Where are the best German Christmas markets?

Planning a trip with LeShuttle to one of the many German Christmas markets is the perfect way to spend times with the ones you love and to experience the festive atmosphere first-hand. 

While you’re there, why not make the most of your visit? Click here to find your perfect German Christmas market and see what’s on during your stay.

Where are the best Christmas markets in Germany, and why?

Here's our at a glance guide to the greatest seasonal shopping in Germany:

Why visiting German Christmas markets is a must this festive season

Throughout the Christmas period, Europe is filled with beautiful festive markets, but one stand out has to be those in Germany which have still retained their authentic charm. Germany still celebrates ‘Weinachten’(‘holy nights’) in a very traditional way, and there is something about the fairytale feel of some German cities that adds to the seasonal atmosphere. 

Offering handcrafted quality gifts and adding a bit of magic to your shopping expeditions, let LeShuttle introduce you to some of the top festive markets in Germany.

What are the best Christmas markets in Germany? 

With so many magical Christmas markets across Germany, it’s hard to pick the best! But here are some top picks for families, festive foodies and seasonal shoppers.

• Families: With its very own children’s Christmas market – Kinderweihnacht – Nuremberg Christmas market stands out as one of the best German Christmas markets for families. Little ones can enjoy the two-tiered merry-go-round, mini-Ferris wheel, steam railway, and a variety of events and hands-on activities at this magical wonderland.
• Festive foodies: The Nuremberg Christmas market tops the list again and how couldn’t it? As the founding home of the Lebkuchen gingerbread and with a variety of traditional German foods available, this market will not only fill your belly but have you coming back for seconds and thirds!
• Seasonal shoppers: You’ll find near 300 stalls at the Stuttgart Christmas market. So, whether you’ll looking for handmade ornaments, whimsical toys or unique gifts, you’re bound to discover a treasure trove of festive finds.

Make sure you try the delicious gingerbread at Nuremberg Christmas market

Driving to German Christmas markets from Calais

How long does it take to drive to Germany from the UK? Obviously it depends where your journey starts in the UK, but you’d be surprised by how close some of these German cities are from the LeShuttle terminal in Calais.

Cologne Christmas market

Door to door, from Calais to Cologne, the journey will take between 4½ and 5 hours. Cologne hosts several Christmas markets, with one of the most famous the Cathedral Market. 

Held in the city centre surrounding an enormous Christmas tree with the cathedral forming a magnificent backdrop, the Weihnachtsmarkt am Dom has a maze of stores selling traditional fare.

Another must visit market in Cologne is The House Elves’ Winter Fairytale Christmas Market, which pays tribute to the local legend of the Heinzelmännchen. Again, the market is filled with stalls all split into tiny alleys which are great to wander through, glühwein in hand and admire all the extra details.

Nuremberg Christmas market

Around 8 and a half hours from Calais, the Nuremberg Christmas Market is still rooted in tradition. Must try eats include the gingerbread and Nuremberg grilled sausages, both of which are on offer throughout the market. There’s also the opportunity to try Blueberry Glühwein, a twist on the original cold weather drink which is popular with tourists and locals alike. Another tradition which you can take home with you is the Prune men. Supposedly invented by a wiredrawer who wanted the perfect gift for his children, Prune men are sold throughout the Nuremberg Market and make a great memento or present.

The Berlin Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace

Step back and revisit Christmas past at the Charlottenburg market

Decorated by colourful lights, Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin transports visitors back to Christmas past, with its famous market. 

When you arrive at the palace, you’ll be greeted by the music performed by the Charlottenburg Christmas market orchestra. In the Charlottenburg Palace and the palace park, you’ll be able to enjoy guided tours which feature the Christmas traditions of former palace inhabitants. Carousels and glimpses of Santa Claus roaming the streets are more than enough to make children’s eyes sparkle in delight. The market also puts on a special programme for children which includes a handicrafts tent where you can make your own Christmas presents.

Munich Christmas market

In the heart of the city, the Munich Christkindlmarkt is around 10 hours from Calais. On the square in front of the neo-gothic Marienplatz, the market spills out onto the surrounding streets. Just keep following the smell of the Bavarian treats wafting through the air and you won’t get lost.

A short walk from the Marienplatz, the Kripperlmarkt - the market of the holy manger- is one of Germany’s largest markets dedicated to nativity scenes. You will find a heavenly assortment of handcrafted angels, wise men and stables in the charming stalls outside St Peter’s church.

Düsseldorf Christmas market

Düsseldorf is just four hours and 30 minutes from Calais. What makes the Christmas market at Düsseldorf special is that it is held in seven individual locations throughout the city.

You can browse for handmade gifts at the little festive huts outside the town hall or go for a free skate on the huge open-air ice rink at Gustaf-Gründgens-Platz. Schadowplatz is perfect for family fun with a merry-go-round and super-sized Santa Claus hats. Other highlights include the promenade along the Königsallee with big chestnut trees decorated in thousands of little lights, while Engelchenmarkt is the place to go for the hearty taste and smells of traditional German food.

