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The best Christmas markets in Germany

Although we can enjoy the Amsterdam Winterparade Christmas event in the Netherlands this year, Germany is still “the place to be” when it comes to Christmas markets. Many cities host Christmas markets, so there's plenty of Christmas spirit to experience in the weeks leading up to Christmas. We have listed 6 Christmas markets in Germany here, which are more than worth a visit.

Christmas market in Frankfurt
From Hauptwache Square, via Paulsplatz and Römerberg to the banks of the Main, one of Germany's oldest and most beautiful Christmas markets extends; the Christmas market in Frankfurt a.M.. In front of the "Römer" town hall is the largest Christmas tree in the country:it rises a long way into the sky and brings the town hall square with its lights completely into a Christmas atmosphere. A unique addition to the traditional Frankfurt Christmas market is the 'Pink Christmas Market' on Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz, which is certainly not only welcome for LGBT people.
Frankfurt Christmas Market takes place from November 27 to 22 December. Opening hours:Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. More information:www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/weihnachtsmarkt

Christmas Market Hanover
Fancy a Christmas market tour? Hanover has several Christmas markets with a total of more than 190 atmospheric stalls in store for visitors. The largest Christmas market is in the historic district around the Marktkirche, and there's even a Finnish-style Christmas village on Ballhofplatz. Fixed ingredients:artisanal products, winter delicacies and attractively lit buildings. You can make a Christmas wish in the "Wunschbrunnen-Wald" and children will be delighted by the special Winter Zoo. From 29-11 to 22-12. More information can be found at www.9staedte.de/en/

Christmas market Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is perhaps the most visited Christmas market among the Dutch. And that is not for nothing. During the Advent weeks it is a Christmas feast for the whole family with no fewer than 6 different Christmas markets together. Different parts of the city center such as Marktplatz, Heinrich-Heine Platz, Gustaf Grundgens Platz, Schadowplatz, Stadtbruckchen and Flingerstrasse are transformed into a winter fairytale paradise. Stroll along the hundreds of decorated stalls, warm up with a glass of Glühwein or eat a snack in one of the cozy restaurants. There is also a large ice skating rink on Gustaf Grundgens Platz where you can ice skate.

Christmas Market Cologne
The Christmas markets in the bustling city of Cologne are one of the busiest Christmas markets in Europe. The city has no fewer than 8 Christmas markets, of which 5 are located in the city center and 3 markets slightly outside. Especially on and around the Dom, the Alter Markt, the Rudolfplatz, the Stadtgarden and the Heumarkt, the cozy stalls provide a magical winter wonderland. Enjoy the atmosphere, browse the many stalls or enjoy a tasty snack and drink.

Christmas Market Oberhausen
Oberhausen is all about Christmas this month. A fairytale forest and winter landscape, unmatched by the region, awaits young and old alike during the Advent season on the Altmarkt, in the heart of the city. Among 81 spruces up to 12 meters high and between another 150 spruces up to 5 meters high are 30 beautiful cabins and a historic carousel. The trees are festively decorated with lights. A starry sky weakened by the peace pillar also shines all over the place with 15,000 LED light points. The culinary heart ranges from potato pancakes and sausages to tarte flambée, Portuguese tapas and sweet crepes. Mulled wine and other drinks are served on rustic wooden tables in the middle of the spruce forest. The historic children's carousel makes the eyes of the smallest visitors sparkle.

Christmas Market Berlin
In the German capital Berlin there are no fewer than 26 Christmas markets. Berlin's Christmas markets are as diverse as the city itself. Divided in the center you can visit Christmas markets at the Gedächtniskirche, at Richardplatz, at Gerndermenmarkt, at Potsdamer Platz and at Alexander Platz. But there are also nice Christmas markets in other parts of the city, such as Charlottenburg, Spandau and Zehlendorf. The Berlin Christmas markets are not only known for its size, but also because there is a variety of fine arts, typical gifts, delicacies and culinary delights from different European regions. You'll find gift ideas featuring traditional arts and crafts from the region and around the world. Of course you can also enjoy the delicious culinary specialties and the warm punch and of course mulled wine.

Image:© #visitfrankfurt_Holger Ullmann