With over 35 years of experience in the travel industry, ChristmasMarkettours.com is your expert guide for making the most of your visit to the magical German Christmas markets. As veteran travelers, we understand these festive markets can seem overwhelming to first-time visitors. Allow us to provide our insider tips and Expert advice for visiting German Christmas markets so you can fully immerse yourself in this beloved holiday tradition's sights, sounds, scents, and tastes.

German Christmas markets can be rather overwhelming. This is especially true for those who are visiting one of them for the first time.

Know Which Market Will Be Best For You

Our first key recommendation is to carefully research which markets will provide the experience you desire, as no two are exactly alike. The historic Nurnberg Christkindlesmarkt transports you back in time with its vintage ambiance and plethora of artisan stalls, while Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt dazzles with its postcard-worthy locale and lively entertainment like jugglers and fire eaters. It has a vintage feel and there are plenty of stalls to check out. For a more unique market, the Berlin Gendarmenmarkt attracts around 800,000 visitors to the historic setting. The Christmas market "Weihnachtszauber" on Gendarmenmarkt is known and loved for its wide range of artistic offerings. A large tent serves as a demonstration space for craftspeople - here, wood carvers, comb makers and tailors show their skills to visitors.

Best time to visit German Christmas markets

German Christmas markets can be very crowded. Additionally, smart timing is crucial for avoiding crowds on busier weekends. We suggest weekday daytime visits for relaxed browsing or early evenings after 4 PM to witness the markets illuminated in all their splendor, bustling with visitors and brimming with seasonal cheer. Weeknights can also be ideal for a more intimate experience.The weekends are the busiest at almost any time of day. During the week, there tends to be fewer crowds during the day. However, if you don't mind the crowds and you really want to feel the magic of the markets, visit in the evening. After 4 p.m. (when it gets dark outside in Germany during the winter), the markets are buzzing with activity and are all lit up.

Traditional foods at German Christmas markets

Now, on to the highlight for many travelers - the mouthwatering food and drink! Indulge in time-honored treats like hot spiced wine, artfully spiked eggnog called eierpunsch, rich hot chocolate, hearty Bratwurst sausages, and warm cinnamon-dusted fried dough. Even if you've had eggnog before, chances are it doesn't taste like this stuff. The hot punch (kinderpunsch) and hot chocolate (heisse schokolade) are also great options that will help you warm up. For an authentic taste, don't leave without sampling aromatic roasted chestnuts fresh from the fire. For a traditional treat, try the cinnamon flavored fried doughnut called an apfelkuchen. Also, don't leave the market without picking up roasted chestnuts. It's best to purchase them when they are warm and fresh. When you are visiting a German Christmas market, now is not the time to be health conscious. Indulge quite a bit. After all, how many times in your life will you get to visit a Christmas market?

Must Have Goods To Purchase

Finally, these markets overflow with quality handmade wares perfect as gifts or keepsakes. You will find that there are all sorts of things that are being sold at the stalls. Focus your shopping efforts on nutcrackers, wooden toys, glass ornaments, and any item from local artisans to capture the essence of this beloved German tradition. Pretty much anything that is handcrafted is worth buying. Just remember that these items can be pricey so make sure you have plenty of euros.

Let Atlas Tours' decades of expertise guide you on the Christmas market adventure of your dreams! Our cultured travel advisors can't wait to start planning your magical winter getaway.