Trier Christmas market

Taking just over 5 hours, the drive from Calais to Trier takes you past some of the best Christmas markets and shopping opportunities France has to offer, giving you the chance to take in as much of the seasonal magic as possible. Trier is one of the gems of the Moselle valley, and showcases the best of the region’s food and wine.

Trier was awarded the title of ‘Best Christmas Market in Germany' in 2021, and the award was well deserved. The main market is set in front of Trier Cathedral, and comprises of 95 booths, offering hand-crafted decorations and regional specialities including ‘hot mulled Viez’ (apple wine).

Stuttgart Christmas market

Not only is Stuttgart one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets, dating back to at least 1692, but its size and beauty make the 7 hour and 26-minute drive from Calais well worth the journey.

From late November, Stuttgart's Rathaus (town hall) is transformed into a giant advent calendar, which reveals one picture each day in the run-up to Christmas. The decorations are extended to the stalls, all of which have individually designed rooftops.

Unlike other German Christmas markets, Stuttgart’s Karlsplatz also boasts a Finnish market, complete with a Christmas village, wooden stalls selling Glögi (Finnish mulled wine), and Flammlachs (salmon cooked over a fire). 

Rüdesheim Christmas market

Rüdesheim may be a lesser known Christmas market, but it’s one of Germany’s hidden gems. 

Rüdesheim combines all the highlights from a traditional German Christmas market with the natural beauty of the Rhine Valley. The journey from Calais will take just under 6 hours, and when you arrive, you’ll be treated to streets decorated with intricate light displays and numerous stalls selling all manner of baked goods, hot wine and brandy punch to help keep out the cold. Make sure you visit the ‘Drosselgasse’, which is lined with restaurants, shops, and bars, and is filled with traditional Rhineland music. 

The medieval market in Siegburg

If you're looking for an alternative Christmas, then you should visit the medieval market in Siegburg. Just outside of Bonn, the drive from Calais takes around five hours.

On the first day of advent, the city takes a journey back in time with a festive medieval spectacle. Vendors dressed in period costumes, jugglers and medieval artisans put up their tents and showcase their skills and wares. You'll be able to buy crafty gifts for your loved ones including baskets, clothing and wooden toys. The absence of electricity and artificial light adds to the dim medieval glow.

Leipzig Christmas market

Dating back to 1458, the Leipzig Christmas market is filled with more than 250 stalls. Although the drive from Calais takes over 9 hours, Leipzig is one of the best Christmas markets in Germany and it’s easy to see why. 

The market itself is divided into six regions, which you can stroll through, mulled wine in hand. The main square hosts a trombone concert, and visits from Santa Claus are also a regular occurrence. The Erzgebirge pyramid at the Nikolaikirchhof square is a supersized example of a German Christmas pyramid – a wooden decoration that tapers towards a fan propelled by rising air and heat from candles. While in Leipzig at Christmas make sure you enjoy a round of Feuerzangenbowle, a classic German fire punch.

Würzburg Christmas market

With stalls stocking everything from gingerbread to handmade jewellery and Franconian Christmas cookies, Würzburg is another fantastically traditional Christmas market for you to visit. The drive from Calais takes around 7 ½ hours, giving you plenty of time to enjoy all your favourite Christmas tunes in the car. 

When you arrive, you’ll be able to explore Würzburg's Old Town where the market is held. The Gothic Chapel of St Mary and its Baroque architecture provides the perfect background for lots of festive photos, and the traditional Glühwein stalls do a roaring trade as you explore the paintings, porcelain and jewellery of the artisan craft market.

Aachen Christmas market

Slightly nearer than some other German Christmas markets, the journey to Aachen should take just under 4 hours from Calais. 

The market opens about four weeks before December 25th, when the squares and streets around the Cathedral and Town Hall are bathed in festive lights and transformed into a winter wonderland. 

The Aachen market is especially popular with locals, who will often meet family and friends during their lunch breaks in the weeks leading up to Christmas to make the most of the atmosphere.

Dresden Christmas market

Eclipsing even Leipzig for history, the Striezelmarkt Christmas Market in Dresden is documented to date back to 1434. The current market is a 10 hour and 25 minute drive from Calais, but the journey does take you past places like Düsseldorf and Leipzig, so you can always break your trip up and visit their Christmas markets along the way. 

The Dresden Christmas market is housed in the Altmarkt, the city’s oldest square, and embraces visitors in an enchanting atmosphere. Along with wooden stalls, you’ll be able to enjoy fairy tale style elf cottages, a puppet theatre and Santa Claus’ house.

Start your festive trip with LeShuttle

Step back in time and give the whole family a Christmas to remember this year with a trip to Germany and its magical Christmas markets. 

Book your festive trip now with LeShuttle