German Christmas Market
If you’re longing for Christmas the way it used to be then you simply have to head for a traditional German Christmas Markets. There’s no better way to get you in the mood for the festive season and snap up a few bargains.
Some of the best German Christmas Markets include…
Heidleberg
Heidelberg is a pretty city on the banks of the winding Neckar River and features many attractive baroque-style red-roofed structures.
This lovely city is steeped in tradition. The centre of Heidelberg is dominated by the imposing, elevated castle ruins, known locally as the ‘Schloss’. With impressive Gothic-Renaissance remains and an historic castle courtyard, Heidelberg Castle is a great way to begin your sightseeing. It can be reached by a scenic funicular railway, providing superb views of the city from the top.
Heidelberg is home to the prestigious Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg which is the most historic university in the whole of Germany, dating back to the late 14th century.
The Heidelberg region offered favourable conditions for the human species from prehistoric times: One of the first traces of ancient man is a 600,000 year old jaw-bone of the “Homo Heidelbergensis”, which was found at the city´s outskirts in 1907. A copy of the jaw is on display at the Museum of the Palatinate.
Find Heidelberg Christmas Market Holidays
Visit the Heidelberg Tourism website
Berlin
Recognised as a city for less than 8oo years Berlin can be be considered a rather young city, but its history is unique. Built around the River Spree in Bundesland, Berlin is Germany’s capital city and has undergone an enormous transformation in the past 100 years. It is a thriving, cosmopolitan city, attracting both tourist and business visitors.
Since World War II, the city has emerged from the past and undergone the biggest construction project in Europe. Much of Berlin has been rebuilt, restored or rejuvenated and there is some wonderful architecture, both old and new, to be viewed.
Find Berlin Christmas Market Holidays
Visit the Berlin Tourism website
Dresden
The German city of Dresden offers a variety of attractions. It is an important regional centre and enjoys a scenic setting within a valley and alongside the snaking River Elbe. The capital of Germany’s Saxony state, the city features Baroque architecture in abundance. Following the destructions of WWII Dresden has rebuilt itself on a grand scale to reclain some of its former glory.
Find Dresden Christmas Market Holidays
Visit the Desden Tourism website
Hamburg
Hamburg is second only to Berlin in terms of size and overall population. However, Hamburg is a very different city being home to one of the biggest harbours in the whole of Europe. It also features a series of large lakes and winding waterways, which include the River Elbe.
The heart of commerce in the city is the Merchant’s District, which is dominated by imposing historic red-brick architecture and is home to many major companies. Landmarks include the famous red-light district (St. Georg) and the fish market (Fischmarkt) in the St. Pauli area.
Find Hamburg Christmas Market Holidays
Visit the Hamburg Tourism website
Bremen
Bremen is the heart of North West Germany. The 1,200 year old Hanseatic city has a unique quality that ensures a thriving metropolitan city experience – from rejuvenated Schlachte Promenade on the River Weser and the full-sized Columbus Space Module of the International Space Station to attractions like the Universum Science Center Bremen.
Shops and stores in the city centre sit alongside magnificent historical buildings, museums and restaurants, so shopping and sightseeing are easily combined. The city is extremely manageable and offers some of the most stylish shopping in the region – from boutiques, clothing and big name department stores to friendly eateries and cultural scenes.
Find Bremen Christmas Market Holidays
Visit the Bremen Tourism website
Münster
In Münster you’ll find everything you need for an exciting city break. It’s a city with plenty of history as well as shopping opportunities and green spaces. You can enjoy art and culture alongside other pleasures such as shopping!
Find Münster Christmas Market Holidays
Visit the Münster Tourism website
Osnabrück
Osnabrück is located in southwest Niedersachsen, and is the third largest city in the state with a population of approximately 160,000. Founded by Charlemagne some 1200 years ago the city is the traditional meeting place for trade routes running from north to south and east to west met. These trade routes are today marked by the motorway and rail routes.
The city is surrounded by narrow mediaeval streets and the historical town hall with its “Friedenssaal” lies in Osnabrück’s old town. The marketplace in front of the Rathaus is one of the most beautiful examples of urban mediaeval architecture.
Find Osnabrück Christmas Market Holidays
Visit the Osnabrück Tourism website
Hannover
The thriving city of Hannover has a population of just over half a million people. One of the world’s foremost trade fair venues it has a very cosmopolitan feel at its atmospheric festivals, celebrations and concerts, as well as a lively cultural scene. Landmarks include the Great Garden (Grosser Garten) which has remained unchanged for more than 300 years. The grotto designed by Niki de Saint Phalle is a major attraction here. The “Red Thread”, a line painted onto the road, provides the ideal way to explore the places of interest in the centre of Hannover without a guide.
Find Hannover Christmas Market Holidays
Visit the Hannover Tourism website
Cologne
Cologne, or to be more precise Köln, is the biggest city in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, and is the fourth biggest city in the whole of Germany. But don’t be overawed by its size. The city is a remarkably beautiful and has grown around the Rhine River, greeting visitors with its endless sightseeing and magnificent buildings.
Cologne is one of the country’s most historic cities, and many of the best sights are to be found close to its breathtaking Kölner Dom (cathedral). With its two spires and at 157 metres in height, it has been the city’s most famous landmark for centuries and the most well-known architectural monument in Germany. It took 632 years to complete.
Capital of Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia state, the cosmopolitan city of Düsseldorf retains a traditional character beneath its glamour, glitz and international trade fairs.
Find Düsseldorf Christmas Market Holidays
Visit the Düsseldorf Tourism Website
Hamelin
Hameln or “Hamelin” and “Hamlin” to the English speaking world is the famous town of the Pied Piper legend. It is situated about 50 km south west of Hanover in the North of Germany. Situated on the river Weser in the centre of the Weserbergland (Weser Hill Country), the city is economically important and has a thriving tourist industry. This hilly region extends on both sides of the river Weser from its source (where the rivers Fulda and Werra meet) from the town of Hannoversch Münden down to the region of Minden.
The main attractions are Hamelin’s historic town centre with its numerous houses built in the Weser Renaissance style, the open-air-play of the Pied Piper´s legend and the musical “RATS” on the terrace of the “Hochzeitshaus”.
Find Hamelin Christmas Market Holidays
Visit the Hamelin Tourism website
Further Information
For further information on Germany and the towns mentioned above click visit Germany Tourism
