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Winter Wonderland

Centuries-old customs and festive traditions are lived and celebrated with gusto in Saxony. Saxony is in the East of Germany and is packed with hilltop castles, Baroque palaces, and breath-taking mountain ranges. Dresden is the capital city of the German state of Saxony and is described as the Florence of the north, and there are direct flights from London Stansted. The Striezelmarkt, located on Altmarkt in the city center, has taken place since 1434, and is therefore the oldest German Christmas market. Indulge in the Dresdner Eierschecke, a wonderful pastry with the enchantingly creamy quark-vanilla-pudding, or the famous Dresdner Christstollen. On cold days, mulled wine is of course the best alternative to cold beer. It is even said that the oldest recipe for mulled wine comes from the Dresden area.

Unwrap Germany this Christmas

Dresden

Saxon Ore Mountains

Middle Germany

There are plenty of reasons to explore German cities this festive season. You'll find snow-dusted skylines, cosy gingerbread houses, fairy-lit Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas markets), and angel-filled nativity scenes. You can glug traditional Glühwein, sample scrumptious Lebkuchen, and listen to traditional festive carols. Or you can skate your way through the season — nearly every city and large Christmas market has an Eislaufbahn (skating rink). So, wrap up warm, lace up your skates, and pirouette into the festive season. Read on to find out about some of our favourite German Christmas traditions, and lesser-known destinations we think you’ll love — including Düsseldorf, Leipzig, and Saxony.

The Ore Mountain range stretches along the German-Czech border and is spectacular in the winter season when it transforms into a magical land of festivals and rituals. With a distinct combination of tradition, nature, and culture, the area has something for everyone. The locals of this region practice Christmas traditions that have been faithfully preserved for generations. Classic Nutcrackers are timeless examples of German craftsmanship from the Erzgebirge region of Germany. The famous Weihnachtspyramide (Christmas pyramid) was first developed in the late 1700s and is traditionally made from wood. It has usually up to five tiers and a candle-powered windmill-like rotor which makes the carousel of carved figures turn.

Sankt Nikolaus Tag and Krampus Nacht

You can shop for Christmas gifts, sample traditional pastries and visit some of the city's main sights when they're at their most festive, but it’s also important to understand some German Christmas traditions. Sankt Nikolaus Tag (St Nicholas Day) is a German tradition celebrated on the 6th December. Before children go to bed the night before, they polish their boots and leave them outside for St Nicholas. In the morning they'll find their shoes filled with traditional treats and sweets. Another tradition which is celebrated in southern Bavaria is Krampus, a devil who teaches naughty children a hard lesson. Men dressed up in Krampus costumes patrol the streets on St Nicholas Night, and are invited into homes by parents of naughty children.

The Harz Mountains are blessed with rolling hills, snug valleys, and tucked-away small villages. The mountains provide an excellent backdrop for hiking, and there are medieval cobbled streets, hidden miners' houses, and fairytale castles to explore. In the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön, it gets so dark in winter that you can admire the starry skies there especially well. The Milky Way appears vivid, the heavens are full of twinkling stars, and perhaps a shooting star will inspire you to make a special Christmas wish. Or recharge your batteries in the Thuringian Forest, go on winter hikes, snowshoe tours, or sledging.

Local delicacies

Christmas is a spectacular season of celebration and filled with lots of traditional delicacies. You probably know about almond-filled Stollen, Bratwurst, and Glühwein but there are lots of other quintessential German Christmas foods. Some of the lesser-known traditions include Lebkuchen which are gingerbread cookies, Feuerzangenbowle is a spiced wine mixed with rum, and Eierlikör is like eggnog — a drink made with sugar, egg yolks, vanilla, and brandy. Other delicacies include dumplings called Serviettenknödel or Kartoffelpuffer. Finally you must try Spritzgebäck, a type of German and Alsatian-Mosellan Christmas cookie.

