Last Updated on 12/14/2017
Christmas markets ride into Munich in late November and bring a little more cheer to a city that can sometimes seem slightly grey and industrial. We spent three days strolling from one spot to the other. All over the city you’ll find clusters of markets in inlets you would have never known were there. Unexpectedly stumbling along the Christmas market in Residenz München on the way back from Hofgarten was one of the highlights of our weekend in Munich .
Residenz Munich Christmas market.
Marienplatz and the main pedestrian shopping street, Neuhauser Street, are lined with stalls selling ornaments and souvenirs too. The clumped up stalls situated under a few trees around Rindermarkt were also quite charming.
The Munich Christmas market offers endless options for food. There’s the delicatessen selection over in Viktualienmarkt, German biergartens serving traditional fare, and tons of stalls situated around the city. Stalls serve fried potato pancakes, French fries, pretzels, all kinds of salty carbohydrates and more types of brats than I ever knew existed. And after, you can satisfy you sweet tooth with crepes, candied nuts, chocolate dipped everything, and even those chimney cakes from Christmas markets in Prague.
Of course, we had to sample gluhwein from all the different huts. Each stall serves their gluhwein in a different mug. Gluhwein costs about 3 or 4 euro plus a 3-euro deposit to use the mug. Each mug was more adorable than the next.
My favorite spot for gluhwein was the two-story bar next to the ice skating rink in Karlsplatz. Find a spot on the second story and watch the ice skaters.
Alife preferred to sit right here in her best hog impression…
Or in my lap… even if I was torturing her with a hat.
Getting around Munich and seeing different Christmas markets is easy by foot, but the metro system is easy, on time and reliable. There’s not one, but two direct metro lines from the city center to the Munich airport. Germany doesn’t siesta/riposo/close down for hours in the middle of the day… a welcome change to life in Southern Italy. As much as I can appreciate an afternoon nap, I love that you can find a restaurant open in Munich between the hours of 2pm and 7pm. Although, keep in mind most of the food stalls at the Munich Christmas market close around 9pm.
Where are your favorite Christmas markets?
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Dasynka says
Oh Gosh I LOVE your dog! You two are so beautiful together! 🙂 And I love these Xmas markets !
http://dasynka.com/
Petite Suitcase says
Awww thank you!! She’s my fur baby. Sometimes it’s a pain to bring her, but she’s part of the family 🙂
Christine Ballisty Photo says
Oh my gosh, please tell me you kept those mugs! And Alfie imitating that hog made me lol.
Petite Suitcase says
I didn’t!! Damn those European budget airlines and their crazy luggage restrictions! I think I’ll have to make it happen if they have mugs in Budapest for Christmas!
Marie Therese says
I was hoping to make it to Leipzig this December and check out their Weihnachtmart, but it didn’t pan out. So, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Munich vicariously through you! Merry Christmas to you and Alfie 🙂
Petite Suitcase says
I’m so glad Marie!! Leipzig would be beautiful.. I’ve heard Dresden has a nice market as well. There’s always next year ; )
Becky @ casacaudill says
Gorgeous photos! We visited Munich for a long weekend at the beginning of November and I just knew when the Christmas season kicked off it’d be that much more beautiful.
Petite Suitcase says
Becky, I felt the same way when I visited Paris in mid-October… I knew the fall colors would be that much more beautiful in the weeks to come. I loved Munich for Christmas though!
Ray says
I enjoyed the Munich Christmas market Article very much.
Petite Suitcase says
Thank you, Ray!! : )
Jean says
I love your blog…almost as if I’m traveling with you!!
Very entertaining and informative.
Merry Christmas!!
Petite Suitcase says
Thank you, Jean! I’m glad you like it. Merry Christmas!
Kristen says
Gorgeous photos!
Petite Suitcase says
Thank you Kristen!