Germany is the country where the Christmas markets were born, the market of Dresden, the oldest of all, to the great markets of Munich, Nürnberg, Berlin, Cologne, Bremen, Hamburg, Frankfurt to go to the Christmas markets taking place in cities such as Regensburg, Trier, Bamberg, Goslar, Coburg, Aachen, Speyer , many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Site. This guide offers a page dedicated to the most beautiful markets in Germany and many other pages with information on schedules and events with particular reference to the German regions closer to the Italian border, such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. 

The tradition of Christmas markets goes back to the fourteenth century in Germany, the first document recording a Christmas Market is dated 1434 and cites a Striezelmarkt (market ‘Striezel’, a traditional sweet typical German) in Dresden. In Germany during Advent await the atmospheric Christmas markets with features festively decorated wooden huts filled with sweets and arts and crafts for your gifts.
The capital city of Berlin with its over 60 Christmas markets is a unique destination, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Very impressive are the Christmas markets in Nürnberg, Ulm, Augsburg, Dresden, Cologne, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Bremen, Munich, Passau, Coburg, Koblenz and those that are held in the beautiful historic towns of German heritage listed ‘humanity by UNESCO as Goslar, Regensburg, Hildesheim, Bamberg, Lübeck, Trier, Aachen, Spira, Weimar, Quedlinburg, Wismar, Stralsund. Practically during Advent every German city has its Christmas market.

The oldest Christmas Market in Germany can be found in Dresden . Near Dresden have to report the Market Meissen, famous for its porcelain, and that of Bautzen, the cultural center of the Sorbs, Slavic minority in Saxony.
In eastern Germany should not miss a visit to the famous Christmas markets of Berlin, the German capital during Christmas has over 60 Christmas markets, the three most interesting are those that take place in Spandau, in Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Gendarmenmarkt front of the palace of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf. For visitors to Berlin are certainly to see even the markets Potsdam Sanssouci palace that houses the eighteenth century, a masterpiece of the era.

They usually begin from 23rd/ 26th November to 23rd/ 24th December 2012.

During the pre-Christmas period (usually during the four weeks before Christmas), Christmas in Austria is an atmosphere like no other. Each city has its own market, consisting of wooden stalls decorated and decorated in every corner there are lights, local crafts, traditional music, culinary delights, Christmas balls, sweets and spices that create a typical Christmas. The gardens, houses, and local shops are fully decked out in Christmas decorations. There are also spaces and Christmas events for children

Thanks to the ancient ties with Austria and Germany, the Italian region where the Christmas markets are more authentic is undoubtedly the Trentino-Alto Adige, here you will find some beautiful markets in the historic centers of Bressanone, Brunico, Merano, Vipiteno, Trento , Arco, Bolzano, Pergine, etc.. 

Usually open from end of November to 23rd/24th December

The Christmas Markets take place in many other countries in Europe and typical as well as very nice is the  Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt in Florence, the city where I live and work…:)

From 28th November to 16th December it will take place in Piazza Santa Croce.

The tradition of the German town between Frankfurt a.M. and Stuttgart, will be renewed for the sixth time in Florence with its 40 wooden houses and street vendors offering their typical products: sweets, mulled wine, beer and sausages, craft products and much more. There will be stalls where buying stauine for the crib, Christmas decorations, traditional ceramics Bunzlau, traditional Pfefferkuchen (gingerbread), and much more. Open : from 10 am to10 pm

Viel Spaß !!