I went for the Christmas markets, but I discovered so much more. German Christmas markets had always been on my bucket list, and my first trip to Europe gave me the chance to finally see them. I’ll never forget setting foot in Germany during Thanksgiving week to visit my significant other at Ramstein Air Force Base. I’ll never forget the first time I set foot in Europe.
I dreamed of seeing the famous German Christmas markets, but what I didn’t expect was how much else I would discover. From driving on the Autobahn and shopping for a Thanksgiving meal in Bann, to finding handmade ornaments in Heidelberg and experiencing my first Trier Christmas Market, Germany at Christmas was full of surprises.
If you’re visiting German Christmas markets, or Europe in general, for the first time, here’s what to expect…
Getting to Germany on Travel Rewards
It was Thanksgiving week in 2022, and I had finally made it across the ocean to Germany to visit my significant other, who was temporarily at Ramstein Air Force Base. The whole trip still feels like a dream. Even sweeter, I paid for my flight, Airbnb, and rental car almost entirely with points from my Delta American Express and Capital One Venture cards.
My adventure started in the Delta Sky Club lounge, where I sank into a cozy chair with a mimosa and thought, This is really happening. I felt spoiled already, but I had no idea what a dream was waiting for me on the other side of the Atlantic.
Landing in Frankfurt, I navigated through the large airport fairly easily and found my way to the rental car area. The exchange at the rental car counter was smooth because the person serving me spoke English, which I honestly wasn’t expecting. Since I had rented the car on my Capital One Venture One card, I had rental car insurance, which made the whole process even easier.
One thing to note when renting a car in Germany (or anywhere in Europe) is that the majority of their vehicles are manuals. Make sure you request an automatic if you cannot drive a stick shift. Unfortunately, this does cost a bit more since there are fewer of them available. I still paid under $700 to rent a car for 10 days.
Fun fact: if you are from certain states in the U.S., you can legally drive in Germany without any type of international driver’s license.
First Impressions: Arrival and the Autobahn
My heart was racing as I navigated to my car. I was so worried about hitting the road with foreign traffic signs and driving on the Autobahn for the first time. My first time was equal parts thrilling and terrifying. I couldn’t believe how fast some cars flew by me. And then came the first hiccup: European addresses are trickier than they seem, and I ended up at the wrong Airbnb before finally meeting my incredibly kind host at the correct one.
That Airbnb became one of the highlights of my trip. It was in Bann, a small village near Ramstein, and staying there gave me one of the most authentic glimpses of Christmas in Germany. The house itself was modern, but in a very cozy neighborhood. Just outside the door, a cobblestone path led down to the local grocery store. I could grab fresh pretzels and pastries from the market bakery in the mornings for about $1, and afterward it was only a few miles’ drive to an old castle. Staying in Bann gave me the feeling that I wasn’t just visiting Germany. I felt like I was living there, even if only for a week.
The host lived in the unit above where I stayed and was available around the clock should I need him. What I remember most was him kindly bringing me a bottle of wine. I had let him know it was an American holiday and asked if he had a pie pan I could use. He brought multiple pan options plus the wine. It was so kind.
Visiting German Christmas Markets for the First Time
While I went to Germany because my significant other was working there, I spent much of my time on my own since he had to work a lot. That alone time resulted in a lot of exploration and my first experiences with German Christmas markets.
One day, I went to the mall in Kaiserslautern, a bigger city near Ramstein Air Force Base. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon a German Christmas market. My partner had told me about his experiences at the markets when his family was stationed in Germany during his childhood, and his eyes always lit up when he talked about them.
This first Christmas market I stumbled into wasn’t overly charming, but it got me excited about the potential the markets had. Lights twinkled, the smell of roasted nuts filled the air, and suddenly I was wrapped in the spirit of the holidays. It also happened to be what Americans know as Black Friday, so the streets were busy with holiday shoppers.
At the German Christmas Market, I ate a delicious salami pizza and tried a Germknödel, a yeasty dumpling typically filled with jam or paired with vanilla sauce. To be honest, I got the one with no filling and vanilla sauce and didn’t love it, but I definitely want to try a filled one.
