In December we will be staying near Munich and want to take a day trip to another Christmas Market. We are torn between Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Regensburg. We have been to markets in Vienna, and on this trip will hit Munich and Salzburg.
Which of the above two are larger? Which have possibly locally crafted items? The Warden would like to stop at Nuremburg, but that seems a lot for one day.
We will be traveling by train
Rothenburg will take 5 hours miniumum round trip by train and requires changing trains, usually twice. Just go to Regensburg - there are direct trains every hour and it takes just 1.5 hours each way. And if you wish to make a stop on this same route, you can do that in Landshut, another very attractive old-world town with its own Christmas market, open Nov 19 - Dec. 23. See railway map:
Landshut information:
Rothenburg market is very small, closed early when we were there. Rothenburg with the dusting of snow was magical however
Regensburg has the larger market. And I definitely agree with Russ in that Regensburg is MUCH easier and quicker to get to. Rothenburg is a charming iconic town, but in this case, I would just take the train to Regensburg and enjoy the market there. FWIW, it has a good reputation and it sounds really charming.
My sister and I are visiting Christmas markets in Germany as well in December, and we're basing in Nuremberg for 2 nights and trying to decide between Regensburg and Bamberg. We still haven't decided and may not until we get there. 😊
I don’t know if you know this, but there are many Christmas Markets in Munich. The Marienplatz is the grand daddy of them, but we found others, too. We walked to a great market by the Chinese Tower in the park as well as little neighborhood markets. Viktualienmarkt Is a fun option, too. It’s a year round food market and beer garden. We found shops specializing in items made in the Ore Mountain region, home to many family owned businesses producing those quality wood ornaments.
I didn’t find the Christmas market in Rothenberg anything to write home about. I wouldn’t personally spend the time or effort to get there as a day trip unless it was on our flight path to somewhere else. The flagship Kathe Wolfart shop is there and I ended up buying German handicraft items there. I haven’t been to Regensburg. I loved Nuremberg. It did not disappoint and was loaded with unique hand crafted items that were not found anywhere else. Plus the sausage sandwiches were amazing and I am not a sausage eater.
We were on the RS Munich to Vienna tour a few years ago. Salzburg was on our itinerary. Salzburg has interesting markets but I found much of the goods made elsewhere and not hand made. So don’t be surprised at that. Salzburg was beautiful and magical with all the Christmas lights and decor.
I also agree that Regensburg is a better choice.
Rothenburg’s market is small but they have multiple Kathe Wohlfahrt stores with amazing decorations to buy.
Regensburg has a bigger main market and a few smaller ones. Then there is the private Thun and Taxis Medieval market on the castle grounds. That is a unique market and worth the $10 entrance fee.
I have never been to Rothenburg ob der Tauber Weihnactsmarkt. Been to Regensburg almost every year the last 25 years. No contest Regensburg. Multiple markets and if you want the pay to enter Thurn und Taxis. The whole old city is lighted. So many resturants, bars and cafe. Rothenburg is a tourist Dorf. Regensburg is a real city.
CAjan and mchpp-- great to know about Regensberg. We are scheduled to be there in 2027 as part of a Christmas market tour.
