Bavaria is one of the most beautiful regions in Germany and it is the perfect place to enjoy the Christmas markets.

Located in the Southern part of the country, the capital of Bavaria is Munich and the federal state consists of storybook villages, stunning alpine mountains, enchanting castles, breathtaking nature and so much more.

During Christmastime, Bavaria is thriving with the best Christmas markets in Germany that have beautiful decorations and a spirit that is merry and bright.

Every year, I enjoy doing a Christmas trip during the month of December. During December 2019, I started my Christmas trip in Kraków, Poland and then made my way to Prague and Česky Krumlov, Czechia; Nuremberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria, Germany along with Frankfurt and Cologne, Germany.

There is something truly special about the German Christmas markets, especially in Bavaria. Between the beautiful wooden stands, glühwein (German mulled wine), decorative gingerbread cookies, stunning Christmas displays, and half-timbered houses, there is a reason why Bavaria is renowned for their magical Christkindlmarkts.

After experiencing the events at the Christmas markets in Munich during 2018, I knew I had to make my way back to Bavaria at some point.

In 2019, I decided to check out Nuremberg (or Nürnberg in German), which is known to have one of the largest and most famous Christmas markets in Germany, as well as the charming village of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Please note that the German Christmas markets usually end the day before Christmas Eve as compared to the Eastern European markets that end in early January.

The 2022 Bavaria Christmas markets will run around the same time frame. The Nuremberg Christmas market will start on November 25 and go through December 24. The Rothenburg Christmas market will begin on November 25 and end on December 23.

In this article, discover all of the festive things to do while you explore the best Bavaria Christmas markets in Nuremberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany and learn about why both destinations should be added to your Germany bucket list.

**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like. During my time in Bavaria, Hocher Hotel hosted me for two nights in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

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Traveling to and around Bavaria at Christmas:

Before visiting Bavaria, I spent a few days in Czechia (Czech Republic) checking out the Christmas markets in Prague and Česky Krumlov and before that, two days in Kraków, Poland.

I found great flight deals through Skyscanner from NYC to Europe and used Omio to book all of my trains and buses to all of the different cities I visited. What I love about Omio is that they plan the most convenient and cost-friendly route for your travels around Europe.

From Česky Krumlov, I took a Flixbus to Nuremberg in Bavaria with a stopover back in Prague.

Technically, I went out of my way to spend time in Česky Krumlov, but it was worth it. Overall, it was around a 7-hour journey to get from Česky Krumlov to Nuremberg, but that was the easiest way I could get there through public transportation.

If you are looking to do a road trip around Bavaria, it is best to rent a car. An important factor to take into consideration about renting a car in Germany (or anywhere in the European Union) is that you will need to have an international diver’s permit in addition to your regular license. I don’t know how the process works for every single country out there, but for U.S. residents, you could easily obtain one by going to your local AAA office.  

During my two days exploring the Christmas markets in Bavaria, I spent one day in Nuremberg before making my way to Rothenburg later that day, where I spent two nights.

Rothenburg is a much smaller city than Nuremberg and it is located in a secluded area in Bavaria that requires three trains to get to.

From the Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof (main train station), it took less than an hour to get to Rothenburg, but it required a transfer in the towns of Ansbach and Steinach. I will admit that it was annoying transferring trains a few times, but visiting Rothenburg is worth it because it’s beautiful!

Since I wasn’t staying in Nuremberg and had my luggage on me, I used Nannybag, which offers a secure luggage storage during your time in a specific city or town.

What you do is download the Nannybag app, type in the city that you will be visiting and when you plan to arrive and leave. At a small cost per luggage, Nannybag will list the stores, restaurants or hotels where you could drop your bag off at the city you are visiting.

Nannybag is also insured against theft, loss and breakage. I ended up dropping my luggage off at an Asian store located near the Nuremberg Christmas market. The owner’s of the store locked up my luggage in a private room and they also provided me with a receipt that I needed to show when I came to pick the bag back up.

Overall, it is super convenient and a great way to store your bags when you are traveling from one city to the next in Europe. (I also did this when I visited Frankfurt.)

