My mother, aunt and I visited Christmas markets in Germany and France in early December. I wanted to especially praise the Rick Steves-recommended Hotel Victoria in Nuremberg. The hotel was in excellent condition, the staff was very friendly, and the breakfasts (included in the price) were fantastic. The hotel is close to the train but also close to the Christmas market. I highly recommend! Of all the markets we visited, Nuremberg seemed to have the greatest selection of goods made in Germany. It wound up being our favorite market.
Posted by
Southern Oregon
632 posts
Thank you! Hoping to plan a Christmas market trip soon and this is good to know.
Posted by
Georgia
12 posts
I also wondered whether Nuremberg provided authentic products made by artisans. I visited the markets in Colmar, France and Rothenberg and Frankfurt Germany this year. I haven't quite decided on Vienna or Nuremberg next year.
Posted by
NorthCarolina
1080 posts
We go over to the Xmas Markets every other year -- Nuremberg always one of our favorites and we always stay at Hotel Victoria.
Posted by
near San Francisco
5480 posts
Agreed, Hotel Victoria was wonderful when I stayed in 2019, for all the reasons you mention.
Posted by
Southeast US
4057 posts
I went to Nuremberg in 2017 for its Christmas Market. I stayed at Hotel Victoria, too. I enjoyed my stay. The market got really, really, really crowded on weekend nights, but it was quite enjoyable during the day and on the one weeknight we were able to wander it.
I'm looking up right now at a chimney sweep nutcracker I got at that market. I saw it behind the selling area and asked, "May I walk back there and look at what is back there?" The lady running the stand said, "Because you asked politely, yes!" I looked at the nutcracker, and she explained that it came from the old East German days when West German vendors were required to buy things they didn't want (chimney sweep nutcrackers) in bulk in order to be able to buy what the products they wanted. "He's the last one we have. We've been carrying him around for over 20 years." She offered what I considered a good price, and I bought it. I later learned chimney sweeps are considered good luck objects in Germany.