Even though Dresden has the oldest Christmas market in Germany, Nuremberg’s is the most well known and one of the biggest and most authentic. By authentic I mean all the stalls are made from natural products and everything sold is hand-made and/or produced locally. You won’t find any plastic or foreign made toys here. I love that they’re so strict about what goes on sale as some Christmas markets (hello Paris) sell a lot of cheap/plastic crap.
As per usual, my focus at the markets was on food and drinks. Let’s start with the drinks as you’ll need a few to warm up on the cold winter days they have in Germany. Gluhwein or mulled wine as us English speakers like to call it is almost mandatory and it should be. I’m not a huge fan of the heavily spiced kind and I quite the hot cider you get as some markets but to really warm up you should give feuerzangenbowle a try. This unpronounceable drink is just mulled wine with rum and sugar; a brilliant combination.
I must confess that I’m not really a vegetarian. Nor am I semi-vegetarian or pescatarian. I’m just a pickytarian. So in attempt to be a little less picky, I did try Nuremberg’s specialty, the famous Nuremberg Bratwurst. At the Christmas markets you’ll be served your bratwurst 3 to a bun but at a restaurant you’ll most likely get between 8 and 15!
The next most famous Nuremberg snack is Lebkuchen. This is usually translated as being gingerbread but it鈥檚 quite different to the gingerbread I know. Traditional Lebkuchen is made with nuts and no or little flour. It鈥檚 quite soft and almost like a cake rather than a biscuit. The gingerbread I’m familiar with looks more like this but according to the locals it’s not edible.
Another very tasty, very rich and very non-vegetarian dish is kartoffelpuffers. As some of you may know, I’m not one to say no to a potato and deep fried hash browns with cranberry sauce is difficult to resist. I was a little less enamoured when I discovered they are cooked in lard but when in Nuremberg…
Market Stalls
After eating up a storm I discovered there is a lot more to the markets than food. There are some really cute, typically German products which you can decorate your house with or get as gifts. I adored these ‘plum men’ which are, funnily enough, made from plums. I love the story of how one (non-European) visitor took them home and ate them and then wrote to the tourist board saying they didn’t taste that great!
Another fun option while at the markets in Nuremberg is to take a horse and carriage ride where you don’t only get the see the Christmas markets but some of the famous sights in the city. I particularly loved the Beautiful Fountain.
Where to Stay in Nuremberg
I visited the Nuremberg Christmas markets in December last year and stayed at the NH Nuremberg City hotel. It’s just down the road from the train station and a 15 minute walk to the Christmas markets. The breakfast is amazing! Being one of the most famous Christmas markets in the world, hotels in Nuremberg tend to fill up in December so I suggest booking early if you can. If you’re on a budget I have also stayed at the Ibis Nuremberg which is basic but in a great location.
Visiting Nuremberg in December
Nuremberg is a great city if you love Christmas markets, half-timbered houses and World War II history. There is a lot to see and to be honest I liked it more than I thought I would. The Christmas markets do get mixed reviews as they can get very crowded on the weekends but if you visit during the day during the week you shouldn’t have any problems. If you do find it too busy, there is another smaller market with international stalls from Romania, Italy, Montenegro, the United States and elsewhere which might be of interest. There is also a dedicated children鈥檚 market. I only had a day and a half in Nuremberg and while that was enough to see the market I would have liked to have stayed longer to see more of the city and in particular to visit the museums dedicated to Nuremberg鈥檚 involvement in WWII. As usual, there is never enough time to see everything.
Is it bad that I haven’t been to this Christmas market yet?! I have got to see it one of these winters!
Yes it’s bad! It’s practically next door. 馃槈
I went a few years ago. It was really neat to see, but such a massive square and a massive reputation really meant that it was crowded. The little international side fair was much better and more enjoyable Because it was quieter.
They had a stall from Atlanta selling american candy bars and such. Those stalls are, I believe, the partner cities to Neremburg.
Yeah, I think you’re right which is why they are a little bit more lenient in what they sell at the partner stalls. I enjoyed the Nuremberg market but I wasn’t there on a weekend so maybe that’s why I didn’t see the crowds.
Hi Andrea, I used to go to these markets when I was a child, .. I live in Germany and Holland for a few years .. and then in th e80’s I lived in Germany for 3 years … We love Bratwurst …-) and as for Lebkuchen mmmmm remember it as a child too, and still love it … 馃檪
You were lucky to grow up with these traditions! I’m sure the markets are loads of fun for kids as well as us grown-ups. 馃槈
At the top of my list if I ever get to Germany!! And that Bratwurst is to die for!! Thanks for a wonderful tour through the sites, sounds and eats of N眉rnburg!
Of course you’ll get to Germany at some point. Where there’s a will there’s a way. 馃檪
I had some of those delicious deep friend hashbrow’s in Cologne this past weekend. YUMO!!!
Yeah, the Germans really know what they’re doing when it comes to potatoes. 馃槈