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German Christmas market itinerary 7 days

Germany’s Christmas markets are a pure fairy tale. I know you’ve probably heard about them a thousand times and wonder how they really are. After visiting so many of them, I can say it’s truly magical.

I’ve been guiding my groups through several Christmas markets in Germany and Austria, and visited many of them on my own. I loved it so much and would love you to have the same experience.

So I’ve created this 7-day German Christmas market itinerary for you to follow and experience the highlights (based on my experience).

Overview: German Christmas Market Itinerary 7 Days

Here is a recap of the places and markets you’ll be visiting on this itinerary:

DAY:CHRISTMAS MARKETS – CITY
1.BERLIN β‡’ DRESDEN
2.DRESDEN
3.DRESDEN β‡’ FRANKFURT
4.FRANKFURT
5.FRANKFURT β‡’ ROTHENBURG β‡’ NUREMBERG
6.NUREMBERG β‡’ MUNICH
7.MUNICH & NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE

This itinerary will not only take you to the most charming Christmas markets in Germany, but also to some of the most beautiful cities full of history and sights, so it doesn’t get boring only seeing the Christmas stuff on the way.

The train rides aren’t too long, so you’ll have enough time to explore the markets in the city, and then you can always take a train in the morning or late afternoon to your next destination.

Have fun!

How To Get Around The German Christmas Markets

I’ve designed this itinerary to travel by train. It’s very easy to get from one city to another on an IC or EUROCITY train, or on a regional one. To make your journey more flexible and affordable, I recommend getting the Interrail or Eurail Travel Pass.

You can choose the number of days, then use the pass for all trains on this itinerary (and beyond). You don’t have to buy extra tickets – just hop on the trains and travel wherever you want, which makes travel much more flexible. And it’s also cost-effective.

Interrail is for European citizens, and the Eurail Pass is for non-European citizens.

➑ Get Your Eurail Pass & Interrail Pass here.

The only day when the train rides are a bit longer is day 5. If you’re traveling to Rothenburg and want even more flexibility, I recommend renting a car.

If you decide to make this itinerary a road trip, I always rent my cars via Discovercars. They have a wide range of rental car companies and car options – just make sure the company rating is 8.0 or higher.

Generally, I like to rent with Sixt or Europcar when in Germany.

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DAY 0. ARRIVE IN BERLIN

To start this itinerary, I suggest flying to Berlin. You can also enjoy its Christmas markets and the city for a while. Still, Berlin is not our main focus on this itinerary. That’s why I only left it for half a day, and then you’d move on to Dresden.

If you want to spend more time in Berlin, I recommend flying a few days earlier.

➑ Check out the flights to Berlin via Skyscanner. Click here for great flights.

In the evening, I recommend heading to the major Christmas Market at Alexanderplatz to experience the first Christmasy vibe. Enjoy the aroma of freshly prepared foods, sip some Gluhwein, and have fun trying the local delicacies.

🍭 SPECIALTIES TO TRY: Currywurst, Bratwurst or any other sausage in bread roll, Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) with sour cream, Gebrannte Mandeln (baked almonds), crepes
πŸ“ LOCATION: Alexanderplatz, Postdamerplatz, Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market, Bebelplatz & Humboldforum at the Museum Island
✨ BERLIN CHRISTMAS MARKETS DATES: 24th of November until the 31st of December 2025 – each market has different dates, so check for specific opening online

German Christmas Market itinerary 7 days in Berlin
German Christmas Market itinerary 7 days in Berlin Alexanderplatz

🏠 Where To Stay In Berlin

In Berlin, I suggest staying around Alexanderplatz. It’s easy to get to from the airport and to access other parts of the city by train or on foot. It also has a major Christmas market that you can enjoy right on your first evening.

Here are some of the hotels I suggest staying at:

➑ Premier Inn Berlin Alexanderplatz
➑ Motel One Berlin-Hackescher Markt
➑ Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz
➑ Hampton by Hilton Berlin City Centre Alexanderplatz

DAY 1. BERLIN – DRESDEN

Good morning in Berlin. Today, you’ll have some time to explore Berlin (and more of its markets), before making your way to Dresden.

