The Cutest German Christmas Towns - International Traveller

If you’re looking for a magical winter getaway in Europe, it’s hard to find a better option than these festive German towns.

While the avalanche of Instagram posts of Aperol spritzes and glistening dishes of cacio e pepe might have given you serious envy Europe trip envy this summer, there is still time to gift yourself a seasonal treat and head there this Christmas. And no one – I mean absolutely no one – does festive cheer better than Germans.

With a Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) in almost every town, the ever-present whiff of lebkuchen (gingerbread-like bars) and the chance to sip glühwein (mulled wine) while watching the snowfall outside, Germany has the whole of December down pat.

Ready to pack up that sleigh? Here are the top German towns to get you inspired for your White Christmas.

1. Quedlinburg

Simply walking the snow-covered streets of the medieval German town of Quedlinburg will be enough to get you and the family in the Christmas spirit. And that’s before you even get to their famous Christmas markets at the old market square. Afterwards, check out the real-life Advent Calendar at the Quedlinburg town hall: where a new festive scene is unveiled each day.

a father carrying his child on his shoulders in a Christmas market in Germany on a winter day — Experience the wintery magic of Christmas in Germany.

To get away from the crowds, take a walk through Altstadt (Old Town) to see the town decked out like a season’s greetings card, before heading back down for a mulled wine.

Christmas lights covering the streets of the medieval town Quedlinburg — Christmas lights brighten up the snow-covered streets of Quedlinburg.

How to get there: Quedlinburg is in the centre of Germany and is connected by train to other major cities. For example, Berlin can be reached by train in approximately three-and-a-half hours. Alternatively, if you are coming from there, Hannover or Leipzig, it’s around a two to three-hour drive to Quedlinberg.

Want to explore more nearby? Go hiking in the wider Harz Mountains region or visit other towns of the area. A good starting point is the medieval town of Goslar.

a Christmas market in Germany on a winter day — No other place does Christmas quite like Germany.

2. Goslar

The under-the-radar town of Goslar receives far less attention from international travellers, while still being beloved by Germans for its gorgeous Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage site), half-timbered houses and long history as a major seat of power in the Holy Roman Empire era.

a vibrant atmosphere at Goslar's Christmas Market — Goslar’s Christmas Markets are truly spectacular.

But come December, it is the Christmas stalls in Marktplatz and the enchanting Advent Calendar House that are the centre of attention.

advent in the old town of Goslar — The old town of Goslar lights up during the Advent season.

How to get there: Goslar is approximately one hour by train from the town of Hannover and just under one-and-a-half hours by car – making it well worth tacking a day or two onto your trip to visit it.

3. Hamburg

While not a town, as one of Germany’s major cities, Hamburg goes all out for choice come the festive season.

a huge Christmas tree in Hamburg — Have a merry and bright Christmas in Hamburg.

Not only does it have a more traditional Christmas Market at Rathausmarkt (complete with ice-skating and an enormous Christmas tree), but it also has a Winter Pride Hamburg LGBTQ+ Christmas market, as well as at least half a dozen others. Elsewhere in the city, families should check out ‘Winterdom’: a seasonal amusement park filled with rides.

a Christmas market in Hamburg — Delight in mulled wine and roasted chestnuts at Hamburg’s Christmas markets.

How to get there: Hamburg is extremely well connected by train and by road. By train, it is under two hours to Berlin, and four-and-a-half hours to Frankfurt.

View over Hamburg Christmas market from the top of the Petri Church. — Hamburg goes all out for choice come the festive season.

If you want to see more wintery sites while here, seeing the romantic castle of Schwerin Schloss dusted in white snow like a Christmas cake ticks every box. It can be reached from Hamberg in just over one-and-a-half hours by train or car.

the Schwerin Schloss castle in winter — See the majestic Schwerin Schloss castle covered in snow.

4. Rothenburg ob der Tauber

When it comes to Christmas, it is hard to beat Bavarians for enthusiasm. Case in point: Rothenburg ob der Tauber in southern Germany.

a quiet street in Rothenburg ob der Tauber — The quiet streets of Rothenburg ob der Tauber are vibrantly adorned with Christmas decorations.

Not only might you spot a capering Krampus here, known as the dark twin of Saint Nicholas who gives out punishment to ‘naughty’ kids, instead of presents; but at Christmas time, the medieval town also gets a visit from the Rothenburg Reiterle in a nightly procession.

bright structures along the medieval German town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber — Take a leisurely walk along the medieval German town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Thought to be originally based on the ancient Germanic god Wotan, who would collect deceased souls each winter, today the hooded and cloaked horseback rider known as the Rothenburg Reiterle has been re-branded to a charming traditional gift giver. Still, when he has passed on by, you might need to calm your nerves with a sweet schneeball pastry and a strong glass of glühwein from the Reiterlesmarkt.

