Christmas & New Year Tours in Germany

What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours in Germany

• What are the most popular Christmas markets to visit during a Germany Christmas & New Year tour?

  Germany's festive landscape comes alive with Christmas markets that draw visitors from across the globe. Strasbourg's Christmas market stands out for its scale and traditional charm while Munich's Marienplatz and Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt offer quintessential German holiday experiences. The markets at Berlin's Alexanderplatz and Gendarmenmarkt square are easily accessible from central accommodations like the Holiday Inn Express Berlin City Centre. Recent visitors particularly noted the evening ambiance at Strasbourg's market where strings of lights illuminate centuries-old wooden stalls.

• Which cities offer the best New Year's Eve celebrations in Germany?

  Berlin's Brandenburg Gate hosts Germany's largest New Year's celebration while Munich's Marienplatz and Frankfurt's riverfront put on impressive displays. River cruise operators like A-ROSA combine these celebrations with onboard galas as boats glide past lit-up city skylines. Guests who celebrated at the Brandenburg Gate describe it as an electric atmosphere with fireworks reflecting off the iconic monument while central hotels provide convenient bases for the festivities.

• What's the weather like during Christmas & New Year tours in Germany?

  German winter weather shifts across regions. Munich in the south sees temperatures from -2°C to 4°C often with snow while Hamburg's northern location brings milder conditions between 0°C and 6°C. The Rhine Valley where many holiday cruises operate maintains temperatures from 2-7°C. Visitors regularly emphasize the need for warm clothing and waterproof footwear especially in Berlin where winter brings notably cold conditions.

• How many days should I plan for a Christmas & New Year tour in Germany?

  German holiday tours typically span 5-14 days with most travelers choosing 7-8 day itineraries. River cruise operators like A-ROSA offer 5-8 day Rhine journeys while land-based tours through companies like WiseYatra extend to 14 days covering multiple cities. The Leonardo Hotel Dresden Altstadt serves as a comfortable base for week-long explorations with visitors noting that seven days allows time to experience both markets and celebrations.

• When is the best time to book a Christmas & New Year tour in Germany?

  The holiday season runs from late November through early January with Christmas markets operating until December 23rd. Cities like Munich with its illuminated Neues Rathaus Berlin and Frankfurt become centers of celebration. Hotels such as Munich's Jedermann and Cologne's Eden Hotel Früh am Dom fill quickly during this period. Tour operators recommend securing bookings six months ahead as holiday programs particularly river cruises reach capacity early in the season.

• How much spending money should I budget for Christmas & New Year markets in Germany?

  Daily market expenses typically range from 50-75 USD covering souvenirs food and beverages. At Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market handmade ornaments cost between 10-30 USD while Munich Christkindlmarkt's signature Glühwein served in collector mugs runs 8-10 USD. Restaurant meals at hotel venues like the Holiday Inn Express Berlin City Centre average 30-40 USD per person. Experienced market-goers suggest a 100 USD daily allowance covers market purchases holiday dining and unexpected finds.