Thinking about going to Munich or Frankfurt to browse the Christmas markets over the Thanksgiving Holidays. We also like visiting museums, old churches, shopping, and getting lost while wandering. Which city would be a better home base? Should we make flight and hotel reservations now, or wait for a better deal in the early fall? Have never been to Germany.

I was not very impressed with Frankfurt, though I wasn't there at Christmas-time. It just seemed very big city except for one little section downtown. I haven't actually been to Munich yet, but have heard good things about it. Unfortunately there's more flights to Frankfurt. However, getting around Germany by train is very easy. You might also look at Stuttgart for the Christmas Market. I enjoyed going to it, and the market is supposed to be one of the best in Germany, though Stuttgart isn't as exciting as many other places at other times of the year. I think I'd pick going to Munich over it, even if it meant a longer train ride or less convenient flight.

Keep in mind that the "season" doesn't start quite as early in Europe as it does in the US. It looks like the Munich market STARTS on Nov. 26th. I, too would vote for Munich.

I would select Munich over Frankfurt too. Frankfurt, IMHO, is just another large city. I think Munich has much more charm. From Munich, you can visit Salzburg as well as tour Bavaria. Search through the posts to find other recommendations on Munich.

Most of the Christmas markets are not in full swing until around December 6th, although some will start earlier. But since Thanksgiving is a week before December starts this year, you'll have to do some additional research to make sure you're not too early for wherever you choose.

To compare Frankfurt and Munich as a base for your desired activities reveals an easy winner! Definitely Munich and Bavaria. Augsburg is a charming town nearby, and just driving through the rolling hills dotted with domed churches is incredibly beautiful.

You may also want to consider side trips to Nuremburg, the toy capital and primo Xmas market, and to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which is Christmas-y year round due to it's holiday-themed retail shopping emphasis.

Maybe you could fly into Frankfurt and out of Munich, taking a train or car and stopping to see various sites and markets along the way. (Heidelberg, Rothenburg, Nurnberg, Augsburg, Munich!)

Best Wishes!

Defintely go for Munich over Frankfurt. Have done some research on this over the past couple of months as we will be heading over in December for the Christmas markets. Not aware of any good christmas markets in Frankfurt and on the only occasion that I have visited it struck as being just a big city with nothing much to recommend it. Munich is a much better town from a tourist point of view and the Christmas market there is meant to be OK but the ones we are going to are at Rothenburg and the one at Nuremberg which is meant to be excellent. Has the largest Christmas market in Germany. It is also a city that I have really enjoyed in the past. Also read that the bridge at Wurzburg in the Aldstadt (old town) is lined with Christmas stalls. As said by others you will need to check dates as to when they start. As we are arriving only a few days before Christmas this wasn't a problem for me. Rothenburg as being so touristy may well start earlier than the others and has its year round Christmas shops anyway.

Not only does Munich have more to see in its "Old Town", but the daytrip possibilities are also more plentiful.
Some of the great places to visit are within 2 to 2.5 hrs away by train
-Nuremberg
-Rothenburg
-Regensburg
-Augsburg
-Ulm
-Fussen
-Garmisch-Partenkirchen
-Salzburg
-Innsbruck