Christmas markets

Zagreb and Ljubljana both have excellent Christmas markets. We went in 2023, and took a 2-hour Flixbus between the two, although trains are also an option.

Everybody seems to have their favorite markets, but honestly, they all have a heavy similarity, especially those in a single region. Spread out more, different regions or countries, you will notice more variety.

Some of the ones mentioned on here are Strasbourg, in France; Vienna gets some love; I enjoyed the Cologne Markets (in many cities, there are actually multiple markets spread across the city). Belgium and the Netherlands also will have markets.

I guess my advice is to first pick cities you are interested in, because other things will occupy more of your time. With four days, you can barely fit two cities in.

There is no need to drive, especially for 4 days, many of the better markets are located in cities anyway, where parking, traffic, and other regulations will be an issue. Train will get you around.

Over 2,000 Christmas markets in Germany. What makes a market "best" for you?

In Germany Nuremberg, Dresden and Ore Mountains are known for their markets.

In Northern Germany the cities Lübeck (“Christmas City of the North"), Goslar, Hamburg and Bremen have well visited markets.

It is all personal opinion. Having been to many markets, every year, these are my favorites, usually because there is something unique about them, or I like the setting, etc.

Big cities - Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Strassbourg, Mainz, Wiebaden, and Colmar
Small cities - Limburg, Marburg, Bad Homburg, Esslingen, Michelstadt
Small towns - Büdingen, Idstein, Seligenstadt, Ravenna Gorge

Markets I haven't been to but want to due to recommendations from friends - Heidelberg, Erfurt, Cologne, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Dresden, Potsdam

I am a train person. One, parking is a chaotic mess in many towns. You can't have any Glühwein, Weather might be bad. You can't look out the windows and sightsee while traveling.

My favourites are:

Wolfgangsee (near Salzburg)--St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen, Strobl

Strasbourg

Bremen (including the Schnoor)

I absolutely love all three and go to Bremen at least once every year (it's an easy day trip for us from Hamburg). Naturally I also go to the local markets here in Hamburg, but I wouldn't travel here just for the markets. I would, however, go to the markets here in between day trips to Bremen and Lübeck!

Next year we are thinking of going to the Erzgebirge, Dresden, and Leipzig. But no firm plans yet.

I was in Germany last week. Just got home. We did a river boat cruise along the Main and we've done a RS tour Munich to Vienna.

Nuremberg-- Wonderful and was the best market of the tour. Why? Many local crafts people and many items actually made in Germany. The market food was excellent. So much to do in Nuremberg-- We only had a full day but managed to do the market twice and a WW2 tour.

Frankfurt-- disappointing. Way too Touristy in the old town square and also alot of mass produced items.
Wurzburg-- Great town for Wine bars. Market was ok, but I didn't buy anything except Gluwein cups for the collection.
Bamberg-- Beautiful town, we enjoyed the town more so than the market. So many local shops on the other side of the river. So much to see and do and the Smoky Beer is a must. Yum! The market was fine, but I didn't buy anything because I didn't see anything exceptional that I hadn't seen before,

Rothenburg obder Tauber-- ok market, the main attraction is the wonderful town and the flagship Kathe Wohlfahrt Flagship store that was wonderful. Everything quality and made in Germany.
Weisbaden-- beautiful market and cute town, but nothing exceptional. We only had 5 hours there, I would've loved to have been able to wander about more.

Munich-- Wonderful market at Chinese tower. Other markets are interesting and a mix of German and imported goods. (2019)

From what I observed between 2019 and 2024-- Between the Pandemic and the recession that the German economy has been in, I think many of the market stalls had to diminish quality and sell imported stuff due to the price points.

If I only had 4 days, I would fly into Munich spend 2 days there and then train or drive to Nuremburg. Or spend 1 day in Rothenburg and 1 day in Bamberg and 2 days in Nuremburg. Why? Because the markets are surrounded by amazing towns with much to see and do in a small area and get to experience Germany.

We encountered no snow, only rain and cloudy weather. I would consider driving due to your short time frame.