Elbe Cycle Path
Centre-based cycle tours
Saxon Switzerland
Circular walking tours
Sportive walking tours
The smell of mulled wine is in the air…Christmas songs are all over …children’s’ eyes shine…With Christmas around the corner, various cities, villages and metropolises in Germany are turning into sparkling winter wonderlands. Being a Dresden tour operator, we are closely linked to Saxony Christmas tradition. For us, smoking figures, nutcrackers, Schwibbögen (small illuminated wooden arches) and fruitcakes are a must-have during the Advent season. Year after year, the windows and streets of former mining villages in the Ore Mountain area turn into a sea of lights. However, other states and regions in Germany are not far behind and invite their visitors with lovely decorated Christmas markets to stroll, relaxation and more Christmas goodies than you can count. In the following article, we introduce you to some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany.
From fruitcakes, bright lights to fortress Königstein: Christmas markets in Dresden and the surrounding area
“The Dresden Striezelmarkt is my favourite Christmas market. I have known this one since my childhood and even today it still evokes my amazement. I wander through the sea of lights and I can smell seductive pastries and yummy meat and sausages from the grill everywhere. A memory I am now happily sharing with my children.”, Katja Marquardt enthuses. The Striezelmarkt is one out of 11 Christmas markets in Saxony’s capital Dresden. It is also known to be one of the worlds oldest markets and was named after the Dresden fruitcake, a cake made of yeast dough, dried fruits and a thick layer of powdered sugar.
Further Christmas markets in Dresden and the surrounding area
From Wartburg to Lutherstadt Wittenberg: Christmas markets in Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt
One insider tip in Thuringia is the historic Christmas market at the Wartburg. Behind historic walls, you can find the world of medieval trade and time-honoured, almost forgotten craftsmanship. “Only paying a small road duty, one can visit the great castle’s ballroom and the famous Luther room”, Manuela Leveghi mentions. Apart from its fame of being home for the famous reformer Martin Luther, Lutherstadt Wittenberg has always placed a lot of importance to Christmas and its traditions. A very special experience is the “market of the pretty things”. “There, you can purchase quality products and fanciful things from artists and craftsmen from near and far within the historical rooms of the Cranach houses and the belonging courts”, Fanny Grabowski says.
With high chances of snow: Christmas markets in the Harz Mountains
Mostly, a Christmas market visit is even more enjoyable with snowy roof tops and church spires. Christmas markets with the highest chance of snow can be found in the Harz Mountains. One insider tip comes from Dorothea Thiedt – “Advent in the courtyards of Quedlinburg”: “On the first three weekends during Advent time, over 20 of the most beautiful courtyards in Quedlinburg open their doors to the public and show what hides behind them. All of it in a real Christmassy atmosphere.”, Caroline Nitschke explains.
