From huge Christmas trees and sparkling holiday lights to the sweet smell of gingerbread and taste of mulled wine, nothing says Christmas quite like wandering through the many Christmas markets that decorate Europe from late November through the end of December. Perhaps no country has as many markets—or as beautiful decorations—as Germany.

Whether you’re traveling to metropolitan cities or quaint medieval villages, you’ll find a wide variety of places to enjoy holiday shopping, delicious treats and festive celebrations. To make it even sweeter, discover great deals on winter travel packages to Europe right now. Here’s our guide to some of the most magical Christmas markets in Germany you won’t want to miss!

Frankfurt

Dating back to the 14th century, Frankfurt is home to one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in Europe. Experience the city’s charming Old Town bustling with over 200 festively-decorated stalls, a giant Christmas tree and a heavenly choir filling the air with carols. In addition to the handmade goods, traditional crafts and honey-based products, experience Quetschemannchen, a centuries-old Frankfurter Christmas specialty featuring festive wooden dolls. There’s also plenty of tasty treats including mulled wine, baked apples, roasted nuts, fragrant gingerbread, marzipan biscuits, apple wine and more. Be sure not to miss the “pealing of the bells,” a Christmas Eve tradition in which the church bells ring out in harmony throughout Old Town.

Experience the magic of Christmas markets in Frankfurt and its surrounding cities on a Christmas Market Package.

Rothenburg

A short train ride from Frankfurt, Rothenburg features a traditional Christmas market dating back over 500 years. This fairytale-like medieval city becomes a winter wonderland during this time of year. Wander through cobblestoned streets and snow-topped spires at the Reiterlesmarkt market. Discover German Christmas pastries, white mulled wine, handcrafted treasures and traditional celebrations including the Rothenburg Riders, mythical flying characters from old German Christmas folkore. No visit to Rothenburg would be complete without stopping at the Christmas Museum, a celebration of all things Christmas, which is open year round.

Nuremberg

Nuremberg is home to Christkindlesmarkt, Germany’s most famous Christmas market, which attracts more than two million visitors every year. This postcard-worthy Bavarian market features over 180 picturesque wooden stalls, old-fashioned carousels and plenty of delicious treats. Snack on warm gingerbread, roasted almonds, mulled wine and Nurmberg’s renowned bratwurst. Perhaps its biggest attraction is the elaborate opening ceremony. Thousands attend this first evening to watch the Nuremberg Christkind, an angelic figure from German folklore, give her traditional Christmas speech in the Main Market Square.

Visit the Nuremberg Christmas market on a variety of tours that also include Frankfurt or Munich.

Munich

While there are a few Christmas markets in Munich, the Bavarian capital’s oldest and most popular market is located around Marienplatz and its historic City Hall. See the mountainous Christmas tree and Marienplatz’s famous Glockenspiel, a large mechanical clock featuring 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures. Shop for traditional nutcrackers, Christmas tree ornaments and other festive decorations. Traditional holiday sweets and snacks can be found at many of the stalls.

Berlin

During the holiday season, Berlin is bathed in colorful festive lights. The grand boulevards and squares, as well as the small side streets and museums, are beautifully decorated and radiate holiday cheer. Discover over 60 markets throughout Germany’s capital city, including the Gendarmenmarkt, which is centrally located in Berlin’s most beautiful square. The market offers a wide range of handmade goods. Watch wood carvers, belt makers, dressmakers and other artisans display how they make their crafts. In addition to the traditional Christmas treats, you’ll also discover a wide variety of gourmet items. Performances include everyone from Christmas choirs to jazz bands to fire eaters.

Dresden

Not far from Berlin by train, Dresden is home to over 11 Christmas markets, including the popular Striezelmarkt. Dating back almost 600 years, Striezelmarkt is widely considered one of the best Christmas fairs in Germany. Held in the city’s baroque-style Old Town, this market features over 230 stalls filled with traditional handicrafts, pottery, candles, handmade toys, wooden ornaments and much more. Other highlights include the Stollen Festival, a Christmas carousel and the world’s biggest nutcracker. Enjoy other celebrations in Dresden during your visit including organ and gospel concerts, Christmas-themed museum exhibits and boats decked out in holiday lights.

Experience this beautiful city on a Berlin and Dresden Christmas Vacation Package.

Stuttgart

In Stuttgart, wander through 300 bright and lovingly decorated stalls with sparkling lights and Christmas tree-lined rooftops. Like many of Germany’s Christmas markets, this one dates back hundreds of years and is one of the oldest in Europe. Enjoy mulled wine, fresh pastries, warm gingerbread, chocolate-covered fruit and other tasty treats. See the nativity scene which features live sheep, donkeys and other animals. If you have kids in tow, they’ll love riding the steam train in Children’s Fairyland.

Discover Stuttgart on the German Christmas Markets Holiday Package tour which also includes Heidelberg and Baden-Baden.

Heidelberg

This medieval city is beautiful year round but it becomes even more magical during the holidays. Experience the picturesque Old Town and castle illuminated by fairy lights. Then, shop for a wide variety of Christmas gifts and sweets at over 140 stalls in Heidelberg’s Christmas market. If you’re looking for a bit of excitement, go to Karlsplatz, to one of the most picturesque outdoor ice rinks in Germany, set against the backdrop of Heidelberg castle.

This is just a taste of the many amazing Christmas markets you’ll find on a trip to Germany. To find more things to do in Germany, click here.

To read about Christmas markets in other parts of Europe, click here.