We’ve created the perfect winter in Europe itinerary for a magical trip through Germany and Austria. From some of the best European Christmas markets to quaint, cozy villages, this itinerary hits the top attractions as well as unique experiences off the typical tourist path.
We have taken 4 (very different) European Christmas market trips, and we are already dreaming about more in the future!
Imagine sipping hot gluhwein beneath twinkling lights as the scent of cinnamon-roasted almonds fills your nostrils and Christmas carols croon in the background. Pure magic, I tell you.
After all our Christmas market trips, we put together what we think is the perfect winter in Europe itinerary.
You’ll visit some of the most charming Christmas markets in Europe, explore stunning small towns and exciting big cities, and you’ll have unique wintry adventures that most travelers skip.
Gear up for the winter trip of your dreams!
Winter in Europe Itinerary Guide
For more tips and advice for planning your winter in Europe itinerary, jump to the following sections (or just keep scrolling to see it all!).
- Itinerary overview
- Winter in Europe destinations
- How many days
- Tips for visiting Europe in winter
- What to pack for winter in Europe
- European Christmas market resources
Winter in Europe itinerary overview
- Munich (2 nights)
- Rothenburg (2 nights)
- Nuremberg (day trip from Rothenburg)
- Tip: If you don’t mind a bit more moving around, then you could spend 1 night in Rothenburg and 1 night in Nuremberg.
- Salzburg (3 nights)
- Hallstatt (2 nights)
- Innsbruck (2 nights)
- Garmisch (3 nights)
- Neuschwanstein (day trip from Garmisch)
- Munich (1 night)
Winter in Europe destinations
We chose the destinations for this winter in Europe itinerary for a number of reasons:
- Germany and Austria are classic winter in Europe destinations with big Christmas markets and plenty of festivities around this time of year.
- They are easily accessible via Munich or Zurich (and have the cheapest flights!), so those will be great places to start and/or end your journey.
- This itinerary also features a mixture of big city Christmas markets and small, cozy Christmas-y towns, so you get a well-rounded experience and not just the tourist hot spots.
- We also included lots of things to do in this itinerary beyond just browsing Christmas markets, because—let’s be honest—it is possible to get tired of seeing only Christmas markets in town after town.
Keep reading for descriptions of each destination on this itinerary, complete with things to do and where to stay.
Munich
Germany
How long: 2 nights
Munich is often one of the cheapest hubs to fly in and out of. Plus, it is the capital of Bavaria (the region where you’ll find the most traditional Christmas markets), making it a great place to start and end your European winter trip.
Top things to do in Munich in winter
- There are tons of Christmas markets in Munich, so explore as many as you have time for! Here are a few recommendations to start with:
- Munich Christkindlmarkt (most famous)
- Medieval Christmas Market (most unique)
- Chinese Tower Christmas Market (most romantic)
- Tollwood Winter Festival (a Christmassy version of Oktoberfest)
- See the famous river surfers at Eisbachwelle.
- Walk or bike around the English Garden, one of the largest city parks in the world.
- Do a day trip to Dachau concentration camp.
- Take a guided bike tour around Munich. We took this tour on our first visit to the city and loved it!
Where to stay in Munich
- Hotel MIO by AMANO: sleek hotel with a luxe vibe for a reasonable price
- King’s Hotel First Class: comfort and convenience of a modern hotel with a splash of regal decor
- Aloft München: contemporary design and onsite cocktail bar with live music
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Germany
How long: 1-2 nights
This one is on my list of best European Christmas markets, and I’d highly recommend adding Rothenburg to your itinerary.
The town itself is stunning, especially with twinkle lights aglow and a stunningly-decorated Christmas tree in the town square.
While Rothenburg is undoubtedly a very touristy town, I personally think it’s well worth visiting, especially if you can stay the night (when the day trippers leave). It is one of the best-preserved medieval walled towns in Germany, and there’s actually lots to do and see outside of the Christmas market.
My advice: While some people will come to Rothenburg as a day trip from Munich or Nuremberg, I’d highly recommend spending a night (or 2!) here. There are some excellent restaurants, and the Night Watchman’s tour is wonderful.
This is one of the places you’ll want to book as far in advance as possible, as accommodation is very limited and the good, reasonably-priced places get scooped up quickly for dates in December!