Staying at Hocher Hotel in Rothenburg:

During my two nights in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, I stayed at the charming Hocher Hotel & Café. It is a family-run boutique hotel and café that is located in the heart of the old town. I adored staying at Hocher Hotel and it was a welcoming and warm place to stay at during German Christmas market season.

What I loved most about staying at Hocher Hotel was that it was everything you picture a Bavarian home to be – wooden furniture, Christmas decorations everywhere and pretty architecture.

One thing to note prior to checking in at Hocher Hotel is that reception opens at 7am and closes at 6pm. If you are planning on arriving early or late, it is best to contact the hotel and let them know. Hocher Hotel consists of a main house along with a back house.

During my two nights at Hocher Hotel, I stayed in the back house in a double room that was perfect for myself. (It also would’ve been good for a couple too.)

What I loved about staying in the backhouse was how cozy it was. When you walk in the door, there was a Charlie Brown Christmas tree that was lit up. There were also other Christmas decorations as well as garland along the staircase.

My room was on the second floor and offered a double bed, ensuite bathroom, desk, closet space, television, high-speed WiFi and more.

In the morning, breakfast was included in my stay which consisted of cold cuts, fresh breads with Nutella or fruity jams, cereals, yogurt, oatmeal and granola, fresh fruit, plus tea, coffee, hot chocolate and juices.

I also loved the bakery and café at Hocher Hotel. There were plenty of delicious baked goods such as croissants, pastries and more. It is a charming place to hang out in if you want a coffee and cake break.

Overall, I enjoyed my stay at Hocher Hotel during my time in Bavaria and recommend staying there if you are planning an overnight visit in Rothenburg.

Best Christmas Markets in Bavaria:

Nuremberg Christmas Markets:

Nuremberg is the second largest city in Bavaria behind Munich. It is known for having the most spectacular Christmas market in Germany and it is also renowned for its nightlife.

Nuremberg has expansive history in the country of Germany. For many centuries, it was the undeclared capital of the Holy Roman Empire and the preferred residence of the German kings. It was also a city for Bavaria’s artists and a powerhouse during Germany’s industrial revolution.

During World War II, the Nazis held rallies in the city and it was where the Nuremberg Laws, outlawing German citizenship for Jewish people, were enacted and it was also where the boycott of Jewish businesses began.

On January 2, 1945, most of the city was bombed and 6,000 people were killed in the process. After the war, it was the site of the Nuremberg Trials and most of city was rebuilt, resembling its former grandeur.

The World-Famous Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt:

The best time to visit Nuremberg is during Christmastime. I was awestruck by how impressive the city’s German Christmas markets were! In fact, I consider them to be some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. It could take you hours to walk past all of the wooden stands, which is awesome!

During my day in Nuremberg, I had both lunch and dinner at the Christmas markets because I seriously wanted to eat everything!

When it comes to food, the Germany Xmas markets do not disappoint. Here is a list of everything you could enjoy at the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt:

• Decorative Gingerbread Hearts and Cookies
• Nuremberg Bratwursts (they are mini bratwursts)
• Roasted Almonds
• Homemade Chocolates
• Pretzels of all Kinds
• Potato Pancakes and Applesauce
• Roasted Mushrooms
• Raclette
• Spätzle
• Currywurst
• Sauerbraten (pot roast)

Next, you cannot visit Bavaria Christmas markets and not get glühwein. This warm beverage is seriously my favorite part of attending a Christmas market because it is tasty and heartwarming.

The traditional glühwein is usually made with red wine, but there are spin offs made with white wine, fruity flavors and more.

Other popular drinks at Bavarian Christmas markets are Eierpunsch, which is similar to eggnog. It is made with egg yolks, white wine, spices (cinnamon and cloves), vanilla and citrus juice. Another Christmas market beverage I enjoy drinking is Heisse Schokolade, which is a spiked hot chocolate either with rum or Amaretto.

Lastly, you could also enjoy glühbier at the markets! Pretty much, it is the same thing as glühwein where it is heated and filled with spices, but instead it is made with beer instead of wine. You could also get grog, which is straight up mulled liquor.

During my time at the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, I made my way through the stands in the hauptmarkt.

