UPDATED Regensburg Christmas market Guide – What to eat, drink and see
Welcome to my hometown of Regensburg, Germany. If you love Bavarian cities with a medieval flair, you’ve come to the right place. Although you can spend a fantastic holiday in Regensburg all year round, the Christmas season has a unique flair. This Regensburg Christmas Market Guide is here to help you plan your visit. I’ll tell you more about the different types of Regensburg’s Christmas markets, which foods to get, and what to look for. Enjoy!
This post is updated to the 2022 season 🙂
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How to get to Regensburg
Quick overview of the Regensburg Christmas Markets
Many people think Regensburg has only one Christmas market. However, the fact that there are five Christmas markets in Regensburg often remains to be discovered by tourists. Therefore, in this article, I will explain what you can expect from each market and what specialties to look for. Regensburg’s Christmas markets usually open in late November – You’ll find the exact opening dates for each Christmas market down below!
By the way: In addition to the official Christmas markets, you will also find some booths selling mulled wine and food scattered throughout the city, such as right on the forecourt of the central train station.
The different Regensburg Christmas Markets
1 | “Main” Regensburg Christmas Market at Neupfarrplatz
The “Christkindlmarkt” is Regensburg’s primary Christmas market. It is conveniently located on Neupfarrplatz, just a few meters from the well-known cathedral. Here you will find everything your heart desires. Mulled wine, delicious food, and sales booths with unique Christmas gifts.
The food offered here is relatively simple and covers all the typical offerings of a Christmas market. With offers ranging from sausages in bread to “Dampfnudeln,” I’m sure to find something you like. Lately, more and more stalls have also been selling meatless alternatives such as vegan sausages. I recommend the 0.5m fire sausage or the gingerbread stollen. For souvenirs, you can explore the different gift stalls.
You will also find a children’s carousel if you’re traveling with the family. Wednesday is children’s afternoon, and the ride on the carousel is cheaper than usual.
PS: If you want to see the Christmas market from above, you can do so on the terrace of Galeria Kaufhof. You can find more about this in my Regensburg Guide.
opening hours
2 | Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Castle
This particular Christmas market is probably the most known of the city’s Christmas markets. While walking through the decorated castle grounds, you will find over 100 wooden market booths. In addition to culinary specialties and unique items from these stalls, you will also find the children’s magic forest in the castle garden. The perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit with the entire family! There are even two alpacas on the site, which are a great attraction for every visitor!
Concerning the food options: You should try the potato soup or the goulash in a bread bowl. If you like unique kinds of meat, you can also get wild boar on a skewer, for example. We also find the flambéed salmon particularly delicious!
By the way, the Romantic Christmas Market also has larger huts with catering and public toilets. This way, you can beat the cold for several hours!
Price Tip: This market is costly. Added to your entry fee are food and drink prices at least as expensive (if not more) than the city’s public markets. If you visit the market at the weekend, you will not only spend a lot of money, but it will also be very crowded. Therefore, I recommend Monday as a visiting day. On Mondays, you pay only €6 (half as much as on the weekend!!), and you can look forward to a more relaxed vibe. In addition to that, you should check the various discounts for kids, students or elderly.
opening hours
3 | Lucrezia Christmas Market
If you’re looking for unique gifts: this is your spot! The Lucrezia Market is also located downtown. It is not far from the central Christmas Market on Neupfarrplatz and extends over two locations: Haidplatz and Kohlenmarkt.
Lucrezia Market is mainly known for stalls that display and sell regional and artistic goods. You also have a much more comfortable atmosphere here. Of course, enough food and (hot) drinks will also be provided!
In the Haidplatz area, you will find pulled pork burgers, Indian curry, and tasty cinnamon rolls. You should definitely also try the Mediterranean grilled cheese or the raclette bread rolls at Kohlenmarkt!
PS: The mulled wine sold on Haidplatz is usually a bit cheaper than on Kohlenmarkt!
opening hours
4 | Christmas Market in the Spitalgarten
You will find this small but delicate Christmas market at the foot of the famous Old Stone Bridge, also known as Regensburg’s UNESCO World Heritage site. Your walk in the direction of the Stadtamhof district gives you an excellent view of the Danube river and the old town scenery. It leads you directly to the Spital Brewery, and you can find the entry on the left side after leaving the bridge. Their beer garden is turned into a cozy Christmas market every year and is still considered a hidden gem. (Most tourists never cross the bridge all the way to the other side)
Here you can enjoy the view of the city and the Danube river with mulled wine and great food in the courtyard. The ambiance is cozy and charming – especially when you can watch and pet the fluffy sheep in the back. Since the market is on the brewery grounds, you can also access their public toilets.
There are a lot of culinary offers on this Christmas market. My favorites are the Schupfnudeln and Churros. If you have already had a couple cups of hot spiced wine and are looking for a change, you can switch to “Glüh-Gin” or “Feuerzangenbowle” here.
The campfire warms you from the outside, the mulled wine from the inside 😉
opening hours
5 | Christmas at Dörnbergpark
This small market is trendy among families with children. How so? They have cute alpacas that will brighten up even the coldest winter day. This Regensburg Christmas market is only open a few days a week and is, therefore, a bit smaller and cozier.
Of course, you will also find market stalls selling all kinds of food and drinks, so you and your family can get crêpes, sausages, and mulled wine.
opening hours
(from Dec 18th, the market also opens Monday – Friday :))
Other things to do in Regensburg during the Christmas season
In Regensburg, you can experience great things all year round, which is why I don’t recommend a specific season for visiting the UNESCO World Heritage City every season. However, in addition to all the activities that are available to you all year round, I can recommend the following specialties in the winter season:
Is visiting Regensburg Christmas Markets worth it?
Christmas markets in Europe are of worldwide interest. Who doesn’t dream of sipping a mulled wine in front of the fascinating backdrop in snowy Colmar or at the world-famous Nuremberg Christmas market?
In my opinion, Regensburg’s Christmas markets are an excellent address for a visit over the holiday season. In addition, you will find small Christmas market booths all over the city, so you can find another favorite spot apart from the main Regensburg Christmas markets. The town offers possibilities for every taste: Whether small and charming or pompous, like Thurn und Taxis Castle.
I particularly like the romantic Christmas market in Thurn and Taxis. Although admission is expensive (especially on weekends), it is still worth visiting the market. The atmosphere is just magical.
Hotels in Regensburg
Hotel Bischofshof am Dom*
Hotel am Peterstor*
Hotel der Patrizier*
Hotel Orphée*
I hope you spend a wonderful Christmas time in Regensburg and enjoy the ambiance of this season in my hometown. If you visit Regensburg for a few more days, you will find even more inspiration for your stay in my Regensburg guide.
By the way: not far from Regensburg, you will also find the famous Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt (aka the german Christmas market capital). If you spend more time in Regensburg, consider putting a day trip to Nuremberg or other surrounding Christmas markets on your list.
As always, stay happy and healthy!
See you soon,
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