Christmas Markets in Germany by Train: Munich, Nuremberg and Rothenburg

The short version: 5 days, 3 towns

Give Munich two days, Nuremberg a day and a half, and Rothenburg one day. Munich is the easiest arrival point, Nuremberg has the best-known traditional market, and Rothenburg is a walled town that works as a day trip from Nuremberg.

The plan below runs Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, 2026, which falls inside the opening dates of all three markets.

2026 opening dates and hours

All three markets are open for the whole of the plan's dates. Hours differ, so check them before you pick an evening.

• Munich, Marienplatz: Nov. 20 to Dec. 24. Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed Nov. 22. Dec. 24: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Nuremberg, Hauptmarkt: Nov. 27 to Dec. 24, daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 24. The Christkind opens it Nov. 27 at 5:30 p.m.
• Rothenburg, Reiterlesmarkt: Nov. 20 to Dec. 23. Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Munich: two days, markets and beer halls

Take the S1 or S8 from the airport straight to Marienplatz, with no changes. Spend day one in the old town and day two on the Residenz and the Sendlinger Tor market, which is a boulevard market best in mid-afternoon before the evening crowds.

Eat sausages, cheese and warm punch at the winter stalls, then pork knuckle or Schweinebraten with dumplings at a beer hall. Try Feuerzangenbowle, the flaming mulled wine, at the Sendlinger Tor market. Reserve evening tables ahead.

Where to eat and stop:

• ViktualienmarktWinter stalls for sausages, cheese and warm punch on your first afternoon.
• FrauenkircheTower views over the old town; check the lift is running.
• Augustiner BräustubenPlain beer hall for pork knuckle and Edelstoff; reserve evenings.
• Zum FranziskanerClassic Bavarian lunch: Schweinebraten or Weisswurst with house Weissbier.
• Sendlinger TorBoulevard market for hot punch and Feuerzangenbowle, calm mid-afternoon.

Munich to Nuremberg by train

The fastest ICE takes 1 hour 41 minutes, and Deutsche Bahn lists about 52 connections a day, so you do not need to plan around one departure. The plan takes an 08:30 train to reach the market by late morning. Check bahn.de for track work close to your date.

From Nuremberg Hbf it is a 10 to 15 minute walk via Königstraße to the Hauptmarkt, or one stop on the U1 or U11 to Lorenzkirche.

Nuremberg: a day and a half

Start at the Christkindlesmarkt on the Hauptmarkt, then visit the sister-cities market on Rathausplatz, a separate market that runs alongside it and is a good fallback when the main square is packed. Walk up to the Kaiserburg for sunset, around 16:15 in early December; the outer courtyard terraces are free. Bring some cash for the stalls.

Eat Nuremberg bratwurst, served as three in a roll (Drei im Weggla) or on a plate with sauerkraut. At the market, look for Lebkuchen gingerbread and Zwetschgenmännchen, the prune figures. Glühwein is sold at stalls throughout.

On the second morning, see St. Lorenz and the craft village before your train.

Places for Nuremberg:

• HauptmarktThe main market, with its striped cloth roofs, open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• BratwursthäusleThree-in-a-bun bratwurst lunch, best at midday.
• Markt der PartnerstädteCalmer crafts market and a backup when the Hauptmarkt is crowded.
• Kaiserburg NürnbergFree terraces for sunset over the red roofs.
• Zum Gulden Stern - Die älteste Bratwurstküche der WeltSausages in a historic kitchen; arrive early for a table.
• Handwerkerhof NürnbergCraft workshops and Lebkuchen tins to carry home.

Rothenburg: a day trip by regional train

Rothenburg has no fast connection. Go to Würzburg or Ansbach, then take a regional train via Steinach. A Bayern-Ticket covers regional trains for two, and the DB Navigator app shows the changes. Leave Nuremberg by about 08:15 so you arrive by 10:00.

The Reiterlesmarkt opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday, so a day trip ends early. Do the Plönlein and the town wall in the morning, then reach the market square for the lights. Try a Schneeball, the town's pastry, and a mug of Glühwein from a stall.

Places for Rothenburg:

• PlönleinThe half-timbered fork everyone photographs; quiet in the morning.
• Stadtmauer RothenburgCovered wall walk, about 1.5 km, with rooftop views.
• Gasthof RödertorFranconian lunch steps from the wall.
• Käthe Wohlfahrt - WeihnachtsdorfYear-round Christmas village and museum; ornaments ship worldwide.
• MarktplatzMarket square, where the tree and lights come on at dusk.
• Bäckerei-Konditorei-Café Walter Friedel e.K.Schneeball stop before the train back.

Before you go

Nuremberg's German notice gives a 9 p.m. close on opening day, while the English sheet says 10 p.m. Plan for 9 p.m. and expect sales to pause from 5:25 to 6:00 p.m. during the opening ceremony. Our day-by-day plan arrives after opening day, so you miss the opening-day crowd.

For a trip that continues into France, see the Strasbourg and Colmar guide, or browse more of Germany.