Are you planning a Christmas market trip to Europe and looking for tips? Then you are in the right place! I’ve lived in Germany for 6 years and have become quite the Christmas market connoisseur (if I do say so myself). Not only have I visited nearly 50 markets within Germany, but I have also been to markets in the Alsace (France), Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia & Czechia. It seems that every year, the more markets I visit, the more I end up adding to my list for the following year…maybe you can relate.
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Christmas Market Tip 1: Layer up!
Spending the whole day/evening outdoors in December can be quite chilly! To help keep the day enjoyable, it is so important to dress properly. I recommend wearing your warmest parka, winter boots, mittens, scarf & hat. Don’t forget the base layers either–personally, I found that thermal leggings keep me warmer than jeans. I usually pair them with a skirt or dress & sweater. Another item to pack are hand and foot warmers, because if your feet are warm, then your body will be warmer, I promise!
Christmas Market Tip 2: Bring your own YETI mug
Okay, hear me out on this one…you know I LOVE my Glühwein mugs and have amassed quite a collection over the years, BUT they don’t keep the Glühwein warm for very long. Personally, I take a quick pic of my mug and then transfer my Glühwein into my YETI. This way I can enjoy it for as long as I like and it stays tasty & warm (trust me, cold Glühwein is not a thing).
If you want to avoid drinking cold Glühwein, then pack your own YETI mug…or quickly drink your Glühwein and get a little buzz, really it’s up to you 😉
Christmas Market Tip 3: Have a plan before you arrive
As fun as it can be to aimlessly wander the market stalls, I highly recommend having a game plan before arriving. This is especially important in bigger cities, where there are often many markets spread throughout town. Do a bit of research to see which markets interest you the most, as well as any special events that are happening there (for example, in Karlsruhe Santa flies across the sky at 5pm & 7:30pm). Keep your eyes out for ice skating and other activities as well!
Christmas Market Tip 4: Visit lesser-known markets
Everyone has heard of the stunning markets in Cologne, Vienna, Prague & the likes, but with popularity comes crowds…especially on the weekends. I still recommend these markets but I would also try to visit a smaller market or two. Not only will the crowds be fewer, but the experience will be more wholesome and give you a bit of a local feel.
The best part? Most towns have their own Christmas market, so when planning your trip to Cologne, for example, you can add on lesser-known markets nearby. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Dortmund and Bonn Christmas markets!
Christmas Market Tip 5: Be prepared to pay with cash
Cash is king at Christmas markets. In fact, I can’t think of a time where I was able to pay with card at a German market (please let me know if I’m wrong!). It is a bit annoying to constantly be searching for coins in your wallet, with freezing cold hands, but that is all part of the experience…and worth it once you have your hands on your warm mug of Glühwein. Be sure to hit up the ATM before you enter the market, so you are prepared to buy all the food, gifts & Glühwein your heart desires!
Christmas Market Tip 6: Visit on weekdays
Obviously this is not always possible but if you can visit on weekdays, you will experience far fewer crowds! This is especially true at the bigger and more famous markets. If you are in Europe for a weeklong Christmas market trip, my suggestions would be to visit the more famous markets during the week and save smaller, lesser-known markets for the weekends.
Christmas Market Tip 7: Bring a portable phone charger
Yes, this is generally a good travel tip but for me it holds especially true at the Christmas markets. If you’re anything like me, you will want to take lots of pictures and videos, leaving your phone exposed to the COLD. Maybe I just need a new phone, but my phone battery does not appreciate this…and usually dies quite quickly (insert portable charger to save the day!)
Christmas Market Tip 8: Glühwein mugs make the perfect souvenir
I have a confession…I have a Glühwein mug hoarding problem….I probably own nearly 100 at this point. Now, you don’t need to go that overboard BUT they really do make the perfect souvenir!
I recommend walking around the market to find you favorite mug before deciding which one to bring home with you. Most cities have multiple markets scattered throughout town and they can all have their own mugs. An important thing I look for is making sure that the mug has the town name and year on it, but you can choose whatever mug you like best!
You will pay a pfand (deposit) on the mug when you order Glühwein. The pfand amount varies market to market (and has dramatically increased over the past 6 years!) but this year (2024) I’ve found the pfand to typically be 4 Euros. Still not too bad for a fun souvenir!
Pro tip: try to exchange your sticky, used mug for a clean one when you go to leave the market…you can thank me later 😉
Christmas Market Tip 9: Split food dishes
The Christmas markets are known for their Glühwein, as well as their food. While there are staples you can find at most Christmas markets, such as a bratwurst, there are often local specialities (my favorite was the potato fondue at the Basel, Switzerland market!).
Oh, and if you’re lucky there might even be Flammlachs (fire cooked salmon), my all time favorite Christmas market dish! If there is a Finnish market in town, you will be sure to find Flammlachs, but even if there isn’t some traditional markets have it as well.
I could go on and on about the food but the main thing you need to know is to come hungry & share dishes with your fam/friends, this way you can try many different dishes!
Christmas Market Tip 10: Stay until dark
While the markets are worth seeing any time of day, there is a certain magic that comes alive once the sun sets. The light displays will illuminate and the festiveness will go up a few octaves! One bright side of the sun setting early, is that you don’t have to stay super late in order to experience the magic…by 5pm it should be dark enough 😉 Grab a mug of Glühwein and wander around the market stalls or post up in one of the Glühwein huts.
