Best Christmas markets to visit in Germany

OK so my family are visiting me next week and I'm interested in your views on which Christmas Markets to visit. I live in Heidelberg so its already on the list, but which other ones do you know are good? Within a max 1.5 hour drive would be good. Any views?

The best one in Germany without a doubt is Nürnberg

I think about 2 hours from Heidelberg though. That is my guess from the map though the sat nav might say something different.

Apart from that I reckon seen one seen them all!

Thanks Muffin, yep know about that one. Someone mentioned that Bad Wimphen (?) is really cool, old and nostalgic, and there's a Medieval one in Esslingen. Anyone been to any of these?

whats so good about Nürnberg?? i honestly think i prefer the Munich ones...

am i missing something that is especially good about N.?

I didn't like the one in Nürnberg. It was too expensive, touristy, crowded, etc.
My mom's also visiting and I bought a €25 rail pass for 2 persons from Mainz to Koblenz (return). Pretty cheap! We're planning on taking the train up to Koblenz stopping off at many of the small villages along the way for quick checks, Koblenz and then back to Wiesbaden on the other side of the Rhine and stopping at the markets on the Hessen side.

Ruedesheim is a fav with most of my German friends.

Here is a good website with tonz of info regarding all the Christmas markets.
http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/index1.htm

Have fun w/the fam Billy. My hubby and I are off on a road trip through Eastern Germany and hitting all the Christmas markets there.

Cologne also has several including a medieval one, I really enjoyed that one...people are working away talking funny and there's tons of great pottery around. Nice and the city is nice to visit too aside from that!

Says who?

I think Nürnberg is just the biggest and most famous among the tourists.

Tourist guides, size it is just the most famous. Ok sorry my description of best was probably wrong. But I think for Christmas market lovers it is a good one to see.

How about Strasbourg? It's a really nice market and not too far from Heidelberg.

Apparently there is a really good German style Christmas market in Glasgow this year

bad homburg is supposed to be pretty...

I'd recommend Esslingen. The medival market is great fun...they have medival games, food, and even jesters and all the half-timber houses around contribute to a great atmosphere.

Billy, the Esslingen one is lovely! It does get a bit full nowadays as the popularity has increased no end - still a great Christmas Market though!

I heard from some friends that Nürnberg's christmas market is the most famous one in Europe with all the grandeur, etc stuff...! Its indeed splendid, but crowded as many folks come around to visit that as its famous.

But, some people like it and some dont (mostly because of the crowd)..So, it depends...and its probably worth it (specially for people from other countries)..! And i know many people from Nürnberg, who say that its great over there and its famous all over, but they dont really like to visit that often as its crowded and much touristic...!

Many of them, apart from visiting nuremberg, also like to go to some places nearby where it looks a bit medieval and also offers genuine stuff and looks traditional and orthodox...! I had been to one like that in a place called Spalt (not far from nuremberg) and it was indeed a good experience..not so big, not so small..!

Nürnberg is so famous for this, that its called "weihnachtstadt" ..!

Regensburg town centre is brilliant Then the one at Thurn and Taxis, in the grounds of the Schloss. It is quite small but personally, it is everything a Christmas market should be and the atmosphere is excellent. The food is excellent, spit roast wild boar, duck, etc etc. The Thurn and Taxis one cost 4 euro for adults but it was worth it. They have the place set up with open fires that you can sit around whilst enjoying your food and drink too.

oooh! I second Strasbourg! Went there last month, its not too far from Heidelberg, had Flammkuchen ( Tarte Flambee - a kind of 'French pizza' from Alsace made from a very thin layer of pastry topped with sour cream, chopped onions and bacon) YUMMY!! Loads of "Fachwerk" houses, one of the highest cathredrals world wide (the hightest buiding world wide until 1874) and oh of course your in a different country!

I heard that Grainau (near Garmisch) has a nice Christmas market - but thats a bit too far for you.

Thanks for the great suggestions!! Am building the list and sure is going to be fun next week! Keep them coming!

I would highly recommend this one as well.

I liked the Nürnberg market the few times I went, but it was more of a must see than to actually buy anything much too crowded for that, but there were so many stands and lots more variety than I found at most other markets, but thats probably because it caters to the tourists and there is a lot more shiney things than straw chritmas ornaments and handwerk crap the germans seem to love. But if crowds stress u out then don't bother.

I liked the christmas market in Trier...thought it was really cute, and then you can combine it with a ride along the rhein which is also quite nice.

I heard the one in Augsburg is also pretty nice.

I have to say I think the Wiesbaden market is great. Even my husband, who is no christmas market fan, thinks it is really nice!

Hey - what about poor Frankfurt! Went there yesterday and actually at times found it magical. However I am sure that they are all very similar. You have to hand it to the Germans they do Christmas very well!

Hey thanks everyone for all your suggestions. So my friends visit on Thursday night through to Sunday this week, and the plan is now:
- Frankfurt on Thursday
- Speyer and Heidelberg Friday
- Esslingen and Bad Wimpfen on Saturday
- Sunday to recover!
Its going to be a tiring time!

Billy

Interesting that because it's much bigger than it used to be. Since it expanded a lot of people have said it used to be better when it was smaller, but first time visitors always seem to think it's great.

seen one, seen them all. huffs off...

I don't think so:
- Frankfurt is a commercial orientated one
- Speyer is a small town one
- Heidelberg has 5 market platzes connected, romantic one
- Esslingen is a Medieval one, jesters and the like all over the place
- Bad Wimpfen has lots of churches playing music and performances, very twee

Was there last Saturday - it's certainly pretty - based in and around the Castle grounds. . . and all the usual selection of Wurst, Heisse Maronen, Gluhwein, gift-related-tat, etc. etc. Even has a miniature railway for the kids (albeit one that goes round in a tight circle). Very close to an amazing Chocolate Shop - "Chocolate Plus" (www.chocolat-plus.de/).