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Festive German traditions

Where to go to get that yuletide feeling

With its fairytale castles, chocolate-box Alpine villages, and wintersports galore, it’s easy to see why south Germany is an ever-popular holiday destination. Whether you're headed to historical Munich or the vast beauty of the Black Forest, Germany’s southern region is full of particularly beautiful places to visit during the colder months. Zugspitze mountain is 2962 metres above sea level and home to three glaciers, making it perfect for skiers, climbers, and winter hikers. If that all sounds a bit too adventurous, there are three cable cars and the Bavarian Zugspitze Railway so you can admire the beautiful views. The charming spa town of Baden-Baden sits near the border with France, right against the Black Forest and its enchanting attractions. Snow transforms the Black Forest into a winter fairy tale, providing opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The South

Germany’s north boasts watery landscapes, sprawling lakes, and Medieval port towns. The well-known cities of Berlin and Hamburg are in the north, but there are plenty of other Christmassy destinations to explore this winter. Visit Schwerin and its palace which stands proudly on its own island in Lake Schwerin, or explore Lübeck, a water-surrounded Old Town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lübeck's most famous landmark is the impressive Holsten Gate, a twin-towered Gothic city gate guarded by two life-sized iron lions. A host of Christmas stars, fairy lights, and beautifully decorated Christmas trees create a magical winter atmosphere. Or visit Bremen this Christmas and discover the medieval Weihnachtsmarkt in its historic Old Town. The city was made famous by the Bremen Town Musicians and its association with the Brothers Grimm fairy tale story.

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Christmas markets

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

The train from London to Nuremberg usually takes nine hours. Get the Eurostar to Brussels, then change at Frankfurt. Nuremberg's Christmas market is one of Germany's oldest, and it feels particularly traditional. More than 180 market stalls are spread around the city. The main Market Square offers arts, crafts, and other creative gifts, while you can find culinary specialties and unique items on the squares around the St Lorenz, and St Jakob churches. On Insel Schütt, an island in the Pegnitz River, the Sister Cities' Market brings crafts from Nuremberg's many sister cities, including Atlanta, Glasgow, Krakow, Prague, and Shenzhen.

Cologne Cathedral Christmas market

The Eurostar service to Cologne takes approximately four hours. The twin spires of Cologne’s world-famous cathedral form the perfect backdrop for the North Rhine-Westphalia city's most popular Christmas market. The market, in Cologne's Old Town, hosts about 150 wooden stalls, all towered over by a stunningly lit Christmas tree. For gifts, look out for toys, wood carvings, and gingerbread. There's also a children's carousel, and you can grab a mug of spiced Glühwein and catch some live music or other entertainment — there's usually an extensive programme of performers. For some added magic, take a tour of the Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Weihnachtszauber, Berlin

Catch a Eurostar to Brussels, then the DB service to Köln. From here, take another DB service to Berlin — the journey can take less than 10 hours. Once you've arrived head to the Mitte district, Berlin's historic core, for what is considered one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in the city. Weihnachtszauber takes place in Gendarmenmarkt, the square between the Französischer Dom and Deutscher Dom. The culinary options are numerous, and visitors can enjoy live jazz, classical, and gospel music, along with other forms of entertainment, including jugglers and fire-eaters. Once you've overindulged at the market, you could warm up by visiting the German Parliament exhibition inside the Deutscher Dom.

Travelling from London to Germany by train is easier than you think. You can hop on a Eurostar service from London to Brussels in just under two hours. From there you can catch trains to several cities — it's a great way to see more of the German countryside, and tick off several cities in one trip. Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas markets) brighten up the shortest days of the year and offers the chance to buy some special presents. Listen to carols to get you in the festive mood, and feast on steaming Glühwein, spiced Stollen, and traditional smoked Bratwurst. Join the party when the lights twinkle at night — here's a rundown of our favourite Christmas markets around Germany.

Christmas markets and train travel

This lesser-known gem is also known as the City of Music — it has an intrinsic connection to its former residents like Bach, Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Wagner. With origins stretching as far back as 1458, the Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt (Leipzig Christmas Market) is considered one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, and one of the largest too — with over 300 stalls for visitors to peruse. There are new flights from London Stansted and Dublin to Leipzig, and you can get the S-Bahn from the airport to the city centre in approximately 15 minutes. Once you've eaten and shopped your way through the market, you could warm up by visiting the Old Town Hall, see an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts set in a modernist glass-cubed building, or see Leipzig's twinkling skyline from the Panorama Tower.

