We're planning to visit the Christmas markets in December 2023. I'm thinking of this itinerary, but I'd like others suggestions and ideas. Fly into Berlin, train to Dresden, then to Nurnberg, Munich, Salzburg & return to Munich to fly home. We'll also do some day trips sightseeing from these cities. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6985 posts
Berlin has a rather small airport for being such an important city, you might want to think about flying to Frankfurt instead, that will give you a much larger selection of flights.
How much time do you have? What made you choose these four cities? There are Christmas markets all over Germany and my suggestion would be to visit some smaller towns as well to get a feel for a different kind of market.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5620 posts
Perhaps my 2019 Trip Report will have some helpful info. IMHO, the smaller towns have more unique markets than the large cities, and the large markets, such as Nuremberg, get so crowded it's not fun. I haven't been to the Salzburg markets, but they are on my bucket list.
Mrs. Jo here on the Forum lives in Germany, and is the acknowledged Xmas market expert, so look for her posts.
Book lodging asap, especially for the weekends, or your choices will be limited.
Have a magical time!
Posted by
San Diego, California
5620 posts
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
"I'd like others suggestions and ideas."
How much time do you have?
What additional interests beyond the markets do you (two of you?) hope to indulge in Germany? Any ideas we might have about where to send you might depend on what ELSE you'd enjoy seeing/doing.
Posted by
California
158 posts
We go to the Christmas Markets just about every year. Some of my favorites are Dresden, Cologne, Regensburg and Strasbourg. Friday nights and all day Saturday are always the busiest times and uncomfortably crowded. It starts getting dark about 4 pm so you can experience the lights before dinner. This year I am going to Poland for the first time, then in Germany I will visit Dresden, Berlin and finish in Munich. See you there!