What to see in Munich in December

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

December is a great time to visit the very heart of Europe, the German city of Munich, to the colorful kaleidoscope of Christmas markets. In December, here you can drink a mug of hot mulled wine almost at every step, enjoy gingerbread and fried nuts and buy a variety of New Year's little things: from elegant Christmas tree decorations to cozy felt slippers.

The Christmas mood in Munich lasts from late November to December 24 and meets the traveler at the airport. In December, even here, everything is decorated with Christmas decorations, polar bears made of papier-mâché play near the main escalator, and there is a Christmas market on the territory of the airport. So even if you are flying through Munich in transit, you can still enjoy the traditions of Bavarian Christmas.

If you are planning to stay in the capital of Bavaria for a couple of days, do not miss your chance to explore the most interesting Christmas markets and opportunities in the city.

The square is lined with fairground stands, and the smell of mulled wine, roasted almonds, cloves and cinnamon is everywhere.

Once it gets dark, head to the main town square, Marienplatz. If you come here by metro, then, going up from the brightly lit lobby along the escalator, you will immediately find yourself in a medieval fairy tale. The square is lined with fairground stands, and the smell of mulled wine, roasted almonds, cloves and cinnamon is everywhere. In the center of the square rises a giant Christmas tree, and behind all this splendor, the graceful building of the new town hall darkens. Here you need to leisurely drink mulled wine, taste the famous gingerbread from Nuremberg and snack on fried chestnuts, buy Christmas tree decorations, decorative candlesticks and funny little warmers in the form of animals filled with cherry pits.

As soon as you get tired of the abundance of events and tourists in the main square, move towards another square, Odeonsplatz. Here, in the courtyard of the Royal Residence, a small but very nice market is comfortably located. There are much fewer tourists here, mulled wine is tastier, and souvenirs are more interesting.

Don't miss the fairytale corner, which houses several installations with talking dolls and toy animals.

After visiting the market at the Residence, walk a little further to enter the unusual Medieval Market on Wittelsbacherplatz. Here you can taste not only mulled wine, but also medieval stew, watch how wild boar and other delicacies are fried on a spit. This market sells animal skins, homemade Christmas tree decorations and hand-cast soldiers, as well as medieval clothing. So if you have always dreamed about the costume of the Beautiful Lady or Troubadour, you have a chance to purchase an outfit to your liking. In addition to the fair, theatrical performances and festive processions are held on the market, jesters and mummers entertain the audience with their booth, and there are many visitors among those who, on this occasion, decided to walk their outfits in medieval style.

Finishing the circle in the city center, go to Stachus Square, where an ice rink is flooded in December, where figure skating lovers can make a couple of laps between cups of mulled wine. If you want variety in the New Year's menu, try children's punch or mulled wine with rum instead of mulled wine. The latter will be served in a special mug with a recess for sugar, which is customarily set on fire and waiting for it to drip into the cup.

The tram serves mulled wine and children's punch and plays New Year's songs.

Another annual Munich attraction in December is a walk downtown on the Christmas tram. This is an ordinary city tram, which is festively decorated in December and sent along a circular route through the very center of the city. The tram serves mulled wine and children's punch and plays New Year's songs. A ticket for such a tram will cost you 1.5 euros, and it can be purchased at the Sendlinger Tor stop, where passengers can board and disembark.

After exploring the Christmas entertainment in the city center, head to Theresienwizn, the same field where the famous Oktoberfest takes place in autumn, to get to Tollwood, the December festival and craft fair in Munich. In the huge tents that are erected on the field throughout November, in December you can gaze at funny scarves and hats, woodwork, paper garlands, jewelry and ethnic clothing. Here you can also buy comfortable pillows stuffed with rape seeds for your home, on which it is so comfortable to sleep, or Brazilian hammocks for newborns to use instead of a cradle. Don't miss the counter that sells sealed Lucky Clover seeds in nondescript cans, rumored to bring good luck. In addition to the fair, Tollwood hosts many concerts and theatrical performances, which must be booked in advance.

Finally, head to the Christmas market in the English Garden for a carriage ride through the snow-covered park and admire the nature fair.

Leaving Munich, look into the small town of Freising, which is located near the airport. Walk to the main square and the local Christmas market, walk along a miniature canal called Fischergasse and climb the mountain where the city's main cathedral rises for a farewell gaze of Munich with its Christmas mood, New Year's decor and homeliness. And go home, keeping the joyful mood of the holiday, because you have just visited the most real European fairy tale.

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