Christmas markets are a cherished European tradition. Each holiday season, towns across Europe become winter wonderlands filled with twinkling lights and festive wooden huts. Vendors offer hand-carved ornaments, Nativity figurines, and warm glühwein (mulled wine) as carols fill the air. Germany alone hosts 2,500 to 3,000 markets annually.

These markets are rich in history and unique charm, inviting you to indulge in cozy beverages and delicious treats!

Join us to explore the magic of these markets, starting at one of Frankfurt's oldest. We’ll travel down the Romantic Road to the enchanting villages of Rothenburg and and then west to Heidelberg., Finally, we cross into France's Alsace region to visit Strasbourg, known as the “Capital of Christmas,”

Your package includes roundtrip airfare from one of the Washington DC area airports to Frankfurt, Germany. Exact flights & details to be provided.

The Frankfurt Christmas Market (Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt) is one of Germany’s oldest and most evocative holiday celebrations, traceably dating back to 1393. Every winter, it creates a sweeping trail of lights, aromas, and wooden chalets that cuts right through the city center.

The market is not just a single square; it is a ribbon of interconnected micro-markets that stretch from the central shopping districts down to the riverbanks:

• Römerberg (The Epicenter): This is the quintessential image of a German Christmas market. Set against the meticulously reconstructed medieval half-timbered houses, it features a massive, brilliantly illuminated Christmas tree and a vintage double-decker carousel.

• Paulsplatz: Right next to Römerberg, this area is highly focused on traditional crafts, nutcrackers, and sheepskin goods. Keep an eye out for Wagner’s Honighaus, a two-story timber house erected just for the season where you can sample and buy everything honey-related.

• Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz ("Pink Christmas"): Frankfurt’s inclusive, LGBTQ+-centric market zone. Dressed entirely in pink and purple lighting, it focuses heavily on a festive party vibe, hot cocktails, and a great social scene.

• Mainkai: Located on the banks of the Main River, this section offers a scenic breeze away from the densest crowds. It is also home to the Children’s Christmas Market, offering kid-friendly magic shows and craft stalls.

• Hauptwache & Roßmarkt: Positioned directly against Frankfurt's hyper-modern banking skyscrapers, this offers a striking visual contrast of old-world wooden chalets framed by glowing glass towers.

GoEuro Adventures books hotels the are upscale and have all of the modern conveniences, but still reflect the character and vibe of their locale.

If you are looking for a Christmas market that feels like walking directly into a living snow globe, the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Reiterlesmarkt is it.

Unlike larger cities where markets are set against modern backdrops, Rothenburg is a fully preserved, walled medieval town. During Advent, the entire village transforms, making it one of the most romantic holiday destinations in Europe.

The Legend of the "Reiterle"

The market gets its official name—Reiterlesmarkt—from a centuries-old winter legend. The "Reiterle" (Little Horseman) was originally a mythical, eerie figure from Germanic folklore who was believed to float through the skies during winter to carry off the souls of the dead.

Over the generations, his image evolved into a friendly ambassador of Christmas. Today, the market opens with a grand ceremony where an actor dressed as the Reiterle arrives on horseback to greet the crowds before the mayor officially lights the town's massive Christmas tree.

Must-Try Flavors & Local Traditions

While exploring the tightly packed wooden stalls framed by towering stone walls, keep an eye out for these unique local specialties:

• Schneeballen (Snowballs): This is Rothenburg’s signature pastry. It consists of strips of shortcrust pastry rolled into a loose ball, deep-fried until crisp, and traditionally dusted heavily with powdered sugar (though modern versions are dipped in chocolate, marzipan, or cinnamon).

• White Glühwein: While most German markets default to red mulled wine, the Franconian region surrounding Rothenburg is highly regarded for its white wines. The hot white Glühwein here is local, crisp, and beautifully infused with seasonal spices without being overly heavy.

• The Advent Windows: Every evening at 5:00 PM from December 1st through the 23rd, a beautifully decorated window on the second floor of the historic Town Hall is ceremoniously opened, acting as a giant live Advent calendar for the crowd gathered below.

This night dinner will be at Zur Holl, which is housed in a Medieval building with a story all of its own! Dinner each night is included in your package.

The historic city walls (Stadtmauer) of Rothenburg ob der Tauber are arguably its greatest treasure. While many European towns tore down their fortifications as weapons modernized, Rothenburg's walls survived centuries of conflict, offering a rare opportunity to entirely encircle a medieval town from above. You can walk the entire circle or just a small portion of it.

The Heidelberg Christmas Market (Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt) is one of Germany’s most romantic holiday destinations. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the illuminated Heidelberg Castle ruins, the market spreads its festive stalls across six distinct squares in the historic Old Town (Altstadt).

The markets are woven together by the Hauptstraße—one of Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping streets—allowing you to stroll seamlessly from one cozy square to the next.

