If you wish to seize the magic of the vacations, it’s time to plan a visit to go to a few of Germany’s most charming Christmas Markets. Whereas the massive cities like Munich, Cologne, and Nuremberg get a number of consideration, it’s within the smaller cities and cities the place you’ll find the extra genuine German Christmas Market expertise. Fortunately, there are a lot of Christmas Markets close to Frankfurt that you would be able to go to in a day journey whereas utilizing town as your private home base.
With so many direct flights from all over the world, Frankfurt makes a really perfect hub for visiting Germany and exploring a few of the smaller markets within the Hesse area by taking day journeys by practice or automobile. This area is thought for villages lined with half-timbered homes that create a fairytale setting for a German Christmas expertise.
Every of those cities, Fulda, Seligenstadt, Marburg, Kassel, Rudescheim am Rhein, Trier and Heidelberg, provide a special Christmas Market expertise, ensuring you gained’t get bored or having it really feel too repetitive. There are additionally different issues to see and do in every city, making these spots a sensible choice for a full day journey or an in a single day go to.
Christmas Markets Close to Frankfurt
Editor’s Notice: Parts of my journey to Germany have been hosted by the German Nationwide Tourism Group, together with visits to Kassel, Marburg, Fulda, and Seligenstadt. This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. When you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
Needless to say the most effective time to go to the German Christmas Markets is in early December, as most markets run from late November up till Christmas Eve. Nonetheless, you will need to verify present dates and occasions earlier than you go.
Fulda
Of the 14 German Christmas Markets that I’ve visited, Fulda is one in all my very favorites. This small, under-the-radar metropolis is lower than an hour and a half from downtown Frankfurt by way of practice or automobile. Recognized for its baroque structure, Fulda dates again to the tenth century. While you’re on the town, you must also go to the Fulda Cathedral, which is the previous church of Fulda Abbey and the burial place of Saint Boniface. The within is vivid and lightweight, with a dome half the scale of St. Peter’s and plenty of stunning murals.
The Fulda Christmas Market is unfold throughout town with six completely different themed markets together with a winter forest, center age/medieval market, youngsters’s market, and a regional market that includes native makers and artisans. The Fulda market has an actual native really feel and wasn’t crowded, even on a weekend night, making it a real delight.
The Fulda Christmas Market (Weihnachts Markt Fulda) additionally has dwell leisure, with 90 completely different performers over the course of the market. Weekends function particular occasions for youngsters, along with the handful of kid-friendly rides. What I actually appreciated was the regional market that includes native artisans. Recognizing many small companies can’t employees a market on daily basis for weeks, they permit small begin ups to e book a stand for only a week, which suggests you’ll find completely different items every time you go.
This market additionally options native meals, together with a stand from a Michelin-star chef! You possibly can seize some grub and a glühwein and sit down on the grown-up carousel bar for a magical market expertise (particularly within the snow!)
One other favourite of mine was the center ages market, positioned in a courtyard off the principle sq.. It was darkish with colourful uplighting, making a fantasy-type surroundings. The centerpiece is a bar formed like a Viking ship, with meals and craft distributors throughout. The items on this market are straight out of a renaissance honest, with leather-based items and potions. I purchased some lovable sheepskin booties for the infants in my household.
Seligenstadt
The small city of Seligenstadt is positioned simply half-hour from central Frankfurt by automobile and about one hour by practice and bus. The medieval city heart dates again to the1500s. Fortunately, Seligenstadt was not broken through the warfare so you possibly can see stunning half-timbered buildings which can be 400 years outdated and tour the monastery that dates again to round 830 A.D.
This city of solely 22,000 residents doesn’t even have a Christmas market, however they do have an Creation Market that takes place through the first two weeks of Creation from late November till mid-December, when it’s then changed by a big Christmas tree within the city sq. close to the church. The market is small however enchanting, as 1000’s of lights adorn the buildings within the city heart and a small arts and crafts honest is ready up within the courtyard of the Abbey.
