Must-do: Four Festive Day-Trips from Munich at Christmastime

Must-do: Four Festive Day-Trips from Munich at Christmastime

Maybe we are a little biased, but we truly believe that nobody does Christmas quite like Bavaria, and of course, no city is more festive than Munich. So, good for you for choosing our city as your holiday hub! At BlackBook Tours, we are snobs for all things (festive) food and drink-related, which is why we truly believe that no other city in all of Europe even comes close to the richness of Munich at Christmastime. 

Yes, you could spend days wandering around Munich and visiting our vast array of Christmas markets – there’s really something for everyone here! With our first foray into the business of seasonal markets dating back to 1327, Munich is now home to more than a dozen Christkindlmarkt; offering various festive foods, libations, gifts, entertainment, and more to really help you get into the holiday spirit.

Of course, after you’ve joined us on our seasonal Small Group Munich Christmas Market Festive Food and Wine Tour, you may be looking to expand your horizons and check out what some of our nearby neighbors are doing for the holidays. Lucky for you, there is no shortage of Christmas markets in Germany, and below is a list of our top four festive day-trip destinations all within two hours from Munich:

#4 Chiemsee – The Christmas Market on the Lake

Chiemsee is a large Bavarian lake about one hour away from Munich with the regional trains. Every year, Chiemsee holds a special Christmas Market on the Frauen Insel or Woman Island. The Frauen Insel Christkindlmarkt is a favorite holiday destination for Munich locals for a couple of reasons. Firstly, who doesn’t love jumping on a ferry and floating down a beautiful lake; taking in the wonders of nature as well as a 19^th century castle? Secondly, the Frauen Insel Christmas market is somewhat of an exclusive affair. While the majority of German Christmas markets will operate for the full four weeks of Advent, at Chiemsee, the Frauen Insel market only operates for a number of days each season – so make sure you time your vacation accordingly!

#3 Nuremberg – The Big One

Nuremberg is a must-visit city no matter what time of year you find yourself in Munich. About one hour by train (if you splurge on the ICE), our Franconian neighbor has so much to offer its visitors. From little bratwursts to medieval castles (and dungeons!), Nuremberg is always worth a day trip – although, we would definitely recommend spending the night, too! Nuremberg really shines at Christmastime, and is home to what is considered to be Germany’s largest Christmas market simply due to the sheer volume of merchants that pile into the streets every November and December. Nuremberg is also famous for a favorite festive staple – the Nürnberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread). In fact, a good way to offend a German at Christmas is to gift them gingerbread from literally any city except Nuremberg! These dense delicacies are now available in a wide array of flavors and always make excellent stocking stuffers!

#2 Regensburg – The Christmas Market for Lovers

A little further down the train tracks – about one and a half hours – you’ll find yourself in the 13^th century city of Regensburg. For history buffs, the old town is a must-see, as it is considered to be one of the largest medieval towns north of the Alps, and even earned its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. However, at Christmastime, Regensburg is transformed into a romantic holiday hotspot, and that is largely because of one particular Christkindlmarkt. Although, Regensburg is home to multiple Christmas markets, none have the same sparkle as the Romantischer Weihnachtsmarkt located on the grounds of the city’s Thurn und Taxis castle. Don’t let the entrance fee deter you from a visit because the romantic Christmas market is truly one-of-a-kind. Think: dark and snowy and lit by tiki torches – the perfect date night for any couple during the holiday season. 

#1 Salzburg – Two Festive Countries in One Day

Finally, our top pick for holiday day-trips is none other than Munich’s Austrian cousin – Salzburg. Within two hours, your train from Munich will reach Salzburg’s central station. Salzburg, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also the birthplace of Mozart and a fairy-tale town in every sense of the word – castles, cafes, and classical music abound on these quaint cobblestone streets. Yes, there is even a Christmas museum operating all year round! Of course, like the other cities on this list, Salzburg only gets better at Christmastime. Enjoy the Christmas markets found throughout the city, do some holiday shopping on the famous Getreidegasse, and make sure to time your visit to coincide with Krampusnacht (Krampus Night). Krampus Night (December 5) is when everybody’s favorite Christmas devil takes to the night to teach naughty children a lesson. On this night in Salzburg, marvel as dozens of these horned beasts run amok in the streets and give terrifying chase to the both locals and tourists alike. Think you can’t handle your trip to Salzburg alone? Don’t worry, you can hire a professional and join us on our Salzburg Semi-Private Guided Day Tour From Munich with Dinner!