Spend the morning in Berlin doing some sightseeing. This is a small tour route I recommend for you, one I also use when guiding my clients. See the sights on the way and 3 more Christmas markets.

πŸ“ Brandenburg Gate
πŸ“ Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
πŸ“ walk through Unter den Linden street
πŸ“ RITTER SPORT shop
πŸ“ Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market
πŸ“ Bebelplatz (Christmas Market)
πŸ“ Museum Island (Christmas Market – at the Humboldforum)
πŸ“ Nikolaiviertel
πŸ“ Alexanderplatz

Start your walk at the epic Brandenburg Gate, then walk to the Memorial and stay silent as you walk through the giant slots. Then continue via Unter den Linden street, turn onto Friedrichstrasse, and stop at the Ritter Sport shop to buy some German chocolate and a cup of hot chocolate.

Did you know that Germany has its own chocolate brand? Yes, it’s called Ritter Sport – they have such fun flavors. My favorite is coconut. And the hot chocolate with whipped cream is a dream.

After that, head to the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market while you sip hot chocolate and enjoy some more magic there. Then, turn back towards Unter den Linden street, and see Bebelplatz. There is another Christmas Market, where you have to pay an entrance fee of 2 EUR.

Then continue via Museum Island, seeing the Berlin Cathedral as you cross the River Spree.

In the end, head to the Nikolaiviertel, the oldest part of Berlin, with the oldest church (St. Nicolas Church) dating back to the 9th century. I recommend having lunch at Restaurant Ephraims, then try delicious cupcakes with coffee at TigertΓΆrtchen CafΓ©.

Return to Alexanderplatz and prepare for your train journey to Dresden.

German Christmas Market itinerary 7 days in Berlin sightseeing Brandenburg Gate
German Christmas Market itinerary 7 days in Berlin sightseeing

How To Get From Berlin To Dresden By Train

The train from Berlin to Dresden takes approx. 2 hours. The trains leave regularly. I recommend departing Berlin around 3:00 pm so that you can be in Dresden around 5:00 pm (you can take the Eurocity Train).

After you arrive in Dresden, check into your hotel and head to enjoy the city’s vibe and its Christmas Markets.

πŸš‡ Train ride from Berlin to Dresden takes approx. 2 hours (included in your Eurail/Interrail Pass).

🏠 Where To Stay In Dresden

I suggest staying close to Dresden’s train station so you don’t have trouble getting around with your suitcases.

Here are my favorite hotels:

Check out the next day for all the information about the local Christmas markets and things to do in the city.

➑ Premier Inn Dresden City Prager Straße
➑ IntercityHotel Dresden
➑ Holiday Inn Express Dresden Zentrum by IHG
➑ Occidental Dresden Newa

DAY 2. DRESDEN

Welcome to Dresden, home to Germany’s oldest Christmas market. You’ve now made it to the German state called ‘Saxony‘.

Dresden is often called ‘Florence on the Elbe‘ – it has beautiful Baroque and Rococo architecture. It sits on the River Elbe, one of Germany’s most important Rivers that has served for tradepurposes. It’s a beautiful area where you can go biking in the summer.

The city was completely destroyed during WWII and had to be rebuilt.

It’s also Europe’s largest microelectronics and semiconductor cluster, which is why people often refer to it as Silicon Saxony – Dresden’s Tech Valley.

Sightseeing In Dresden

Here are the sights I recommend you see as you stroll through the city. Start at the main train station from your hotel and walk from one site to another (in order):

πŸ“ Prager Straße – main shopping street + see Winterlichter (Winter Lights Market) with decorations and winter lights (super beautiful)
πŸ“ Altmarkt & Striezelmarkt – historical city center – you can climb the Kreuzkirche tower for the city views.
πŸ“ Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) – this church was completely destroyed by the bombing raids and rebuilt stone by stone (very impressive)
πŸ“ Dresden Castle – see the exterior or even enter and learn about its history
πŸ“ Zwinger Palace – stunning Baroque architecture – its courtyard is a nice photo stop
πŸ“ Semperoper (Opera House) – one of Europe’s most prestigious opera houses
πŸ“ Walk alongside the River Elbe and via the Augustus Bridge to the New Town (Neustadt)

German Christmas Market itinerary 7 days in Dresden sightseeing
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Dresden’s Christmas Markets

If you’re visiting Christmas markets in Germany, this is a must-stop – it dates back to 1434, so it is where it all started. It’s the main market called Striezelmarkt (Altmarkt) located in the city center. Don’t miss it, especially in the evening with all the lights.

