Munich
Crafts stalls surround a glittering 100-foot Christmas tree on the oldest of Munich's Christmas markets Marienplatz, which is filled with Muncheners munching on sausages and potato pancakes, gulping glühwein, and crunching gingerbread. In the Town Hall, the Heavenly Workshop keeps children engaged with arts, crafts and baking. Every evening at 5:30, from the Friday before Advent to the night before Christmas, a brass band and Alpine choir peal out carols from the balcony of the neo-Gothic Rathaus (Town Hall). There are also small themed markets sprinkled around the city, including the famed Kripperlmarkt (Crib Market) on Rindermarkt, a dedicated manger market provides all the elements required to create a Nativity scene, and a Medieval Market on Wittelsbacher Platz. Also keep your eyes peeled for the Christmas tram that trundles through the old city serving spiced wine and gingerbread.
In all there are a further 20 Christmas Markets located throughout the city of Munich, including a Medieval Christmas Market with gospel singing at the Wittelsbacher Platz, a gay pink Christmas Market (Stephansplatz) and if you have forgotten anything before leaving for home there is even a Christmas Market with ice skating facilities at Munich?s international airport.

 

Operates: Late Nov. - Dec. 24
Mon-Fri 10am-8.30pm
Sat 9am-8.30pm
Sun 10am-7.30pm
24 Dec 10am-2pm

Innsbruck
Innsbruck allows you to taste Christmas bakery, mulled wine, local delicacies such as Kiachln and Spatzln at one of the four Christmas Markets. Christmas Market below the historic Golden Roof of Innsbruck, is the most traditional one, emphasizing the solemn atmosphere of the Market and offers gastronomic delicacies and handmade products. The Christmas Market at the Market Place (Marktplatz) is great for families. While children enjoy the petting zoo, adults can amble along the market booths offering Christmas bakery, Christmas presents as well as a wide selection of local delicacies. The Christmas Market in Maria-Theresia Road, the pedestrian zone, shining lights, glass and crystals prevail. Every year there are more and more market booths completing the charming road across the heart of Innsbruck. And finally, a jewel which you should not miss is the Market at Hungerburg Castle.

 

Operates: 15 Nov to 06 Jan

Salzburg
Salzburg is at its best in winter, when everything is covered with a dusting of snow. The city even smells like Christmas as the rich aromas of glühwein, roast chestnuts and freshly baked gingerbread from the numerous markets mingle in the cold air. Add the sound of church bells, choral singing and brass bands, and it's the perfect city in which to get into the festive spirit. Salzburg's Christkindlmarkt is one of Europe's oldest markets; there are documents from the 15th century describing the fine crafts being sold by elderly women in front of the Salzburg cathedral during Advent season. It is also smaller and more intimate, just 85 stalls ranged under the floodlit baroque stage set that is downtown Salzburg, with its fountains snuggled under avant-garde glass casings for the winter, church bells echoing off the buildings, and the medieval castle glowering down from the cliff above. It's a perfect postcard backdrop for browsing stalls selling pewter crafts, furry slippers, and loden coats while keeping warm with gingerbread, roasted chestnuts and almonds, sausages, and sweet mulled wine.

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