Are you planning a German Christmas market trip and wondering if the Christmas markets in Munich are worth visiting? In case you didn’t know, Germany is basically the Christmas market capital of the world, meaning all their markets are theoretically incredible. But with so many markets and so little time, how do you choose?!
Hi, hello, that’s where I come in! 👋🏼 If we haven’t met, I’m Gina…welcome to my travel blog!
I have been to multiple German Christmas markets cities, with a goal of eventually visiting all of them. I know, I know…that sounds a little ambitious…so we’ll say my goal is to see all the major ones. During my first German Christmas market adventure, I visited the markets in Cologne, Munich, and Nuremberg, and fell in love with how Germany does Christmas. There’s truly nothing like it!
- Related post: Are the Christmas Markets in Cologne, Germany Worth Visiting?
- Related post: Is the Nuremberg Christmas Market Really the Best in Germany?
Choosing to Visit the Munich Christmas Markets
Before you get too deep into this post, I want to take you back to how it all began!
Seeing the German Christmas markets has been a bucket list trip for me for as long as I knew they existed. After weeks of researching, I finally decided on the markets in Cologne, Munich, and Nuremberg for my first European Christmas market experience.
NGL, the main reason I chose Munich at first was because I really wanted to visit the Nuremberg Christmas market. I have read on multiple websites and heard from Germans themselves that the Nuremberg market is the best in Germany.
What does this have to do with Munich? Well, Nuremberg is only an hour train ride away…which means I could kill two birds with one stone. Since Munich was a more popular city, I chose to make that my home-base. In other words, I could stay in Munich the whole time and see the markets in Munich AND Nuremberg, without having to pay for another hotel or drag my suitcase through the snow. Win-win!
This blog post walks you through the main markets in Munich’s city center. It also gives you my recap of Munich’s Christmas markets, as well as links to some of the other Christmas markets I’ve visited so you can make an informed decision. If you read them all and you’re still on the fence, comment or use the Contact Me form at the bottom of this post!
Throughout this post, I’ve included some other info, such as the opening dates of the Christmas markets, things you should expect to see at all German Christmas markets, and the hotels I stayed at. I would encourage you to read through all the info on this page, but if you just can’t wait, you can click here to jump to my recap of the Munich Christmas markets.
For Activities To Do in Munich, Check Out This Link From Get Your Guide
What’s the Best Way To Get to Munich?
If you wanted to fly straight into Munich, you can fly into the Munich International Airport (MUC). This is about a 31 minute car ride or 40 minute train ride from the center of the city. However, I chose to start my German Christmas market experience in Cologne, so I came into Munich from here. Cologne is about a 4.5 hour train ride or an hour flight away from Munich. I opted to take the train.
- I use the Omio app every time I buy train tickets in Europe. I like this app because it gives you options to take a train, bus, or fly within Europe, and allows you to compare times and prices.
Munich is a much larger city than Cologne, and therefore has more markets. However, the markets are also more spread out all over the city. In order to maximize my time I opted to explore the markets around Marienplatz Square (with one exception…but we’ll get to that in a minute!).
Where to Stay in Munich
When I visited Munich, I stayed in the Old Town area, since it was the most central area to the Christmas markets AND close to the train station!
Thanks to a snowstorm that caused the trains to stop running, I ended up having to spend more time in Munich than I originally intended. I had already checked out of my hotel before I realized that my train got cancelled, so I went ahead and booked another one somewhere else, still near the center of the city.
What does this mean for you? Well…it means you get 2 hotel rec’s, of course! 😉
Munich Hotel recommendation #1
Eden Wolff Hotel
This hotel is directly across from the train station and a ~10-15 minute walk to Marienplatz. It’s the convenience for me. Click your favorite link to book.
Munich Hotel recommendation #2
Ruby Rosi Hotel
With a 24 hour bar, an amplifier in your room, and a fairytale theme, can you even go wrong? It’s no wonder Ruby hotels are my favorite chain throughout Europe. Click your favorite link to book.
- Pro Tip: Thanks to the insurance that comes with my travel credit card, I was able to get the second hotel I stayed in reimbursed. Travel insurance is great, but running things through it can be a pain in the A. For tips & advice, check out my post “The Ugly Truth About Travel Insurance (& How to Get Reimbursed)“
What Are the 2024 Dates for the Munich Christmas Markets?
The Munich Christmas market (Münchner Christkindlmarkt) will run from Monday, November 25th through Tuesday, December 24th, 2024 at Marienplatz and Rindermarkt.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE
GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Although all the markets are different, there are things you can expect to find at all of them:
- Gift and food vendors: All the markets have food, drinks, and vendors selling everything from Christmas ornaments to socks and hats to traditional German toys and more. Seriously, there’s a LOT going on here!