In 2023, the Seligenstadt Creation Market passed off from Thursday, November thirtieth to Sunday, December 17, 2023.
Along with the Creation Market, you possibly can go to the Seligenstadt Abbey, the place Benedictine monks lived for nearly 1,000 years. At the moment you possibly can tour the Abbey, with its spectacular rooms and delightful gardens. The Kloster Seligenstadt is open for guests till mid-December on Tuesday by way of Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with guided excursions at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and a pair of p.m. As an outdated mill city, the Abbey nonetheless maintains a bakery and you should buy a few of its scrumptious bread on the present store.
Whereas on the town, benefit from the native retailers and have lunch at Klosterstuben or get pleasure from native specialties on the market.
Marburg
The faculty city of Marburg is just a bit over an hour from central Frankfurt by public transportation. With over one-third of its inhabitants made up of college college students, this historic metropolis has a youthful vibe. Marburg additionally didn’t undergo from any destruction in World Struggle II, so you will see that loads of historic buildings, together with one of many first Gothic church buildings in Germany, the Elisabethkirche, which was constructed within the thirteenth century.
Based in 1527, Marburg College is one in all Germany’s oldest and has a prestigious historical past as the middle of Protestant Reformation theology. The city can also be a pharmaceutical hub and was house to Emil von Behring, who gained the Nobel Prize for his vaccine for tetanus and diphtheria.
On a whimsical be aware, the Brothers Grimm studied in Marburg from 1802 by way of 1805 and all through town you will see that tributes to the Brothers with sculptures representing a few of their fairytales. When you comply with the trail up the hill to Marburg Fort, you will notice many crooked, half-timbered houses that really feel like one thing from a fairytale, which at the moment are used for pupil housing. Though there isn’t a lot to see on the Fort, apart from a terrific view of town under, it’s definitely worth the climb to have lunch on the pretty restaurant Bückingsgarten.
On the town, the Marburg Christmas Market takes place across the historic Elisabeth Church, with market stalls that provide a various choice of items comparable to jewellery, winter equipment, ceramics, clay, and toys, in addition to native meals specialties. The Marburg market passed off from December 1 by way of 23, 2023. There’s one other small market in entrance of town corridor in Untermarkt.
Nonetheless, should you go to on the weekend throughout Creation, it’s price the additional effort to go to the Dagobertshäuser Christmas market, about quarter-hour outdoors of city. When you don’t have a automobile, there’s a shuttle bus that runs from the P+R automobile park Emil-von-Behring-Straße (Behringwerke) from 12 p.m. to six p.m. and drops off proper in entrance of the farm property the place the market is held.
Whereas fairly small, this market had the most effective meals choices of any that I visited and a big indoor, barn-like occasion area with communal picnic tables that additionally present shelter from the chilly and snow. The raclette that I had was glorious, together with essentially the most scrumptious churros (not very German however these have been higher than ones I’ve had in Spain!), and apple beignets (apfel-beignets). There’s an indoor craft market and the out of doors stands are lit by energy-saving LED lights to deal with the standard market’s transfer towards sustainability and create a romantic setting, particularly within the snow.
Simply remember that the Dagobertshäuser Christmas Market is simply open on weekends on Fridays and Saturdays throughout Creation from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Sundays and on December twenty third from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Kassel
Kassel is 2 and one-half hours from Frankfurt by automobile however just one and one-half hours utilizing public transportation. Because the third-largest metropolis in Hesse, Kassel has so much to supply by way of historical past and artwork, in addition to a vibrant Christmas Market.
Kassel is house to Grimmwelt, a contemporary and interactive museum celebrating the lives and legacies of the Brothers Grimm. The museum incorporates authentic manuscripts, vibrant illustrations, and immersive multimedia reveals that carry their iconic tales to life and supply a tribute to their literary legacy.
Excessive above town, the Wilhelmshöhe Palace homes the Outdated Masters Image Gallery with 500 European work from late Gothic to Classicism. The palace is ready amidst the expansive Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. After a go to you possibly can discover its manicured gardens, cascading waterfalls, and the Hercules monument, a symbolic landmark overlooking town.