The Six Market Squares

SquareHighlights & Distinctive FeaturesBismarckplatzThe gateway to the Old Town; a small, festive welcome area with lights and hot drinks to kickstart your walk.AnatomiegartenNestled in front of the monument to chemist Robert Bunsen, this area features unique arts, high-quality crafts, and intimate stalls.UniversitätsplatzThe largest market hub. It features a 100+ year-old vintage carousel and a massive Christmas pyramid, alongside the iconic Feuerzangenbowle (flaming rum punch) cauldrons.MarktplatzHome to the Heidelberger Fass—a massive, walk-in replica of the castle's legendary wine barrel where you can actually reserve a table inside to drink your Glühwein under a chandelier.KornmarktTransformed into the Winterwäldchen (Winter Woods) with over 100 illuminated fir trees, a beautifully crafted nativity scene, and a mini-train for children.KarlsplatzHome to "Christmas on Ice." This open-air ice-skating rink sits directly beneath the glowing castle ruins and is widely considered one of the most scenic skating spots in Germany.

Local Flavors to Try

While walking the squares, look out for regional specialties that go beyond standard market fare:

• Feuerzangenbowle: A traditional drink where a rum-soaked sugar cone is set on fire, melting slowly into a giant cauldron of mulled wine.

• Weißglühwein: Heidelberg sits right between major wine-growing regions (Baden and the Pfalz), meaning you will find excellent white mulled wine alongside the classic red version.

• Flammkuchen: An Alsatian-style thin, crispy flatbread topped with crème fraîche, onions, and smoky bacon pieces (Speck).

Known as the "Capital of Christmas" (Capitale de Noël), Strasbourg hosts France’s oldest and most famous Christmas market. Dating all the way back to 1570, the Christkindelsmärik spreads across the entire city center (the Grande Île), taking over more than 10 distinct squares with over 300 traditional wooden chalets.

The entire historic center is pedestrianized for the market, making it feel like a massive, open-air fairytale village framed by timbered houses and canals.

The Key Market Squares

SquareHighlights & Distinctive FeaturesPlace BroglieThe historic heart of the market (Christkindelsmärik). This is where the tradition began 450+ years ago. It focuses heavily on classic Christmas ornaments, traditional nativity figurines (santons), and traditional crafts under its grand lit entrance arch.Place KléberHome to the iconic Grand Sapin (Great Christmas Tree). Standing at 30 meters (nearly 100 feet) tall, it is the tallest real decorated Christmas tree in France. Every hour on the dot between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM, the square dims for a sweeping light and music show. This square also hosts the Village du Partage (Charity Village).Place de la CathédraleSet directly at the foot of the staggering Gothic Strasbourg Cathedral. The location is deeply atmospheric, with chalets tucked tightly against the medieval stone walls selling delicate glass baubles, pottery, and hot drinks.Quai des Délices / Palais RohanThe ultimate stop for foodies (The Delights Market). This market brings together local Alsatian bakeries, winemakers, and agricultural producers. It features a pop-up bakery where you can see traditional cookies being baked fresh.Petite France (Square Louise-Weiss)Hosts the Advent Village and the "Unyielding Small Producers of Alsace" market. It offers an intimate, less commercial vibe featuring 100% independent local farmers, organic treats, and a children's workshop area.Place GrimmeissenThe "OFF Market." A highly unique, modern twist on the traditional market. It features stalls built out of repurposed shipping containers and focuses on vintage clothing, fair-trade goods, organic farming, and solidarity buying.

Must-See Illuminated Streets

Strasbourg takes its lighting design incredibly seriously. Three routes are unmissable as you walk between squares:

• Rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons: The famous "Gate of Lights" (Porte des Lumières), a massive glowing archway featuring two illuminated bears that marks the entrance to the Christmas Capital.

• Rue des Orfèvres: Widely considered the most heavily decorated and photographed street in Europe at Christmas. The shop facades are completely covered in giant glowing stars, teddy bears, and heavy evergreen garlands.

• Rue Mercière: The dramatic street leading directly toward the front facade of the Cathedral, lined on both sides with towering, glowing Christmas angels playing trumpets.

Alsatian Holiday Foods to Try

Alsatian holiday cuisine is a heavy mix of French technique and hearty German comfort.

• Bredle (or Bredele): Small, traditional Alsatian Christmas biscuits flavored with butter, anise, lemon, or almond. Families traditionally bake dozens of varieties leading up to Christmas.

• Grumbeerekiechle: Crispy, golden Alsatian potato pancakes (similar to latkes or hashbrowns), often served hot out of the fryer topped with melted local Munster cheese.

• Manneles: Cute, brioche bread men that are traditionally eaten around Saint Nicholas Day (December 6th), often paired with hot chocolate.

• Vin Chaud (Mulled Wine): Kept warm in giant vats, look for standard red or local Alsatian white varieties infused with orange, cinnamon, and star anise.

Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg) is an absolute masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Victor Hugo famously described it as a "gigantic and delicate marvel," and it is easy to see why.

For more than two centuries (from 1647 to 1874), its towering north spire made it the tallest building in the world. Even today, it remains the highest surviving structure built entirely in the Middle Ages.

In Strasbourg, the Christmas spirit doesn't just stop at the market chalets—individual shopkeepers, restaurateurs, and boutique owners decorate their storefronts so intensely that the buildings themselves look like they were designed by Santa's elves.

This isn't a casual addition of a few string lights. The shop owners engage in friendly, fierce competition to see who can create the most jaw-dropping, over-the-top facade. Entire building fronts are blanketed from the ground floor to the roofline in heavy greenery, oversized ornaments, and glowing installations.