by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:16th December 2017
Visiting Munich’s Christmas Markets
Where the German traditions come aliveAhh, Munich at Christmas, what a magical time to visit Bavaria’s capital city.
Munich was the 2nd stop on our 2017 Christmas Market road trip after we had enjoyed a couple of festive days in the magnificent French city of Strasbourg. Follow along with us as, after Munich, we visit Frankfurt and Cologne.
On the few occasions we have visited Bavaria, we loved it, the people, the history, the food, and the beer. It was great to be back in Germany’s lush region of Bavaria. What could be better?
Ohh, yes, visiting Munich at Christmas time embracing, Germany’s festive traditions and immersing ourselves in all things Christmassy.
Why not Pin it for later?
So how would the Bavarian capital differ from our other German Christmas market experiences? There was only one way to find out….let’s go and discover Munich’s Christkindlmarkt.
To the Christmas Market in Munich
Where is Munich?
How to get to Munich
- By Air
The nearest airport is Munich International Airport, about 35 minutes (25mls/40km) from the centre of Munich by taxi. There is also a rail connection that takes around 40 minutes. Search for your flights in one easy place with Booking.com and book your car rental all at the same time. This reliable travel search engine will scan for your favoured routes and chosen dates.
- By Car
If you’re venturing from the UK, jump on Le Shuttle and tour Germany under your own steam.
Alternatively, it’s so easy to visit on a road trip. Rental Cars searches multiple well-known car hire brands and discovers the best deals that suit you.
Christmas around Marienplatz
Munich’s Rathaus festive treatOne thing that Munich is certainly not short of, is Christmas markets; we only visited a handful, but there are many more scattered around the historical city, for you to amble around.
Munich’s oldest Christmas market is nestled in the heart of the city with the stunning backdrop of the neo-Gothic Rathaus. The enchanting rambling market of Marienplatz weaves its way amongst the pedestrian streets. It will instantly bring a smile to your face.
This lovely ancient Bavarian market dating back to the 14th-century is full of sparkle, glühwein and bratwurst. All around, the festive cabins are overflowing with traditional Christmas gifts; there’s something for everyone.
Snowing in front of the Rathaus
Attractive gifts
As you stroll amongst all the twinkling stalls, there is a beautiful scent of roasting chestnuts, gingerbread, and Christmas spices. Still, today when I catch a passing waft of these festive aromas, I’m transported to a Christmas Market.
It’s difficult to resist the temptation to indulge, so my advice is don’t resist; create those lasting memories.
One thing we found slightly different in Munich to Cologne is that the Christmas stalls in Munich often have one mug per stall rather than per market….you are spoilt for choice.
A Starry Night Christmas market
Festive fun in RindermarktWhen we visited Munich’s Christmas festivities in 2017, the yuletide market in Rindermarkt was named Sternenplatzl, the ‘Starry Night’ market. The bustling little cabins in this square now float under the glistening umbrella of Marienplatz.
Climbing Santa
Vintage ornaments
We loved visiting this Munich market as it had an intimate and friendly atmosphere. It was cosy and compact and had a fascinating range of traditional antique decorations and old-fashioned children’s toys.
Traditional pyramid at Münchner Christkindlmarkt
Although, without a doubt, the centrepiece in Rindermarkt must be the towering rotating pyramid. Not only is it enjoyable to watch, but it is also home to an overflowing bratwurst stall and a must-try for any visitor.
Where to stay in Munich
Our accommodation for the three nights in Munich was at the Mercure Altstadt. Very central and extremely friendly staff and the buffet breakfast is a must.
Underground parking is available onsite.
Alternatively, pop your dates in the Booking.com search box and discover further options for all budgets.
Munich’s Kripperlmarkt
Creating your own nativityOnce you’ve purchased all your charming Christmas gifts from Marienplatz, stroll west along the pedestrian street to Kripperlmarkt ‘Crib-Market’. This unusual market is Germany’s largest Manger market.
Kripperlmarkt
The 12 unique stalls, which are dotted all around the Richard Strauss statue, offer a large selection of wooden figures, stables, and mangers. Everything you need to create your own nativity scene at home.
Stalls in Kripperlmarkt
However, with most Christmas markets in Germany, it is never complete without the obligatory glühwein hut.
At the Kripperlmarkt, we found a stall selling kirsch glühwein, complete with cherries in the bottom.
I must admit I’m not a lover of kirsch cherries, so I let Gary try this one, which he was more than willing to do.
Kirsch glühwein
The copper still
CityTourCard Munich
Take advantage of the wide range of benefits that the CityTourCard Munich has to offer. Make the most out of your trip to Munich with free travel on the public transport, plus many discounts at selected partners.
Munich’s Christmas Ice rink
Grab your skates and glideWhen we visited Munich’s Christmas markets in 2017, we headed to the ice rink in Karlsplatz. Now don’t hold me to this, but I believe the ice-rink is no longer in Karlsplatz; however, I know there is one located at the Christmas market at Munich Airport.
The airport ice-rink is undercover and is encircled by a bounty of Christmas stalls.
The Ice rink
The Karlsplatz ice rink is just a short hop from Kripperlmarkt. We were at the Christmas ice-rink on a Monday, so it was a bit quieter, but in the evening, we struggled to even get close to the viewing platform.
