![\"Dresden](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dresden-Christmas-Markets-400x600.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDresden Christmas Markets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Here are all the essentials for planning your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Dresden Christmas Markets: <\/strong>29th November to 24th December 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Location:<\/strong> Striezelmarkt is located at Altmarkt. Advent markets are located across Dresden.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Where to Stay:<\/strong> I like Hotel Indigo <\/a>as it’s a central boutique hotel in the Altstadt. They have some sustainability measures in place to avoid plastic, conserve energy and support the local community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reason to visit:<\/strong> Dresden\u2019s Strietzelmarkt is the oldest Christmas market in Germany, and the city is one of Germany’s more affordable Christmas destinations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Specialities:<\/strong> Dresden rahmklecks, fladenbrot, baked apples and hot cider.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tips:<\/strong> As one of Europe’s most popular Christmas markets, avoid the weekends when the streets are packed and the city is fully booked with tourists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Where to Stay for the Christmas Markets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Altstadt is Dresden’s Old Town, and this is the most convenient area to stay for more visitors. Hotel Indigo<\/a> is a good option in this area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read my guide to the best boutique hotels in Dresden<\/a> for more ideas on where to stay, including some good value-for-money options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Christmas Markets in Dresden<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are 11 Christmas markets in Dresden in 2023. I’ve visited the markets on a couple of occasions, and these are my recommendations for the best places to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Striezelmarkt Christmas Market<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Striezelmarkt](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-51-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Striezelmarkt")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe largest of Dresden\u2019s Christmas markets is the Striezelmarkt in Altmarkt Square. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Striezelmarkt is believed to be the oldest Christmas market in Germany and is the place to go for the best Christmas market food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have never seen as much variety at any Christmas market I\u2019ve visited, including organic, vegetarian and even a few vegan options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are so many foods I recommend trying, both international Christmas snacks and local, traditional specialties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Advent on Neumarkt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In front of the stunning Frauenkirche on Neumarkt is a historic festive market with artisans and craftspeople from traditional guilds like watchmakers, bag makers, engravers and bell founders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a nice market for handmade wooden toys and locally made chocolates.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Advent](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-26-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Advent")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n3. Medieval Christmas Market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This market is in the courtyard of the stunning Residenzschloss, just behind the massive porcelain mural on Augustusstrasse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here you\u2019ll find some of the more interesting market food, and they have a public bathhouse if you don\u2019t mind getting half-naked in public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Medieval market continues until after Christmas Day, so this is a good option if you\u2019re visiting Dresden after Christmas or for the New Year.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Dresden](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-36-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Dresden")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n4. Munzgasse and Frauenkirche Market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The street that takes you from the historic Neumarkt main square down to the river and Bruehl\u2019s Terrace is lined with Christmas stalls throughout the market period until Christmas Eve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s a lovely spot in the heart of the Old Town. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Frauenkirche](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-49-780x1170.jpg\" "\\"Frauenkirche")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n5. Postplatz Huttenzauber<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Postplatz is one of the more modern squares in Dresden and is the place locals go for after-work drinks and parties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are restaurants and bakeries, but the Christmas huts here are really more for groups of friends and socialising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s a nice experience if you’re looking for something a bit more chilled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Elbhangfest Christmas Market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I haven\u2019t been to this market as it\u2019s out of the centre in the suburb of Loschwitz by the Blaues Wunder (Blue Wonder) bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a unique-looking small Christmas market surrounded by half-timbered houses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The market isn’t that far from the centre and would be worth the trip if you want a calmer, more local experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Prager Strasse Modern Christmas Market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Prager Strasse is the long shopping street just south of the Altstadt. It\u2019s probably an area most tourists would come across, especially if you\u2019re on a short visit and are more interested in historic Dresden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can still get regional specialties here; there are two historic carousels, a 15-metre-high Christmas tree and plenty of high-street shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Augustusmarkt in Neustadt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
On the other side of the river is Neustadt, the hipster area of Dresden and the lovely Augustusmarkt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is home to Dresden\u2019s international Christmas market with specialties from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Italy and elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are some interesting decorations and a Ferris wheel. You’ll also find an indoor food market hall in Neustadt that’s worth visiting. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Augustusmarkt](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-37-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Augustusmarkt")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n9. Alternative Christmas Market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Also in Neustadt, but a bit further out, is a new market on Alaustrasse. It has only been around for a few years and is an alternative, creative market with unusual artisan gifts and modern food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christmas Food Stalls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I think Dresden is a great all-year-round destination, but many people prefer to visit for the Christmas markets, which is understandable when it is lit up so beautifully each evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you’re visiting Dresden in December, you’ll be able to spend some time indulging at the Christmas food stalls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are some of the specialties you can expect to find. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dresden Rahmklecks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rahmklecks is a Dresden specialty, a freshly cooked bread roll stuffed with ham and cheese and topped with sour cream. I\u2019m not sure if they do vegetarian rahmklecks, but that would be amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Dresden](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-34-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Dresden")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDresdner Christstollen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stollen is a heavy, sweet fruit bread with nuts, spices and dried or candied fruit, usually topped with icing sugar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll find stollen at most Christmas markets in Germany, but the official and original stollen is only baked by certain Dresden bakeries and has been around since the 15th century. