With picture perfect backdrops that include a stunning town hall, Alster Lake, parish churches and romantic squares, Hamburg makes for a good option if you are into traditional Xmas markets. While there are plenty of craft stalls selling the usual candles, decorations, etc., there is a strong leaning towards food and drink. You’re unlikely to come away from any market nowadays with all your Xmas shopping sorted and its even less likely that you’ll find a bargain, but you can’t beat the experience and the atmosphere for putting you in a festive mood.
I’ve visited a few European markets over the years but I really liked the ambience in Hamburg. Despite miserable weather at times, people were enjoying themselves. There were more locals than tourists around (which I considered a good sign)… people meeting up with friends and family and leisurely chatting over mugs of gluhwein. The food and drink stalls did great business and it was easy to gauge the quality of the product by the length of the patient queue.
Local websites list individual markets but its enough to know that most of them are right in the city centre and pretty much run into each other. One particular exception to this is out a bit in Santa Pauli – close to the red light district – which offers an erotic Xmas market!
The main market is in front of the fabulous Rathaus (City Hall)….
….but spreads out through nearby squares and streets….
…or further afield to Santa Pauli for some late night fun…
Most people took time to wander into the Rathaus….
….or to light a candle in nearly Haupkirche St Petri.
You might cross a few gifts off your Xmas list…
You can get some edible gifts…..
…or just eat everything yourself!!
And you have to sample the beverages!!
Prost!!!!!
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Thinking about Hamburg?
Getting There:
Hamburg airport is very accessible from several European cities. We flew direct from Dublin with Aer Lingus in 1 hour 40 mins.
Getting Around:
There is a great public transport system linking the airport to the city.
At the airport, we were able to get a 48 hour pass for 4 adults for €33.50. Great value! That covered our train into town and subway / buses for 2 days. We just needed 4 single tickets back to airport when leaving. The ticket also allows free access to ferry lines in the harbour.
Sleeping
The main consideration is to pick somewhere close to the U or S metro system. We stayed at the Mercure Hamburg Hotel Mitte. It was about 7/ 8 minute walk to Schlump station which was only a few metro stops from the centre. The staff were very helpful and friendly and we got a great breakfast. There is a restaurant on site but we didn’t dine in. There is a bar next door for a nightcap.
Our room looked out on Hamburg’s TV Tower…
Shopping:
Note – stores remain closed on Sundays as do many coffee shops etc. Bear that in mind if you want to combine shopping with the markets. The markets are open late anyway so work them around the store opening times.
How Long?
If its your first visit to Hamburg and you want to shop and the markets are on, you’ll need 3 days. We had 2 days and didn’t get to see / do everything we wanted.
One Last Thing:
Security is tight at the airport which means lots of baggage checks and body searches. The queues were very long as a result so allow enough time. (We arrived 2 hours before our flight and had to go straight to the gate by the time the 4 of us were through security).
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Had no idea it’s only 1 hour and 40 minutes to fly from Dublin to Hamburg, that’s certainly very handy while travelling with toddler! German Christmas markets look absolutely amazing and I would love to visit at least one if not more one day! Thanks for sharing and have a lovely festive season 😊 Aiva
And you too Aiva – are you heading home for Christmas?
No, we are staying in Sligo this year and are super excited about it. Our little one is in preschool so we
have lots of festive activities to look forward to. We also made lots of new friends on Ireland’s West coast, can’t wait to get together with them. What are you doing for Christmas?
Sounds perfect.
Staying in Dublin for Xmas but heading to Mexico City on 31st! Can’t get my head around it – too much happening!!
Have a lovely Xmas. xxxx Marie
Wow, that sounds fantastic! Enjoy your trip to Mexico City. Xxx 😊
I love Christmas markets!
There must be great markets in Sweden???
Thanks for this. We went to Cologne’s Christmas market last year (in similar weather to that you had it seems) and that was lovely too with some impressive sights to see in between the shopping. The atmosphere is so festive and relaxed at these German markets and they certainly know how to eat and drink. Missing out this year but will try to plan a trip to a Christmas market this time next year.
Was in Cologne for the markets – oh must be 10 years ago at least. It was my first such trip and I bought loads! I’ve been to a few since then but find I’m buying less and less. As you say above, its good to have other things to do in the city rather than just the markets. The atmosphere is usually great so its a nice festive experience rather than a shopping spree!!
Wow Marie pictures are post card perfect. Just added to my bucket list
Lovely city and a good base for some of the northern towns so definitely worth checking out sometime.
I really liked Hamburg, it looks like it’d be a fun city to visit at Christmas time. I might have to try make it there at the end of the year.
Also I was really confused by you calling the Saint Pauli area Santa Pauli, it wasn’t until I saw the photo that it made sense haha. Glad you enjoyed your trip 🙂
Doesn’t get the attention of Berlin, Munich, Cologne etc. obviously but definitely worth a visit I think…
Thanks for your support. M.
Absolutely agree! 🙂
Despite the chilly weather it looks like a great experience and always a good sign when the locals are out in force! 🙂
Yes – it didn’t feel as though it was all just laid on for tourists. I liked that.
Sounds my kind of place – hope to visit Hamburg sooner rather than later!
Happy travels!!
nice mugs! and lots of delicious foods at the Xmas market
It was all lovely – except for the weather!!! Rotten!!