The Big 5 Bavarian Christmas Markets – A One Week Itinerary

The Best Way to See These Five Bavarian Christmas Markets

It’s almost winter and visions of steaming mugs of glühwein and the sweet taste of stollen are dancing in my head. In Germany, the onset of winter brings one of my favorite seasons of the year – Christmas market season!

Living in Bavaria, I’m smack-dab in the midst of the quaintest, quirkiest, and even oldest Christmas markets in Germany. If you haven’t done a German Christmas market yet, book a flight today and I’ll tell you how to get around to the best of Bavarian Christmas Markets in one glorious, shopping bonanza week.

City 1 – Munich Christmas Markets

After that long flight, you are going to need an immediate Christmas market fix, so after checking into your hotel, head straight to the center of Munich to the Marienplatz. This traditional market will get you into the holiday spirit with your first cup of mulled wine, or glühwein, which you can find in many stalls. If this is your first market, you will notice that the wooden stalls, decorated with fir boughs and festive wooden signs, really gets you into the spirit.

The capital of Bavaria has many Christmas markets to explore, so I would recommend spending two full days here. One of the most traditional markets in Munich is the Kripperlmarkt where you can buy handmade creche figurines as well as other wooden carvings.  To explore further you can find a medieval market, a handicraft market, and even a pink market. They are all fun!

While in Munich don’t miss your opportunity to visit the world-famous Hofbrauhaus! It’s guaranteed to be crowded so just look for a table with enough spots and ask if it’s open. People are expected to sit together to eat, drink, and of course be merry. Eat a roasted pork knuckle and drink some great beer while listening to the oompah band. It’s a Bavarian experience that you will remember for a lifetime. You can head over there after watching the world-famous glockenspiel in the Marienplatz at 11:00 in the morning where wooden figurines joust high up in the clock tower.

City 2 – Nuremberg Christmas Market

One of the most famous Christmas or Christkindl markets in Europe, Nuremberg, opens their season with the Christkind, one of the girls from the city, who descends and opens the market. If this is something you are interested in, this year the Opening ceremony is on Nov 25th at 5:30 PM. Nuremberg is home to the famous cookie of Christmas, lebkuchen, and there are many stalls selling it to eat right then or wrap and give as gifts. Another tradition in Nuremberg are the prune men. Figurines made out of prunes are for sale at some of the stalls. As you walk through the old town, you will also come to a portion that holds a special market just for kids where they can go on rides and eat schneeballen, a local pastry covered in sugar or chocolate.

Nuremberg, famous for the World War II War Crime trials, is a great little city with plenty to do other than Christmas markets. Visit the castle, Albrecht Durer’s house, and by all means eat some Nuremberger würstchen, or little sausages made right there. They are usually served with sauerkraut, but don’t forget to order a pint of beer to wash them down.

City 3 – Würzburg Christmas Market

Located in the beautiful area of Germany called Lower Franconia, Wurzburg has a beautiful Christmas market that is well worth the visit.  The stalls boast everything from traditional Christmas items from nutcrackers to wooden candle pyramids, but there’s also plenty of delicious foods like the dampfnüdel or germnüdel.  These are yeast dumplings that are steamed and served with vanilla sauce. The dampfnüdel are plain, but the germnüdel usually is stuffed with plums or sour cherries. Both versions are served hot and are a must try while in Bavaria.

One of the best parts about visiting this city is a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Sight, Wurzburg Residenz, where Franconian Prince Bishops made their homes. Or travel a little way up the hill to Festung Marienberg. Both the palace and the fortress demand a visit and are easy to get to on public transportation. Also, while in town, drink some Franconian wine. Different than other parts of the country, Franconian wine is special. Try a Bacchus or a Silvaner if you’re into whites, or a Domina for the red. All are delicious and come in a uniquely shaped bottle called a bocksbeutel. Pick up one or two of these excellent wines for gifts, they’re delicious!

City 4 – Bamberg Christmas Market

Bamberg’s downtown area is a world heritage site, and as soon as you start walking around you can see why. The half-timbered houses and old town hall are beautiful examples of German architecture. Lucky for you the Christmas market wends its way through the entire walking area, and you can’t go far without finding another quaint vendor stall with something to buy for your friends and family back home.

