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Roam the world, record the moments, relive the memories!
I have just returned from my trip to Nuremberg, Bavaria. I had a magical time, with snow falling, carol-singing and Christmas markets buzzing, during what is the most spectacular time of the year.
Nuremberg is considered to be home to the best Christmas markets in Germany (and the world), so this really is the best time to visit the city. From mid-November and throughout December, Nuremberg is transformed into a sparkly fairytale, and it hosts the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world. Here are my top picks…
The enchanting Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt dates back to the 16th century. It takes place during Advent in the Hauptmarkt, the central square in Nuremberg’s Old Town. The square is home to the Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain) and Frauenkirche (The Church of Our Lady), hence the ideal location for this iconic and world-famous Christmas market.
The market hosts over 160 wooden booths with red and white booths, which when I visited, were covered in beautiful snow! The stalls are lined across the Hauptmarkt selling traditional delicacies, toys, treats, ornaments, art, gifts and lots more, and attract over two million visitors every year.
I visited over a few days during different times – the morning, afternoon and evening. If you have enough time, I highly recommend you do the same, to experience a different Christmassy vibe each time.
If you hear the sound of bells and the clatter of hooves, these will be a sign that the stagecoach is at the Christkindlesmarkt. This is a yellow horse-drawn carriage, pulled by two Rheinland Heavy Draft horses, and is a part of the Christmas market tradition in Nuremberg.
Top tip when visiting Nuremberg’s Christmas markets – order a mulled wine, punch or a hot drink in a festive mug, and you can then keep the mug as a special souvenir!
Alongside the Christkindlesmarkt, there are two smaller markets.
Kinderweihnacht is a special children’s Christmas market. Young kids have the opportunity to bake their own gingerbread, draw on glasses, write a letter to the Christkind, and ride on the nostalgic carousel and miniature Ferris wheel.
On the square just north of the Christkindlesmarkt, the Christmas Market of Sister Cities adds some international flair to the festivities. With a wide range of indigenous arts and crafts, there are stalls from many of Nuremberg’s sister cities including Antalya, Glasgow, Krakow, Shenzhen, Santiago and Verona.
Handwerkerhof, located across the road from Nuremberg Central Station, is a medieval shopping village and German artisan plaza, with traditional wooden buildings and a historic arts quarter – the picture perfect location!
The area is transformed during Christmas time, with stunning decorations, Christmas trees and market stalls selling traditional masterpieces. This is also the spot to visit both during the day and night, to take in the full Chrismassy feel.
A tour of the Christmas markets is a perfect way to explore and enjoy all the festivities Nuremberg has to offer.
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