Best Christmas Markets in Munich: to Each his Own!
Munich is a lovely city to visit at any time of the year. It offers some of the best Christmas markets in Germany and the setting is really charming! Follow my tips to enjoy 4 days in Munich. It would be a pity going to Munich only to visit Christmas markets. Munich Christmas markets are traditional (like Salzburg Christmas markets) and innovative (like London Christmas markets) at the same time. I suggest to include them if you are taking a romantic Christmas Bavaria tour and you are going to visit other Bavarian Christmas markets.
Christmas 2015: dates have been updated
For Everyone:
1) Christkindlmarkt. It is the main Christmas market of Munich, which takes place in Marienplatz, the beautiful square in the city’s buzzing heart. Here you can find whatever you want, from handmade decorations to Bavarian food. Taste reiber-datschi (potato pancakes), spicy sweets, mulled wine and sausages. Then, every evening, at 5.30pm, live music artists perform Advent songs from the Gothic Tower of Town Hall. More info.
Dates: from November 27 to December 24.
NOTE: Are you traveling with children? The Heavenly Workshop is a free activity, where children from 6 to 12 years, dressed as angels, enjoy craft time and learn to bake cookies. The workshop takes place every day at Ratstrinkstube pub of the Town Hall, from November 30 to December 13, at 2.30 and 4.30 pm. It lasts an hour and a half.
For party lovers and people who want to taste organic food:
2) Tollwood München. It is the ideal place for those who love the great festivals and live concerts! The Tollwood takes place two times a year, in summer (June/July) and in winter. It is held in Theresienwiese, about 15 minutes from Marienplatz. This market is called “Market of Ideas” because it focuses on the idea of respect both for the Earth and people. There are many free events (circus, theatre) and a market with about 200 stalls selling international crafts, organic, ethnic, vegetarian and vegan food. Taste the Kletznbrot (a type of bread made of nuts, fruit and honey) and Fatschnkindl (a pastry shaped like the baby Jesus). If you love Art there are also exhibitions and debates at the Welt Salon (Hall of the world). More details here.
Dates: from November 24 to December 31.
3) Kripperlmarkt. It is an open air market, called Crib Market. You can find everything about the theme of the Nativity: figures and statues made of wood to decorate your crib. Taste lebkuchen (spicy gingerbread), glühwein, kinderpunsch, nuts, pretzels, pancakes. More details here.
Dates and location: from November 27 to December 24, in Neuhauser Strasse.
4) Medieval Market. If you want to dive into a medieval past, this market is for you! There are acrobats, storytellers who walk among the stalls. The staff is dressed in medieval clothes. You can buy medieval clothes and also armors. It is an unusual market for those who want to experience a different Christmas. More info.
Dates and location: from 25 November to 23 December at Wittelsbacher Platz.
5) Pink Market. This is a market from the gay community. People are dressed in an eccentric way. All the decorations are in pink. Always visit the website to check if the event is confirmed. More info.
Dates: from November 27 to December 23.
6) Sternenplatzl at Rindermarkt. A market where you can go back to your childhood. There are very cute wooden toys. Then you will also find local crafts.
7) Christmas market at the Munich Airport. Can you believe that Munich also offers a beautiful market at the airport? Almost 300 real Christmas trees and a 15-meter-high Christmas tree are here. It is a really winter wonderland! There is also a huge ice skating rink. The Christmas market at the Munich Airport is open daily from 11am to 9pm.
Dates: from November 22 to December 28.
NOTE: You can visit the best Christmas markets in Munich on foot. If you want to try something different Munich offers a special tram during Christmas holidays: the Christkindl Tram which from Sendlinger Tor (where there is another Christmas market) takes you to Isartor, Lehel, Maximilianstraße, Stachus and back to Sendlinger Tor. The ticket tour costs €2 for adults, €1 for children from 6 to 14. You can taste traditional gingerbread and mulled wine on board.
Munich markets are worthy to visit. You should also take a tour of the best Bavarian Christmas markets. Have you ever visited Munich Christmas markets? 🙂
Great post! I myself always recommend these five markets to all my friends visiting during Christmas time: http://travelthewholewideworld.com/munichs-christmas-markets-my-top-5/ It’s really hard to choose otherwise!
Yes, they are are really amazing Eva!! Thanks for sharing your advice 😉