While in Bamberg, be sure to visit the old city hall, built on an island in the Regnitz river.  Crossing over a number of bridges give you an absolute stunning view, and there is always a booth nearby to sell you that special warm drink.  Don’t forget to visit the Dom, it’s mighty impressive as well.  You will fall in love with this gorgeous city, I promise.

City 5 – Regensburg Christmas Markets

This UNESCO World Heritage City hosts four Christmas markets. There is the traditional one in the downtown area, a handicraft or Artisan’s Lucreziamarkt, an Advent market, and, by far everyone’s favorite, the romantic Christmas market at the Thurn and Taxis palace (entry cost 7 Euros). Regensburg is one of the few places that you can try a warm bier known as “gluhbier” along with your traditional gluhwein, and the city is also famous for their special sausage sandwiches called the Knackersemmel.

Another UNESCO World Heritage city, you can easily find more things to do than just these magical Christmas markets. The old stone bridge, built in the 12th century is a medieval marvel, and the architecture around the city is some of the most beautiful in Bavaria.  Don’t miss the historical museum, the Goliathhaus, and even Oscar Schindler’s house.

Important Info on Bavarian Christmas Markets

A few things to know about Christmas markets. In the larger cities, the markets run continuously from the last weekend in November (either the 23rd or 24th) until right up to Christmas Day. However, there are plenty of smaller, quaint towns that will only be open for a week or a couple of weekends during that time. You will want to check the schedule to see which ones are open during the time that you choose to come to Bavaria and make sure to hit some of those smaller ones as well.

All Christmas markets sell wonderful fest food, so they usually open about 11:00 in the morning to catch the lunch crowd. The best time to go, in my opinion, though is in the evening and into the night. There are plenty of lights, and standing around sipping some hot cocoa or glühwein and watching the shoppers is a great way to pass some time. I like to walk around, get some ideas of what to buy, then warm up inside at a restaurant for dinner. After which I return and hit those stalls to buy those items that have stuck with me, and I just can’t live without (or my relatives can’t anyway).

What is a Pfand?

As you are wandering the markets, you will notice that every food and drink stand charges a pfand or deposit for their plastic or glass bottles and dishware. This includes the mug that will have the name of the Christmas market on it. You have to pay the pfand, eat or drink the goods, and return the dishware to the stall to get your deposit back. If the lines are long, don’t worry, you can either cut the line or go up politely on the side and they will return your pfand. If you’re crazy in love with the glühwein mug, and let’s face it, you will be, simply keep the mug and forego your deposit. Another great souvenir for your memories!

Getting There

First, fly right into Munich. You can fly into many airports in Germany, all of which are situated near some good markets, but for those traditional Bavarian markets fly right to the capital of Bavaria itself. Now you have your first choice. Should you train or drive? Both are easy and safe. Taking the train might be a little cheaper, and you don’t have to worry about much except making your connections, but driving gives you tons of flexibility, especially if you’re interested in some of the smaller markets. It’s up to you.

Taking the Train

The most important thing you need to know about the train is that you do not book your tickets ahead. Really, don’t do it. I know you are tempted, but there is absolutely no reason to worry. You will get a seat and it will be cheaper to do it day by day. Here’s why. There’s a special daily fare for traveling by rail around the state of Bavaria. It’s called the Bayern Ticket and it costs a mere 23 Euros for one person (28 for two, 33 – for three, 38 – for four, and the max is five people for 43 Euros). You have to leave after 9:00 am and you do have to ride 2nd Class, but so what? All German trains are clean and quiet. You will love it. If you decide to go by train, you can choose to stay in Munich at the same hotel for the full week, because your return ride is included as long as you return before 3:00 in the morning.

The 5 Bavarian Christmas Market Driving Itinerary

Starting off and finishing in Munich is key! On your way out of the country, you can make sure to have one last glühwein or bratwurst at the Christmas market held right in the airport. That’s right, just in case you didn’t quite finish all of your shopping, you have one last chance. The Flughafen Christmas Market is complete with an ice ring and plenty of handicrafts and great food. It’s guaranteed to be a fitting end to your trip!

Which Bavarian Christmas market are you most looking forward to?

 

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