European Christmas markets: Prague, Nuremberg, Dresden

If you dream of an unforgettable New Year’s trip visiting the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, this route is for you! From Prague, Czech Republic to Nuremberg, Germany, through fabulous Erfurt and festive Dresden – this trip will give you unforgettable emotions and a real atmosphere of European Christmas. Get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of the holidays and feel the spirit of ancient cities filled with winter traditions!

We started our journey in the city of Chop, Ukraine, which is a convenient starting point for travelers to Europe, where you can get from any city in Ukraine by train, bus, or car. Even if you start your trip from another city, Prague will be your first stop, filling the trip with festive warmth and coziness. Prague can be easily reached from various parts of Europe.

Day 1: Chop (any city in Europe) — Prague

Route: Chop (any city in Europe) → Prague (with a transfer in Košice)
Departure from Chop in the morning. It is possible to use the international train to Košice (trains from Chop to Košice run several times a day).
Travel time: about 1-2 hours to Kosice, then from Kosice by train to Prague (about 9-10 hours).
Arriving in Prague already in the evening allows you to feel the magic of the festive city.The main Christmas tree of Prague is traditionally installed on the Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí), in the very center of the city. This place becomes the epicenter of holiday markets, where you can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, try traditional dishes and buy souvenirs.

How to get from Prague main station (Praha hlavní nádraží) to Old Town Square:
On foot: From the station to the square is only about 15-20 minutes on foot (1.5 km). A walk through the famous Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) to the historical center will be a good opportunity to explore part of the city.
Public transport: From the station take the metro (line C) to the Můstek station, which is located on the edge of Wenceslas Square. From Můstek to the Old Town Square is a few minutes’ walk.
Where to stay near Old Town Square:
Hotel Salvator, the hotel occupies a historic building in the center of Prague, a 5-minute walk from the Old Town Square and 100 meters from the Náměstí Republiky metro station. It serves a breakfast buffet, a light lunch and a candlelit dinner. The restaurant has a terrace in the garden.
Hotel Dar, Hotel Dar is located in a historic building 50 meters from the Old Town Square.The interior of the hotel preserves the authentic design of the 19th century. Rooms with a view of the medieval Kozna Street. Hotel Dar’s restaurant serves Czech and international cuisine in a charming traditional dining room. Breakfast is included in the price.
Hotel Metamorphis, Hotel Metropolitan Old Town is located just 600 meters from Old Town Square. A cozy and convenient option for those who want to be in the center of events. Breakfast is served for guests. And it will also be an advantage for those who come by car, there is a parking lot nearby that needs to be reserved.

Day 2: Prague — Nuremberg

Route: Prague → Nuremberg (direct train or with a transfer in Munich)
Departure: You can take a train in the morning or in the afternoon to reach Nuremberg in comfort.
Travel time: About 4-5 hours depending on the chosen route. There are direct trains from Prague to Nuremberg, but you can also choose a route with a transfer in Munich, which will give you the opportunity to see another famous city in Germany.
Upon arrival in Nuremberg: Nuremberg is famous for its Christmas markets, including the Christkindlesmarkt, which is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. Here you can taste traditional dishes such as Nuremberg sausages, mulled wine and the famous gingerbread Lebkuchen. Guided Nuremberg Christmas Market Tour.
This day offers the perfect combination of a festive atmosphere and an introduction to the historical heritage of Nuremberg, in particular its medieval architecture. We have already written about various locations in Nuremberg where Christmas markets are held, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with them “Nuremberg Christmas Market”

How to get from Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof to the Christkindlesmarkt Christmas market on the Hauptmarkt is very easy to get to, as the distance is short.
On foot: From the train station to the Christmas market is about 10-15 minutes on foot (about 1 km).
Public transport: You can take tram #4 from the Hauptbahnhof stop to the Rathenauplatz stop and then walk a few minutes to the Hauptmarkt, or take the underground (line U1 or U2) from the Hauptbahnhof station and go one stop to the Lorenzkirche. From this station, it is a few minutes’ walk to the fair.
Where to stay near Christkindlesmarkt:
Hotel Victoria Nürnberg, Just 100 meters from Nuremberg Train Station and 500 meters from the Lorentzkirche, this 4-star hotel is within easy walking distance of attractions including the Market Square, home to the Christkindlmarkt. A rich breakfast buffet, homemade pastries, ice cream and light snacks can be ordered in the Tuscan café with a summer terrace or in the conservatory.
Hotel Agneshof Nürnberg, The 3-star hotel is located in a quiet lane, just a 5-minute walk from the Market Square. Hotel Agneshof Nürnberg is located in a quiet lane. A buffet breakfast is available. The Agnesbar offers a wide selection of drinks, including Franconian wines and Nuremberg beers.
Ibis Nürnberg Altstadt, a budget hotel next to the Main Station and a 10-minute walk from the Old Town, offering simple but clean and comfortable rooms. A good option for those looking for affordable housing. Breakfast for an additional fee.
Five Reasons Hotel & Hostel, located in the city center, only a 5-minute walk from the main train station, about 10 min. walking distance from the fair. This is a modern, fully renovated hostel with a 24-hour reception. Five Reasons Hostel and Hotel offers private and shared (dormitory) rooms with shared bathrooms.Guests can prepare their own meals in the shared kitchen. The lounge bar on the first floor sells snacks and drinks.

