The nicest Christmas market in Germany
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, and one of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit is by visiting Christmas markets. As a self-proclaimed Christmas market enthusiast expert, I was beyond excited to plan a trip to one of the prettiest Christmas markets I’ve ever been to: The christmas market in Münster, Germany. Münster is not only a beautiful city, but it’s also my mom’s hometown, making the trip extra special.
Münster is a charming city located in the north-west of Germany. It is known for its picturesque old town, vibrant cultural scene, impressive cathedral, and who can forget the lively pubs and cozy cafes that dot the city’s landscape?
One of my favorite places in Münster is the old town. The narrow cobblestone streets and colorful buildings are a sight to behold. The market square is particularly impressive, especially on Saturdays when the weekly farmers’ market is in full swing. The scent of fresh produce, flowers, and baked goods fills the air, and the hustle and bustle of shoppers and vendors create a lively atmosphere.
Another highlight of Münster is the Prinzipalmarkt, the city’s main shopping street. The street is lined with beautiful historic buildings, including the iconic St. Lambert’s Church. The square is also home to the town hall, a magnificent building that is a testament to Münster’s rich history.
No visit to Münster would be complete without a visit to the cathedral. The St. Paulus Dom is a stunning example of Gothic architecture and boasts impressive stained glass windows. The interior is equally impressive, with intricate carvings, colorful frescoes, and beautiful sculptures.
But Münster isn’t just about history and architecture. The city has a vibrant cultural scene with numerous museums, galleries, and theaters.
Of course, visiting the Christmas market was at the top of our itinerary. We indulged in loads of Glühwein (spiced wine), as well as delicious sausages and pretzels, all while enjoying the festive atmosphere of the market. But we also took the time to explore the city itself, which we did how it is meant to be done: by bicycles. We rented the bicycles at the “Münster Rad Station” located just outside the main train station. It is the perfect way to see everything the city has to offer and burn off some of those Christmas market treats.
Aside from the Christmas market delicious food, we also had the chance to eat at some incredible restaurants during our trip. My personal favorite was “Stuhlmachere” where we had delicious traditional german food, located in the center of the Prinzipalmakt and “Münster´s first big Hot Dog Station” a well kept secret you wont find in any tour guid located in a small alley just next to Primarkt. If you’re planning a trip to Münster, I highly recommend checking them out.
Getting to Münster was a bit of a journey, but it was worth it. We flew into Düsseldorf and took a train from there to Münster. We opted for this route as it was cheaper than flying directly into Münster. Unfortunately, we ran into a bit of a hiccup as the sky train from the airport to the train station was down for maintenance, so we had to take a bus instead, which took a little bit longer but was very straight forward and left us exactly where we needed to go. Before buying your train ticket ask the staff what your cheapest option would be. As we where 3 we bought a day ticket that is valid for up to 5 people and allows you to use all public transport (train, bus, underground and tramp) in any city within within NRW (Nordrhein–Westfalen) all day long. This was cheaper than buying 3 individual tickets.
Once we arrived at the central station in Münster, everything was smooth sailing. Our Airbnb was conveniently located near the station, making it easy for us to drop off our luggage and start exploring right away.
As I mentioned earlier, the Christmas market in Münster is one of the prettiest I’ve ever been to. The entire old town transforms into a winter wonderland, with five different Christmas markets spread throughout the city. Each market has its own unique decor and atmosphere, but they are all within walking distance of each other, making it easy to explore them all. The markets are open from the first Advent, which is four Sundays before Christmas, until December 23rd.
One of the highlights of the Christmas market for me was the Glühwein. Each stand serves their own version of the hot spiced wine, and you get a mug with your purchase. You can keep the mug as a souvenir or return it for a few euros back. We also tried Die Feuerzangenbowle, a Glühwein with added sugar and rum, which was quite strong but absolutely delicious.
Aside from the drinks, there were plenty of stalls selling Christmas decorations, handmade goods, and warm clothing like hats and scarves. And, of course, there was plenty of food to try, like gingerbread cookies, roasted nuts, bratwursts, reibekuchen, Pommes (fensh fries), and much more.
It was truly special to share this experience with my mum. Seeing her light up with joy as we journeyed back to the place where she grew up and created so many cherished memories was heartwarming. It was as if she was reliving her youth and rediscovering old familiar places that held so much significance to her. Witnessing her genuine excitement and enthusiasm made the trip even more meaningful and memorable. I feel grateful for the opportunity to share in these moments with her, and I will always cherish the memories we created together.
Overall, visiting the Christmas market in Münster was an incredible experience. The city was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the Christmas markets were truly magical. If you’re looking for a festive winter getaway, I highly recommend adding Münster to your travel list