Many of the best german christmas markets are well connected by train — an open invitation to shape your own festive itinerary across the country where the Christmas market tradition began. It’s an invitation for travellers to shape their own festive itineraries in the country where the tradition began. With thousands of Advent celebrations bringing festive sparkle across the country, it’s a rewarding time to explore Germany by train.
Building a multi-destination tour around high-speed intercity trains and an expansive regional rail network gives travellers the flexibility to explore at leisure. Icons like the world’s first Christmas market in Dresden can be comfortably combined with festive journeys through Bavaria, along the Rhine, and north to Berlin and the Atlantic coast.
With countless directions to travel and soak up seasonal goodwill across Germany, here is our pick of the best German Christmas markets to visit by train.
What Makes the Best German Christmas Markets Stand Out
Christmas markets have been illuminating cities across Europe for centuries. But nowhere does it quite like Germany, the model for celebrations across the continent.
When Dresden upgraded their annual winter market into the world’s first true Christmas market in 1434, a global phenomenon was born. Today, many German traditions define Christmas markets across Europe.
The best German Christmas markets distil everything that makes this annual celebration so beloved.
The backdrop is everything. Germany’s most celebrated Christmas markets fill picturesque public squares in charismatic cities. Unfolding in old towns and overlooked by landmark buildings, they add layers to Germany’s most compelling cities.
History and tradition enrich the experience. Germany’s biggest Christmas market in Nuremberg is where some of the most lasting traditions began, from the emblematic Christmas pyramid to gingerbread treats.
Food and drink are the soul of Germany’s Christmas markets. Gluhwein (mulled wine), fiery feuerzangenbowle, grilled bratwurst, roasted chestnuts, and other familiar delights are found everywhere. Tour around Germany by train, and you’ll discover culinary contrasts.
The contrasts extend to the handicrafts and gifts that fill the stalls and to activity programs. Ice skating rinks, Christmas parades, nativity scenes in mediaeval churches and cathedrals, Ferris wheels and much more add colour and variety when touring between the best German Christmas markets.
Top 10 Best German Christmas markets for rail itineraries
The best german christmas markets dot Germany’s rail map, making it easy to thread several into a single festive itinerary. Several cities featured below appear on our pre-crafted rail tours, combining first-class journeys with premium hotels.Combining first-class journeys with premium hotels, these tours show how rail travel unlocks luxurious journeys across the country.
The flexibility of rail travel allows our travel specialists to tailor every itinerary, with these 10 cities among the most irresistible destinations to weave into a unique Christmas adventure.
Nuremberg Christmas market
Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is Germany’s best-known Christmas market.
Nearly 200 stalls bring festive cheer to Nuremberg’s market square. They bring something else, too: crafts and traditions that inspired and influenced Christmas markets across Germany and later the world.
The iconic Christmas pyramid first appeared in Nuremberg, a custom imported from the nearby Ore Mountains. Christmas nutcracker figurines, a toy first sold in the 17th century, are another local creation that went national.
The sizzling delights of Nuremberg bratwurst and spiced Nuremberg lebkuchen (gingerbread) enhance Nuremberg’s claim as the crucible of German Christmas market traditions.
The most famous Christmas market in Germany is easily one of its most spectacular. A star destination on our ultimate Christmas market itinerary, there’s nowhere better to immerse yourself in centuries-old traditions.
Dresden Christmas market
Dresden has a special place in history as the home of the first Christmas market. In 1434, the annual winter market became the Striezelmarkt, and a phenomenon was born.
Named after an early type of stollen bread, streizel, the trailblazing Dresden Christmas market has grown into one of the biggest and best German Christmas markets. Around 240 stalls take over Dresden’s old market square to welcome millions of visitors annually.
Big and spectacular, Dresden is home to both Germany’s tallest Christmas pyramid and the world’s largest candle arch. It is also the place to stock up on stollen, the fruited, marzipan bread first sold at the market that evolved into a Yuletide staple.
Located in Saxony with excellent rail connections, this authentic festive icon readily fits into cross-country itineraries.
Munich Christmas market
Bavarian culture meets Advent traditions on the atmospheric streets of Munich’s walkable old town.
Overlooked by the fabled Glockenspiel tower in the striking town hall, the main Munich Christmas market transforms one of Germany’s most absorbing city centres. Across the city, smaller events pop up, including a Christmas village at the sumptuous Residenz royal palace.
Museums, palaces, and Germany’s oldest bierkeller invite festive wayfarers to drop anchor in Munich whatever the season. Excellent rail connections into Germany and across borders into Switzerland and Austria, like on our Alpine tour through all three countries, add to the appeal of pivoting German Christmas market tours around the Bavarian capital.
Heidelberg Christmas market
Picturesque Heidelberg on the Neckar River hosts Christmas markets across five squares in its enchanting old town.
Backdropped by the clifftop castle looming over this historic university town, it’s one of the smaller contenders for the best German Christmas market.
At the centre of it all stands a giant wine barrel, a reference to the Great Heidelberg Tun in the castle cellars, the world’s largest wine barrel. An ice rink beneath the castle adds to the energy of around 140 stalls pouring out gluhwein and good cheer in equal measure.
Pretty and uncrowded, Heidelberg’s Christmas market makes an enticing stop on an itinerary linking Munich in the south with Stuttgart and Esslingen.