Around the ice rink
It was such a lovely atmosphere around Stachus ice rink; everyone was having fun and enjoying themselves. I must admit we saved our dignity and left the skating to the people who could stay upright.
If you've yet to discover Munich's incredible history, then let’s start planning. I find these DK Travel Guides invaluable, they're extremely informative, easy to follow, and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more of those fascinating sites.
You can now grab a recently revised copy of this guidebook, so you won't miss a thing.
Christmas Village in the Kaiserhof
Sparkles at Residenz (Munich City Palace)We take a leisurely stroll north of Marienplatz to Kaiserhof and the Residenz (Munich City Palace). Here you’ll discover another charming traditional Christmas market. This quaint Christmas village is set within the courtyard of the Kaiserhof and is full of festive fun for the young and old.
The centre of the village Christmas market
As soon as we step through the cobbled-stoned archway, the huge sparkling rotating pyramid immediately catches our eye.
These wonderful wooden structures always add a bit of festive joy.
However, the glistening stalls and the intriguing Hansel & Gretel fairy-tale forest are hard to resist.
Food in the village Christmas market
It was in this Christmas village that Gary tried the delicious Gluhbier (hot beer), and I chose the heart-warming apple wine (it would have been rude not to).
Hot wine and beer
Don’t forget
Your comfy shoes and warm clothing
Munich’s Medieval Christmas Market
And a fire-breathing dragonThe bustling Medieval Christmas market in Wittelsbacher Platz was one of our favourite markets in Munich. Every detail was perfectly thought through, the wooden huts, the mugs, the characters, the whole theme was great fun and such a friendly atmosphere.
The Medieval Christmas market in Munich
Lining the Medieval Christmas market
Traditional crafts at the Medieval Christmas market
While wandering around the festive Medieval cabins, locals were dressed up in historical costumes and entertaining us. Falconers were strolling around with birds of prey, and there was even a guy on stilts accompanied by a fire-breathing dragon (you don’t see that every day).
The Dragon Master
Fire-breathing dragon
The Middle Ages are brought back to life in this Munich market; grab yourself a tarte flambée and watch as the ancient world passes by.
Of course, this is an ideal spot to enjoy a glühwein; in fact, we chose the flaming feuerzangenbowle served up in clay goblets.
Drinking from a goblet
Warm to touch
Visitor Information
If you’re tempted to visit Munich at Christmas, this informative website will guide you around Munch’s magnificent Christmas markets.
Christmas at the Chinese Tower
Nestled in the English GardenThe next Bavarian Christmas market we visited in Munich was the Weihnachtsmarkt am Chinesischer Turm, the Christmas market under the Chinese Tower.
This delightful market can be found in the English Garden just north of the historic city centre.
The Chinese Tower at Christmas, Munich
Your carriage awaits
The Chinesischer Turm market felt very family orientated, with the Christmas huts being centred around the eye-catching Chinese Tower. There were horse-drawn carriages to take you on a trot around the park. Also, in this Christmas market were lanes for playing Ice Stock Curling, which was truly entertaining at times.
Bavarian Curling
There were plenty of food cabins to choose from, and we also welcomed the ample seating around the tower, which was gratefully needed after being on our feet all day.
Another slight difference
When you bought a glühwein, you were given a token with your mug. Instead of returning the mug to the stall, you purchased it from, you took it to a central station for your refund along with the token.
Local Delicacies in Munich
Tempting those tastebudsThere are so many great things to eat around Munich’s markets, especially if you have a sweet tooth.
We found a dish named Apfelschmarrn, which we’d never had before. It is apple pancakes with nuts and a plum sauce. You were even able to eat the bowl that Apfelschmarrn was served in (it tasted like an ice cream cone). No waste is to be had here.
Trying Apfelschmarrn
Steaming glühwein
Although there are glühwein stalls throughout the Christmas markets, it is surprising how much they can differ in flavour, some sweeter and some spicier. But all very good, I hasten to add.
Why not?
Start creating your own Christmas Market adventure and discover the culinary delights for yourself. Take a browse through Booking.com for departures from your local airport.
Discover more of Germany on a road trip like us; why not check out Rental Cars as they search multiple well-known car hire brands for the best deals.
Visiting a German Beer Hall
When in Bavaria, it’s a mustNot that we really needed an excuse, but the snow had started to head in, and this was a good reason to go and find a traditional Brauhaus (beer hall); we were in Bavaria, after all.
End of the night in the Hofbrauhaus
The most famous and Brauhaus of the oldest in Munich is the Hofbrauhaus; we were lucky to get a seat near the band and enjoyed an evening amongst other revellers. It was a great atmosphere, with everyone drinking German beer from steins and eating giant pretzels.
The Oom-pah band in their section of the Hofbrauhaus in Munich
We chatted with a German couple from Koblenz, and they gave us some tips on other towns and cities to visit in Germany, especially during Christmas which were Aachen, Trier and Cochem.
Visiting Munich at Christmas was incredible. A few other towns we recommend for yuletide fun are Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Düsseldorf, Bremen and Hamburg.
Have You?
Visited any German Christmas markets? We’d love you to share them with us.
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