- Festive – and alcoholic – Christmas drinks: You can find glühwein (wine mulled with cinnamon, cloves, and other spices that is served warm), spiked hot chocolate (served with rum, Bailey’s, amaretto, or your festive liquor of choice), spiked punch, and hot Aperol.
- Of note, the markets around Marienplatz did NOT serve hot chocolate, only glühwein.
- Places to warm up from the cold: Most of the markets have at least one charming winter hut to order (and drink!) your festive Christmas beverage.
- Traditional German foods: Bratwurst, sausages, pretzels, gingerbread, chocolate pastries…you can find these at all of the markets.
- Pro Tip: The market in Nuremberg had the most gingerbread – or “lebkuchen” – out of any of the markets I went to.
- Souvenir mugs – When you order a drink at any of the markets, you are served your beverage in a souvenir mug. Your initial drink will always be more expensive, because you are paying for your drink AND the mug. The good news? If you want another drink, you can use your same mug and ask for a refill!
- Of note, each market has its own specific mug. I don’t believe you can bring a mug from a one market and expect another market to refill it.
- Pro Tip: If you don’t want to keep your mug, return it to the bar when you are finished. You will get refunded your Euros that you would have paid to keep it.
- Cash-only vendors – A lot of the markets do not accept credit cards, so always have euros on hand
- Cold temperatures – This kind of goes without saying, but it’s cold here. Bring hats, scarves, gloves, hand-warmers, layers, all of it!
- Crowds – I’m laughing, but for real…the markets get crowded, especially on weekends. BUT, there are often so many stalls and vendors that it’s quick and easy to get someone to wait on you if you need to buy a drink or make a purchase.
Where is the Main Christmas Market in Munich?
The main Christmas market is located in Marienplatz, the main square in the center of Munich. The backdrop for this market is the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) building, which is absolutely stunning. You are able to marvel at the Glockenspiel and architecture while also basking in the glow of the Christmas lights. Seriously, what more could you ask for?
I can’t even tell you how many times I walked by this area and just stared at Neues Rathaus. Inside, they have a Law Library that reminds you of something straight out of Beauty and the Beast. It was closed when I was there, but you are able to go inside and tour it when it is open. I was hugely disappointed, because this was one of the things I really wanted to do.
- If you have better luck than me, click here to book your ticket to tour the Law Library inside Neues Rathaus
Exploring The Different Christmas Markets in Munich’s City Center
I enjoyed all the Christmas markets that I visited in Munich’s city center. The city was decorated in a way that made its already beautiful architecture look even more stunning. Once you come to the first market and start seeing the Christmas decorations, a lot of the markets seem to run together. It sometimes feels like a lot of the Christmas markets in Old Town are one big market that just doesn’t end!
As I talk about these markets, I’m going to explain how to get to them as though you were coming from the direction of the Bahnhof, or train station.
Münchner Eiszauber (Munich Ice Magic) at Karlsplatz
The first market you will come to when you walk towards Old Town from the train station is Münchner Eiszauber (Munich Ice Magic). It is located at Karlsplatz, which is a large town square in the city center that connects to Marienplatz. As you walk through this area, you’ll see tons of shops and things to marvel at as you walk by.
This market is unique in that instead of having a bunch of small vendors, it serves only food and drink and looks like the ski lodge of your dreams. There’s also an ice skating rink! I would break my neck, but if this is your thing, click on the previous link to learn how you can skate in the heart of Munich at Christmastime.
The bottom level is where most of the food and drink is served. After you get your beverage, you can go up to the top, which is where everyone hangs out. You also have a great view of Karlsplatz from this high up!
The Markets on Neuhauser Street
Once you pass Münchner Eiszauber, you will start seeing a lot of vendors lined up on the right hand side of Neuhauser Street. TBH, I’m not sure if this is an extension of the Marienplatz market or it’s own separate entity, but we’re going to say it’s separate, k??
I thought the vendors looked extra charming throughout this area, and the food looked extra good. They had pastries that were huge, and the huts and stalls were decked out with rustic, festive decor. Not that some of the other stalls in the other areas weren’t, but I really just felt like the stalls in this area went the extra mile.
It’s the effort for me
While walking towards New Town Hall, I noticed there were a few markets down some of the side streets in this area too. It’s worth doing a lap around this part of town just to see them all!
Munich Christkindlmarkt in Marienplatz Square in Front of New Town Hall
“ARE YOU READY FOR IT?” **Taylor Swift voice**
Listen…Marienplatz is in a league of its own. Gen-Z would say it “slaps.” Just seeing the entire building is a jaw-dropping experience on its own.
