4 Unique Places To Visit For Christmas in Germany

There’s no place more magical for Christmas than Germany! The country is famous for its holiday festivities like Christmas Markets and Glühwein. If you’re looking for the perfect place to spend Christmas in Germany, check out these suggestions!

If you’re looking for a festive destination for a wonderful winter getaway, Germany is the perfect place to go!

With Christmas markets all over the country, delicious holiday treats, and stunning winter scenes all around, Germany offers a unique and magical holiday experience.

Unique Germany Christmas Destinations

1. Garmisch-Partenkirchen

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.

• Private Day Tour of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze Mountain
• Guided Day Tour from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Neuschwanstein Castle
• Swarovski Crystal World and Innsbruck from 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.

• Where We Stayed: Hotel Zugspitze
• Great Value: Riessersee Hotel
• Top Hotel: Das Graseck – Mountain Hideaway & Health Care
• Unique Stay: Luxurious apartment with panoramic views

2. Hohenschwangau

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.

• Neuschwanstein Castle Tour with Skip the Line
• Photo Session at Neuschwanstein Castle

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.

• Top Hotel: Hotel Müller
• Great Value: Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein
• Unique Stay: Hotel Villa Ludwig

3. Mainz

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.

• Mainz Private Walking Tour
• Gutenberg and Mainz Cathedral Tour
• Rhein Castles & Regal Riesling. Tasting wine along the Rhein
• Mainz Christmas Market Tour

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.

• Top Hotel: Hyatt Regency Mainz
• Great Value: INNdependence Hotel
• Unique Stay: Brunnenhaus Holiday Home with Garden

4. Trier

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.

• Trier Private Tour
• Tailor-Made Trier Tour
• Trier Private Walking Tour
• Trier Christmas Market Tour

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.

• Top Hotel: Park Plaza Trier
• Great Value: Blesius Garten
• Unique Stay: Central top floor apartment

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

More Germany Itineraries

See the best of Germany with these top posts:

• What to Pack for Winter in Bavaria
• Top 5 Tourist Destinations in Germany
• Hotel Zugspitze Review: Where to Stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
• 4 Things To Do When You Visit Munich
• Visiting Hohenecken Castle in Kaiserslautern
• 3 Fun Day Trips from Kaiserslautern
• Visiting Frankenstein Castle in Frankenstein
• Where to Eat and Drink in Kaiserslautern
• How to Spend 1 Day in Frankfurt
• 8 Best Things to Do in Frankfurt
• Visiting Heidelberg Castle in Heidelberg
• One Day in Heidelberg: A Day Trip from Frankfurt
• Top Things to Do in Kaiserslautern

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

• Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
• Find Accommodation: You can find top places to stay in Germany here.
• Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.

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Cheers!

Paige

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