Dresden’s Christmas markets are truly magical. I mainly suggest hanging out at Striezelmarkt – the main Christmas market in the city center. You’ll need to try Dresdner Christstollen – it’s a rich fruit-and-nut bread/cake dusted with powdered sugar, made here in Dresden.

It’s also a great place to get some hand-crafted wooden folk art.

Also, don’t forget to see the Winter Lights Market at the Prager Street.

You can also go ice-skating near the Residence Castle and its Romantic Christmas Markets.

🍭 SPECIALTIES TO TRY: Dresdner Christstollen, Pflaumentoffel (a little figurine made of dried plums), Bratwurst or any other sausage in bread roll, Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) with sour cream, warm apple wine, Saxon Gluhwein, buy some hand-crafted wooden folk-art
πŸ“ LOCATION: Striezelmarkt (Altmarkt), Augustusmarkt (Neustadt – New Town), Winterlichter Markt (on Prager Street), Romantic Christmas Market (near the Residence Castle)
✨ DRESDEN CHRISTMAS MARKETS DATES: 24th of November until the 24th of December 2025

German Christmas Market itinerary 7 days in Dresden christmas markets

DAY 3. DRESDEN – FRANKFURT

I hope you had a lovely time in Dresden and enjoyed the oldest Christmas market in Germany. Today, it’s time to make your way to a brand-new city – Frankfurt.

In the morning, take the ICE train from Dresden to Frankfurt.

The train ride takes 4.5 hours and it’s a direct train, so you don’t have to change. I recommend taking a train from Desden around 10:00 am (so you’ll be in Frankfurt at 2:30 pm).

After you arrive in Frankfurt, check into your hotel and head out to explore the city.

πŸš‡ Train ride from Dresden to Frankfurt takes approx. 4.5 hours (included in your Eurail/Interrail Pass).

🏠 Where To Stay In Frankfurt

Here are the hotels I suggest in Frankfurt:

➑ The Pure, Frankfurt
➑ Metropolitan Hotel by Flemings
➑ Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt City Centre

Sightseeing In Frankfurt

Welcome to Frankfurt – Germany’s financial capital. Locals often describe it as the ‘Mainhattan‘ thanks to the tall buildings that you usually don’t see in our European cities. It hosts the European Central Bank.

Apart from that, it has some of the most charming city centers – I loooove Frankfurt’s cute, colorful houses that make this city so special, as well as walking alongside the River Main.

It’s also home to the famous German writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Here is what I recommend you explore in the city:

πŸ“ Old Town (Altstadt) with RΓΆmerberg Square – cute, colorful houses & Town Hall from the 14th century
πŸ“ Goethe House & Museum – his birthplace
πŸ“ Main Tower – take a lift up to this 200-meter-tall tower and enjoy stunning views of the skyline – it was one of my favorite experiences in the city
πŸ“ River Main Promenade – walk alongside the river and enjoy the city lights in the evening

Frankfurt city center Germany and Austria Christmas market itinerary 7 days
Frankfurt city skyline Germany

Frankfurt’s Christmas Markets

Frankfurt’s Christmas markets are honestly one of my favorites, maybe because I love the RΓΆmerberg square in the Old Town so much, and the markets just make it all so much more magical. You can find unique specialties unlike anywhere else.

Definitely head to the main square in the Old Town for the best markets. Try BethmΓ€nnchen, which is a sweet marzipan pastry with almond liqueur. Also get QuetschemΓ€nnchen (souvenir made from prunes and nuts). Frankfurt also produces its own apple wine (Apfelwein) – a local specialty you can’t miss.

After, you can walk alongside the River Main to enjoy some more Christmas Markets. If you want to go shopping (Christmas or regular), I recommend Hauptwache near Zeil shopping street for some local handmade souvenirs.