Whereas there’s a lot to do within the metropolis, you’ll want to go away sufficient time to go to the Fairy Story Christmas Market in Kassel. This is a wonderful German Christmas Market to go to with youngsters as a result of each night at 4:30 and seven:00 p.m., Santa Claus and his reindeer fly by way of the sky close to Höhe GALERIA. This thrilling feat is carried out by the excessive ropes artists Falko Traber and his son Fernando.
The Kassel Christmas Market takes place between Königsplatz and Friedrichsplatz and the stalls are jam-packed with folks, particularly on the weekends, so go to midweek should you can. You will get above the fray on a experience on the massive Ferris wheel or take the children on the favored, luge-like fairytale slide.
The Kassel Market was open from November 27 to December 30, 2023 (besides December 24-Twenty sixth) from 11:00 a.m. to eight:00 p.m., with gastronomy stands till 10 p.m. (the place you possibly can style the European award-winning bratwurst.)
Rüdescheim am Rhein
Located on the Rhine River, the small wine village of Rüdescheim is a very talked-about spot for a day journey from Frankfurt, together with a port for a lot of Rhine river cruises. Image slender, cobblestone streets meandering previous half-timbered homes adorned in twinkling lights, with orderly rows of grapevines lining the hillside that rises up from the Rhine River. Simply over an hour by practice from Frankfurt, Rudescheim is a should if you’re searching for Christmas markets close to Frankfurt.
In comparison with Frankfurt, Rüdesheim’s Christmas Market is an intimate affair, brimming with festive attraction and native aptitude — and completely overflowing with vacationers. When you can, go early or possibly even keep in a single day to expertise this really lovable city with out the throngs. There’s additionally a big car parking zone on the outskirts of city should you resolve to drive. Both approach, this can be very walkable to see all of the sights of Rudescheim or you possibly can hop on the Niederwalddenkmal cable automobile to the hilltop past to go to the Niederwald Monument, an emblem of German unity sitting on stunning overlook above the city, river, and vineyards.
Begin off with a stroll by way of the crowded however quaint Drosselgasse, a slender lane with half-timbered buildings, retailers, and eating places. When you can keep after the market closes, this road empties out and you may see its true attraction.
The market is unfold all through city, however the coronary heart of the magic lies within the Marktplatz, the place a life-sized nativity scene unfolds and you will see that dwell leisure. The craft stands in Rüdescheim are a little bit of a disappointment, with extra imported or business items than you discover at some markets, however the meals and picturesque setting made up for it. Right here I had a scrumptious serving of käsespatzle (cheese spatzle) topped with crispy fried onions and heat Glühwein in an lovable memento mug (sure, I introduced mine house as an alternative of getting my deposit again.)
The Rüdescheimer Weihnachtsmarkt additionally has a babies’s market with rides and, once we visited, a show of huge rabbits and fluffy chickens, in entrance of the Siegfried’s Mechanical Museum and Brömserhof. The market is open from November twenty first to December 23, 2024, on Sunday by way of Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to eight:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
When you resolve to remain in a single day to see the city at its most peaceable, I’d advocate Breuer’s Rüdescheimer Schloss, which has a improbable location, charming rooms, a full restaurant, and even free parking (as soon as you discover it.)
Trier
Trier is a bit additional, about two and one-half hours from Frankfurt by bus or automobile, however it’s so particular it’s definitely worth the longer journey or an in a single day keep. I completely cherished my keep on the luxurious, boutique resort Romantik Lodge Zur Clock in Trier. It has an unbelievable location, stunning decor, included full breakfast, and it was fairly inexpensive.
Situated on the Moselle River close to the border with Luxembourg, Trier is Germany’s oldest metropolis. Based by the Romans in 17 BC, you possibly can nonetheless see remnants of that previous, together with the spectacular Porta Nigra, a Roman metropolis gate that dates again to the 2nd century. This wealthy historical past varieties the backdrop for a memorable Christmas expertise.
