30 Comments

  1. shari
    March 24, 2013 @ 9:08 pm

    Hi there! I came across your site in searching for Franfurt Christmas market. I am going to Franfurt for the market this Christmas as I won a return flight! I’m going alone and wondering the closest, not craziest expensive but safe place to stay close by or at least close to transportation? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks!

    • Andrew
      April 2, 2013 @ 7:44 pm

      Congrats on the trip. Planning a long time ahead, aren’t you? Frankfurt itself is probably where you want to stay. There is a pretty good network of trams and U-Bahns in Frankfurt. You just need to check out the deals and offers for what is cheap-ish at the time you go.

  2. A Germany travel guide for budget travelers : Budget Travel Adventures
    March 19, 2013 @ 10:17 pm

    […] Germany travel tip for winter – Christmas markets are a favorite for many locals and tourists. Four weeks before Christmas (around Thanksgiving for American expats) town squares get filled with stalls, food, crafts, trinkets, and mulled wine. This is a really magical time to go to Germany. Here is a look around Frankfurt Christmas Market. […]

  3. 2012 in Food - Ctrl Alt Travel
    December 31, 2012 @ 4:52 pm

    […] last place we went to in the year was Frankfurt for the beginning of the Christmas Market there. We joined a lady at the tourism board for a traditional applewine tavern lunch which was […]

  4. Reflections on 2012 - Grounded Traveler
    December 31, 2012 @ 3:14 pm

    […] days of jam packed days had us wanting to cry just for some peace. Even our weekend trip to the Frankfurt Christmas market felt hectic. One of our best times this year was 4 days in Barcelona, essentially doing nothing. […]

  5. Hogga
    December 18, 2012 @ 9:17 pm

    This sounds amazing, I love Christmas! I don’t know about those chocolate covered chilli’s though…

    • Andrew
      December 24, 2012 @ 12:04 am

      Yeah, I like Christmas too. The chocolate covered chilis were ok and a neat experience, but I wouldn’t get them again.

  6. Michelle
    December 16, 2012 @ 1:18 am

    Nice photos!! This is my first Christmas in Germany, so it’s been really exciting checking out the Christmas markets here for the first time! They definitely don’t disappoint!!

    • Andrew
      December 24, 2012 @ 12:03 am

      Oh cool. What part of Germany are you in?

  7. Deb
    December 14, 2012 @ 4:40 pm

    Germany really had the best Christmas markets. We haven’t spent a Christmas there yet, but all these posts about the markets are making me want to hop on a plane right now. Thanks for the photo tour:)

    • Andrew
      December 24, 2012 @ 12:02 am

      You’re welcome of course. One of the neat things is that each market is subtly different and yet the same. If you can plan to be in Germany in December next year it really is worth the cold.

  8. Salika Jay
    December 13, 2012 @ 11:16 am

    I’ve been to one of the markets in Frankfurt and was quite amazed at how they have all sorts of sausages on sale. I’d like to try those chocolate coated chillies.

    • Andrew
      December 24, 2012 @ 12:03 am

      It’s Germany, land of sausage. Of course there will be so many types.

  9. Nico
    December 11, 2012 @ 10:42 am

    Wonderful photos of the Christmas market, especially intrigued by the chocolate chillies.

    • Andrew
      December 23, 2012 @ 11:56 pm

      They were not as good as we expected. I love the flavor combo in ice cream. There the two flavors stay together on the tongue. Unfortunately the chocolate covering comes off and melts in the mouth leaving you to chew on chili. It was atleast a nice spicy chili, but not the nice blending I was hoping.

  10. Local Frankfurt Cuisine | Ali's Adventures
    December 10, 2012 @ 9:02 am

    […] we were too stuffed to get dessert. I really enjoyed this meal, and it was a great way to start our weekend in Frankfurt. I really recommend trying the apple wine and green sauce when you visit the city. I just wish I […]

  11. Cam @ Traveling Canucks
    December 10, 2012 @ 5:34 am

    We were just there this summer, so its interesting to see it transformed by the Christmas spirit. I love Europe during the holidays… nothing beats it!

    • Andrew
      December 10, 2012 @ 10:38 pm

      I liked your Frankfurt post. Was neat in the reverse to see it in summer warmth. Did you get a chance to try Applewine?

  12. Applewine Tavern Lunch in Frankfurt - Ctrl Alt Travel
    December 9, 2012 @ 2:04 pm

    […] you into another region with its own language and specialties. When we came up to check out the Frankfurt Christmas Market, we also got a chance to have a regional lunch in an Applewine Tavern. A woman from the Tourism […]

  13. Christy
    December 9, 2012 @ 6:56 am

    I keep hearing about these European Christmas markets. Now I wish I could see it for myself. Great photos!

    • Andrew
      December 10, 2012 @ 10:37 pm

      Bring a coat. Definitely a big weather change from SoCal in winter

  14. Ali
    December 9, 2012 @ 1:06 am

    I love your picture of the Gluhwein! Fun weekend, cold but fun.

    • Andrew
      December 10, 2012 @ 10:37 pm

      It was cold and fun. Thanks about the gluhwein picture. i wish it had came out in sharper focus though. That camera is good, btu I can get too close up too easily.

  15. Jeremy Branham
    December 7, 2012 @ 8:48 am

    One day I would LOVE do the Christmas markets in Germany. I am sure they are crowded this time of year but I would love to find one in a small town and just explore.

    By the way, you had me at “Non Instagram.” I don’t use it either and like photos when they aren’t on Instagram (I am sure I am in the minority on this).

    • Andrew
      December 10, 2012 @ 10:36 pm

      The small town ones are fun. Even Freiburg is less crowded than Frankfurt was, although the areas around the Gluhwein tents are definitely packed. We have a few small towns nearby, though not sure if we will find time to visit them this year. Tons going on.

      My phone is crap. I couldn’t do instagram even if I wanted to.

  16. Cal Ford
    December 7, 2012 @ 2:33 am

    Just curious, what camera did you use and did you do any correcting with a photo program before posting??

    Glad you enjoyed the market also, it really is awesome at night.

    • Andrew
      December 10, 2012 @ 10:34 pm

      I have an Olympus PL2 and I do play with them some in post processing.

      • Cal Ford
        December 10, 2012 @ 10:47 pm

        Thanks …… You did a fine job.

  17. Jeff Titelius
    December 7, 2012 @ 12:44 am

    ENCHANTING and magical post my friend! I just love the Christmas markets and your larger-thank-life pics really bring the experience to life for those of us in the US! Thank you for a marvelous post!!!

    • Andrew
      December 10, 2012 @ 10:33 pm

      Thanks so much for the kind words and compliments. You need to make some winter holiday time and come see them for yourself.