COLOGNE MARKETS. Let's start with Cologne. This city confidently leads in Germany in total number of visitors to its Christmas markets. Over several pre-Christmas weeks – about four million people. One of the markets is located right next to Cologne Cathedral – the most popular German landmark.
BERLIN CHRISTMAS. Almost three dozen Christmas markets await visitors in Berlin. They are scattered across all parts of the city. The most famous and popular are on Alexanderplatz near the Berlin TV Tower and the Red City Hall, at Gendarmenmarkt, Potsdamer Platz, and in the Spandau district.
CHRISTMAS WITH BEETHOVEN. The former capital of West Germany, Bonn, lags behind the capital Berlin in the number of markets, but can compete with other cities in the category of the coziest Christmas markets. One of them is located on the square near the city hall and very close to the house where the great German composer Ludwig van Beethoven was born.
MARKETS IN THE CENTER OF DÜSSELDORF. The historic center of Düsseldorf, known for its numerous pubs, bars, and restaurants, actually turns into one big Christmas market in the pre-holiday weeks. In the Old Town alone, six such markets operate, and the total number of stalls and pavilions exceeds two hundred.
GINGERBREAD CHRISTMAS. Last year, the authorities of Aachen decided to reduce the number of stalls selling food and drinks, and give more space to decorations, souvenirs, gifts, and other handicrafts. According to statistics, each visitor to the Christmas market spends about 35 euros in this city, in particular, on local printed gingerbread – Aachener Printen.
INTERNATIONAL MARKET IN ESSEN. Leaving North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous federal state of Germany, we drop in on the capital of the Ruhr region, Essen, where visitors are once again awaited by the International Christmas Market (Internationaler Weihnachtsmarkt), which traditionally sells treats, drinks, and souvenirs from many different countries around the world.
CHRISTMAS NUREMBERG STYLE. The Nuremberg Christmas market Christkindlesmarkt is considered the most famous Christmas market in Germany. This claim is beyond doubt and undisputed. It is visited by about two million people annually. Its history dates back to the first half of the 17th century, making it one of the oldest in Germany.
CHRISTMAS IN THE HARZ. The Christmas market in the town of Wernigerode, famous for its half-timbered architecture, is one of the most famous and romantic such markets in eastern Germany. Its visit can be combined with excursions in the Harz – a mountain region known for traditional crafts. Here, for example, you can buy wooden souvenirs.
CHRISTMAS IN THE FINANCIAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE. The Frankfurt am Main Christmas market is located on Römerberg square in front of the Old Town Hall. It is one of the most visited such markets in Germany. The main 30-meter Christmas tree is decorated with garlands of five thousand lights and four hundred ribbons.
CHRISTMAS HANSEATIC STYLE. In the Hanseatic city of Hamburg, six large and more than two dozen small Christmas markets operate. The most famous is on the Town Hall Square.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE BREMEN TOWN MUSICIANS. From Hamburg, we look in on another Hanseatic city – Bremen. Its main Christmas market is located in front of the Old Town Hall on one of the most beautiful historic squares in Germany with its Gothic and Renaissance facades. Also worthy of special mention is the Schlachte-Zauber market, dedicated to maritime themes. It awaits guests in the quarter near the Weser River.
CHRISTMAS IN THURINGIA. On the square in front of Erfurt Cathedral, the largest Christmas market in the state of Thuringia operates. It has been held for more than a century and a half. Each year it is visited by just under 2 million people.
SOUVENIRS OF THE ORE MOUNTAINS. In Dresden, one of the oldest German Christmas markets operates – the Dresden Striezelmarkt. This year it is held for the 580th time. This market alone, not counting others, for example, near the famous Frauenkirche church, is visited by about 2.5 million people annually. In Dresden you can buy traditional wooden souvenirs made by craftsmen in the Ore Mountains region.
CHRISTMAS MARKET IN THE FAIR CITY. The Christmas market in Leipzig is also one of the largest and oldest such markets in Germany.
CHRISTMAS WITH A BAVARIAN ACCENT. Munich is the last in our list, but far from last in importance. The Bavarian capital is famous for its special atmosphere, which becomes even more evident in the pre-Christmas weeks. The most famous market is the Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, but there are fairs in almost every city district.