Before our trip to Salzburg, Munich, and Frankfurt, we did what most travelers do — we looked up the Christmas markets in each city, read all the articles, and made lists of which ones to visit. What we learned early on is that most towns have a single, large central market, typically located in the main square. But cities like Munich and Frankfurt also have several smaller ones scattered throughout town.
While visitors (like us) see them as festive attractions, to locals they serve a very different purpose. They’re social spaces. Between the food, beer, and glühwein, you’ll see groups of friends and coworkers gathering after work to celebrate the season, not necessarily to shop.
And if you’re planning to go looking for gifts or ornaments, here’s the surprise: most of the booths don’t actually sell Christmas-themed stuff. Think about it — these are Christmas markets, not souvenir markets. They’re where locals go to buy presents for each other, so even if you visit several different cities, much of the merchandise will start to look familiar after a while.
One of many beautifully decorated stalls — full of gifts, not just ornaments.
These Markets Aren’t Made for Tourists
Another thing we quickly realized — these markets aren’t designed for tourists. If you’re planning to eat and drink your way through the markets in Austria or Germany, it helps a great deal to know some basic German. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself constantly pulling out Google Translate, trying to figure out what Schweinefleisch means (spoiler: it’s pork).
The same goes for the local “specialties” that pop up in different cities. Each market has its own signature food or drink, but the signs won’t always have an English translation. If you’re craving the raclette you’ve seen online, you’ll need to know what to look for. The same goes for drinks — especially glühwein (hot mulled wine), which can be served plain or Feuerzangenbowle which is an event with sugar, rum and flames
Sometimes it’s best to just point and order — these cheese sticks and fries hit the spot!.
Bring Cash — and Don’t Lose That Coin
Don’t be confused if you get a “coin” or token along with your drink. It’s not a mistake — it’s your deposit for the mug. When you’re done for the night, you can bring both back to the booth and receive a refund of your deposit. Of course, if you’d rather keep the mug as a souvenir (and honestly, they make great keepsakes), you can skip the refund and take it home as a reminder of your evening.
Each city has its own unique mugs — they’re worth keeping as souvenirs.
The Smaller Markets Are Often the Best
While the big, central markets are the ones you see in all the travel photos — like the ones we visited in Munich’s main square and Salzburg — they’re not always the most memorable.
One of our favorite experiences was visiting the Pink Market in Munich. Even though it’s the city’s LGBTQ+ market, we felt totally comfortable there, and it had a noticeably different energy — plus some food and drink offerings we didn’t see anywhere else.
We also discovered a smaller market near our hotel that turned out to be one of our favorites. It was far less crowded, had a more relaxed vibe, and felt like a true local hangout spot — the kind of place where you can actually enjoy your food and drink instead of constantly navigating through crowds.
Not Every Market Looks the Same
Even within the same city, markets can have their own distinct themes and styles. The big ones in Salzburg and Munich are picturesque, full of lights and stalls wrapping around cathedrals and town squares. Meanwhile, smaller ones — such as the Pink Market or the one located near our hotel — feel more casual and community-focused.
Salzburg’s main market is stunning at night — the kind of place that looks straight out of a postcard.
The Food Is Half the Fun
Half the joy of visiting Christmas markets is the food. From käsespätzle and sausages to roasted nuts and pastries, there’s no shortage of options. We loved sampling dishes as we wandered — each city had its own specialties, and some stands even reused traditional ceramic dishes instead of disposable trays.
Comfort food at its best — cheese spaetzle, sausages, and warm mugs of glühwein.
A Different Kind of Christmas Experience
Visiting the Christmas markets wasn’t quite what we expected — but that’s what made it special. It wasn’t about checking boxes or buying souvenirs; it was about being part of a tradition that locals genuinely look forward to every year.
Take Munich’s Pink Christmas Market, for example. It wasn’t just colorful and festive — it had its own unique charm, with music, drinks, and food that made it stand out from the rest. It’s a reminder that each market, big or small, has its own personality and crowd.
In a way, visiting Europe’s Christmas markets felt a bit like spending December in New York City. You go to see the Rockefeller Center tree, maybe ice skate in Bryant Park, and admire the department store window displays — not because they’re tourist traps, but because it’s how the locals celebrate the season. The Christmas markets are the same: a way to see, taste, and feel the holidays the way Europeans do.
Day or night, each market has its own rhythm — and a flavor of the local holiday spirit.
Final Thought
Whether you visit one market or several, Europe’s Christmas markets are an unforgettable experience. They’re not theme parks — they’re authentic, local celebrations where food, drink, and togetherness matter more than souvenirs. Go for the atmosphere, stay for the glühwein, and bring home memories (and maybe a mug or two).
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
1 comment
I agree 100% that The Smaller Markets Are Often the Best. When my family went a few years ago, we much preferred the many small markets in Munich to the single huge market in Nuremberg. Sometimes the biggest isn’t the best.