Christmas Market Rothenburg at night — Stroll down the streets of Rothenburg for old-fashioned Christmas cookies.

How to get there: Rothenberg is a three-hour journey by train and bus from Munich. Alternatively, a car trip from Munich will take just under three hours (but this option has the added potential of side trips).

Haven’t made it to the city of Nuremberg yet? It could be worth adding some days in Bavaria’s second-largest city, being just over an hour’s drive away (or just under two hours by public transport).

a German Christmas Market — German Christmas markets kicks off the festive holiday season.

5. Nuremberg

It might be known for its wartime history and medieval architecture most of the year. But come December, Nuremberg also attracts visitors from around the world for its Christkindlesmarkt.

a Christmas market in Nuremberg brightly filled with people — Pick up some festive gifts at Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

The crowned ‘Christkind’ gift-bringer leads the opening festivities of the market, appearing every night afterwards. Make sure you buy a piping hot Nürnberger Rostbratwurst or a slice of local lebkuchen to try from one of the stalls.

a Lebkuchenherzen, or gingerbread hearts at a market stall in Nuremberg — *Lebkuchenherzen*, or gingerbread hearts, are popular in Nuremberg.

Did you think we were done? There is plenty else to do in Nuremberg for Christmas addicts. There is the Handwerkerhof craft village, the enchanting Toy Museum and a ride on the Christmas Tram to embark on. Cap it off by dropping a few euros to climb up the spire of St. Sebaldus Church. Up there, you will discover a marvellous view of the city lights.

children riding a Christmas tram in Nuremberg — Take the kids on the Christmas Tram.

How to get there: As a major city, Nuremberg is connected to many of Germany’s other towns. From Munich, it is only a one-hour train or two-hour drive.

half-timbered houses and artisan shops along Nuremberg Handwerkerhof — Find half-timbered houses and artisan shops in the Handwerkerhof craft village.

If you can’t get enough of the half-timbered houses that lend so much charm to the older villages in the region, take a trip to Bamberg. It’s famous for its early Medieval architecture, while still being considered less ‘touristy’ than other towns of its type and is only 35 minutes by train.

the Bamberg Old Town Hall — The Old Town Hall in Bamberg is notable for its medieval architecture.

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6. Munich

Again, not a town, but grab the chance to shop both the old and the new in the Bavarian capital of Munich. The ‘new’ can be found in the districts of Kaufingerstrasse and Maximilianstrasse, with festive displays lighting up the faces of shoppers. Fill up your bag with holiday produce from the Viktualienmarkt food hall, or at least take a break from the Christmas madness in its beer garden.

a Christmas market in Munich — Feel the magic of Christmas in Munich.

There are still plenty of Christmas markets here, with some of the most popular being Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz, as well as the Christmas Village in the Kaiserhof of the Residenz city palace.

children at Munich Christmas Market on a winter day — Bring your little ones to Munich in the festive season.

Warm up with a touch of ice-skating (or ice-slipping) at Karlsplatz/Stachus, or, if you prefer, with a heavy plate of traditional Bavarian roast goose and potato dumplings (kartoffelknödel).

a crowd of people at Munich Christmas market — Stop by Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz.

How to get there: Munich is accessible by air to countries all over Europe, making it a handy starting point. From here, you can take trains and buses to many of the cities across Germany, with Nuremberg being one of the closest.

7. Baden-Baden

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the markets. Instead, give yourself a ‘Christmas present for me’ and book a treatment at the southwestern town of Baden-Baden. Located in the Black Forest region, Baden-Baden has long been famous for its thermal baths, with Caracalla and Friedrichsbad both top options.

winter at Baden Baden Christmas market — Experience a wintery magical Christmas wonderland at Baden-Baden.

Refreshed? Time to go to the Christmas market at Baden-Baden’s Kurhaus or to take a stroll in the pretty nearby park of Lichtentaler Allee.

How to get there: Don’t miss the chance to explore the Black Forest. Perhaps best known for being the set of the dark fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, this ethereal place is best explored by car.

the setting of Grimm's Fairy Tales at the Black Forest near Baden-Baden — Be transported into a Brothers Grimm fairytale in the Black Forest.

Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK.

Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius — A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris — People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.

The 7 cutest German Christmas towns to feel merry in