🍭 SPECIALTIES TO TRY: BethmΓ€nnchen (sweet marcipan pastry), QuetschemΓ€nnchen (souvenir made from prunes and nuts), German sausages, Schmalzbrot (rye bread spread with lard and topped with onions), Flammkuchen (thin pizza-like dough with toppings), Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) with sour cream, apple wine, baked almonds
πŸ“ LOCATION: RΓΆmerberg (main square in the Old Town), Paulsplatz & Mainkai (alongside the river), Hauptwache (near the Zeil shopping street)
✨ FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS MARKETS DATES: 22nd of November until the 22nd of December 2025

DAY 4. FRANKFURT – ROTHENBURG – NUREMBERG

Hello in Frankfurt. I hope you enjoyed its fairy-tale atmosphere and had a chance to try some local specialties.

Today, it’s time to head to my favorite town in Bavaria and enjoy what is often called the most beautiful Christmas market in Germany (and I agree). I hope you still have some space in your stomach, as we’ll keep trying local delicacies.

It’s going to be a bit busier day, as we’re stopping in Rothenburg, but don’t miss it – it’s 100% worth it.

How To Get From Frankfurt To Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber

In the morning, start taking trains to Rothenburg. You’ll have to change 3 times, in these cities: Wuerzburg, Uffenheim, and Steinach. The entire journey takes about 3.5 hours, depending on which connections you take.

I recommend departing Frankfurt just after 8:00 am, so you can be in Rothenburg around 11:50 am. All the trains are included in your Eurail/Interrail Pass, and you won’t need any extra seat reservations.

You can store your luggage at the train station in Rothenburg and head to the city to enjoy.

πŸš‡ Train rides from Frankfurt to Rothenburg ob der Tauber takes approx. 3.5 hours with 3 changes (included in your Eurail/Interrail Pass).

Sightseeing In Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber

Rothenburg feels Christmasy even in the summer. I’ve visited it a couple of times with my groups while guiding, and it’s always my favorite stop in Germany. It’s a small town, so 3 hours will be enough to explore its sights and markets.

Here is what I recommend you see in the town:

πŸ“ Marktplatz – main square
πŸ“ PlΓΆnlein – best photo spot
πŸ“ Medieval City Walls – you can walk up and on the walls & enjoy the views
πŸ“ Medieval Crime Museum
πŸ“ Christmas Museum & Shop – don’t miss it, especially if you want to buy some souvenirs – this is the best spot on the entire trip

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Germany and Austria Christmas market itinerary 7 days

Rothenburg’s Christmas Markets

You’ll love it here; the Christmas vibe is just on another level. If you can, come to the opening ceremony on the first day the Christmas markets open each year (it’s always a different date) to enjoy the Reiterle, a traditional figure who arrives on horseback to start the Christmas season.

There is usually a brass band playing traditional Christmas music, which adds to the atmosphere.

The markets are on the main square (Marktplatz), and it’s one of the best spots for shopping – you can get various local crafts.

Something you need to try here is ‘Schneeball’ – a local specialty (snowball): strips of dough rolled into a ball with various toppings (chocolate, nuts).

🍭 SPECIALTIES TO TRY: Schneeball (Rothenburg’s snow ball), German sausages, Gluhwein
πŸ“ LOCATION: Marktplatz (main square in the Old Town)
✨ ROTHENBURG CHRISTMAS MARKETS DATES: 21st of November until the 23rd of December 2025

How To Get From Rothenburg To Nuremberg

After about 3.5 hours, head back to the train station and take the train to Nuremberg. This time, the journey is much shorter – only 1 hour & 15 minutes (with 2 changes). You’ll have to change trains in Steinach and Ansbach.

I recommend taking a train from Rothenberg around 4:00 pm, so you’ll arrive in Nuremberg at approximately 5:30 pm.

πŸš‡ Train rides from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Nuremberg takes approx. 1.5 hours with 2 changes (included in your Eurail/Interrail Pass).

🏠 Where To Stay In Nuremberg

Here are the hotels I recommend in Nuremberg. Again, close to the train station and also to the city center:

Check out the next day for what to see and do in the city, as well as information about its Christmas markets.