Now…add a Christmas tree, a bunch of lights, the smell of candied pecans, alcohol, holiday cheer, ornaments, people laughing, more alcohol, more holiday cheer…
All this to say, it was truly magical. I walked around this market every single night that I was in Munich because I could NOT stop staring at New Town Hall and its surrounding holiday aesthetic. Perhaps cliché, but this was my favorite market in Munich.
- Pro Tip: If you want breakfast with a view, check out Cafe Glockenspiel, where you can eat with a view of New Town Hall out the window (if you’re lucky!!). Be sure to make a reservation.
- (Another) Pro Tip: If you want the true German experience, the OG Hofbräuhaus is only a 5 minute walk from Marienplatz and definitely worth a visit! There’s also the Augustiner Stammhaus, an authentic German beer hall on Neuhauser Street leading up to the market.
Viktualienmarkt (The Foodie Market)
If you’re a foodie, this is the market you need to visit. Located only 6 minutes (walking-distance) away from Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt has adorable stalls showcasing a delightful array of goods. Things you can buy range from fresh fruits and vegetables to an assortment of fish, meat, cheese, aromatic spices, and gourmet delicacies. In fact, this market started out as simply a farmer’s market!
As if that’s not enough, you’ll also find the market’s renowned beer garden—a central hub where Munich’s six esteemed breweries take turns in offering their signature brews.
IMO, this market had the same type of ambiance as Nikolausdorf in Cologne had. It just felt cozy and warm! There were lights strung all throughout the trees, and the wooden stalls gave it a very festive, rustic feel. Plus, the short distance from Marienplatz made this market a logical next stop.
And Finally…The Pink Christmas Market in Stephansplatz
You didn’t think you’d make it the entire way through my Christmas blog post without me finding a pink Christmas market, did you? Pink Christmas is – no surprise – the gay market and one that won my heart for its decor, music, ambiance, and crowd. The people at this market were so fun, and there was a DJ playing old school Britney Spears. What a vibe.
This is the other market that is out of the way from Old Town. Stephansplatz is about a 15 minute walk from Marienplatz Square.
I unfortunately got to this market 20 minutes before it closed, so I didn’t get to experience it for a long time. The gifts also weren’t overly traditional here. (NGL, I was expecting some…err…erotic gifts, but I actually didn’t see any. That doesn’t mean they weren’t there…they could have been in a stall I didn’t get to!)
After walking around, it was obvious to me that people came to this market more for the entertainment than the vendors. I wasn’t overly impressed with the vendors here, but I LOVED the atmosphere! It was such a fun, carefree time. If I had to do it again, I would have gotten there earlier to experience more of the music!
My Overall Impression of the Munich Christmas Markets
Listen…you know I’m gonna be so honest with you. I did love the Christmas markets in Munich…
BUT.
If you were to ask me which markets I liked the best during my 3-city adventure, I would say Nuremberg, followed closely by Cologne, and then Munich last. That’s not to say I didn’t like Munich’s markets or they were not worth visiting…there were just things I liked about the other 2 more. And I would be doing you a disservice if I wasn’t giving you my honest opinion.
Aside from Pink Christmas, I did not feel like the ambiance and aesthetic of the Christmas markets in Munich were vastly different from each other like the ones in Cologne were. This is the main reason I would rank Cologne above Munich.
IMO, the city itself in Munich is a lot prettier than Cologne…and when I say “city,” I mean the architecture. This is one of the main things that made Munich’s markets stand out.
I’ve fan-girled enough over New Town Hall, but there were multiple buildings all down Neuhauser St. that were older, beautifully designed, and decorated in lights. In Cologne, the only real historic-looking building that I saw was the Cologne Cathedral…although it was GORGEOUS.
- Fun Fact: When I was in Cologne, someone pre-warned me that I would like the architecture much better in Munich. I learned that a lot of Cologne’s architecture is more plain-looking because it got hit harder during WWII, and when it came time to rebuild, I guess people were just like “IDGAF” because they wanted to get something put up 🤷🏼♀️
ANYWAY – I also liked how the city was essentially one big Christmas explosion once you got to Münchner Eiszauber and started walking towards Marienplatz. Lights, decorations, and vendor huts everywhere! Whereas Cologne’s markets were more spread out, most of Munich’s main ones were all super close. In other words, it would take you less time to explore the markets around Old Town Munich, which is helpful to know when you’re trying to plan your trip.
The bottom line: You really can’t go wrong with any of the markets you visit. I truly did love them all!
