The Christmas markets in Germany are famous and wonderful. Every little town and big city has one and all the markets have their own special personality. So has the one in Heidelberg – the well-known student city situated in southwest Germany with its castle and the river Neckar running through it. One of the most romantic cities in the country, if you ask me. This makes Heidelberg the perfect place to visit the Christmas market on. Romantic and historical surroundings meet pure Christmas magic!
I took a stroll through the Christmas market, and here are some of the highlights that I can recommend seeing/trying (the best way to experience a Christmas market is to eat your way through it!):
1. The “Glühwein” vs. the “Feuerzangenbowle”
So the real question is: wine vs. rum? The Glühwein (mulled wine) is the most common drink on a Christmas market and it is an absolute “must-have” when visiting the market. In Heidelberg, the cups for the Glühwein changes every year (it rises the excitement and makes it a perfect collectors item). This is how it looks like this year:
The Feuerzangenbowle is a Glühwein with rum, made as follows: you take a sugarloaf and soak it with rum, then you set it on fire and the rum-soaked sugar drops down into the Glühwein. Need I say more – this is my absolute favorite!
2. Culinary highlights – go crazy eating
Christmas is a time for good food. One of the most important things to do on a Christmas market, is eating! The offers are various and you will find everything your heart desires; sausages in all variations, steaks, Kartoffelpuffer (kind of a potato pancake), fish, chestnuts, Germknödel, Crêpes, fruits dipped in chocolate, waffles – I could go on forever. Here are some impressions to whet you appetite:
3. Christmas market shopping
One thing is sure – on the Christmas market in Heidelberg, you can go crazy shopping. Handcrafts of all kinds are being offered, and this is the perfect place to buy Christmas presents and to get ideas for the ones who “have everything”. What about a crazy frog for the Christmas tree? Or would you prefer the rhino? I choose the more traditional alternatives.
4. Fun activities for everyone
The Christmas market in Heidelberg is the perfect playground for young and “not so young”. Ice-skating or merry-go-rounds, a train for children or a photo with Santa himself – it is all possible.
5. Enjoy the true magical Christmas spirit
One of the most important things for me about the Christmas market is the whole feeling of it. When I visit the Christmas market for the first time every year, I really feel the Christmas magic filling me and I realize that Christmas is almost there. It is a great way to just calm down a little and get ready for the true spirit of Christmas – which for me is being with family and friends, enjoying the togetherness and appreciating all the great things I have in my life. This may sound a little over sensitive right now – but hey, please understand, I just came from the Christmas market!
So greetings from me from the Heidelberger Christmas market, I wish everyone a beautiful advent and a blessed Christmas time!
See you in 2015!
Dare to make your dreams come true – the journey starts with a single step!
– Charlotte –
Charlotteontheroad 
Going to the markets next week and will have to refer back to this (especially with the German names) once there! Great post 🙂
Oh great – yes, please do! Enjoy!! C x