One of the biggest and most beautiful Christmas Markets in Europe is held every year in Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. In 1692 the first Christmas Market was mentioned in a document. It’s origin is probably much earlier. The Christmas Market is held in the heart of Stuttgart – in the Königsstrasse infront of the Königsbau, at the marketplace and the nearby sourroundings. To enjoy the beauty of Baden-Württemberg’s state Capital I would recommend at least a three-day stay. The automobile museums of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are a must see, as well as the palace square in the city’s heart or the beautiful green areas like the Killesberg Park or the Zoological-Botanical Garden Wilhelma. Also Stuttgart is a great starting point to discover the nearby Black Forest. The Christmas Market is open daily from 10 am until 9 pm, sundays from 11 am until 9 pm.
A look at few of Germany’s best Christmas markets
Stuttgart Christmas Market
One of Europe’s largest and oldest, this 300 year old market has some 200 decorated stalls in front of the Old Palace. Eat Bratwurst; sip mulled wine, listen to Christmas concerts. Stuttgart’s Christmas Market with over 282 beautifully decorated stalls is not only one of the oldest but without doubt also one of the largest of its kind in the whole of Europe. Its illuminations are second to none, the festive concerts of seasonal music in the Renaissance courtyard of the Old Palace and the “Winterland” on the Palace Square all contribute to the incomparable Christmas atmosphere which enchants millions of visitors year after year.
Ulm Christmas Market
The majestic Minster, the cathedral with the world’s tallest steeple is the backdrop for some 120 pretty stalls. Music ranges from classical & jazz to steel bands. With more than 130 decorative wooden huts, the Ulm Christmas Market attracts more than a million visitors every year. Offering traditional Christmas arts and crafts, toys and gifts. The Christmas market also has food and drink to cater to every taste.The Fairytale Forest, living crib and many other attractions make it one of the most appealing Christmas markets in Germany.
Hohenzollern Royal Christmas Market
The Royal Christmas Market is regarded as one of Germany’s most beautiful. The splendid setting is the ancestral seat of the Prussian Royal Family. In an astoundingly beautiful ambience on the ancestral seat of the Prussian Royal family, the Royal Christmas Market on the Hohenzollern Castle is very rightly regarded as being one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany. A broad spectrum of exhibitors as well as a stylish supporting program invite to a festive delight, to experience, discover an shop. Because of the Christmas Market taking place in some of the interior rooms, there are no guided tours possible on the market days. But the treasure room, the two churches and the cellar are open.
Tubingen – ChocolART: International Chocolate Festival
At Germany’s largest chocolate festival, chocolART, you can taste Swiss pralines and Belgian truffles, learn how to cook with chocolate, pair beer with chocolate and even have a chocolate massage. Tübingen’s Chocolate Festival offers a high-value market where chocolate specialists from France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and selected premises in Germany present and sell their delicate products. Last year this event attracted more than 270.000 visitors to Tübingen’s old town. The Mayan culture says that chocolate has a divine origin and since settling in Europe, this idea has led to the production of art and literature. Therefore alongside its presentation of culinary delicacies and international fine-dining, Tübingen will offer an extensive accompanying cultural programme which will draw attention to the sacredness of chocolate. To seduce and to be seduced is to be expected, when truffles and pralines will compete with each other for six whole days. With in total 87 chocolatiers from 12 countries, around 80 tonnes of chocolate sold, 20 000 cups of fresh milk and more than 200 000 visitors the statistics show that chocolART is even more successful every years.
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