German markets

[m3sye]

Has anyone been?

Thinking of going with my GF for 3 nights in December. Thoughts please

[Fittster]

In Germany (I'm guessing your not talking about the ones that are set-up in the UK)?

[m3sye]

In germany Yes

[Chilli]

A mate of mine used to go to Dusseldorf every year, a week or 2 before xmas to get a load of shopping. He loved it and the pics looked pretty good.

[m3sye]

Chilli said:

A mate of mine used to go to Dusseldorf every year, a week or 2 before xmas to get a load of shopping. He loved it and the pics looked pretty good.

They do look very nice, just not sure which one to go to etc and if they are any good or generally a bit of a waste of time.

[Dave_ITR]

I've been to several different xmas markets, including German, & have found them all a waste of time.

Perhaps it's just not my thing.

[mike325112]

Stock up in Aldi and Lidl and spend the rest on a nice weekend here?

[Hugo a Gogo]

worth visiting, yes
worth travelling to visit? I dunno

Düsseldorf's a nice place though (I live here!) the Old Town area is full of pubs, breweries and restaurants

lots of expensive designer shops if your missus is into it

all these markets can get very crowded, and there's not actually that much stuff you might want to buy, other than food and drink, but they're picturesque and 'christmassy'

Aachen is quite a nice one too

don't fly to 'Düsseldorf' Weeze airport with Ryanair though, it's miiiiles away

[Red&WhiteMonkey]

Christmas markets vary massively in quality, so it depends on where you're heading. Try http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/

[Ray Singh]

Went to Cologne Xmas market a few years ago. It was fantastic, it helped that the city has lots to explore also as the Xmas markets were a bit boring after a couple of days.
Would recommend the medieval market near the chocolate museum.

[anonymous-user]

I would suggest Cologne - plenty to see other than the many markets, the Dom is amazing, old town is full of bars, some very good restaurants, a number of great museums, excellent shopping, the Rhine, but best of all is the Kolsch beer. At the Fruh Haus.

There are a number of Christmas Markets there, the most popular being in the Dom Platz/Old Town, but there are others dotted around the city. It's just a lovely, buzzy place and well worth a visit.

And you're very quickly in Dusseldorf by car/rail - 30~45 mins - if you want a quick change of scene.

[anonymous-user]

Ray Singh said:

Went to Cologne Xmas market a few years ago. It was fantastic, it helped that the city has lots to explore also as the Xmas markets were a bit boring after a couple of days.
Would recommend the medieval market near the chocolate museum.

Great minds think alike - and at the same time too!

[Mermaid]

Ray Singh said:

Went to Cologne Xmas market a few years ago. It was fantastic, it helped that the city has lots to explore also as the Xmas markets were a bit boring after a couple of days.

+ 1, and the 'Ring is not too far if you fancy seeing what it's like at that time of the year.

[5potTurbo]

Cologne Christmas Market's a good one

Depending on where you're travelling from, you may wish to risk flying with Roiyanair to somewhere like Frankfurt (Hahn) Airport to go either to Frankfurt or Trier. They're both very nice places to visit too.

[mxspyder]

Cologne is not a bad shopping place anyway - pretty amazing cathedral too. Markets are nice and the city has loaads of parking in the centre.

What I particularly enjoy though is the no speed limit Autobahn between the Dutch boarder and Cologne (Almost 2hrs worth!) - get the ferry from Harwich to the Hook of holland (Stena Line) to make the most of this. You can pay for this ferry crossing with Tesco Vouchers!

Have a nice time and try the waffles!

[e635815]

I would say: Strasbourg, Colmar, Kaysersberg etc...
Not technicaly located in Germany but very close, easily reachable from the UK (Euroairport Bâle-Mulhouse), much better than the German copies. Trust me on that one....

[bluelightbabe]

I've done the Christmas market thing three times now. I did Cologne & Koblenz the first year, then Berlin, then Dusseldorf. I only went for a long weekend each time. This year I'm trying Prague. I'd go somewhere where there is other stuff to do as well, depending on how long you're going for.

Lovely atmosphere though, and plenty of Gluhwein and Bratwurst

[bluelightbabe]

I've done the Christmas market thing three times now. I did Cologne & Koblenz the first year, then Berlin, then Dusseldorf. I only went for a long weekend each time. This year I'm trying Prague. I'd go somewhere where there is other stuff to do as well, depending on how long you're going for.

Lovely atmosphere though, and plenty of Gluhwein and Bratwurst

[Zod]

Heidelberg would be my recommendation.

[m3sye]

bluelightbabe said:

I've done the Christmas market thing three times now. I did Cologne & Koblenz the first year, then Berlin, then Dusseldorf. I only went for a long weekend each time. This year I'm trying Prague. I'd go somewhere where there is other stuff to do as well, depending on how long you're going for.

Lovely atmosphere though, and plenty of Gluhwein and Bratwurst

Which of the 3 did you prefer in Germany?