Christmas Markets directory - an overview of the beautiful, romantic, popular, traditional and unusual Christmas markets in Europe

The towns and cities along the Rhine and Moselle valleys provide an idyllic setting for a romantic Christmas Market break. Half-timbered buildings are festively lit and the aromas of mulled wine out of the local vineyards and cinnamon permeate the air at traditional Christmas markets. Guests can snuggle up at cosy hotels and the Christmas shopping is friendly and relaxed. The region’s beautiful cities captivate visitors with their rich history, labyrinthine old quarters, mediaeval market squares and striking cathedrals. Buildings steeped in history are illuminated by thousands upon thousands of fairy lights, while the aroma of gingerbread wafts through the air. The Christmas markets in Trier, Koblenz and Mainz are particularly famous and are quite large. If you want to visit the smaller Christmas markets, those in Bernkastel-Kues, Cochem, Rüdesheim, Worms, Speyer and Ahrweiler are highly recommended.

Although a relatively small market, Worms located on the Rhine, boasts a 'Living Nativity scene', whilst Speyer, also located on the Rhine, offers the additional attraction of an ice rink. Trier, which is Germany's oldest city tracing its origins back to Roman times, hosts a charming Christmas Market in the Hauptmarkt Square with the cathedral providing an impressive backdrop.

You'll be spoilt for choice, but one thing you can be certain of is an unforgettable experience when visiting some of the best Christmas Markets Germany has to offer in the cities and towns in the Rhineland/Pfalz region.