Our Experience: Nuremberg Christmas Market
Pulling into the medieval walls that lead you to the Chritkindlesmarkt is something I will never forget. We’ve driven through Europe and have seen many a town surrounded by giant walls, but entering the city center of Nuremberg felt like we were going back in time.
Especially as this drives past you.
We arrived around 11:00 am and it was busy! Every street heading towards the market was packed, and even a few streets were closed off. There are a few gated parking structures closeby, and after waiting in a line of cars for about 45 minutes, we were finally pulling into the lot. There were a number of big tour buses in the area that day which made the market feel extra busy.
Once out of the car and able to look around, we were floored. The architecture surrounding the market is so visually stunning. Everything is decorated for the season, holiday music is coming from different directions, and you can smell all the smells. Even from the parking garage.
I came in with a plan here. Lebkuchen, Nuremberg bratwurst, and Glühbier, were my must-haves. This is what they’re famous for!
The Nuremberg bratwurst are small, but mighty. We were given three sausages inside a thick piece of bread. The stand had DIY toppings to the side where we topped ours with sauerkraut and mustard. The sausages had great flavor and a slight char on the outside. I could have eaten at least one more sandwich.
The Glühbier was something I was equal parts nervous and excited to try. The Glühwein has completely won me over but it also makes more sense. Warm wine sounds better to me than warm beer. At first it was a little strange, but after a few sips I found it really delicious. It was a good change up to the mulled wine, but it still gave me that same comforting feeling. I highly recommend you try it if you find it!
Lastly, the Lebkuchen. German gingerbread. It’s more potent without burning your tongue. The cookies we bought were large and topped with colorful icing and almonds. They are rich and chewy and taste like Christmas.
While walking around we were stopped by a woman who asked if we’d be interested in a survey. It took about 5-10 minutes and afterward they gave us a magnet with the Christmas market on it and a spekulatius cookie with a stamp of the market on it. The cookie was delicious and it stopped me from buying an entire bag!
If you’re here with kids, head to Hans-Sachs-Platz. This is where the rides are, stalls selling toys, and food and drink stalls. The double decker carousel was definitely the highlight when it came to rides. It’s a great view from the top! There is also a small train ride that is good for littles.
Honestly, the lights, music, and smells were enough to keep our daughter entertained!
There will definitely be a next time. Since we were road trippin’ through Europe on a Christmas Market Extravaganza, we spent about 3 hours here. Which sounds like a solid amount of time, but I could have stayed 3 more! The lines were long at every stall which stopped me from seeing a few things, and since almost everything was cash only, the line for the ATM (or cash machine) was ridiculously long.
We all got a really special vibe at this Christmas Market, and cannot wait to return.
Before you go, let us know your thoughts! Have you been to the Nuremberg Christmas Market, or is it on your list? Drop a comment below and share your experience or plans. Don’t forget to check out our detailed Guide to Nuremberg Christmas Market for all the specifics you’ll need to plan your visit!