Since I had both lunch and dinner at the market, I savored A LOT: glühwein (obviously); a Nuremberg bratwurst sandwich, which are two mini bratwursts on a round roll; a heart-shaped gingerbread cookie; potato pancakes with applesauce and a sugary pretzel with a chocolate drizzle. (No shame at all!)

I also walked around and admired all of the lovely trinkets, crafts, decorations and artwork the stalls offered. What I also love about the German markets are that they sell beautiful Christmas village houses that resemble the timber wood houses of Bavaria.

You could wander all throughout the regular market and even make your way over to the Children’s Christmas Market that is a lovely area filled with more stalls serving bratwursts, frites (French fries), sugary treats and non-alcoholic hot punch.

There is even a carousel, Ferris wheel and other fun rides and games for little ones to enjoy. In addition, you could find more Christmas stands and shops all throughout the city.

Things to do in Nuremberg during Bavarian Christmas:

During my time in Nuremberg, I was mainly at the Christmas markets, but there are plenty of other wonderful things to do in the city.

Below is a list of other awesome things to do in Nuremberg, Germany:

Visit the Imperial Castle: Like I mention above, Nuremberg was once the undeclared capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

Since the Middle Ages, The Imperial Castle of Nuremberg played an important role in royalty and it is considered one of Europe’s most formidable medieval fortifications. There are no organized tours of the Imperial Castle, so you are free to explore on your own.

The only area of the castle where you need a tour guide is at the Deep Well. Other areas of the castle to see are the Sinwell Tower, Double Chapel, Imperial Hall, Emperor’s Living Room, Corner Chamber, Imperial Castle Museum as well as the Castle Gardens.

Climb the Frauenkirche: Located at the center of the hauptmarkt is the Frauenkirche, or otherwise known as Church of Our Lady. It is also the center of the Christmas markets.

This beautiful Gothic church was built in the 14^th Century and contains many sculptures from the Holy Roman Empire, many of which have been restored over the years.

You could climb up the church’s tower and catch stunning views of the city as well as the magical Christmas markets.

Wander and Get Lost: Nuremberg is a wonderful city to get lost in during Christmas in Bavaria. There are gorgeous half timbered houses, lovely cobblestone lanes and other beautiful churches and historical sites that showcase the beauty of Bavaria.

You could even find more Christmas stands and decorations throughout the city.

Discover the best walking tours in Nuremberg.

Go Shopping: Located in the heart of Nuremberg are numerous stores for you to get your shopping fix in.

A popular German Christmas store to check out is Käthe Wohlfahrt. It is here where you could find any and all types of Christmas decorations. It is fascinating to walk through and take a look around.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Best Bavarian Christmas Village:

The most beautiful Christmas town in Germany that I’ve visited is Rothenburg ob der Tauber. It means above the Tauber River in German and it’s a medieval jewel located along the Romantic Road in Bavaria.

In case you are wondering, the Romantic Road is a 350km (or 217-mile) route that leads through the forests and mountains of Bavaria, Germany. The northern end point of the Romantic Road is in the wine region of Würzburg and the southern end point is in Füssen near the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle.

Rothenburg’s Bavarian Christmas village is one of the top tourist destinations in Germany and it draws in heavy crowds (similar to how it did in Česky Krumlov).

The town is the best depiction of fairytale Germany with its cobbled lanes, half-timber wood houses, towered walls, breathtaking scenery and more. It is a fairly small town and you could easily see everything in one full day while also experiencing the Rothenburg Christmas market.

Discover everything I did during my time in Rothenburg ob der Tauber:

Get Lost in Rothenburg during Bavaria at Christmas:

Rothenburg is the definition of a magical Christmas town in addition to its incredible Bavarian Christmas markets. No matter where you go, you will find higgledy-piggledy houses with stunning Christmas décor on almost every single one of them.

Some of the most picturesque parts of Rothenburg is at the Market Square, the Master Builder’s House (Baumeisterhaus) and the Plönlein, which is the town’s most photographed site and also considered the Pinocchio house. Not only was the Plönlein the inspiration behind the 1940’s Walt Disney classic, it is also seen in German video games, music videos and Japanese manga.

If you are looking for the best Instagram locations throughout the city, you won’t have a problem finding the perfect photo spot in Rothenburg.

