3 fantastic German Christmas Markets to visit in 2023

Last Updated on November 11, 2023 by

It’s again that time of the year!!! Christmas is coming and I can’t wait to see festive decorations all around! I love Christmas Markets and, in my opinion, there isn’t a better place in Europe where to feel the Christmas spirit than Germany. This country in December turns into a fantastic Christmas land and you can’t go wrong in visit any of its amazing cities. However, for this guide I chose 3 best German Christmas markets you should definitely include on your list for this 2023. Let’s start!

Essential things to know about German Christmas Markets

German Christmas Market are called also as Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Eve market) and Christkindlmarkt (Christ child market).

When do German Christmas Markets open in 2023?

The German Christmas Markets 2023 opening dates change from city to city. However, most places go from 22nd / 26th November to 23rd December. In fact, Christmas Markets covers the period of the Advent calendar preceding Christmas. This means that they last generally four weeks. Considering this, remember that most of the Christmas markets in Germany will be closed from the 23rd December (every market is completely closed on 24th and 25th December). Ergo, if you were planning a Christmas Day/Eve trip to Germany, for the Christmas fairs you should reschedule your dates.

When is the best time to visit the Christmas Markets in Germany?

If you are on holiday in Germany, the best time to pop into Christmas Markets is definitely during weekdays because Saturdays and Sundays tend to be very busy. To experience a very magical atmosphere, the best time of the day to go is surely dusk, just before the sky become completely dark. I think is also this is the best time for taking magical pictures!

What to buy at German Christmas Markets?

Christmas Markets are perfect for finding nailed Christmas presents and traditional German decorations. My favourite things to collect are Christmas Mugs! These usually come with warm mulled wine. Moreover, every market has a different one and you can keep it by paying a little more for your wine. A very nice and traditional thing to buy at Christmas Markets in Germany are the Lebkuchen. These are nothing more than delicious Gingerbread Cookies Hearts! These cost between 2-6 € and are perfect for small gifts!

Another thing you can buy (and that I personally gifted to my mum last Christmas) is a Lichthäuser. This is a traditional painted porcelain Christmas Village Figurine! Last but not least, don’t forget to try some traditional German food from the stalls! Especially Würstchen, Kartoffelpuffer, Roasted almonds, Crepes, Waffles, Schneeballen and Pretzels!

Do German Christmas Markets take credit cards?

Credit Cards are accepted only by stalls that have an official store and are equipped for credit card payments. Most of the stalls accept only cash payments. Therefore, is better to have some ready cash with you when visiting the xmas markets.

3 Best best German Christmas Markets to visit in 2023

Frankfurt Christmas Market

The historical Christmas Market in Frankfurt is located in one of the oldest area of the city. The Römerberg . The Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of the largest markets in Germany and also one of the oldest ones. In fact, it dates back to 1393 and during that period served as a main market for medieval “winter shopping”. People used to buy suppliers for the long German winters and at the same time attended the performance of ecclesiastical mystery plays, that were held on the Römerberg. The market, as we know today, with its famous Christmas Tree, is arrived only in the late 19th century.

What I loved of the Frankfurt Christmas Market

Of all the Christmas Markets I visited last year, the Frankfurt one is probably the most cheerful. Music, people dancing on the main square, all the best German food and rivers of festive mulled wine! If you are searching for a place where to celebrate and have fun at the same time, that’s Frankfurt!

Frankfurt Christmas Market Programme 2023

This year Christmas market in Frankfurt will open from 27th November to 21st December. The main programme include The Chiming of Frankfurt’s Church Bells a Christmas Arts & Craft fair, visits to Santa Klaus and the traditional Christmas Concert.

Opening Times

Monday-Saturday: 10.00-21.00
Sunday: 11.00-21.00

How to reach the Frankfurt Christmas Market

The Christmas Market in Frankfurt is located between Römerberg and St Paul’s Square and in the street running from Hauptwache down to the River Main. The historic Römer is located in a very central area of Frankfurt. At 20 minutes walk from the Central Station.

Where to stay in Frankfurt

Frankfurt is full of wonderful places to stay but we had a very great experience at 25h Hotel – The Trip. This is located at just 20 minutes walk from the Römerberg and at less than 10 minutes from the station. It was a very convenient place for visiting both the city and the Christmas Market. Moreover, the hotel is totally travel-themed and it’s perfect if you are a travel addicted like me! If you want to read more about our experience at 25h Hotel – The Trip, read my review here.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market

If you ask me what is the best location where to enjoy a vibrant Christmas spirit, I couldn’t imagine a better place than Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Rothenburg is one of the most charming places I ever visited and between November and December it turns into a real-life Christmas City.

