inquest

Just have 3 nights in Munich just before Christmas.Would love to soak in the festive spirit as much as possible.Is the Augsburg christmas market worth the trip.

sparkchaser

Ausburg is about an hour by train and while I have not been to that particular market, it does look like a lot of fun. So I say go for it.

Also, Munich has around 8 different markets itself which would take at least two days to do properly.

Dukey1

I was just in Munich week or so ago. While I saw at least two different Christmas markets and the "second" one was a rather paler imitation of the main one centered at the Marienplatz, I was not aware there were six others. They must be further out of the center.

Augsburg is actually about 30 minutes from Munich by rail.

sparkchaser

Different strokes for diffeent folks but the Mittelatler one is my favorite, followed by the one at Residenzstraße (which has Glühbier!).


Weihnachtsmarkt am Sendlinger Tor
Sendlinger-Tor-Platz

Weihnachtsmarkt am Chinesischen Turm
Englischer Garten

Weihnachtsdorf im Kaiserhof der Residenz
Eingang über Residenzstraße

Münchner Adventsspektakel und Mittelalterlicher Weihnachtsmarkt
Wittelsbacher Platz, Briennerstr

Sendlinger Christkindlmarkt am Harras

Bogenhausener Weihnachtszauberwald
am Rosenkavalierplatz

Neuhauser Weihnachtsmarkt
am Rotkreuzplatz

Schwedischer Weihnachtsbasar
Hohenaschuerstr. 3, München-Ramersdorf

greg

A few of the Munich markets I have been outside the Marienplatz to were small. The Residenz one was in a small courtyard. I had an eggnog with a mighty kick. The Sendlinger Tor was a small stretch of markets around the tower.

The Chinesischen Turm one was unique. It was targeted to families with small children with booths not found elsewhere.

Gary_Mc

I visited the Augsburg Christmas Market but it was in the 1970's. We enjoyed it but a lot must have changed. We had steady snow the night that we were there.

Our favorite market in Munich was in Schwabbing:

http://www.schwabingerweihnachtsmarkt.de

Our favorite market in the area was the Romantic Market at the Thurn & Taxis palace in Regensburg. It is about 1.5 hours north of Munich on local trains. The Market is a fairly short walk from the train station.

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent-...5030947_4WtqMc

Landshut is only 40 minutes north of Munich by train. The market is small but the town is very attractive.

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Christm...0635634_WwvXRT

Gary_Mc

I visited the Augsburg Christmas Market but it was in the 1970's. We enjoyed it but a lot must have changed. We had steady snow the night that we were there.

Our favorite market in Munich was in Schwabbing:

http://www.schwabingerweihnachtsmarkt.de

Our favorite market in the area was the Romantic Market at the Thurn & Taxis palace in Regensburg. It is about 1.5 hours north of Munich on local trains. The Market is a fairly short walk from the train station.

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent-...5030947_4WtqMc

Landshut is only 40 minutes north of Munich by train. The market is small but the town is very attractive.

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Christm...0635634_WwvXRT

inquest

Thanks for the replies. If its around 30 mins by train, I think I'll give it a shot.I was inspired by a couple of videos on youtube.The market looked pretty.

Nuremburg is also an option,but its 90 mins away.Probably with a stop over in Ingolstadt on the way back for some shopping.Thats a whole day!Am I daydreaming....thoughts.

fourfortravel

inquest, you're not daydreaming. We're going to Munich next weekend for three days and plan to spend one of them at the market in Nuremberg. I've made lunch reservations so we can step out of the cold for a bit, as well. No stop for outlet shopping, though, as the drive and the market will be our full day. Have fun!

sparkchaser

The Nuremberg market will be insanely busy (weekends of course are busiest). Unless you want to see it because it is the "world famous Nurmeberg Christmas Market" or you want a souvenir mug, I would avoid it. The only reason we're going to it this year is because we have a friend coming to visit and he wants to go.

my 2 cents.

quokka

On Saturdays Nürnberg should be avoided at all costs. On weekdays it is all right.
All large cities will be totally overrun on Saturdays, though.

Regensburg is a worthwhile destination - there is not only the one market Gary mentioned but there are two more in the old town and another on the opposite river bank; all four are very different in character: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/f86bd/6664/

I haven't been to the Augsburg market - but I'd expect it to be a pretty one, too.

Dukey1

IMO all those "other" Chrsitmas markets in Munich (including that rather very SMALL one in the courtyard of the Residenze) are pale imitations of the BIG one at the Marienplatz. Don't waste your time on them; take the train to Augsburg and do that one. Better yet take the train and DO AUGSBURG along with the bratwurst.

fourfortravel

We're going to Munich/Nuremberg fully prepared for soul-crushing crowds, especially as we'll be there in the last days before Christmas. Nuremberg is a "must" for us, though--crowds, mugs, and all. Augsburg is sounding like a nice option for our final day; we had penciled in a drive to Garmisch-Partnekirchen but can easily change. Does anyone have commentary on the Garmisch markets?

Gary_Mc

All the smaller Christmas Markets in Munich are not simply lesser copies of the Marienplatz one. The Middle Ages one has unique, not Christmasy goods.

I liked the one at Schwabing for its arts and crafts; they had a Reggae band the night that we were there. The mood was almost "Hippie".

I have never been to the Tollwood Winter Fest but I understand that is is even a more unique experience.

Fourfortravel's comments about "soul-crushing crowds" is apt and applies mainly to the Marienplatz Christkindlmart.

inquest

Great insight.Thanks.Will definitely do a couple of markets in Munich.We have set aside the 'evenings' for the atmosphere they have.Setting off,post brunch/lunch to explore markets outside of Munich,to be back,just in time for a nightcap and a cosy bed.

The 'day' for other things like beer gardens and wholesome Bavarian mittagessen....in one of these ethic restaurants,Andechser am Dom ,Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl am Dom or Augustiner am Dom.

Deer Goulash,Schweinshaxe mit Sauerkraut,Bavarian duck/goose (Halbe Bayrische Bauernente vom Grill),as recommended by my Austrian friends.I've been starving myself for a few weeks now!!

Spark.Every 'cent' counts.Appreciate your view.
Fourfortravel,I'm in Garmisch for a couple of days and looking forward for the Garmisch market,which is said to be lovely and hopefully 'white'.

I've been to Munich earlier.So not in for much of the usual touristy things.

scrawnyy

I guess this comes a little bit late. Yes, the Christkindlmarkt is definitely worth the time. Its a little more homely than the Munich one mentioned. There is also a kids section.

You mentioned that you have 3 days and since the Christkindlmarkt really gets popular in the night, you can do other stuff in the day. If you speak German, perhaps the Augsburger Puppenkiste will be cool. If not, there are English speaking free walking tours run by students as well running every day at 11am at Rathausplatz, Augsburg. I think the website is http://jeanrichardtour.com/