➑ The Cloud One Nürnberg
➑ Leonardo Royal Hotel Nürnberg
➑ Novotel Nürnberg Centre Ville

DAY 5. NUREMBERG

Welcome to Nuremberg – one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Germany, with its half-timbered houses in the center.

Nuremberg used to be one of the most important medieval cities in the Holy Roman Empire, which housed the empire’s crown jewels. Today, you can visit the imperial castle.

It’s an innovation hub – the first German railway originated here, as did pocket watches and pencils. It’s home to the Renaissance artist Albrecht DΓΌrer.

You can also visit the Palace of Justice, where the famous Nuremberg Trials took place after WWII.

Sightseeing In Nuremberg

Here are the things I recommend you explore in the city (apart from its Christmas markets):

πŸ“ Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg)
πŸ“ City Walls & Towers – walk on the 4-km-long walks and enjoy the city views
πŸ“ Handwerkerhof (Craftsmen’s Courtyard) – beautiful medieval market
πŸ“ Old Town (Altstadt) & Pegnitz River – stroll through and see the stunning half-timbered houses
πŸ“ Albrecht DΓΌrer House – visit his home and admire his artwork
πŸ“ Memorium NΓΌrnberger Prozesse – see the room where the Nuremberg Trials took place
πŸ“ Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds – a bit further away from the center, but worth the visit – you’ll get an audio guide and learn so much about Nazi Germany and WWII

Nuremberg Nuremberg Germany and Austria Christmas Market Itinerary 7 days
Nuremberg Germany and Austria Christmas Market Itinerary 7 days

Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Markets)

Nuremberg has one of the most famous Christmas markets, dating back to the 1500s (almost as old as the ones in Dresden). During the opening ceremony, ‘Christkind‘ delivers a prologue from the balcony of the Frauenkirche church.

It’s characterized by wooden stalls and striped red-and-white cloth roofs – there are about 180 of them offering food, drinks, and local handicrafts.

The main specialty here is Nuremberg’s Lebkuchen (gingerbread). And let me tell you – you might never have eaten better gingerbread – it’s so soft and juicy and flavorsome – yam. Each stall offers different types, so walk around the main square and pick the ones that suit you best. They also have a vegan version.

Another thing you need to try is the ‘Feuerzangenbowle‘ – mulled wine set on fire – I like it even a bit more than a regular Gluhwein.

🍭 SPECIALTIES TO TRY: NΓΌrnberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread), NΓΌrnberger Rostbratwurst (3 small German sausages served in a roll), Feuerzangenbowle, Gebrannte Mandeln (roasted almonds)
πŸ“ LOCATION: As you walk from the train station through the main street, you’ll see many markets, until you come to the main square – Hauptmarkt (main market), Handwerkerhof Nuremberg (handicrafts)
✨ NUREMBERG CHRISTMAS MARKETS DATES: 28th of November until the 24th of December 2025

Nuremberg Gluhwein Germany and Austria Christmas Market Itinerary 7 days
Nuremberg Germany and Austria Christmas Market Itinerary 7 days

DAY 6. NUREMBERG – MUNICH

I hope you got the most out of your stay in Nuremberg, ate as much Lebkuchen as you could (and took some as a snack to go), and are ready to hit the road again to reach your last destination.

Today, we’ll be heading to Munich – the capital of Bavaria (the largest German state).
You can choose to stay a bit longer in Nuremberg in the morning and then head to Munich in the afternoon.

Or, I would also recommend checking out an extra Christmas market in Regensburg. Super beautiful.

Munich is honestly not my favorite city for beauty and sightseeing (there really isn’t that much), and it’s my least favorite city on this itinerary. So I think even if you arrive today in the evening and have a couple of hours, it will be enough.

How To Get From Nuremberg To Munich

The train ride on ICE (Germany’s high-speed train) takes about an hour, and there are several ICE trains throughout the day. They’re all included in your Eurail/Interrail Pass; no need to make extra seat reservations.

If you also like to check out the Christmas Markets in Regensburg, you could store your luggage in Nuremberg, head to Regensburg for a couple of hours, return to Nuremberg, and then head to Munich from there.

The train ride from Nuremberg to Regensburg takes about an hour, too.

