In the past 6 years, life has brought me to Munich enough times for me to say that I got pretty familiar with the city. But somehow the first and last time I visited the Bavarian capital, was in December and last year I decided to take one of my favorite routes in the city center and shoot my Munich Christmas Market picture diary.
So sit back, read my post, look at the beautiful pictures (or at least I hope that you will find them as beautiful as I do) and plan your walk through the Munich Christmas Market.
My Munich Christmas Market picture diary and itinerary
Even though I was in Munich for only 3 days, in between meetings, office hours, and dinners, I found some time to escape and head on one of my favorite trails in Munich, especially during the Christmas Market. Thus this is totally doable if you are in Munich for one day only as well.
Some useful information
If you are planning to visit Munich during the Christmas Market period, I’m sure you’ll want to see more than that and enjoy Bavaria to its fullest.
That’s why I suggest heading over and reading all about the best things to do in Munich, or the best day trips to take when you have more time to spend:
When to see Munich Christmas Market?
Start planning your trip ahead of time and know that usually, the Munich Christmas Market will take place starting with the last weekend of November ending on Christmas Eve (24th of December).
This means you’ll have plenty of time to plan your trip and you don’t have to go in late December. I actually went the first time during the first weekend of December and it was pretty cool.
Munich Christmas Market hotels
When it comes to booking a hotel for visiting Munich Christmas Market, I surely recommend you book way in advance because prices are either way high in Bavaria’s capital, even more so during December.
Throughout the time I’ve tested various hotels in Munich and one hostel during my first trip, and while public transportation in Munich works perfectly well and will get you from one point to the other very efficiently, I would still recommend staying close to where the magic happens.
So here are some ideas for hotels to choose for making the best out of your Munich Christmas Market escape, with the suggestion to look around Marienplatz because that’s where the center of attraction will be:
- Mercure Hotel Munchen Altstadt – right in the heart of Munich, just a short walking distance from the main Christmas Market in Marienplatz, you won’t have to break the bank to stay here if you book ahead of time;
- Louis Hotel Munich – if you’re lucky you’ll have an amazing view over Munich’s skyline and will be at the center of it all;
- Hotel Opera Munich – stay here and you’ll tick 2 boxes off of your trip to Munich since this is one of the most Instagrammable places in Munich.
My Munich Christmas Market itinerary
Take the U-Bahn and get off at Odeonsplatz, cross the street and step inside the English Garden just for a little bit. Don’t worry, you won’t have to go far to find the perfect setting for a winter picture very close to one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe.
My favorite 2 pictures are of Dianatemple and the gallery in Bazargebaude.
Once done here, take the Residenzstrase towards Marienplatz and stop by on the way there at the Residenzmuseum where, in the inside garden, you will find a great little corner of the Christmas Market.
Maybe less known especially by tourists, you could be lucky and find a less crowded corner where you can enjoy a hot mug of mulled wine.
When finished with the wine and sweets (or wurst), move forward towards the Munich Opera, where right across the street you will see one of my favorite restaurants – the Rathskeller Munchen.
Ok, I need to admit I’ve never eaten here, but it certainly looks so Bavarian and Christmasy.
Just a few steps away and you have reached the final destination: Marienplatz.
Here is where the magic happens: gingerbread, glazed apples, chestnuts, mulled wine, and so much more.
Read also other useful things you need to know before planning a trip to Munich
But you won’t have to stop here. From Marienplatz take a left turn and head to Viktualienmarkt where you’ll find a foodie paradise, or go towards Karlsplatz and stop by at every little Christmas house along the way.
Whether you try a mulled wine, some roasted chestnuts, or some of the delicious caramelized almonds, you’ll feel Christmas all around you.
Of course, when you have more time to spend in Munich, you’ll want to see more of the smaller Christmas Markets. They are set up in different locations of the town, but mostly inside the city center.
- Schwabing Christmas Market – located in the artist’s part of Munich head here if you want to see something different
- Christmas Market at the Chinese Tower – take a stroll through the English Garden and stop by at Chinese Tower for a ride in the carousel
- Christmas Market at Sendlinger Tor – get lost between the stalls next to the old town city gate
- Tollwood Market – focusing on handcrafts and organic delicacies
- Medieval Christmas Market – wooden huts, merchands in historic costumes, craftsmen demonstrating ancient crafts. Sounds great, right? Location: Wittelsbacherplatz
- Mulled Wine festival in the Bogenhausen Chritsimas Forest – that’s something I would love to attend!
Germany travel resources
- See the pretty small German villages you don’t want to miss
- Spend one day in Munich with my ultimate itinerary
- Check out my ultimate list of the best places to stay in Munich, based on my travels to the city for the past 5 years.
- Take the prettiest pictures in the most Instagrammable places in Munich
- Drive Germany’s Romantic Road and be enchanted by castles and vineyards
- Get your ultimate list of useful tips worth knowing before visiting Munich and everything you need to know about getting around Munich
- Take an epic day trip from Munich
- Find out the best 10 things to do in Munich during winter
- Spend one day in Nuremberg exploring the pretty Bavarian town
- Visiting Germany’s capital? Check out the perfect 2 day Berlin itinerary
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