The Trier Christmas Market is unfold all through the Alstadt (Outdated City), with the full of life Hauptmarkt serving as the guts of Trier’s Christmas Market. Right here you will see that wood stalls brimming with a pleasant choice handcrafted ornaments and crafts, together with tempting treats and rides for youngsters.
The market extends to the sq. in entrance of the majestic Trier Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and the oldest church in Germany. From Hauptmarkt, comply with the twinkling lights down Fleischstrasse to Kornmarkt, the place you will see that extra meals stalls and a small ice rink below the lights.
The town heart has stunning structure and spacious squares that enable the market to unfold out and never really feel cramped, offering ample alternative to mingle with locals and absolutely benefit from the Christmas Market expertise. Its authenticity made this market actually stand out as one in all my favorites. The Trier Christmas Market ran from November 24 by way of December 22, 2023.
Heidelberg
Situated simply an hour south of Frankfurt by automobile (1.5 hours by public transportation), Heidelberg is great day journey from Frankfurt. A college city positioned on the banks of the Neckar River, this charming metropolis is a well-liked Christmas Market vacation spot. The Heidelberg Fort looms over the picturesque Outdated City. When you don’t wish to climb up, you possibly can experience a funicular to the Fort, or buy a ticket to the highest of the hill for a fair broader view.
On the fortress you possibly can discover the gardens and the courtyard, in addition to take within the sweeping views from the towers. To go inside, you will have to buy a ticket and be part of a guided tour to see Pharmacy Museum and the Fasskeller, an enormous barrel cellar that when housed the well-known Heidelberg Tun, an enormous wood barrel that might maintain over 220,000 liters of wine.
The Heidelberg Christmas Market is positioned throughout a number of squares, together with the Karlsplatz, the place you will see that a small ice rink below the fortress’s shadow (and essentially the most scrumptious spritzkullen/ cruller donuts I’ve ever tasted!) The Heidelberg Christmas Market runs from November 25 to December 22, 2024.
Within the Marktplatz, you will see that tables tucked into wine barrels for a comfortable and distinctive spot to get pleasure from your glühwein. Regardless of the city’s reputation, the markets didn’t really feel overcrowded, not less than not midweek, and so they supplied a mixture of craft and meals stalls, together with some vegetarian choices. It’s a pretty city with buying, stunning structure, and historic sights.
If you wish to escape the chilly, I’d extremely advocate a meal at Weinstube Schnitzelbank. This historic restaurant is as genuine as you may get and serves up a tremendous schnitzel. It’s in style so attempt to get a reservation or go early.
For those who wish to keep on the town, the Villa Marstall is a comfortable inn within the Outdated City with small however charming rooms in a terrific location at an inexpensive value that features breakfast.
Frankfurt Christmas Markets
In case you are staying in Frankfurt, be certain that to depart not less than a full day to discover the numerous Christmas Markets unfold all through town heart. When you take the U-Bahn to Hauptwache, you possibly can simply stroll to all the principle markets in Römerberg, St Paul’s Sq., Foremost Quay, Hauptwache, and Friedrich Stoltze Sq..
In Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz, you will see that the Pink Christmas Market to have fun the area’s LGBTQ+ group, that includes meals and beverage stands which can be welcoming to all. The distinct pink lighting and decor make this small market fairly distinctive.
The Robmarkt close to the Zeil buying promenade has a big Ferris wheel and towering Christmas pyramid, making it a spacious spot to get pleasure from meals and drinks with pals. Certainly one of my favourite areas is Römerberg, close to the city corridor, which contains a towering Christmas tree, a two-story carousel, and loads of foods and drinks stalls. Comply with this right down to the river and the Quay Market for some scrumptious potato pancakes on the Kaiser Kartofelpuffer stand.
Save this to Pinterest
Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising and marketing govt and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged knowledgeable in household journey, named the Media Member of the 12 months for 2023 by the Household Journey Affiliation. Tamara is a member of SATW, the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and the Household Journey Affiliation. She can also be the writer of YourTimetoFly and the co-host of the Trip Professionals journey podcast.