Day 3: Nuremberg – Erfurt

Route: Nuremberg → Erfurt (direct ICE train)
Departure: Morning high-speed ICE train from Nuremberg Central Station (Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof).
Travel time: Approximately 2 hours, thanks to high-speed ICE trains that provide a comfortable ride.
Upon arrival in Erfurt: The Christmas market in Erfurt is one of the most beautiful and oldest fairs in Germany, located on the Domplatz (the square in front of the Erfurt Cathedral). The square is decorated with festive lights and a huge Christmas tree, and in the very center there are numerous shops with traditional dishes, souvenirs and handicrafts. Erfurt is famous for its well-preserved medieval center. Narrow streets with historic houses, baroque squares and numerous cafes give the city a special charm.
Erfurt is a city that combines historical heritage and a cozy festive atmosphere, making it a great stop on your Christmas trip.

How to get from Erfurt main station (Erfurt Hauptbahnhof) to Domplatz – about 1.5 km.
On foot: About 15-20 minutes. The walk takes you through the historic city center, which also has many interesting places to explore.
Tram: Line 3 or 6 from the Erfurt Hauptbahnhof stop to the Domplatz Süd stop. The journey will only take a few minutes and the trams run regularly.
Where to stay near Christkindlesmarkt:
Radisson Blu Hotel Erfurt, a 4-star hotel located approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the historic Old Town where the fair takes place. The Radisson Blu Hotel offers a rich breakfast buffet every morning. Guests can relax with a cocktail at the hotel’s bar and dine at Classico Bistro and Restaurant.
Ibis Erfurt Altstadt, budget hotel located next to the Barfüsserkirche, a 10-minute walk from Erfurt train station. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby. A buffet breakfast is served daily at the Ibis Hotel from 04:00 to 12:00. Underground parking is available for guests. Ideal for those who want to save money but be close to the main attractions.
Hotel Am Kaisersaal, A 3-star superior hotel within walking distance of the city’s main attractions, including the Kremerbrücke Bridge, the Fischmarkt and the historic Kaisersaal conference centre. A buffet breakfast is included in the price, and the cozy lobby bar serves refreshing drinks 24 hours a day.

Day 4: Erfurt – Dresden

Route: Erfurt → Dresden (you can choose a direct train or an option with a transfer in Leipzig)
Departure: Midday train. Trains run regularly, so there are several options for choosing a time.
Travel time: About 2.5-3 hours. A direct train or a route with a change in Leipzig is possible. If you decide to transfer in Leipzig, it is a great opportunity to explore the city, but without a transfer, the journey is comfortable and fast. Although we recommend exploring Leipzig as something not within the framework of this trip, but perhaps in the future.
Upon arrival in Dresden: Dresden is famous for its magnificent Christmas markets, which create a magical atmosphere in the city. The main Christmas market, the Striezelmarkt, is one of the oldest in Germany, dating back to 1434. Located on the Altmarkt in the heart of the city, it’s filled with festive lights, the aromas of roasting sausages and stollen, and perfect winter music.  Christmas Bus Tour of the City.

How to get from Dresden Hauptbahnhof to the Altmarkt square in the city center. On foot: Dresden Hauptbahnhof is about a 15-20 minute walk from the old town and major attractions such as the Zwinger and Frauenkirche. The walk will be pleasant, as you will see many interesting places along the way.
Tram: There are several trams from the station that will take you to the center in a few stops (for example, lines 3, 7 or 8).
Where to stay near the Christmas market:
Star Inn Hotel Premium Dresden im Haus Altmarkt, ideally located on the Altmarkt, a 5-minute walk from the Zwinger Palace, the Semper Opera and the Frauenkirche. A rich buffet breakfast is served every morning. There is also a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage. Dresden Main Station is a 15-minute walk away.
NH Collection Dresden Altmarkt, The 4-star hotel is located on the Altmarkt square. A full breakfast buffet and a selection of Spanish and German cuisine are served in the elegant restaurant. An early breakfast is also available. NH Collection Hotel Altmarkt is a 15-minute walk from Dresden Main Station.
Ibis Budget Dresden City, It is a 5-minute walk from the Zwinger Palace and Park, the Semper Opera House and the Frauenkirche. Smoking is prohibited in the ibis Budget hotel. A buffet breakfast is served every morning in the hotel’s cafeteria. There is an underground parking lot nearby. Dresden main train station is 12 minutes away.

Day 5: Dresden — Prague

Route: Dresden → Prague (direct train EuroCity, EC)
Departure: several direct EC trains daily.
Travel time: approximately 2.5 hours.
What to do on your last day in Prague: Upon returning to Prague, you can continue exploring the city, visit Prague Castle (Pražský hrad). If you didn’t have time to visit it on the first day of your trip, this is a great opportunity. Explore St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane. It also offers a stunning view of the city.Charles Bridge (Karlův most), Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí), where we already visited the Christmas market at the beginning of the trip, now you can leisurely enjoy its atmosphere, taste festive dishes, mulled wine and buy souvenirs.