Top things to do in Rothenburg in winter
- Learn about Rothenburg’s medieval past on the Night Watchman’s tour.
- Walk the city wall.
- Eat Schneeballen, a sweet local specialty.
- Shop at the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas store.
- Take a photo at Das Plonlein viewpoint (pictured above).
- Have dinner at Zur Hoell.
- Reservations are required; visit their website for more info
Where to stay in Rothenburg
- Hotel Reichs-Küchenmeister: one of the most highly-rated guesthouses in town
- Burghotel: splurge-worthy, charming property with a fantastic breakfast that, according to reviewers, is worth the price
- Gasthof Butz: where I personally stayed in Rothenburg, one of the more budget-friendly options in town
Nuremberg (Nürnberg)
Germany
How long: 1 night or day trip
If you prefer to switch hotels less often, you can spend 2 nights in Rothenburg and visit Nuremberg as a day trip. Alternatively, if you don’t mind moving around, you could spend 1 night in each city.
Nuremberg is often named as one of the best Christmas markets in Germany, and it may even be one of the most highly-regarded in all of Europe.
Nuremberg is the second-largest city in Bavaria (after Munich), and people from all over the country and around the world flock to this market each Christmas season.
With red and white striped boots, there is a special feeling about being in a market as large as this.
Top things to do in Nuremberg in winter
- Wander Weißgerbergasse street for some examples of the most beautiful architecture in the city.
- Explore Handwerkerhof (artisan yard), where you can pop into small workshops and browse handicrafts.
- Walk the city walls.
- Get one of the prettiest views in town at the Weinstadel building.
- Learn about the city’s dark history at the Documentation Center, where the Nazi party held rallies.
- Climb the Nuremberg Castle for a wonderful view over town.
Where to stay in Nuremberg
- Astoria Apartments: our top pick in Nuremberg featuring stunning design, kitchen access, great location, rave reviews, and an affordable nightly rate
- Karl August Neighborhood Hotel: boutique hotel with comfortable rooms, great location, excellent breakfast, and a pool
- Leonardo Royal Hotel: large hotel with cheery design and very affordable prices that earns some of the top reviews in the city
Salzburg
Austria
How long: 3 nights
If you are planning your first European Christmas markets trip, I’d highly recommend putting Salzburg on your itinerary for a few reasons:
- There are several great Christmas markets in Salzburg (more on our favorites below!)
- It’s a charming city with lots of things to do (besides the markets), so you definitely won’t get bored
- It is easy to get there from Munich, which is one of the most affordable cities to fly in and out of
Top things to do in Salzburg in winter
- There are several great Christmas markets in Salzburg. Here are our 3 personal favorites:
- Salzburg Christkindlmarkt (biggest)
- Hellbrunner Adventzauber (our personal favorite!)
- Advent Market at Salzburg Fortress (tiny market in a fortress courtyard)
- Take an apple strudel cooking class. (I took this with my mom and we had a great time!)
- Cheers at the Augustiner Brewery (one of our favorite things to do in the city!).
- See Mozart’s birthplace.
- Try the famed “Mozart balls”, which are made with pistachio marzipan, nougat, and chocolate.
- Insider Tip: The ones in red wrappers seem to be the most common, but the originals are made with dark chocolate and have a blue and silver wrapper.
- Wander the Mirabell Gardens.
- Go on the Salzburg Free Walking Tour.
- Get a view over Salzburg at Hohensalzburg Fortress (and check out the Advent market while you’re here!)
- Go on a Sound of Music tour.
Where to stay in Salzburg
- Airbnb: I personally stayed here with my mom and think it’s a great choice
- master Linzergasse: sleek design, excellent reviews, and a great location
- master Mirabell: highly-rated modern apartments with a communal rooftop terrace
Hallstatt
Austria
How long: 2 nights
Okay, Hallstatt has a Christmas market that lasts exactly one day (annually on December 8th), so it is difficult for most visitors to actually make it to this market.
However, even if your schedule doesn’t work to be in Hallstatt on December 8th, I’d still highly recommend putting it on your Winter in Europe itinerary.
Here’s why:
- Hallstatt is not far from Salzburg and Innsbruck, two great Christmas market cities, so it’s easy to add to your itinerary.