Rothenburg its located on the famous German Romantic Road. The city looks like frozen in time since the Middle Ages, with its cobbled streets and the still intact 42 towers protecting it from the outside world. The historic Rothenburg’s Reiterlesmarkt dates back to 15th century, when the city used to be a prominent merchant town.

The Rothenburg’s Rider

The name Reiterlesmarkt comes from Reiterle (translated as “Rider”). A mythical figure popular in German fairytales. The legend of unknown origins, states that this “Rider” was usually seen in winter, riding through the town with the souls of the deceased in tow. People believed that the Reiterle was a messenger from the other world. A eerie figure who brought dead souls to the sky during winter time. As you can imagine, in past times, people were quite scared of going into the streets of Rothenburg with the risk of meeting the Reiterle.

However, the legend changed during the centuries. The Reiterle slowly became a gentle figure associated with Christmas (from here the Reitelresmarkt that literally means the Market of the Reiterle) and people now can’t wait to “meet” him at the annual Christmas Market. Indeed, as a part of the Christmas tradition, the figure of the Rothenburger Reiterler appears at the opening ceremony of the Rothenburg Christmas Market.

What I loved of Rothenburg Christmas Market

Visiting Rothenburg ob der Tauber was a dream come true! This city was on my bucket list since ages and I can’t believe I finally managed to visit…and for my birthday!! I loved that despite the biggest market is on the main square, you can find Christmas stalls practically everywhere around the city. Some selling typical Christmas/German food, some selling souvenirs, some other Christmas Gifts. And the city? It’s like a huge winter wonderland and there are so many Christmas shops that I lost the count! My favourites, of course, were the legendary Käthe Wohlfahrt, Weihnachtsdorf and Christkindmarkt. However, there are also other small shops that are equally nice.

Rothenburg Christmas Market Programme 2023

This year Christmas Market in Rothenburg will run a little later than usual, from 1st December to 23rd December. The main programme include the annual yuletide ceremony at 5 pm on Friday before the first Advent Sunday. Here you will welcome the Reiterle and will inaugurate the Christmas Season.

Opening Times

Mon. – Thurs.: 11 am – 7 pm
Fri. – Sun.: 11 am – 8 pm

How to reach Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Frankfurt

Rothenburg is located on the Romantic Strasse. It can be reached by car in 1h 51 minutes from Frankfurt. Tourist can’t park inside the city. However, there is a main car park out of the city walls that is quite cheap (about 1€ per hour).

Things you can’t miss while in Rothenburg

Rothenburg is full of surprises and among the things you can certainly miss there are: a tour of the medieval walls, seeing the city from the highest tower and eating the Rothenburg’s traditional dessert, the Schneeballen. A delicious shortcut pastry filled with nutella, chocolate, pistachio or jam.

Koblenz Christmas Markets

Koblenz is one of the oldest cities in Germany and its origins dates back to Roman times. During the Christmas period, Koblenz become a true Christmas wonderland and the peculiarity of this city is that you can stroll around not just into one Christmas market, but six! In fact, Koblenz Christmas Markets are the biggest in the Rhineland-Palatinate and are displayed in six main squares of the city: Jesuitenplatz, Liebfrauenkirche, Willi-Hörter-Platz, Münzplatz, Zentralplatz, and Am Plan. There are more than 130 stalls to visit and and all the city smells of delicious roasted almonds and mulled wine.

What I loved of Koblenz Christmas Markets

I have to say that despite the rain, Koblenz Christmas Markets didn’t fail to impress! The atmosphere was joyful and relaxed and people were enjoying their time out despite the weather. I loved to go all around the city to discover where the stalls were placed and the fact that every little market was somehow different from the previous one! Koblenz was really a surprise and I wished a bit of more time to discover more of what this city has to offer!

Koblenz Christmas Market Programme 2023

This year Christmas Market(s) in Koblenz will run from 24th November to 7th January. In addition to the giant advent calendar in the Town Hall, some of this year highlight include: the “Romanticum“ (an interactive experience exhibition on Zentralplatz), a Christmas bakery, traditional concerts, ice skating and the romantic carriage rides.

Opening Times

Mon-Thu 10am-8pm
Fri-Sat 10am-9pm
Sun 11am-8pm

How to reach Koblenz from Frankfurt

Koblenz is located in the Rhineland-Palatinate and it occupy both sides of the river Rhine. It is very to easy to reach from Frankfurt as it is at just 1h and 20 minutes distance. Parking in Koblenz during the Christmas period might be hard because the city is quite crowded. We parked at on a car park near the river (unfortunately I don’t remember the name). There is plenty of parking in that area and you can avoid the Christmas congestion in the area of Altstadt.

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