Curator’s statement
Christmas was a huge part of my childhood, sparked by the holiday villages and nutcrackers my mother and I collected. Visiting the traditional markets of Germany and Austria has been a long-time dream for us both. We were excited to see the inspiration behind our favorite decorations and experience the festive atmosphere together.
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Day 1: Welcome to Munich—the real-life Christmas village
After you touch down in Munich, the crisp Bavarian air and the scent of roasted almonds welcome you. After checking into the Mercure Munich City Center, your first stop is the Frauenkirche, where a climb up the tower offers a panoramic look at the city’s red-tiled rooftops. From there, it’s a short walk to the heart of the holiday spirit: the Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz. After a morning of market stalls, you’ll dive into royal history at the Residenz Palace, followed by a visit to its courtyard Christmas Village—a spot so charming it feels like a life-sized version of the miniature villages you grew up arranging. As night falls, the Medieval Christmas Market provides a flickering, old-world atmosphere, though you can keep the energy high at the Wintertollwood Festival or a cozy dinner near the Rathaus Tower.
Day 2: History & holiday lights
Your second day blends Munich’s storied past with its vibrant present. You’ll spend the morning on a walking tour exploring the city’s complex history, followed by a well-earned lunch in a traditional Bavarian Beer Hall. The afternoon is dedicated to local flair, wandering through the Sendlinger Tor Market and the colorful, high-energy Pink Christmas market—make sure to pick up a merman for a unique souvenir!
Day 3: Salzburg—alpine fairytales & Krampus
The scenery shifts as you board a train for Salzburg. After dropping your bags, you’ll step into a cinematic landscape with a self-guided “Sound of Music” tour. Your walk takes you through the Mirabell Gardens and up toward the Salzburg Fortress, with festive markets tucked into every corner along the way. The evening takes a turn for the dramatic as you witness a Krampus Run, a thrilling Alpine tradition of folklore and masks, before winding down in the glow of the main market at the Salzburg Cathedral.
Day 4: Vienna—the imperial capital
The journey continues to the imperial capital of Vienna. After checking in, your afternoon is a whirlwind of Baroque beauty, from the shelves of the National Library to the gothic heights of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. After climbing the North Tower, you’ll browse the cathedral’s own stalls before heading to the Musikverein for a world-class evening of Mozart and Vivaldi.
Day 5: Palaces & schnitzel
Day 5 is dedicated to the elegance of the Habsburgs, starting with the morning exercises of the Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School and a tour of the Sisi Museum. After an afternoon at the Maria-Theresien-Platz markets, you’ll enjoy a legendary schnitzel dinner at Figlmüller and a nighttime stroll through the Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Vienna’s largest and most dazzling holiday display.
Day 6: Schönbrunn & return to Bavaria
Day 6 offers one last royal highlight at Schönbrunn Palace, where the market stalls are framed by the stunning yellow facade of the summer residence. In the afternoon, you’ll board the train back to Munich to prepare for a day of adventure in the mountains.
Day 7: Mountains or castles
Day 7 is your “choose your own adventure” day: will it be the snowy Alpine heights of the Zugspitze, or the “fairytale” towers of Neuschwanstein Castle? Both offer the quintessential European winter experience.
Day 8: A day of reflection
Day 8 brings a shift in tone, with a somber but important visit to the Dachau Memorial, providing a moment of deep reflection. You’ll spend your final evening in Munich revisiting your favorite market stalls, perhaps finding one last nutcracker or ornament to take home.
Day 10: Heading home
Finally, you’ll enjoy a final German breakfast and a few last sights before heading to the airport, bringing your holiday dream full circle.
Need to know
The “Pfand” system (the mug secret): When you buy Glühwein (mulled wine) or hot chocolate at a market, you will pay a few euros extra as a Pfand (deposit) for the ceramic mug. If you want to keep the mug as a souvenir, just walk away! You’ve already paid for it. If you don’t want the mug, return it to the stall’s window, and they will hand you back your cash deposit (usually €3–€5). Every market has its own unique mug design each year. Collect your favorites in different cities!
Cash is still king: While big shops and hotels take cards, many smaller Christmas market stalls—especially those selling handcrafted ornaments or food—are cash only.
Train etiquette (DB & ÖBB): You’ll be using both the German (DB) and Austrian (ÖBB) rail systems. Look for the “Ruhebereich” signs on the train. These are silent zones—perfect for a nap between cities, but avoid loud chatting or phone calls here. If you buy a physical local transport ticket in Munich, you must “stamp” it in the little blue or orange machines at the station entrance before boarding, or you could face a fine. Trains have racks at the ends of the cars, but they fill up fast. Try to arrive 15 minutes early to secure a spot for your suitcases.
Beating the market crowds vs. golden hour: The markets are most magical at twilight (around 4 pm), but that is also when they are most crowded.
Do your gift and nutcracker shopping in the late morning when it’s quiet. Save the evenings for the food, lights, and music, when the “crush” of the crowd becomes part of the atmosphere.
Sunday is “Ruhetag” (rest day): In Germany and Austria, almost all shops (pharmacies, boutiques, grocery stores) are closed on Sundays. The exception: Christmas markets do stay open! Just make sure you don’t plan on doing any non-market shopping on your Sunday in Munich.
Travel Advisor
Kristina Trotta
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