Leipzig

Many visitors flock to Düsseldorf to buy gifts for their loved ones at the Christmas markets. There is a line-up of six markets, all with different themes. As well as the markets, there's also the ice rink on Königsallee and the Ferris wheel on Burgplatz square. The markets are within easy reach of each other and connect the excellent shops in the Old Town, and on Königsallee and Schadowstrasse, for tax-free shopping. And after a two-year hiatus, the children’s tent is back with entertainment for the little ones. Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) is the largest international airport in the region of NRW with numerous connections into the UK. You can get the train from the airport terminal to Düsseldorf’s city centre in less than 10 minutes' — perfect for a quick Christmas city break.

Düsseldorf

Winter wellness

Germany in winter is a magical icy wonderland with cities coated in snow, and mountain ranges waiting to be explored. Whether you love a brisk mountain walk, dips in ice-cold water, or a more relaxing spa resort, there are plenty of places in Germany for winter wellness. Plunge into an ice-pool, prioritise your holistic health, or book yourself into a detox programme. Germany has hot steamy springs and public baths where you can sink into the thermal waters. If that doesn't quite float your boat, book yourself into a luxury alpine resort with mountain views, and sit by a warming fire whilst glugging on some delicious Glühwein.

Traditional arts and crafts

Walk through a winter wonderland of handmade treasures and be inspired for your Christmas presents. For gifts, look out for toys, wood carvings, trinkets, and gingerbread. Lots of stall holders wear traditional robes and are skilled craftsfolk using the same methods as in Medieval times. Some of the most authentic souvenirs to buy from Germany's Christmas markets include wooden nativity scenes or nutcracker dolls — which originated in the Erzgebirge region and are believed to bring you luck and goodwill to your family. Look out for star-shaped lanterns, glühwein mugs, Weihnachtspyramiden (Christmas pyramids), or the Räuchermänner (incense smoking men), an incense-burning figurine developed in the 19th century.

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Traditional carols

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Festive Favourites

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Singalong songs

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Traditional Christmas songs - children and youth choirs sing tranquil seasonal songs

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Radio favourites - modern(ish) songs to get you in the Happy Christmas mood

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Singalong favourites for your party, to sing in the car - or just belt out around the house

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Travelzoo employees love going to Germany for the Christmas markets. Whether they're heading to Saxony for the Dresdner Eierschecke, Düsseldorf for the life-sized manger, or Leipzig to spot Father Christmas from the Panorama Tower, here's some of their favourites, and some music to get you into the Christmas spirit: Krystina Rees — The twin spires of Cologne's world-famous cathedral is the perfect backdrop for a Christmas market. Jump on the carousel once you've had some spiced glühwein. Amy Groves — I love the giant gingerbread man watching over the Aachen Christmas market. If you haven't tried a Kartoffelpuffer (a crispy potato fritter), you must!

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Where should you go to get that yuletide feeling?

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@LTM GmbH/ Daniel Kohler

Frankfurt Weihnachtsmarkt

Taking place in front of the historic Römer city hall beneath the huge Christmas tree, and surrounded by sparkling lights and historic half-timbered houses, Frankfurt’s Christmas market is one of Germany's most beautiful. The market dates back to 1393, and today 200 elaborately decorated stalls stand throughout the Römerberg, Paulsplatz, Liebfrauenberg, Fahrtor, and Mainkai, selling all kinds of goods including arts and crafts, and honey-based products. Look out too for local specialities, such as Bethmännchen Christmas cookies (made with marzipan and almonds), hot apple wine, baked apples, roasted nuts, and gingerbread, all of which you can sample while listening to carols being sung nearby.

Aachen Christmas Market

It's estimated that each year around 1.5 million visitors make their way to Aachen in the four weeks leading up to Christmas to visit the city's festive market. The train journey time between London and Aachen is around four hours. The market transforms the cobbled squares and lanes around Aachen's town hall and its Baroque cathedral — the resting place of the 9th-century King Charlemagne — with wooden kiosks decked in twinkling lights. As well as offering traditional arts and crafts, it's also a great place to try local food. Vendors dish up treats including mulled-wine-flavoured candy, Kartoffelpuffer (a crispy potato fritter), and Aachener Printen (a distinctive anise-flavoured gingerbread). In fact, Printen are so well-loved that there's even a 6-metre giant gingerbread man watching over proceedings while the market is on.

@GNTB/ Jens Wegener

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What is the Christmas pyramid called?

Räuchermänner

Weihnachts- pyramiden

What is the traditional mulled wine drink?

Apfelschorle

Glühwein

What date is Sankt Nikolaus Tag celebrated on?

6 December

1 December

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