Sure, sure, traveling in the winter has its downfalls. It’s cold. The weather is unpredictable. Events get cancelled. Flights get delayed. And did I mention, it’s cold! If you can get past this minor detail, you can enjoy all Germany has to offer its winter visitors. Here are 11 reasons why you should ignore the cold, and visit Germany in the winter.
Germany is deservedly famous for its Christmas Markets. From the end of November through Christmas Day, you can discover the best of Germany’s Christmas Markets. Large cities and small villages alike, celebrate Christmas in a grand way in Germany. Christmas markets boast twinkling lights, wooden cabins, sweet treats, mulled wine, live music, traditional dancing, cold beer, hand crafted goods, and plenty of Christmas swag. Visiting Germany in the winter but missed the Christmas market season? Don’t worry quite yet! There are plenty of winter markets in January for those of us who missed out on the real deal.
There’s no better way to ring in winter than with a warm mug of glühwein between your palms. Glühwein is famous at the Christmas markets and along the streets of Germany in the winter months. As soon as the temperature dips, the glühwein is brewed. Glühwein is a mulled red wine that is served warm with a delectable blend of spices. You can sip glühwein on its own, or add a shot of rum or whiskey to skyrocket it’s warming effect.
New Year’s Eve in Germany is the most absurd party of the year. Forget Oktoberfest, go to Germany for New Year’s Eve. Just before midnight, the bars empty, and Germans take to the streets. Hundreds of thousands of people line the roads armed with fireworks and explosives. At the stroke of 12, fireworks are lit in every direction and a cloud of smoke engulfs the city. Truth be told, this is the most unsafe party of the year. Forget drinking too much, how about getting shot in the eye with a SkyRocket2000?
One of the perks of visiting Germany in the winter is fewer crowds. Unfortunately, most tourist sites are still packed with those brave enough to bear the cold. Munich’s, Englischer Garten, is one tourist site where you can easily escape the packs. This is the largest park in Munich. The Englischer Garten is the perfect place to build a snowman, go for a run, visit a beer garden, or even sip a glühwein from their very own Christmas Market.
The Brother Grimm fairy tales were inspired by this picturesque region of Germany. The mountainous evergreen terrain is blanketed in snow from November through March. Germany in the winter is any winter sport lovers paradise. Alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, sledding, hiking, and tobogganing are all available in the Black Forest.
Baden Baden is one of the world’s greatest spa towns. The name Baden Baden literally means “bath bath”. It’s so important, they had to say it twice! During the winter, the spas are a popular weekend retreat for Germans, French, and tourists. The springs in Baden Baden have been precious to humans since Roman times. The curative spring water is high in salt and other minerals believed to help maintain and promote wellness. In addition to the health benefits, the spa is a fantastic place to relax, meditate, and warm your senses. Just be ready to get naked! No clothes or swimsuits are allowed. 🙂
It is cold in Germany in the winter. After wandering the streets for only a few minutes you begin to lose sensation in your toes and fingertips. Shortly, you find yourself craving a warm slice of cake and a hot chocolate to nuke your shivering soul. Luckily, there are plenty of cozy cafes in Germany. Some sport a modern and elegant design while others are traditional and German at heart. Rest assured, there is a cafe for everyone in Germany.
What’s one to do when the beer gardens close up shop for winter? Why enter the beer halls of course. Traditional German Beer Halls are most popular in Munich and the rest of Bavaria. The Augustiner Bräustuben is a bit off the beaten tourist track and an excellent choice for an authentic experience in Munich. Augustiner’s has cheap food, great beer, and a rowdy crowd. Best part, it’s so toasty inside, you forget you are visiting Germany in the winter!
Germany is known for serving hearty and rich foods year round. The best time to try them is of course, winter. It is a lot easier to hide the damage when you have permission to wear a puffy coat and a blanket scarf everywhere you go. Some of the best winter eats include Bratwurst (German sausage), Gans (Roast goose), Kartoffelpuffer (Potato pancakes with apple sauce), Schnitzel (Breaded meat) , Spätzle (German macaroni and cheese), and Goulash (German stew).
German castles are nothing less than enchanting during the winter season. Your Disney princess fantasies will come to life as you tour the majestic castles. You will truly understand why Walt Disney was so inspired by Germany, its castles, and its landscapes. The most visited castle in Germany is Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.
Germany is a winter wonderland. Let’s face it, everything is prettier blanketed in white. Instead of yellowing on the sides of the streets and browning beneath your feet, the snow in Germany somehow remains a virgin white throughout the season. The glistening snow always seems to be perfect for building snowmen, sledding, and skiing. There is none of the icy sleet we dread back in the states.
Have you visited a chilly country in the winter? What did you think of winter travel?
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