Ready for the next stop on our German Christmas Market road trip? After Nuremberg we jumped in the car and Christine raced us up to the Dresden Christmas Markets which were high on my list as I’ve wanted to visit Dresden for ages plus I’d heard that a lot of the traditional German Christmas Smokers and Nutcrackers are actually made in this area. This Christmas Market dates back to 1434 so I knew this was going to be a great market to visit and I wasn’t disappointed.
Jumping on the tram in the direction of the Old Town we stumbled across our first little Christmas Market at Albertplatz prior to even reaching the Old Town and Christine fell in love with a rather large German Smoker and his reindeer (which was purchased!). This market was more focussed towards the locals whom were buying smoked meats, cheeses, sausages and that all important Gluhwein.
After a little bit of walking we hit the bridge to cross the Elbe and strolled into the Old Town and that’s where all the Christmas Market magic really started – there were little markets scattered in the squares and ONE rather large one that we had to revisit the following morning as it was super packed (shoulder to shoulder after 3pm!).
Walking through the smaller market we stumbled into the big guy!
The following morning we had decided to head back to the largest Christmas Market of them all at Altmarkt Square and wander around lusting over all those hot little German Smokers…
…and to see the worlds largest Pyramid…
My nose will grow this big if I told you that I didn’t enjoy this hot chocolate but I had to find it under all that cream first…
My very first Christmas Market that I visited was in Hamburg and I loved it as they had toy trains running between the stalls and Dresden didn’t disappoint with it’s cuteness factor (I need to make a youtube video to show you all I think!)
There was plenty of food on offer but once again if you’re gluten free you would be stuck with only a good portion of hot chips with a tonne of mayo or chocolate covered fruit!
The beautiful merry go round and the dreaded ferris wheel added a good deal of old world charm to the christmas market
There is a viewing platform so you can overlook the Christmas Market and I just get giddy looking at the photos even now (I’m addicted to Christmas folks – I blame my mum and nana)
I loved loved loved the Christmas Markets in Dresden; they were traditional, fun and sometimes darn right quirky like this cute little Medieval Market that we stumbled upon. I really should have bought those watermelon slippers…darn it (next year)!
It’s entirely possible that you could suffer Christmas Market fatigue (a week visiting them daily and I didn’t even get a tingle of fatigue) or if the crowds get slightly overwhelming (which happens) then choosing a city that offers more than just the Christmas Markets is important and Dresden has lots to offer every visitor…
…visit Frauenkirche – the church was rebuilt in the 1990’s after it was destroyed during WW2 bombings in February 1945 (free entry but donations are requested)
…or visit the Royal Palace and the famous Green Rooms where we spent a good 2.5 hours exploring the displays including a number of beautiful jewels that will blind you from all that sparkling! No photos or belongings are allowed inside and you are forced to put everything in the lockers (I found the staff at the Royal Palace to be a bit rude to be honest – ticket prices for both exhibitions costs 21 euros)
There is so much to do and explore in Dresden and we didn’t even scratch the surface. I’m going to make a big call and say that I enjoyed visiting Dresden much more than Berlin – Dresden is kinda how I expected Berlin to be.
Some tips if visiting the Dresden Christmas Markets
- The trams are really easy to use and cost 2.2o euros for a ticket each way to the Old Town, most trams will take you to the Old Town
- The Old Town is totally walkable however flat walking shoes are a must as it’s cobble stone streets
- Avoid the Christmas Markets on the weekends when they’re super busy or late in the evenings as the locals come to the markets to socialise and it’s bumper to bumper with Gluhwein thirsty locals
- If looking for more information on the Dresden Christmas Markets then check out these websites here and here
- Dresden has an international airport however there aren’t too many direct flights to the city at the moment from the UK however I think that will change as I can see Dresden becoming a huge city break destination in the next few years – check out skyscanner for flights.
- We stayed at this apartment (as we needed space and had a car – not ideal if staying at a hotel in the Old Town) and it was lovely however when I return (and I will as I want to explore Dresden during the summer months as I loved the city so much) I will be checking into this Starwood property, the Westin Bellevue.
- If you’re looking for some travel tips for the German Christmas Markets then check out this post!
So what is your favourite Christmas Market? Have you visited Dresden, what did you think of the city?
xx
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