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dresden\u2019s stollen is so famous it even has its own festival<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The official Dresdner Christstollen is available at the Striezelmarkt and other Christmas markets in Dresden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hungarian Langos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hungarian fast food at its finest, langos is a deep-fried flat dough brushed with garlic and typically topped with grated cheese and sour cream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can find this in most Christmas markets in Europe<\/a>. It\u2019s heavy, oily and probably not very healthy, but it\u2019s delicious. You might want to share one of these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkish Fladenbrot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fladenbrot is a Turkish bread sandwich with a mix of tasty fillings like flavoured cream cheese, whole pickled chillies, sun-dried tomatoes and olives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Save room for a fladenbrot; they are incredibly tasty. This is my top food recommendation when eating out at the Dresden markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Baked Apples with Whipped Cream<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m not sure if these would be in the traditional or modern Christmas food basket, but Dresden\u2019s baked apples with custard and whipped cream are a simple, delicious snack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look for them at the Munzgasse Christmas stalls. They come in an edible bowl. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Baked](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-32-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Baked")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDutch Poffertjes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
These mini Dutch pancakes are one of the best sweets at the markets. I would love to buy one of those pancake moulds and make my own at home. I wonder where you can buy them? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traditional poffertjes are served with butter and icing sugar, but in Dresden, you can get them with apple sauce, caramel or Nutella. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Krappelchen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
These little diamond-shaped pastries are really just deep-fried doughnuts topped with icing sugar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They\u2019re called krappelchen<\/em> in Dresden and the rest of Saxony but go by the name schmalzgreben<\/em>, schmalzkuchen<\/em> or some other regional name elsewhere in Germany. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are not exactly light and fluffy doughnuts, but they\u2019re very popular at the Striezelmarkt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christmas Nougat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m a fan of nougat, in theory, it always looks so tempting, and the first bite is delicious. But after a couple of bites, it becomes sickly sweet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe you\u2019re only meant to have a tiny bit at a time? Probably but I don\u2019t have the kind of self-control to stop before it gets too much. The hazelnut nougat is one of the nicest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marshmallow Sandwich<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I don\u2019t know what these marshmallow wafer sandwich things are called, but they are light and sweet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m pretty sure they’re not a traditional sweet, but they make a nice snack to take away with you or give as a gift. They were very popular when I visited the markets.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Christmas](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-31-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Christmas")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThings to Do in Dresden in Winter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I initially avoided visiting Dresden as I had the impression it was a bit dull, with little to offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I don\u2019t know where I got these preconceived ideas from; I had the same thoughts about Warsaw and couldn\u2019t have been more wrong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thanks to experiences like this and my often being wrong, I am a lot more open-minded in my travels.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Dresden](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-25-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Dresden")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nEven though Dresden was almost completely wiped out during the Allied bombings in WWII, the Old Town, particularly the Neumarkt and surrounding streets, was rebuilt in its original baroque style. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a beautiful area to walk around, especially along Bruehl\u2019s Terrace on the Elbe River, which takes you past most of the grandiose architecture and points of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Dresden](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-42-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Dresden")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIt\u2019s weird to imagine the rubble of the bombed-out Frauenkirche and other buildings lying around for more than 50 years. But that\u2019s exactly what happened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Much of the rebuilding started after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the famous Frauenkirche, the focal point of the Neumarkt, wasn\u2019t completed until 2005.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Frauenkirche](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-19-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Frauenkirche")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nOf course, the city\u2019s East German personality still lingers, but that\u2019s part of the city\u2019s charm and character. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll see this in the relatively traditional locals and the still popular classic German experience of afternoon coffee and cake. However, this might be popular in every city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a different experience, cross the Elbe River to enter Dresden Neustadt, where there’s an eclectic mix of old-time East Germany and cool hipster vibes.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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For more Christmas destinations in Europe, consider taking one of these Christmas road trips<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
If you plan things well, you could visit three destinations in one trip. This is especially easy when in Dresden, as there are so many amazing winter destinations a short drive away. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Dresden](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-47-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Dresden")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nEvents in December<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes it\u2019s nice to plan your trip around an event. In December, there are more festive events than just the Christmas markets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Christmas Garden event is on the banks of the Elbe River, with brunch at the ice rink and a city tour that takes you by the best Christmas markets on both sides of the river and across the Blue Wonder Bridge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also visit Dresden’s Christmas Circus or Russian Orthodox singing performances by the Moscow Cathedral Choir. See all events in Dresden here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Christmas](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-45-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Christmas")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWeather in Dresden in December<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Temperatures in Dresden in December typically range from 3-6\u00b0C. It\u2019s probably 50\/50 if you\u2019ll get a white Christmas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year looks to be colder than usual, so there might be some snow around, but you\u2019re more likely to have rain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Location:<\/strong> Striezelmarkt is located at Altmarkt. Advent markets are located across Dresden.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"Dresden](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-18-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Dresden")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Dresden](\"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/dresden-christmas-50-780x520.jpg\" "\\"Dresden")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n