I do recommend waking up earlier to get your photos in, especially if you are a solo traveler like myself who is reliant on a tripod.  

Discover walking tours in Rothenberg ob der Tauber.

Walk the Rothenburg Town Walls:

One of the best ways to capture great views of Rothenburg from all around is by walking the town walls. The walls itself are around 2 miles long and it could take around 2 hours or more to walk the entire length of it.

I only meandered through a small part of it and do want to let you all know that the walkway is very narrow and only allows people to walk single file.

Before you walk up to the walkway, there is a sign informing you that walking the walls could be dangerous due to weather. The walkway also does not meet city standards, so please note that you are walking at your own risk. I personally didn’t feel unsafe, but for an elderly person or young child, it could be risky.

Enjoy the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Markets:

To top off all of the magic in Rothenburg, the city’s Bavarian Christmas markets are enchanting!

You will find gorgeous wooden stands at the Marktplatz, which is the main Market Square as well as in the Grüner Markt and Kirchplatz. They are some of the best Christmas markets in Bavaria!

At the Rothenburg Christkindlmarkts, you could find the typical Bavaria, German Christmas market staples such as glühwein, bratwurst and other German wursts, warm crêpes, gingerbread and more.

During my time at the Rothenburg markets, I had hot chocolate with Amaretto along with a bratwurst sandwich and a crêpe with white chocolate for dessert. Everything was delicious!

I also loved walking around and looking at all of the different stands!

One thing to note about Rothenburg’s Bavaria Christmas markets is that the Reiterle will make a random appearance on certain days during Advent season.

Similar to Krampus, Reiterle is a feared figure for children who have misbehaved throughout the year. He is the contrast to Santa Claus.

Visit St. James’s Church:

A beautiful church to visit in Rothenburg is St. James’s Church. It is a Lutheran church that serves as a place of worship on the Bavaria pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Honestly, I thought I was just seeing things when I spotted the infamous Camino de Santiago seashell in Rothenburg. Now, I know why! (Click here to read my blog post from the Camino de Santiago.)

Stroll through the Burggarten:

One of the most picturesque nature spots in Rothenburg is the Burggarten, which is located behind a few buildings in the town.

The road leading towards the Plönlein is where you could find the lookout spot as well as the stairs that lead down into the Burggarten.

It is the perfect place to stroll through and relax with a nice book.

Admire the Decorations at Käthe Wohlfahrt:

As I mention above in the Nuremberg section of this blog post, Käthe Wohlfahrt is the official Christmas store of Germany.

Their head office is actually based at this spot, since Rothenburg is a magical Christmas town in Germany, and they also have a beautiful museum to check out.

Opened 360 days a year, this beautiful Christmas store has a gorgeous display of Christmas trees that are lit up; there are beautiful village houses, sparkly ornaments, nutcrackers, home décor and so much more.

During my time at Käthe Wohlfahrt, I purchased my own German stein!

Savor Authentic German Food during Rothenburg Christmas:

During my time in Rothenburg, I mainly ate at the Christmas markets, but I couldn’t wait to savor an authentic German meal, special to Bavaria, at a local restaurant.

Since Rothenburg draws a lot of tourists, I did have a tough time finding a restaurant that had open tables. I was so lucky to have found Hotel Reichsküchenmeister, which offers a lovely and cozy Bavarian restaurant.

I had a delicious German beer with pork and Spätzle in a mushroom cream sauce. It was delicious!

In addition, I also enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea at Café Einzigartig, which is a cute and unique café located a few buildings down from Hocher Hotel.

I absolutely loved how unique it was. Other restaurants that were recommended to me in Rothenburg were Restaurant Klosterstüble, Profumo di Pasta da Giuseppe, Zur Höll and Louvre.

I hope you all enjoyed reading about my time in Bavaria and exploring the Christmas markets in the towns of Nuremberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.

Discover other quaint Christmas towns in Europe:

Riga, Latvia

Bratislava, Slovakia

Hallstatt, Austria

If you have any questions about my time in Bavaria during Advent season, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.

Basic Facts of Germany:

Currency: Euro, Capital: Berlin, Time Zone: Central European Standard Time

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