city on Germany’s western side is my pick for the most magical place to experience Christmas markets. Cologne has a huge variety of markets, and there’s even a cute Christmas market train connecting the most popular ones.
The most stunning market sits at the foot of the stately Cologne Cathedral. A ceiling of string lights makes for a spectacular atmosphere at night, and the stalls include some unique souvenirs and delectable food offerings (including many vegan-friendly ones). The gnome-themed Heinzel’s Winter Fairytale is just as popular, offering over a dozen different gnome gluhwein mugs to collect and fun and games like ice skating and curling. Meanwhile, the riverside Harbor Market has a Ferris wheel and is next to the Chocolate Museum.
Altogether, these central markets offer market-hoppers a wide variety to explore and provide fun activities for kids to enjoy. Plus, their flat ground and proximity to public transportation make them very accessible, and you’ll see lots of wheelchairs and walkers in the crowd.
But the magic of Cologne’s markets comes at a price. I’m not exaggerating when I say you may not be able to move for all the people on a Saturday night at the cathedral market. And if you want to try curling in the gnome-themed market, you’ll need to book ahead — reservations open in July.
Your best bet is to plan your stop in Cologne during the week and start your festivities early (most markets open around 11 a.m.) to get some shopping in before it gets too packed. You’ll also find less crowded, but equally magical, markets if you venture further afield — like the elegant, angel-themed Markt der Engel, the pleasantly quiet St. Nicholas Village and the gay-friendly Heavenue market.
Related: 13 holiday destinations for festive family fun
Best for art and history buffs: Dresden
The Striezelmarkt in Dresden’s Altstadt holds the title of Germany’s oldest Christmas market, as well as the world's largest Weihnachtspyramide (Christmas pyramid), a decorative tradition from the Erzgebirge region along the German-Czech border.
Started in 1434, this market is nearly 600 years old. Here you can learn about the region’s mining history, shop for Ore Mountain handicrafts — like candle smoke-powered pyramids and schwibbogen candelabras — and sample the famous Dresdner Christstollen.
(Dresden is so serious about its stollen that it has its own version, a protected food under EU law, meaning it can only be produced in and around Dresden according to strict guidelines. The Dresdner Christstollen even gets its own festival in December.)
Other markets in the old town bring history to life in a different way. Stallhof Advent Festival provides a medieval setting, complete with jugglers and other entertainers, in the former courtyard of the Dresden Royal Palace. And the Neumarkt in front of the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) replicates the period from 1830 to 1920, to show visitors what a Christmas market would have looked like over a century ago.
But don’t worry, there are modern markets too, like the kid-friendly Winterlights and the more grown-up apres-ski party scene of Dresdner Huttenzauber.
Related: 9 can’t-miss theme parks during the holidays
How to visit German Christmas markets on points and miles
Unfortunately, the holiday season is a peak time for travel to Germany, which means that flight and hotel prices may not be affordable. The good news: Because Germany has so many markets to choose from, you can plan your trip around where you can find the best deals.
That’s what I did when I took my family to Frankfurt, Cologne and Munich this December on (mostly) points and miles.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Munich Airport (MUC) offer direct flights to and from many U.S. cities. You can also fly into Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) and Dresden Airport (DRS), though you’ll be hard-pressed to find a direct flight.
Here are just a few examples of cheap award flights — under 30,000 miles each way in economy, plus taxes and fees — on a variety of airline programs. Seats.aero is a great place to start your search.
Most of the cities on this list have plenty of points hotel options, such as Koenigshof, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Munich and Kimpton Main Frankfurt.
However, not all hotels are ideally positioned for Christmas markets. I recommend checking Rooms.aero to see some of your options on a map and find one that’s centrally located or near a train station or bus stop.
If you plan to travel to multiple cities, consider our guide to renting a car with points and miles. You can also save yourself some hassle by using Germany’s excellent train system, but you’ll need to do some research to determine which station is most convenient to your hotel. You can usually save money by purchasing tickets in advance on Deutsche Bahn’s site or, if you’ll be doing a lot of train travel, by getting a rail pass.
Bottom line
While it may be tempting to make a list of the most appealing individual markets (I’m looking at you, Stranger Things) and check them all off on a whirlwind tour of Germany, I’d advise against that approach. Some of the cities I mentioned above are spaced far apart from each other. For example, if you tried to visit Berlin in the northeast, Cologne in the west and Munich in the south, you’d spend more of your trip in a car or train than soaking up the markets’ festive magic.
Instead, maximize your market time by choosing destinations that are relatively close to each other. Or, base yourself in one big city and take day trips to smaller towns.
Ultimately, any Christmas market in Germany is going to be magical. Focus on spending quality time in the ones that work for your trip, rather than trying to hit every single market.