πŸš‡ Train rides from Nuremberg to Munich takes approx. 1 hour (included in your Eurail/Interrail Pass).

🏠 Where To Stay In Munich

I recommend staying in a hotel near the main train station again – it’s convenient and close to the city center and its Christmas markets, too.

Here are the hotels I suggest:

➑ Flemings Hotel München-City
➑ Aloft München
➑ Le Meridien Munich
➑ Boutique Hotel Germania
➑ Sofitel Munich Bayerpost

Munich’s Christmas Markets

The 2 main and most magical markets are located at Marienplatz (main square) and Sendlinger Tor (gate – one of the entrances to the city center).

I recommend spending time at the Marienplatz – the markets here are beautiful, and the Town Hall is usually well-decorated, adding to the overall vibe.

Munich also has my second-favorite mug, after the winner, Nuremberg. I highly recommend collecting the mugs, I’ve collected so many as I’ve been visiting all the Christmas markets, and now I get to enjoy drinks from them at home – it always brings me back.

NOTE: You can also check out Wittelsbacherplatz with its market, where locals dress in medieval attire and sell different goods.

🍭 SPECIALTIES TO TRY: Bratwurst in a Semmel (grilled sausages), KΓ€sespΓ€tzle (cheese dumplings), Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), Schmalznudeln (fried dough pastries), get some Bavarian ceramics and embroidered textiles
πŸ“ LOCATION: Marienplatz, Sendlinger Tor
✨ MUNICH CHRISTMAS MARKETS DATES: 24th of November until the 24th of December 2025

German Christmas Market itinerary 7 days in Munich Christmas markets

DAY 7. MUNICH

Good morning to Munich. What did you think of the Christmas markets? Which ones were your favorite? Take some time today to explore the city. You could even make a day trip to the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle.

I’d say the main attraction of Munich is its amazing beer hall, HofbrΓ€uhaus. It’s the best place to experience Bavarian culture and feel the traditional Oktoberfest vibe.

People are dressed up in traditional clothes (dirndl and lederhose), drinking liters of beer, while a local band plays traditional music. It’s amazing – so definitely don’t miss it. You can have lunch or dinner here.

Another major thing to see in Munich is the BMW Museum – you can buy individual tickets with an audio guide or join a group tour. I recommend getting your tickets online in advance (it might be crowded).

Next to the museum is Olympia Parkmy favorite part of the city – a super beautiful, huge park to play sports and walk around.

Don’t miss the Glockenspiel – a little play at the Town Hall at Marienplatz (main square in Munich) that goes at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, or 5:00 pm.

Apart from these things, you could also check out:

πŸ“ Munich Residence – the main palace where the Bavarian royals used to live
πŸ“ Frauenkirche – iconic church, climb up to enjoy stunning views of the Alps
πŸ“ Main shopping street between Karlsplatz and Marienplatz

German Christmas Market itinerary 7 days in Munich things to do

Day Trip From Munich To Neuschwastein Castle

If you have some extra time, you could also visit the famous Disney castle in Bavaria called ‘Neuschwanstein Castle’ – can you pronounce it? πŸ˜€

It’s located at the foot of the Bavarian Alps, close to the charming town of FΓΌssen, almost at the border with Austria. It’s easy to take a train from Munich, or you can also join an organized day tour.

King Ludwig II of Bavaria commissioned the castle in 1869 – known as the β€˜Mad King’ – you’ll learn a lot about him and his life during the castle visit.

Unfortunately, he only lived there for 172 days and died just before it was completely finished.

When Walt Disney visited the castle, he loved it so much that it inspired the iconic Cinderella Castle at Disneyland.

The train ride from Munich to FΓΌssen takes about 2 hours, and then you’ll have to take a bus close to the castle for about 10 minutes.

NOTE: I highly recommend getting tickets online on their website in advance. Allow 30 minutes to walk from the bus stop up to the castle.

➑ Join this guided day trip from Munich to Neuschwastein Castle.

German Christmas Market itinerary 7 days Neuschwanstein castle

Practical Tips For Visiting German Christmas Markets

Visiting the Christmas markets requires some extra planning, and it’s good to be prepared and have important things in mind. Here are some things to keep in mind to ensure the most enjoyable experience.