If you have time, visit Wenceslas Square for gifts and souvenirs. Festive bazaars are also often located here.
How to get from the station to the center of Prague, we already considered on the first day, everything is simple, or you can walk in 15-20 minutes, walking through Wenceslas Square, or take metro line C to the Muzeum station, and then walk to the main tourist spots.
Where to stay in Prague: to the hotels that we considered on the first day, we add another economy class hotel Ibis Praha Old Town,

is located in the very center of Prague, 100 meters from the Old Town and a few steps from the main shopping street Na Porzychy.

If you have extra time after your arrival, you can end your trip in Prague with a festive lunch or dinner in one of the traditional Czech restaurants, tasting local food and drinks.

Day 6: Prague – Chop

Route: Prague → Chop (with a transfer in Košice)
Departure: Evening or overnight train from Prague to Košice, and from there a regional train to Chop.
Travel time: About 12 hours: Train Prague → Kosice takes 9-10 hours, Road from Kosice to Chop – another 1-2 hours.
Return route: After busy days in charming European cities, it is time to return home. The most convenient option for completing the trip is a night train, which will allow you to rest during the journey. Leaving Prague in the evening, you will wake up in Kosice, where you will need to change trains to Chop.
After arriving in Chop: Personally, our journey ends on Ukrainian soil (and yours can end in any other country after Prague) after an incredible Christmas adventure in European cities. You can remember cozy fairs, Christmas celebrations, the taste of stollen, mulled wine and all the wonderful moments that accompanied you during this festive route.

This trip will leave unforgettable memories of the atmosphere of Christmas in Europe and the desire to return again to discover even more of the winter fairy tale!

 

Notes:

Chop to Prague via Košice: This is one of the popular routes with a change in Košice, with overnight trains to Prague.
Prague – Nuremberg: there are direct trains or you can go via Munich, depending on the schedule.
Nuremberg – Erfurt, Erfurt – Dresden: high-speed ICE trains ensure a comfortable and fast transfer.
Dresden to Prague: frequent direct EC trains connecting the two cities make travel convenient.

This route will allow you to enjoy the New Year’s atmosphere in various European cities and see many historical sights. Before traveling, be sure to check the train schedule on the official websites of railway operators (Deutsche Bahn, ČD, ZSSK).

Bonus!

During your trip, you have the opportunity to visit two more incredible cities – Munich and Leipzig, which are also famous for their Christmas markets. If you have the time or desire to add them to your itinerary, here’s what you should know about these places.

Munich

Place: Christmas market in the central square of Munich – Marienplatz.
How to get there: If you travel from Prague to Nuremberg via Munich, it takes about 4-5 hours by train. Leave yourself a few hours to walk around the city and visit the Christmas market.
What to see: Marienplatz Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt): This is one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in Germany. Located in the historic center of the city near the New Town Hall, this fair enchants with its atmosphere and variety of souvenirs and traditional dishes.A huge Christmas tree decorated with thousands of lights is the centerpiece of the fair. Try Bavarian delicacies: fried sausages, punch and gingerbread Lebkuchen.

Karlsplatz Ice Rink (Stachus), another interesting place near the center is the Karlsplatz Ice Rink. It’s a great place to experience the joy of winter and get in the Christmas spirit. And to top it all off, the Munich Christmas Tram, a festively decorated tram that runs through the city, offers a unique way to see the city during the festive season.
Where to stay near the Christmas market: Given that we are not planning to spend the night in Munich, but are considering a stopover, economy hotel options can be useful for the future or in case of a change of plans. If you decide to stay the night, Hotel Am Markt Munich — it’s a good budget option close to the Christmas markets.

Leipzig

Place: Christmas market on the central square of Leipzig – Augustusplatz.
How to get there: If you’re traveling from Erfurt to Dresden with a stopover in Leipzig, it’s worth setting aside a few hours to stroll through this ancient city.
What to see: The Augustusplatz Christmas Market (Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt) is one of the oldest and largest in Germany, the Leipzig Fair dates back to 1458. With a central Christmas tree and many decorated shops, you can feel the unique atmosphere of Christmas here. A special place at the fair is occupied by Christmas lights and light installations, which create a magical atmosphere of an evening stroll. And the specialty of the fair is traditional Saxon cuisine: try Drückebergesuppe (noodle soup) and various Christmas pies.

New Year’s Market on the Market Square (Marktplatz): Next to Augustusplatz is another market where you can buy souvenirs, crafts from local artisans and taste the traditional Leipzig stollen.
Where to stay near the Christmas market: If Leipzig is part of your trip but you don’t plan to spend the night there, it’s good to know about budget accommodation options in case you change your plans. Motel One Leipzig-Augustusplatz is a great budget option with a convenient location close to the Christmas markets.

If you have the time and desire to linger for a few hours in Munich or Leipzig, these Christmas markets can be a great addition to your holiday trip. They will give you even more Christmas warmth and charm, as well as the opportunity to enjoy the traditions of other regions of Germany.