I just love the December month, not because of the cold and rain, which will occasionally turn into snow when we’re lucky, but because of the twinkling lights and cozy weeks around Christmas with all the authentic Christmas Markets, especially in Germany.
These markets are my favourite aspect of winter, while in my homeland unfortunately the offering is limited. But I love a good road trip to explore the best Christmas Markets abroad and Germany does them like no other!
Last week I explored 10 Christmas Markets and activities with my photographer friend Remke Vet, in the Franconia region of Southern Germany.
Of course with lots of sightseeing and tasting of the culinary delights of this season as well:)
10 authentic & less crowded Christmas Markets Germany
In winter Germany becomes a magical wonderland, with a big offering of Christmas Markets in almost every city, town and village, although the ones in the bigger cities can get quite crowded.
That’s why in this blog, I’ll take you on a journey through Franconia’s enchanting and more authentic Christmas Markets which are a little less crowded, especially during the week.
For this we focused on the iconic city Nuremberg and the charming university town of Erlangen.
Nuremberg: the heart of Christmas
This historic gem in Bavaria's Franconia region, first won my heart during a summer trip 2 years ago. You can read more about that in this blog.
Returning to Nuremberg to experience its world-famous Christmas Markets this year was pure delight which I'm happy to share with you through many of our own pictures, with everything you need to know for your own visit.
Christkindlesmarkt: an iconic German tradition
This Christmas Market in Nuremberg is one of the oldest and most celebrated in the world. Opens every year on the Friday before the first advent until December 24, and transforms the Hauptmarkt into a festive place of quaint red and white striped wooden stalls filled with handmade decorations, unique gifts, and delicious local treats.
Delicacies that should not be misssed here:
Nuremberg sausages: Grilled to perfection on a wood-fire grill, these are a must-try on a bun, paired with sauce of your own choice.
Hot mulled wine: always a must this time of year to warm up and extra nice here, with the many local variations to taste. At the Christkindlesmarkt it's a tradition to serve warmed wine in cute ceramic mugs since 1989, with a new design each year, that makes them a popular souvenir.
Lebkuchen: Traditional Nuremberger gingerbread almond cookies, which are supposed to be healthy;) too and are so delicious! We even got to bake them ourselves during a workshop at the stall of Lebkuchen-Schmidt.
More Christmas Markets Nuremberg
Although I really liked the set up of the Christkindlesmarkt with wide alleys between the stalls, it is very popular and therefore can get quite crowded, especially in the weekends. But luckily the city has several other markets to offer for even more unique experiences:
Market of the Sister Cities
Just north of the Hauptmarkt, this market brings a global twist with delicacies and crafts from Nuremberg’s sister cities worldwide. Open until December 23.
Kinderweihnacht (Children’s Christmas Market)
Located just before the Hauptmarkt, this market offers fun rides and activities for kids. Open until December 30 but do note it’s closed on December 25.
Find out more about both on: Christkindlesmarkt-Nuremberg.
Winterdorf (Winter Village)
Located on Jakobsplatz, this cozy market features treats, crafts, and a panoramic Ferris Wheel ride (Winterrad). Open from November 15 to January 6, but closed on December 25, December 31, and January 1.
Good to know:
Ferris Wheel Ticket prices are: €6 (adults) and €4 (children)
All gondolas are wheelchair-accessible
More details on their website: Winterdorf-Nuernberg
Goho Hoho
A smaller, beautifully decorated market in the Gostenhof neighborhood, featuring a curling track. Open on Tuesday - Sunday from November 14 to December 23, with varying hours depending on the day. Easy to reach by U-Bahn from the Central Station in just 4 stops.
Find out more on: Goho Hoho
Nuremberg’s Christmas stagecoach ride
For something truly unique, until December 23rd you can add a touch of nostalgia to your visit of Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt with a 10-minute ride in a historic stagecoach. This will take you through one of the city’s most charming and historic neighborhoods, offering a unique perspective of the city, now even more atmospheric with all the twinkling lights.
Operated by the Museum for Communication, 2 beautifully restored coaches bring history to life as they transport visitors in style. The stagecoaches are pulled by Rheinland Heavy Draft horses, specially selected for their strength and calm temperament.
Only horses experienced in parades and large crowds are chosen for this. Several horses rotate in 3-4-hour shifts, and when resting, they are kept warm with blankets.
Good to know:
Tickets cost €6 per person
Can be bought online or directly from the coachman at the station in front of the museum
Operates between 2 - 7 pm.
Sightseeing Nuremberg
Beyond the Christmas Markets this time of year, Nuremberg offers many more attractions:
Imperial Castle: A historic fortress with stunning views.
Pedestrian Zone: The largest and oldest in Europe, perfect for shopping and strolling.
Many quaint neighborhoods and photogenic spots throughout the city.
Stay tuned for my next blog, where I’ll dive deeper into these with even more Nuremberg sightseeing, restaurant, and accommodation tips.
Erlangen: A quaint town full of history & winter magic
Just a 20-minute drive from Nuremberg we also found Erlangen, a charming university city that offers a more quaint Christmas experience with a small town vibe. Located just 2,5 hours from Frankfurt in the Franconia region of Bavaria, it’s a destination with much history and festive cheer.
The city has many historic sites, with a castle, palace, an important historic role in beer brewing and no less than 3 Christmas markets with different themes, with even an ice-rink, divided over 3 squares.
Christmas Markets Erlangen
Schlossplatz Christmas Market
From November 25 - December 24, the main square hosts an extensive market, also known as the Waldweihnachtsmarkt, filled with fir trees and cute wooden stalls full of authentic gifts, local delicacies, and the best glühwein at the Waldhütte.
Live music performances are held here in the weekends.
Historic Christmas Market
Held at Neustädter Kirchenplatz from November 25 - December 23, this market is known for its vibrant atmosphere and traditional crafts, hosting Medieval shows as well.
Aldstädter Christmas Market
Located on the Old City Square, this market opens on November 25 and features live music performances every weekend until December 24.
Rudolph’s Weihnachts Express
A cute mini train for kids, operating at Hugenottenplatz from November 25 - December 23.
Erlangen like on Ice
The city’s ice rink on the main square, open from November 22 - January 12.
Find even more info about all these Christmas Markets on: Visit Erlangen.
Sightseeing Erlangen
Besides the Christmas Markets in winter Erlangen is an interesting city that still kept it's small town vibe, with much easy to reach on foot.
There's a university housed in the old castle, a lovely market square, many shopping streets and quaint shops to discover.
And the Schlossgarten with historic fountain, Orangerie and Botanical Gardens with several green houses, is lovely too, and all are free to visit.
More about that in my next blog!
Plan your visit to Franconia - Germany
Southern Germany’s Franconia region offers a unique combination of history, culture, and festive charm, from Nuremberg’s iconic Christkindlesmarkt to Erlangen’s cozy celebrations. These towns have much to offer but are more quaint and less busy than the bigger cities of this region and Germany, such as Munich.
For your own trip planning and more info, you can check their own websites:
Find even more inspiration on this Germany page of my website, with several other blogs based on my own personal experiences and honest opinion of trips throughout Germany, of course with even more pictures too.
And stay tuned for my next blog, where I’ll share more sightseeing tips, restaurant recommendations, and hotel reviews, as an addition to these 10 authentic Christmas Markets, to help you plan your own perfect winter getaway to these lesser-known towns in Franconia - Germany.
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