Best Time To Visit German Christmas Markets

The best time to visit these markets is around mid-December – it’s closer to Christmas and everything feels even more Christmasy and festive. But most markets open in the last week or last few days of November and remain open until Christmas, so visit any time that works best for you.

It’s also nice to visit at the beginning, as some markets have the opening ceremony, like the one in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which adds to the experience.

Weather & Temperatures

The weather is usually quite cold and rainy, so keep your umbrella handy and pack warm jackets, gloves, and warm shoes. It rains quite often, but it doesn’t destroy the atmosphere.

The temperature range is from 5Β°C/41Β°F to 0Β°C/32Β°F. Sometimes it can reach 8-10Β°C/46-50Β°F during the day, then drop to around 0Β°C/32Β°F in the evening/night. But don’t worry – GlΓΌhwein will keep you warm.

Collecting Christmas Mugs

Did you know that you can take the Christmas mugs with you? As you buy GlΓΌhwein or any hot drink at the markets, they serve it in a traditional Christmas mug.

Each market has its own mug and they are super beautiful – it’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the entire Christmas markets in Europe.

They charge for the drink and a refundable fee for the mug – you can choose to return the mug and get the fee back (it’s usually around 5 euros). Or you can simply take the mug with you.

You can also go back to the stall and ask them to give you a clean mug.

I’ve collected mugs at every single market, and I’m so happy about my collection. It’s super fun, and the mugs can also be a nice present to bring back home. Look at my collection in the picture below:

European Christmas markets mugs

Have Cash With You

It’s a good idea to always have some cash in hand. Even though most markets and stalls accept cards these days, you’ll still come across some that only take cash.

And if you see something cute to take with you back home, you don’t want to leave it there just because you don’t have any cash. So always have some – whether for food, handicrafts, or local bathrooms.

How To Travel To The Markets: Get A Rail Pass Or Rent A Car

You can choose to make this itinerary by train or rent a car. If you feel like it’s too much hassle with the train, rent a car – it will be easier to visit the smaller markets on the way, like Rothenburg.

You can rent a car in Berlin and return it in Munich – you’ll have more flexibility and can always leave your luggage in the car if you want to do some exploring.

NOTE: I recommend choosing full coverage; that’s what I always do to have peace of mind while driving.

RENT A CAR FOR YOUR ITINERARY

Rent A Car Via Discover Carsbest prices and big selection of car rentals.
PRO TIP: Check ratings of the company you choose before booking (ratings can be off). Go on Google, see ratings of the car rental company, then book on Discover Cars.

Book Your Accommodation In Advance

You don’t have to worry much about accommodation – no stress. Even though it’s quite a busy season, all the cities you’ll be visiting on this itinerary are bigger, so there are many accommodation options. Even if you decide to plan in November, there will still be enough accommodation available.

But if you want to get good spots and hotels, I recommend starting to plan and book at least 2 months in advance.

BONUS: European Christmas Market Itinerary

If you want to visit the most beautiful Christmas markets in multiple countries with 1 itinerary, I’ve also designed a European Christmas market itinerary. It will take you to 5 countries and many different markets in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, and Belgium.

Check out the itinerary by clicking on the image below and hit all the best Christmas spots in Europe:

WRAP-UP: German Christmas Markets Itinerary 7 Days

These are the magical German Christmas markets and the highlights I recommend you visit. You’ll be part of the oldest and most charming markets, so get the most out of it, eat every single local specialty, and soak up the unique Christmasy vibe. It’s an experience of a lifetime and I love returning to different Christmas markets around Europe.

If you have any questions or need further travel tips, you can always contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I’ll be happy to help you. Also, I can design a customized travel itinerary based on your travel needs and interests, so let me know if you’d like one.

Happy Christmas Travels!

voices of travel about me profile photo

About the author: Nicoletta is a travel enthusiast and passionate language learner. While traveling, she loves to connect with locals using her language skills to learn about new cultures. Look for her skiing, hiking in the mountains, or exploring new destinations as she designs travel itineraries for her clients.

TRAVEL ITINERARIES: Interested in more travel itineraries?
Check out my Travel Itineraries Page.