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4 Unique Places To Visit For Christmas in Germany

ByPaige Watts

Few places capture the magic of Christmas quite like Germany — twinkling market stalls, steaming Glühwein, and fairytale towns dusted with snow. Look beyond the famous cities (which will be incredibly crowded this time of year), and enjoy these festive German destinations that feel truly unique.

Whether you’re dreaming of cozy mountain villages, lesser-known Christmas markets, or charming historic towns that come alive in December, Germany has no shortage of festive surprises.

After experiencing Christmas in Germany many times myself, I’ve rounded up my favorite places that offer a whole lot of holiday magic without all the crowds.

A bustling Christmas market in Mainz, Germany at dusk, adorned with star-shaped lights and string lights radiating from a central point. Crowds in winter attire explore wooden stalls.

Unique Germany Christmas Destinations

1. Garmisch-Partenkirchen

A serene mountain village scene of winter in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany with a narrow river flowing between quaint houses. Snow-capped peaks rise in the distance under a clear blue sky.

If you’re ready for an Alpine holiday, then plan a winter getaway to Garmisch-Partenkirchen! There will be plenty of winter activities available like skiing, ice skating, and tobogganing. You can head to the top of the Zugspitze, the highest mountain peak in Germany, for a snowy breath of mountain winter air.

Stop in at the Christmas Market in Garmisch-Partenkirchen to browse the decorated wooden booths surrounding a giant Christmas tree. Restaurants all around town also set up their own Glühwein stations and a cozy spot to sip and socialize.

Top sights in Garmisch-Partenkirchen include the Zugspitze, a ski day at Garmisch-Classic, and ice skating at the Olympia Eissport Zentrum Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Top Garmisch-Partenkirchen Tours

Check out this list of the top tours to help you make the most of your time in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Top Garmisch-Partenkirchen Hotels

Find the perfect place to rest your head on your Christmas trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.

2. Hohenschwangau

Charming street in Hohenschwangau, Germany with pastel buildings and blue shutters in front of a misty mountain. Neuschwanstein Castle perches on the hilltop, evoking a fairytale feel. People with umbrellas add to the quaint, rainy atmosphere.

For an incredibly magical holiday, spend your Christmas in Hohenschwangau, home of the romantic Neuschwanstein Castle. Seeing this small Bavarian village decorated for the holidays will make for the perfect winter vacation.

Head into the larger town of Füssen for a Christmas market in the courtyard of St. Mang Monastery. The market’s festive, twinkling lights turn Füssen into a winter wonderland!

Top sights in Hohenschwangau include Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle, and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings.

Top Hohenschwangau Tours

Check out this list of the top tours to help you make the most of your time in Hohenschwangau.

Top Hohenschwangau Hotels

Find the perfect place to rest your head on your Christmas trip to Hohenschwangau, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.

3. Mainz

Crowded Christmas market in Mainz, Germany beneath string lights, with people browsing wooden stalls. The large, historic Mainz Cathedral towers in the background under a cloudy sky.

Enjoy Christmas in Mainz, a historic city on the Rhine River. Every year, the Historischer Mainzer Weihnachtsmarkt (Historical Mainz Christmas Market) is set up around the beautiful Mainz Cathedral for an absolutely stunning backdrop.

The historic Christmas Market has dozens of decorated wooden booths, Christmas goods and gifts for sale, and traditional German foods. Don’t miss the 11-metre high Christmas pyramid at the entrance of the market.

Top sights in Mainz include the Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, St. Stephan’s Church, the Museum of Ancient Seafaring, and the Fastnachtsbrunnen (Carnival Fountain).

Top Mainz Tours

Check out this list of the top tours to help you make the most of your time in Mainz.

Top Mainz Hotels

Find the perfect place to rest your head on your Christmas trip to Mainz, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.

4. Trier

A lively hauptmarkt (main market square) in Trier, Germany features colorful, historic buildings with steep roofs under a blue sky. Market stalls and a tower create a bustling, festive atmosphere.

This Christmas, spend some time in Trier, Germany’s oldest city. The magical Trierer Weihnachtsmarkt (Trier Christmas Market) is set up in front of the historic Trier Cathedral (the oldest cathedral in Germany) and in the medieval Main Market.

Trier even nominates a “Mulled Wine Queen” each year during the Christmas market. Enjoy traditional holiday favorites in the beautiful Medieval town square and Old Town streets, lined with decorated wooden booths selling handcrafted gifts and the all-important collectable mug of Glühwein.

Top sights in Trier include the Porta Nigra, Trier Cathedral, the Aula Palatina and Electoral Palace, and the Trier Imperial Baths.

Top Trier Tours

Check out this list of the top tours to help you make the most of your time in Trier.

Top Trier Hotels

Find the perfect place to rest your head on your Christmas trip to Trier, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.

German Christmas Traditions

While you’re visiting Germany for Christmas, it’s important to know some of the country’s main holiday traditions! Here are a few long-standing Germany Christmas traditions to keep an eye out for.

  • Christmas in Germany is usually celebrated on Christmas Eve. This is often the time when families will begin decorating the Christmas tree, have a big meal, and open presents.
  • Since Christmas Eve is the big celebratory day, Christmas Day is a relaxing time to spend with loved ones, playing with new toys and enjoying your gifts from the night before.
  • Christmas Markets are a huge deal in Germany. Practically every city has one. These markets sell festive foods, vendors selling handcrafted gifts, and plenty of Glühwein.
  • Speaking of Glühwein, it’s Germany’s version of hot mulled wine. At the Christmas Markets, you can collect unique Glühwein glasses and mugs with different designs that make the perfect souvenir.
  • Lebkuchen is similar to gingerbread. It is usually darker, denser, and richer than American gingerbread, so it does taste slightly different. But it’s delicious just the same!

Christmas in Germany Map

Ready to spend your Christmas vacation in Germany? Use the map below to find the best accommodations in each city listed here.

I hope you have a fantastic holiday in Germany! Frohe Weihnachten!

Germany Christmas FAQ

How do they celebrate Christmas in Germany?

Christmas in Germany is celebrated with family time, gift-giving, and decorating on December 24 (Christmas Eve). On December 25 (Christmas Day), Germans will spend a relaxing day with family enjoying each others’ company.

Is Germany a good place to go for Christmas?

Germany is a fantastic place to spend Christmas! With snow, Christmas markets, mulled wine, and warm comfort foods, Germany is by far one of my favorite places to spend the holiday season.

What is Santa called in Germany?

In Germany, Santa is called Der Weihnachtsmann. He’s a white-bearded man who is a Christmas gift-giver, and he’s a secular stand-in for the religious figures of St Nicholas and the Christkind, who also give gifts.

How do Germans say “merry Christmas”?

Frohe Weihnachten is the classic way to say “merry Christmas” in German.

More Germany Itineraries

See the best of Germany with these top posts:

Ready to visit Germany? Plan your trip with these tips.

Cheers!

Paige

Unique Places To Visit For Christmas in Germany

Where would you like to spend Christmas in Germany? Let me know in the comments!

Paige Watts is a travel expert and author of What's With Atlanta?, a guide to the quirks and charm of the ATL. A life-long traveler, Paige is dedicated to helping you discover the best things to do in the Southern USA and around the world. Her work has been featured in The Culture Trip, Matador, Newsbreak, MSN, NPR, and countless other interviews and podcasts.

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