🎄 Munich's Ultimate Christmas Market Guide!

Quick Tips:

- Always bring a lot cash with you to a Christmas market. You are never guaranteed the option to use a credit card anywhere in Germany, even less so at a Christmas market. So be prepared, you will run out fast.

- “Pfand” means deposit. All drinks come in commemorative mugs and you must pay a deposit along with your drink to ensure the mug’s safe return. Often people will keep a mug on purpose for their collection, thus forfeiting their deposit. For everyone else, you’ll get your money back from the same place you picked your drink up. Just look for a sign that says “Pfand”. The costs vary from place to place but anywhere between 5€ and 10€ is normal.

- See what I mean about having a lot of cash though? Imagine buying 4 drinks at 7.50€ each with a 10€ Pfand per mug. That’s an expensive round even if you will get most of it back.

Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt

Marienplatz

@NearFromHome

During the Middle Ages, markets and tournaments were held in the Marienplatz, which has been Munich’s main central town square since 1158. Don’t be confused, the epic gothic building in front of you is not a church but in fact the city hall. The Glockenspiel within the tower of the new city hall was inspired by those tournaments held long ago. Though….it often breaks down unfortunately. Whether it works or not though, it always draws a large noon crowd. Three weeks before Christmas Day, the whole square is turned into a Christmas wonderland as Munich premiere Christkindlmarkt. Local Tip: I wouldn’t go to dinner here, personally, as I find the food to be a bit expensive for what you get. There are better deals within the city. However, grabbing a coffee, beer, or aperol spritz and sitting outside in this amazing town square? Yeah, I still do that myself at least once a month.

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About 3 weeks before Christmas the market square comes alive with the sounds of stalls, sausages, and mulled spiced wines. This, naturally, is the most traditional of Munich’s markets. I consider it the meter stick from which to judge all others. Making it the perfect first market for starting the season.