- It is absolutely stunning in the winter, especially if you are lucky enough to get snow!
- There are plenty of fun things to do in and around town.
Yes, Hallstatt is touristy, but most of the visitors are just there for the day. If you spend a night or two, you’ll find it gets very quiet in the late afternoon and evening hours, as well as in the morning.
I’d recommend booking 2 nights here so you can arrive in the evening and have the entire next day to explore without worrying about checking out of your hotel. Hallstatt is a town you’ll want to book as far in advance as possible, since accommodation is limited and December is a popular time to visit.
Top things to do in Hallstatt in winter
- Book a photoshoot with this local photographer. We loved it and think it was one of the best souvenirs!
- Walk to this viewpoint for the best photos of the town.
- Tour the salt mine.
- Take the funicular to the Skywalk which overlooks town.
Where to stay in Hallstatt
- Heritage Hotel: I’ve stayed here twice and had a good experience both times. The location is perfect! They have a great breakfast buffet, and you can reserve the private sauna. They have rooms in a couple of different buildings, so if possible, request a room with a balcony and a view of the lake.
- Seewirt Zauner: Another good option in the heart of Hallstatt.
- B&B Haus Hemetzberger: If you want a really peaceful setting, this B&B is located just outside of town and earns rave reviews. It is also a good budget pick.
Innsbruck
Austria
How long: 2 nights
I just love Innsbruck and think it makes a magical place to visit in the winter. Add to that the fact there are several Christmas markets, and you’ve got a great contender to add to your itinerary.
This colorful Tyrolean city flanked by mountains oozes beauty. Plus, there are plenty of fun things to do to keep you busy even if you don’t want to spend every day sipping gluhwein in the town square. But you could totally do that too!
Top things to do in Innsbruck in winter
- There are a few main Christmas markets in Innsbruck as well as small neighborhood markets where you’ll see just a cluster of booths. Here are a few personal recommendations:
- Innsbruck Old Town Christmas Market (our favorite)
- Panorama Christmas Market at Hungerburg (tiny market with a view)
- Maria Theresien Street (modern market)
- Advent at the Market Square (family-friendly market on the river)
- Rent a toboggan and hike to a mountain hut for lunch, then sled down!
- Take a Tyrolean food tour.
- Ride the cable car to the top of Nordkette where you can have a mug of gluhwein or hot chocolate.
- Sample local schnapps.
- Enjoy a cocktail at one of the many great cocktail bars in the city.
- Take a day trip to the nearby village of Hall.
Where to stay in Innsbruck
Innsbruck has a lot of truly wonderful places to stay. Below are our top recommendations.
- Nala Individuellhotel: We personally stayed at this aparthotel and had a great experience. Plus, we found it was one of the most reasonably-priced places in the city for this level of quality.
- Boutiquehotel Weisses Rossl: We ate at the restaurant here; the hotel looks lovely and is in a perfect location. It is popular, so book early.
- Marktbar Studios: This modern aparthotel offers stunning river views.
- Hotel Innsbruck: The perfect location in Old Town with cozy rooms and spa amenities.
- Altstadthotel Weißes Kreuz: This centrally-located aparthotel has a stunning design and a cool onsite cocktail bar.
Airbnb options:
- 2-bedroom apartment that earns rave reviews
- Cozy loft in a residential area
- Beautifully-designed Airbnb in a quiet part of town
Psst! If you’re considering staying in any Airbnbs, be sure to read up on our fail-safe tips for choosing the best Airbnbs.
Garmisch
Germany
How long: 3 nights
I don’t think you’ll find Garmisch-Partenkirchen on many other round-ups of the best European Christmas markets, and in all honesty, the market here is just okay. While cute and worth a visit if you’re in Garmisch, it’s very small and there’s not much to it.
The reason I put Garmisch on this itinerary is because I think it is one of the best towns in Europe to visit in the winter.
It is truly magical, and I would highly recommend adding it to your itinerary.
Top things to do in Garmisch in winter
- Walk through the Partnach Gorge.
- See the famous Olympic ski jump.
- Ride a gondola to the top of Zugspitze, the highest point in Germany.
- Walk around Eibsee Lake.
