Traveling to Germany for Christmas markets in a few weeks. Have 3 full days & a half day in Munich and are considering a day trip one of the days we are in Munich (we have been to Munich before but not for the markets). Debating whether to do day trip to Neuschwanstein to see/tour the castle or Salzburg to visit the Christmas markets. We have been to Salzburg before but not in winter/to the markets.
What say you travel experts?
We traveled to Nurnberg, Munich and Salzburg for the Christmas Markets four years ago and had a wonderful time. We Flew into Munich, trained to Nurnberg for three nights. Back to Munich for four nights. one day in Munich we trained over to Salzburgearly in the morning, spent the day and caught a train back to Munich after dinner. We visited Neuschwanstein several years before so I cannot speak to visiting at this time of the year. Loved the Christmas markets! Headed to Vienna plus up the Rhine next week! Enjoy and pack a warm coat, gloves and hat!
If you go to see Schloss Neuschwanstein, the Füssen Adventsmarkt is 6-8 and 13-15 December (2nd and 3rd Advent). I've never been to this market. There is snow there now too, at least this weekend.
https://www.fuessen.de/veranstaltungen/highlights/adventsmarkt.html
https://www.foto-webcam.eu/webcam/tegelberg/
Neuschwanstein gets mixed reviews, mostly because it's not really old, and the required guided tour is only about 30 min. That said, I enjoyed seeing it once.
I thought Salzburg during the Christmas Market season was beautiful and enjoyed my visit. I would go again.
You should try Landshut. It's a lovely town to begin with. And it has a Christmas market AND a "nativity path" and it's only 45 minutes from Munich by direct train.
N'stein will require nearly 5 hours round trip on trains and buses. Salzburg requires nearly 4 hours there and back. Landshut offers something a bit more "typically German" than the alternatives you have in mind.
Neuschwanstein was one of our big travel disappointments. We were very sorry that we wasted our precious time to visit it. Rather bizarre interiors.
I could return to Salzburg over and over, charming.
I think Salzburg has the most beautiful market of all, hands down.
I would choose Salzburg.
