We will be staying in Heidelberg for a week to enjoy the Christmas Markets. We'd like to take day trips by train to nearby markets. Any good suggestions?
Thank you in advance!

Esslingen near Stuttgart has a medieval Christmas market. Most bigger cities have a market so you could go to Mannheim or Speyer also. I am personally not such a fan of Stuttgart at other times of the year but of course they will have a big market also. I don't know if Hirschhorn has a market but this is a town that is often visited by German tourists. And Michelstadt in the Odenwald is a bit special at this time of year.

Lavandula

Esslingen am Neckar, approximately1 hour by train from Heidelberg is wonderful. Fairly large market, including a nice medieval display with the actors dressed in their garb, plenty of food and merry. The town itself is small, quaint but very very beautiful. I have been to over 20 European Christmas Markets and Esslingen ranks in my top 3. Crowded yes, but not Nuremberg or Munich crowded.

Michelstadt is nice and right next door is Erbach, which is IMO just as nice.

Heidelberg itself has a lovely Christmas market, but if you're looking to explore nearby ones, there are several great options within a short train ride:
- Strasbourg, France (about 1.5 hours by train) – known as the "Capital of Christmas," Strasbourg's Christmas Market is one of the oldest and most beautiful in Europe.
- Mannheim (20 minutes by train) – Mannheim has a festive Christmas Market with a traditional German atmosphere.
- Schwetzingen, Speyer, Frankfurt, Baden-Baden.