Fun fact: If you ask for pepperoni pizza, you’ll get actual peppers on it. You want to order salami pizza.
Trier Christmas Market: A Storybook Setting
Like many German Christmas markets, the Trier Christmas Market had an incredible atmosphere. After having the ultimate market experience in Strasbourg, France, my significant other and I ventured over to Trier to visit the Christmas market. The Trier Christmas Market 2022 was set in the city’s historic main square and felt straight out of a storybook. The backdrop of the cathedral and surrounding medieval buildings made every stall glow a little brighter.
I wandered through rows of lights, sampled delicious food, sipped glühwein, and soaked up the festive energy. Between the music, the smells, and the history all around, Trier was where I truly felt the magic of a German Christmas market come alive. The fresh waffles are a must-try.
Heidelberg Christmas Market
Two days later, I reunited with an old co-worker in Heidelberg, where we explored the castle and ate some amazing schnitzel after visiting the Heidelberg Christmas Market. The main German Christmas market in Heidelberg is known for handmade ornaments and castle views and it did not disappoint. The market was alive with color and charm, and I bought a handmade tree topper that I treasure every Christmas.
There was a booth with beautifully blown glass and hand-painted ornaments that quickly caught my eye. I am always in search of handmade German Christmas ornaments to bring home as souvenirs, and these were perfect. I chatted with the man running the booth, who told me how they spend months preparing for the market, carefully blowing and decorating each ornament by hand.
One of the reasons I fell in love with German Christmas markets is the way they bring entire towns to life.
Memorable Food and Everyday Discoveries
Of course, I also experienced simple joys during my trip to Germany. While the time with my significant other was limited, we made every minute count, and we love a good meal. Germany is well known for schnitzel, and I went on a mission to find the best schnitzel in Germany.
Luckily, I found the most amazing local spot: Gilbert’s Rodenbach. I ordered the schnitzel with rahmsauce, a creamy mushroom sauce, alongside rosemary-fried potatoes. Writing this has me drooling.
Something I didn’t expect to enjoy in Germany was McDonald’s. To my surprise, the McDonald’s in Germany was quite different from those in the U.S., with bakery cases, sauces, and menu items I had never seen before. My favorite was the salt and pepper fries.
Handmade German Christmas Ornaments at Galerie Wagner Gift Shop
Beyond the markets, one of my most magical discoveries was Galerie Wagner, a gift shop on Kaiserstraße. From the outside, it looked like a small local shop, but stepping inside felt like walking into a Christmas wonderland. Every wall and shelf overflowed with wooden decorations, Christmas pyramids (Weihnachtspyramide), Räuchermännchen incense smokers, and handmade German ornaments.
I circled the shop several times, picking up delicate ornaments and marveling at the craftsmanship. It wasn’t just a store. It felt like a little corner of Christmas magic preserved year-round. I bought my mom a hand-painted Räuchermännchen, several wooden ornaments, and a Christmas pyramid I treasure every year. You will see large versions of these German Christmas pyramids at markets all across the country.
Why Christmas in Germany Feels So Magical
When I think back on that trip, what I remember most is how safe, welcomed, and at home I felt in Germany. The friendliness of the people, the warmth of the German Christmas markets, and the comfort of cobblestone streets lit up for the holidays made me never want to leave.
It was my first taste of Europe, and it left me longing to return ever since. Christmas in Germany showed me that travel is more than just seeing a new place. It is about feeling alive, connected, and full of wonder. And thanks to travel rewards, it was a dream I could actually afford.
Visiting German Christmas markets is one of the best things to do if you are in Germany at Christmas.
Things That Surprised Me About Germany
Döner Kebap Everywhere
One of the first things that surprised me was how many Döner Kebap shops I saw in Germany. I honestly wasn’t expecting that. There was one within walking distance of my Airbnb in Bann, so my significant other and I went there on my first day. Döner Kebap is a popular street food made with meat (usually lamb, chicken, or beef) that’s cooked on a vertical rotisserie and shaved off into pita bread with vegetables and sauce.
