Christmas Markets in Nuremberg
Why you should visit The Nuremberg Christmas Market:
The Nuremberg Christmas Market is one of the most popular Christmas Markets in all of Europe. For a town best known for its gingerbread, it makes sense that they go all-in when it comes to Christmastime. Even though Nuremberg isn’t the smallest city, the old town hasn’t lost its quaint traditional feeling, and makes the perfect backdrop for the Christmas markets. Nuremberg (spelled Nürnberg in German) was one of the first Christmas markets we went to on our trip to Europe in December, and indeed it really set the bar very high. If you’d like to see more of my Christmas market adventures through Europe, you can read The Best Christmas Markets in Europe for Magic Winter Photos.
When do Christmas Markets start in Nuremberg?
The Nuremberg Christmas Market dates are similar to other Christmas markets in Europe. The Nuremberg Christmas Market opens late November and closes on Christmas Eve (December 24th). They’re generally open from 10am to 9pm daily apart from Christmas Eve when the Christmas market closes at midday (make sure to check the official website for the exact dates this year). However, different market stands have different opening times so if you are on a time limit and need to go early in the morning you might see a few stands open (or at least firing up their grills and getting ready!).
Nuremberg Christmas Markets
Christkindlesmarkt Nürnberg
This is the main market in Nuremberg, and it is what Christmas markets are all about. The lights. The beautiful cathedral towering in the background. The ambience of laughter as gluhwein (hot wine) cups are clinked together in cheers. This is it. They say this is one of the best Christmas markets in the world and I concur as everything about this market is absolutely breathtaking. Besides the ambience, the stands have a varied range of handicrafts that aren’t just the usual junk you see at most Christmas markets.
I will say, however, that the vegan options here are basically non-existent. You will be able to find lebkuchen (German Christmas Cookies) at a few of the stands and I highly recommend them as they are delicious! They resemble a normal cookie but they are actually filled with an almost Christmas fruit cake filling. 10/10 would eat them again.
Don’t forget to: try Nuremberg‘s largest Feuerzangenbowle, the largest in the world. Located on the outer part of the market by the bridge, you will find Feuerzangenbowle. Feuerzangenbowle is a special hot red wine made from spices, lemon and orange peel, brewed with a sugar loaf completely soaked with rum which is then set on fire. This caramelises as the alcoholised sugar slowly drips into the red wine cauldron.
Kinder Christkindlesmarkt
This market is for children and those who consider themselves children at heart. Miniature carousels and ferris wheels will make you proclaim “aww!” out loud. Otherwise all of the market stands are catered towards children so there is not much to do as an adult. I recommend taking a look at the mechanical toys atop each Christmas stand as they are all different. Besides, some are quite uncanny and terrifying.
Handwerkerhof Nuremberg
This small Christmas market comprises a few lanes of permanent shops that go all-out for Christmas and form their own little Christmas market. Located at the entrance of fortress tower Frauentorturm is a big Christmas tree that leads to the shops. When the lanes are filled with snow and the warm lights are on from the small handicraft stores and pubs, I would say this is the most instagrammable area to take photos. It is far less packed during December than the main market, probably because the locals know the stores well, so it is easier to get a nice photo.
What are the best vegan eats at the Nuremberg Christmas Markets?
Are you wondering what the vegan options are at the Nuremberg Christmas Markets? Well sadly there are not many vegan food options, so make sure you eat before you go. Some stands at Nuremberg Christmas Market sell vegan lebkuchen, a traditional German cookie eaten at Christmas that tastes similarly to gingerbread and is spiced with cinnamon and ginger. It is usually sweetened with honey, however most lebkuchen Christmas market stalls I saw were selling vegan versions.
The other option is the churro (fried dough) stands. Christmas churros, I hear you ask? I know it doesn’t sound very Christmasy but hot churros doused in cinnamon sugar in your cold winter hands is a life saver when you don’t have many options. Plus you will need the sugar to keep you going when you have so many Christmas market stalls to peruse!
What are the best hotels to stay in when visiting Nuremberg?
While staying in Nuremberg we opted to stay at Leonardo Royal Hotel Nurnberg. Travelling to Nürnberg during the Nuremberg Christmas Market dates means that hotels sell out fast. We chose this hotel because it was located very close to the station and we had a lot of luggage to carry. If you’ve ever carried suitcases through the snow, you’ll understand why this is crucial. We absolutely loved our stay and I would recommend it.
The rooms seem like they have been recently renovated and included a spacious bath and separate shower. We opted to have breakfast included in our stay and the breakfast was fabulous. They had a decent range of food for vegans including beans, hash brown and falafel as well as cereals. If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, there was soy milk available too. If you would like to check it out, this is where we booked Leonardo Royal Hotel Nurnberg. I use Booking.com because they have a price guarantee and you can get Genius discounts if you book your hotels through them.
You can find all the available accomodation in the area on this map below:
VERDICT
The Nuremberg Christmas Markets are definitely worth the visit
If you are really into Christmas markets like I am, I would say this is a must visit. If you are travelling from Frankfurt to Prague like we were, I would say it would be a huge shame if you did not stop in Nuremberg and enjoy the Christmas markets. Furthermore this is one of the best Christmas market I have been to and if you are wanting to have the best Christmas market experiences this is where to go. Just keep in mind the The Nuremberg Christmas Market dates.
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