In about a week, Germany is going to be completely covered in middle aged tourists seeking the best of the Christmas markets. I have been to a couple dozen throughout the region many, many times…and here are my top choices for Christmas markets within three hours of Munich:
- Augsburg – This is my favorite Christmas market not because of the city itself being the most historically interesting city in Southern Germany, but because it is a beautiful Christmas market, has its own unique “Christmas show” at the Rathaus (daily I believe?), is one of the larger markets, and does not have the crushing crowds of Munich, Salzburg, and Nuremberg.
- Nuremberg – The largest and most famous of the bunch, it can be ridiculously busy in the evening. Then again, to truly see it…you HAVE to be there in the evening…during the day just will not do. So…good luck.
- Landshut – Landshut is a beautiful town closer to Munich’s airport than Munich itself. The Christmas market there is on the main pedestrian only street which is lined with historic houses and a charming atmosphere that the big cities just cannot attain.
- Munich’s main market (at Marienplatz) – It’s busy, it’s not centralized, but it does have everything that all the others have…and the New Town Hall works really wonderfully for Christmas photo backgrounds…
- Würzburg – With it’s large market square, this medium sized city has what makes for a much nicer market than most larger towns in the region. (the problem with Würzburg is it’s location, see #7)
- Innsbruck – Innsbruck has several Christmas markets thoughout its historic old town. Certainly not the largest nor most beautiful Christmas market; it is quite charming.
- Rothenburg – Cutey-small Christmas market in a beautifully well preserved walled city. What more do you want? (the problem is that it’s 3+ hours from Munich each way…so I’d recommend an overnight stay, possibly in nearby Würzburg)
- Munich’s Tollwood Festival (at the Oktoberfest grounds) – It’s more of a high-end hippie fest than a Christmas market, but it still has its charms…and much of it is in door, which is quite welcome if you’re touring Christmas markets!
- Regensburg – A smaller Christmas market in this ancient river town, in my opinion vastly over-rated. Skip-able…
- Salzburg - If you could delete 75% of the people, this would be a wonderful Christmas market…but be warned: I refuse to do tours to Salzburg during the Christmas market for a reason. The crushing crowds, even at noon, are too much for all but the most hardcore of angry people.
Augsburg’s Christmas Market
Munich’s main Christmas market (taken just a 1 min walk south of Marienplatz)