Everyone I know raves about them, but unfortunately, my stomach was still unsettled from travel and the smell was a little too strong for me that day. I didn’t enjoy it the way I wanted to, but I’d love to try one again under better circumstances.
Better Dairy Products and affordable groceries
I also couldn’t get over how different dairy products tasted in Germany, in the best way possible. The yogurt was creamier, the cheese had more flavor, and even regular cheddar tasted richer. I found myself craving it after I came home.
Even candy and soda were a surprise. Since they’re made with glucose and cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup, they tasted better and didn’t leave me feeling bloated. I remember thinking, why can’t snacks in the U.S. taste like this
And then there was the price. When I went grocery shopping to pull together a small Thanksgiving meal (minus turkey and pumpkin pie, because I couldn’t find either), my entire cart was around €70.
I just stood there staring at the receipt because I knew that same haul would have easily been double in the U.S. Snacks, candy, and soda were often less than €1, which felt unbelievable compared to the $3–5 I usually spend. I also discovered these pretzel cracker things and completely fell in love with them. They weren’t even a dollar, and I still think about them all the time.
A Different Rhythm of Daily Life
Another surprise was how differently daily life flows. Shops opened later in the morning, and Sundays were quiet with almost everything closed. At first, I was caught off guard, but then I realized how nice it felt that people weren’t rushing to start their day at 6 a.m. like we often do in the U.S.
Fast food wasn’t everywhere either. In fact, the only fast food place I saw was a single McDonald’s, and it was always packed. Instead, I noticed that gas stations in Germany almost doubled as fast food stops. I could walk in and see trays of fresh pretzels and sausages that actually looked appetizing. I remember thinking… this is nothing like the gas station food back home.
Cash Is Still King
One lesson I learned quickly is that you really do need cash on hand in Germany. I remember walking to the grocery store near my Airbnb, ready to buy a fresh pretzel, only to find that the bakery stand outside only took cash. I had none, so I had to walk away empty-handed. I was so bummed.
After that, I made sure to keep a few euros with me at all times. If you’re military, getting euros on base is a smart move since you don’t have to pay exchange fees. You will especially want to get cash for use if you’re going to a German Christmas market.
Side Note: You’ll need to have a Euro to get a grocery cart (don’t worry, you get it back when you return the cart). You’ll also want to bring your own grocery totes; otherwise, you’ll have to pay to use disposable ones every time. Also, I feel like it’s frowned upon not to have reusable ones on hand.
Homes Without Dryers
Another small surprise was how many German homes don’t have dryers. Instead, clothes are air-dried on racks. I didn’t think much of it at first, but since I was visiting in winter, it wasn’t exactly ideal. Hanging up heavy sweaters and sweatpants and waiting days for them to dry was not my favorite experience. I kept thinking, next time I need to pack lighter, faster-drying clothes. My sweatsuit wasn’t exactly comfy after having to hang dry it.
Things I Found Useful
- Google Translate: I used it all the time, especially the photo feature in grocery stores. I would point my phone at labels to figure out baking ingredients, cleaning supplies, or hygiene products. It saved me from buying the wrong thing more than once.
- Travel Credit Cards: I stuck to my Capital One Venture and Amex cards whenever I paid with plastic. I liked knowing that travel cards are less likely to get flagged than debit cards, and they give me better protection in case of fraud.
- Rolladens: Most German homes have Rolladens, shutters that block out nearly all sunlight. They were amazing for sleeping when I was trying to adjust to the time change. The only downside? I accidentally slept until almost 2 p.m. one day because my room was pitch black. I was so bummed to have lost a day of exploring, especially since winter days were already short.
My Takeaways
When I think back on that trip, what I remember most is how safe, welcomed, and at home I felt in Germany. The friendliness of the people, the warmth of the markets, and the comfort of cobblestone streets lit up for the holidays. I didn’t want to leave.
It was my first taste of Europe, and it left me longing to return ever since. Germany showed me that travel is more than just seeing a new place. It’s about feeling alive, connected, and full of wonder. And thanks to travel rewards, it was a dream I could actually afford.
Discover more from Mae Today
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.