Trip Review: Nuremberg Christmas Markets
We began our Christmas Market Galore trip in Nuremberg. While well known for the Nuremberg Trials at the end of WW2, it hosts some of the best markets in Germany!
How?
Since we were leaving Luton at the crack of dawn, I treated ourselves to a hotel near the Luton Airport, especially since it was only $45 a night!
As I mentioned previously, we would rent a car from Munich Airport to Nuremberg to cut some time and costs. Once in the city, we decided to splurge and stay at a Holiday Inn in the city center since I knew we would have an early day AND we would only have 1 day for these markets!
Onto Nuremberg
Since we had a flight at 6:25am, we were up extremely early and onto the Luton Airport. If I thought a Friday night was crazy, Christmas Saturday was pure chaos!! There were lines out the door for the checked bag counters so we were able to strolled through security. We did have a slight hiccup as Mary Frances was held up in the line for having two bags…. I was able to get away with it since I hid mine! The early morning brain fog meant she forgot the basic budget airline rule - hide your second bags!
Once we arrived in Munich, we briskly walked to the rental car counter. Unfortunately, it was a budget car rental company so everyone was in this line.. We waited and waited… From the time we landed to when we stepped in the car, it would have been easier to take the train!
However, the true travesty was the type of car… For a lovely, romantic couple, we expected a nice German sedan. We received the Ford American tank!! It was a mini bus that we were struggling to see how this was going to fit in the tiny European streets…
As we drove into city center, we said our prayers as I drove the tank to the hotel. I did have a slight panic once I saw the hotel only had underground parking, but we BARELY just fit the tank… It truly was a Christmas miracle!!
Our Day in Nuremberg
Since we only had a few hours of daylight left in our day in Nuremberg, we hopped out of the tank and hit the markets!
Main Street
In 2014, I visited Nuremberg primarily for the old Nazi grounds and other WW2. Since Mary Frances would only handle so many war activities in this festive period, I would stick to exploring the cultural side of this city! However, once on the main street, it was bringing back so many memories!
On Main Street, we quickly found the brat stand. In this city, they have patented the Nuremberg brat, which is three small brats in a bigger bun. Nevertheless, it did not make any difference as they were just as tasty as the normal sized ones!
Children’s Square
Because we are little kids at heart, it is very fitting that we first found the children’s christmas market. The market was full of kid activities such as merry go rounds, coloring booths, toys, and fun food! We ate some delicious curly fries as we enjoyed the pure joy from the kid’s faces!
In order to find the Kid’s market, it is a short distance away. While it will not take long to explore, it does offer a different side as most other cities just have one Christmas market for all rather than separate ones. We were off to a great start!
The Big One
As we wandered the streets, we eventually found the crowd heading in one general direction. We figured we would follow the crowd and see where it took us. Turning a corner into Hauptmarkt square, we were floored by the main Christmas market. Wow, oh, wow. This is the Big One.
Filling the entire square, the Hauptmarkt market is nine full rows of stalls, meaning 18 individual stall rows. I knew we would be here for awhile!! We walked and walked. In order to keep me happy, Mary Frances bribed, nay, bought me chocolate covered strawberries. She was in Christmas market heaven!
International Flavor
Down an alley, we found the international stalls! As if we didn’t have enough choices right now!! This area was dedicated to international vendors and their crafts to bring a different flavor to the traditional German markets. I spied with my little eye a very homey stall - one from the great ATL(anta)!
In this tent, the guy had hot apple cider, also spiked with Jack Daniels, along with special “American” only treats. They even had Mary Frances’ favorite peanut butter MnMs! We were very happy Americans!
Chillin’ in a cafe
Since it was cold and we were still wet from the rain, we stopped in a cafe overlooking the market plaza. Because we had been going since 4am, we desperately needed a coffee and a break! After a few minutes, Mary Frances realized she also wanted a nap. Conveniently, she also locked herself out her phone because she couldn’t remember her passcode…
Little did she know that her phone reset and wipe all information off her phone.. Thus, her knight in shining armor came to her rescue and escorted her back to the hotel so she could “restore” her phone… Please note that she quickly went to bed shortly after we arrived at the hotel!
Solo Explorer!
Because we had dinner plans at 7, I had a few hours to myself. Thus, I took the trusty camera and went back out to photograph the city and solo explore! I also wanted to learn more about this city so I googled and researched the city.
Firstly, Nuremberg is the ancient capital of Frankia. Its power and wealth stretches back hundreds of years. Unlike other German cities in the ancient times, this unique city was never conquered until 1945. Then, a little nation called America captured the city!
Revisited Markets
While I do enjoy a good shopping trip, I don’t think the knick knacks at these markets are my favorite part. I continue to come back and love exploring these markets because the atmosphere is second to none. Everyone is in a joyful mood, followed by delicious food and drink, and the scenes are absolutely beautiful.
In Nuremberg, Christmas lights string the city streets and lead one back to the main market at the church. As sun was setting, the lights became even more beautiful and I simply got lost. Since I still owed MF a Christmas present, I explored trying to find an unique gift - one that I could not find in the US! Shortly, I found myself back at Atlanta stall buying peanut butter M&Ms.
Because night occurs at 5pm, everything was dark really late! I walked up to the cathedral to get better views before the light completely disappeared. While it wasn’t my favorite scene, it did make some beautiful pictures!
An American walks into a bar…
Since I still had an hour or so before I needed to get back to dinner, I went to the Hausbrauerei Altstadthof. Recommended by Blake and Lauren, this bar is one of the oldest in the city. While very popular, I was able to snag a stool at the en do fit bar. I ordered their famous beer and read my book. Quite a lovely time I would say!
Holy BBQ
For our dinner, Blake and Lauren recommended Boogie's BBQ Smokehouse. While it is a little bit outside of town, Boogies was perfect. We took a trolley about 20 minutes and it dropped us off at the end of the line. We walked down a dimly lit street and turned into a dark-ash alley. However, once we made that turn, we smelled heaven.
When we walked into Boogies, it was the definition of a hole in the wall. It is located in an abandoned warehouse with picnic tables, tiny kitchen, and serve yourself beer! We were amazed!!
Earlier in the day, we pre-ordered ribs and pulled pork. If we hadn’t, we wouldn’t have been able to order it. Shortly after we arrived, holy BBQ was delivered to our table. It was simply incredible. We hadn’t had that old of BBQ for a very long time and we were surprised to find it in Nuremberg!! Everything was delicious and we destroyed all of it…
Thankfully, our journey did not end there as we also ordered banana pudding. While very tasty, it did fall short of our memories as nothing can replace America and the Germans cannot know all our secrets, right??
Our ride home was a food coma stumble as we remembered our the meal. MF almost bailed on dinner, but now we both were very happy to end our day with some holy BBQ!!
The UnChartered Summary:
Nuremberg met and nearly exceeded the hype! Throughout our trip, we were mesmerized by the dazzling Christmas markets and wonderful food! The only downside of Nuremberg is the crowds but we did go at the peak Christmas weekend but we did not mind one bit!
- If our glowing review of Boogie's was not convincing, read again as it was a fantastic spot! Call ahead to pre-order so you get the meat you want!
- From the beautiful Christmas decor in the square to the wafting smells of the wonderful stall food, the markets do exceed the hype. Firstly, there are so many rows full of different trinkets. Secondly, the Christmas cheer is well alive and is everywhere!
- Our Holiday Inn was quite perfect for our situation. Less than a 10 minute walk from the markets, the hotel was in a great location plus had the usual comfortable beds!
- I learned my lesson here - go with a recognizable rental car company. While we saved money, we did not save time!