Cologne Christmas market
The main Cologne Christmas market sits in the shadow of an immense Gothic cathedral that took centuries to complete. Chalets with distinctive red roofs wrap around a soaring Christmas tree, making it one of Germany’s most recognisable Christmas markets.
Within walking distance, smaller markets with individual themes add to the festive milieu. It’s a lively affair in a city rich in culture and history, earning Cologne recognition as one of the best German Christmas markets to visit more than once.
Stuttgart Christmas market
Bustling Stuttgart hosts one of the biggest German Christmas markets. The park-filled city, famed for car manufacturing, makes room for around 200 stalls, a miniature railway, and an ice rink on its central square.
The first Stuttgart Christmas market was in 1692. And while the city has grown beyond recognition, Advent festivities still spread out from the old castle across the historic centre, retaining an old-time charm that beguiles millions of festive visitors.
Excellent rail connections add to the appeal of adding Stuttgart to a Christmas market rail itinerary.
Esslingen Christmas market
While many of the best German Christmas markets light up medieval old towns, the Esslingen Christmas market takes it to another level with medieval-themed celebrations.
Expect to see stallholders dressed for the era and artisans working as they did centuries ago. The backdrop is a carefully preserved medieval village of timbered houses, and you can sample foods that were almost forgotten.
With acrobats, jugglers, and entertainers lifted straight from a mediaeval fairytale, you can taste life as it was at one of the most curious yet prettiest Christmas markets in Germany.
Esslingen is a short train ride from Stuttgart, making it easy to pair two of the best German Christmas markets on a short stopover.
Aachen Christmas market
Aachen is an attractive destination for all seasons. The historic spa town with one of Europe’s oldest cathedrals is also a stunning location for festive revelry.
The Aachen Christmas market is the big draw during the Advent countdown. While smaller than some (around 120 stalls), Aachen is undoubtedly one of the most charismatic German Christmas markets. And less than an hour by train from the lively Cologne Christmas markets.
Berlin Christmas markets
Berlin might not offer the spectacle and historic traditions to match the best German Christmas markets. But the appeal of the German capital in the holiday season is that you can visit multiple festive gatherings across the richly layered city. A chance to enjoy cultural escapades sprinkled with Yuletide traditions from across the country.
Berlin’s Christmas markets include small neighbourhood celebrations you might stumble upon, artisanal fairs, and light shows in parks. Highlights include the Christmas village around the city hall, complete with fun fair and ice skating rink, and the artisan-filled Christmas market on Gendarmenmarkt, a handsome square overlooked by the Berlin concert hall.
Frankfurt Christmas market
Last, but not least, our pick of the best Christmas markets takes us to Frankfurt. Goethe’s birthplace and a major financial hub benefits from rail connections that criss-cross Germany and a busy international airport, making it a practical destination for a festive itinerary.
The Frankfurt Christmas market is huge. Around 230 stalls fill the mediaeval city centre and an immense Christmas tree on the Römerberg public square. An appetite is essential, especially if you acquire a taste for the local speciality, Bethmännchen, a marzipan and almond pastry sold all over Frankfurt at Christmas.
Suggested Rail Routes Between the Best German Christmas Markets
Germany’s expansive rail network is ideal for threading together the best german christmas markets into one seamless vacation. Frequent departures, first-class carriages, and city-centre stations make travelling between markets comfortable and efficient. Frequent departures, first-class carriages, and city centre stations increase the ease of travelling around Germany at Christmas.
Comfortable and efficient, trains let you craft Advent adventures that adapt to your timetable and travel aspirations.
Our Germany Christmas markets by train guide and our German Christmas market tour illustrate the potential on an unhurried 8-night journey from Munich to Cologne via Nuremberg.
Major cities like Berlin, Cologne, and Stuttgart can efficiently pivot itineraries across Germany. Half-day journeys on high-speed trains offer a world of options to experience the contrasts in different corners of the country.
Regional trains complete the picture, offering short hops to small yet enchanting German Christmas markets.
Discover the best German Christmas markets with Rail Escape
Our ultimate guide to exploring Christmas markets by train highlights some of our most exciting pre-crafted tours through Germany and across Europe.
With countless possibilities to write your own Christmas market story in Germany, we tailor our travel packages to your travel needs.
Carefully planned itineraries, superior hotels chosen for easy access to Christmas markets and train stations, and first-class seats on the fastest trains add to the wonder of exploring Germany during the season of goodwill.
Ask our travel specialists for a personalised itinerary around the best German Christmas markets for an unhurried immersion in timeless traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best German Christmas Markets
What is the best German Christmas market to visit?
Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is widely considered the best German Christmas market, famous for its centuries-old traditions, iconic Christmas pyramid, and Nuremberg bratwurst and lebkuchen. Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, the world’s first Christmas market, is a close second for history lovers, while Cologne’s market beneath the Gothic cathedral is one of Germany’s most photogenic.
How do I visit multiple German Christmas markets by train?
Germany’s high-speed rail network makes it straightforward to visit several of the best German Christmas markets on a single trip. Popular routes link Munich, Nuremberg, and Cologne, or combine Dresden and Berlin in the east. Rail Escape designs multi-city itineraries with first-class tickets and premium hotels at each stop.
When do German Christmas markets open?
Most of the best German Christmas markets open in late November, and run until Christmas Eve. Nuremberg and Dresden both open in late November and are among the most popular, so early booking is strongly recommended for peak weekends in December.