- Take a day trip to the monastery in Ettal and try the liqueur made by monks.
- Visit nearby Oberammergau which is a stunning example of Bavarian architecture.
Where to stay in Garmisch
We absolutely loved this cozy Airbnb and would highly recommend staying here. Regardless of where you’re staying in Garmisch, we recommend getting a rental car as it’ll make your stay much easier.
Neuschwanstein
Germany
How long: day trip from Garmisch
If you think Neuschwanstein Castle looks like a fairytale come to life, you’re not wrong—the turrets and towers inspired Walt Disney’s first sketches for the beloved Cinderella Castle.
Winter might just be the best time to visit Neuschwanstein. The famous castle looks even more magical dusted with snow and surrounded by frosty trees. Plus, though still undeniably touristy, the winter months are not quite as crowded as the summer, which sees more than 6,000 visitors per day.
Top things to do in Neuschwanstein in winter
- Tour Neuschwanstein Castle. (Book tickets here)
- Visit Hohenschwangau Castle and walk the scenic path past the lake Alpsee.
- Walk across Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) for stunning views of the Pöllat Gorge as well as the perfect vantage point to photograph Neuschwanstein Castle.
- Ride the Tegelberg Cable Car for majestic panoramic views from the mountaintops.
How many days should you spend on a winter in Europe itinerary?
For this itinerary, 2 weeks would be ideal. At a minimum, I’d recommend spending at least 1 week.
If you’ve been doing the math, you’ll notice that this itinerary is actually for 15 days. If you wanted to make it 2 weeks (14 days) exactly, you could cut 1 night from Garmisch, Munich, Salzburg, and/or Hallstatt, depending on your preferences.
On the other hand, if you have more time, we’d recommend adding another night in Innsbruck!
Tips for visiting Europe in winter
After 4 winter trips to Europe, we’ve made our fair share of mistakes and learned some valuable lessons. We have a whole article full of European Christmas market tips, but here are a few things to think about while planning your winter Europe trip.
Determine if you will be taking trains or renting a car
We have done both and think each mode of transportation has its merits:
- Driving a car makes it easier to get to some of the smaller towns on this itinerary (like Hallstatt and Garmisch). You can go at your own pace, and you won’t need to lug your suitcases around train stations.
- Taking trains is efficient and you won’t need to worry about driving (if that’s something that makes you nervous) or trying to find parking.
Compare hotels and Airbnbs
In some cities, hotels are a much better option as Airbnbs have strict regulations and there aren’t many to choose from. Alternatively, there are other cities where Airbnbs are far superior (and cheaper!). Do a side-by-side comparison and see what is best for each place on your itinerary.
Include some activities other than visiting Christmas markets
The markets are one of the main reasons for this trip and they are truly magical. However, they can get a little redundant if you don’t mix in some other activities. Here are just a few ideas:
- Hike to a mountain hut
- Go sledding (you can rent toboggans)
- Take a food tour
- Go on a walking tour
- Go skiing
- Take a cooking class
- Tour a historic castle
- Take a cable car to the top of a mountain
What to pack for this winter in Europe itinerary
We have a winter in Europe packing guide that is full of helpful info, including travel essentials, how to build a capsule wardrobe, what to wear to Christmas markets, and how to fit it all into a carry-on.
Even better, we’ve organized everything you’ll need to pack for winter in Europe into a handy, printable checklist. Just enter your email below and get a PDF of this FREE checklist sent right to your inbox!
European Christmas Market resources
Planning a trip to Europe for the famous Christmas markets can be pretty overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. Luckily, I’ve done this 4 times now (and counting!) and I’ve put together some info-packed guides that will be super helpful as you plan your trip.
- See our picks for the best European Christmas Markets to start planning your route.
- Read up on these essential Christmas Market tips and avoid some easy-to-make mistakes.
- Check out our list of drool-worthy Christmas Market food & drinks you have to try.
You might also like…
- Winter in Europe Packing List: What to Wear to Christmas Markets
- Best Time to Visit Europe
- Best Cities to Visit in Europe
- Why You Should Visit Eastern Europe
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We want to hear from you!
Are you planning a winter trip to Europe for Christmas markets? Do you have any questions about this itinerary? Leave us a comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!