If you have been scrolling through pictures and pictures of little stalls with christmas lights, cups of steaming hot chocolates and roasting sausages–or Wurst, as the Germans call it– then there’s a big chance you have been looking at Weihnachtsmärkte– Christmas Markets.

Visiting Germany during the Christmas season is a little more magical than other ordinary months, and you really can’t miss seeing these Christmas markets. But with rows and rows of stalls and the lack of English description, it might get a little confusing at first. But that’s why we have this post right here: your First Timer guide to Germany’s Christmas Markets.

WHEN TO GO

First things first, a lot of people have some small misunderstanding about when to visit Germany to see the Christmas Markets. People think they are open during the Christmas season, so to speak from before to after Christmas. Yes, they are called Christmas Markets… but! They are open only until the day before Christmas, and on the 25th and onwards, you won’t get the chance to see them again.

Christmas Markets usually start operating during the last few days of November until the 23rd or 24th of December. Every city could be different from the other, but you can always check online! They are open 7 days a week, usually from around Mid-day to 8pm. (However, I recommend visiting after dark since you will love the warm glow from all the stalls with their christmas lights)

WHERE TO GO

Yes, big cities like Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin usually have larger Weihnachtsmärkte, although that doesn’t mean you should skip on the smaller cities. My favourite Weihnachtsmarkt is the one in Nürnberg, followed by Köln and Dresden. This year, though, I visited the Christmas Market in Fraueninsel, an island you could only reach by ship near Munich, and it was enchanting.

WHAT TO EAT

If you go to Germany and not eat their sausages, can you say you’ve been in Germany? Honestly, before I came to study here, I have always believed that German sausages were waaaay overrated. Boy, was I wrong. They are delicious.

QUICK GERMAN SAUSAGE GUIDE (p.s: correct me if I’m wrong!):

• Bratwurst: made of fine ground meat of Pork and Beef
• Nurnberger: smaller (finger-sized) Bratwurst
• Frankfurter/Bockwurst: made of Veal, Pork and sometimes other type of Meat
• Leberkäse: Bavarian specialty, made of Pork, Onions and Corned Beef.
• Weisswurst: Bavarian specialty, made of Veal, Bacon, Onions, Parsley, Cardamom and Lemon

They are mostly eaten with Semmel, a hard bread, and ketchup or mustard. A portion will cost about 3 or 4 Euros, although some stalls will have unbelievably big, long sausages (30 cm!!) which understandably cost more.

For those who come to a Christmas Market not looking for a heavy meal, you could buy different sorts of nuts instead. They come in many forms and you can choose your preferable Portion (100 grams, 200 grams..). My favorite is Gebrannte Mandeln. They’re served hot and is sweet with a little hint of salty. You should also try roasted chestnuts! Not to forget, my guilty pleasure: Nutella Crepes.

Those who don’t have a sweet tooth looking for some light bites can try Reibekuchen, a sort of potato pancake!

WHAT TO DRINK (!Note: Pfand- Paying for the Glass)

During the cold, icy december Months in Germany, nothing will warm you up like Glühwein (and they’re delicious!). Glühwein is heated and spiced wine, which has a strong cinnamon taste and can get you tipsy quite quickly. However, you might be shocked for paying such an expensive price for a cup of those, and that’s because you’re ‘paying’ for the glass as well. Glühwein itself costs about 3 Euros, and the glass will cost about 3 Euros as well (this glass’ price is called Pfand = deposit). After you’ve finished drinking, you can either take the glass home as a souvenir, or you can return it in exchange for your money back.

P:S: For children, or for the drivers out there, you can try the alcohol-free Punch instead! (it’s pronounced ‘poonch’ instead of ‘punch’)

SHOPPING IN CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Don’t only go for the culinary, christmas markets offer a lot of christmas themed products you will love. My favourite thing to collect is the snowballs! Aside from christmas themed statues and christmas tree decorations, I actually find soaps! They are handmade from natural products and came in all sorts of radiant colors. Needless to say, that stroll smelled heavenly.

You don’t have to worry about the price, the Germans are honest people and no, they don’t do tourist scams. You don’t even have to worry about haggling as they have a fixed price for every item. Win-win, right? Some of these small stalls actually accept credit cards, so before you use your cash, just make sure to ask!

Read also: A German (literal) Fairytale Town: Marburg

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