Tübingen, Germany, is one of the cutest Christmas markets we visited during our two-month tour, which took Caleb and me to over 50 marketplaces throughout Europe! It was the most easygoing and authentic market, with some of the cheapest mulled wine.
Priorities, right?
In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to decide whether you should go, how to spend your time, and some personal advice to ensure you have the best, most authentic experience!
✔️ Quick Information:
📅 Opening dates: The market will be open during the third week of Advent, December 13, 14, and 15, 2024.
⏰ The best time to go is when it opens, at 10 a.m.
🏨 Stay in Stuttgart and take a day trip to Tubingen.
💴 Payment: We discovered many cash-only stalls, so carry Euros in case.
What to Expect and Know When Choosing To Visit or Not
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth planning a Christmas market trip to Tübingen (because it’s only open one weekend a year!), here’s what we think you should know and consider:
The Good: Visit Tübingen If You Want Authenticity
If you’re seeking for a truly local and feeling market, Tübingen is the most real city in Europe. When people remark that wandering about Tübingen around Christmas feels like being in a snow globe, they aren’t kidding! It’s such a lovely, charming bazaar!
The market, unlike most other Christmas markets in Europe, isn’t centered on Christmas-themed, mass-produced, made-in-China nutcrackers that your mulled-wine-soaked brain believes you need (but you don’t). Tubingen is a fairy-tale town that is particularly environmentally friendly, and the local feel of its market adds to the whole atmosphere!
Almost everything we saw was handcrafted by local artisans, which is why this market only exists for one weekend each year. The goal is not to commercialize Christmas, but to enable locals to market their items. This makes it different from other markets and is one of the reasons we believe it’s worth your time!
The market also includes a farmers’ market in the morning where you may buy fruits, vegetables, and baked items. So, if you want to experience the authentic culture and ambiance of a local village, this is the market for you!
The colorful, half-timbered wooden cottages provide a charming backdrop for wandering throughout the market streets.
The Bad: Do Not Visit Tübingen If You Want A “Classic” Christmas Market
If you want the “classic” Christmas market experience with large, wooden mulled wine huts, Christmas pyramids, pricey sausages, and a billion different snacks and drinks…
Tübingen is not for you. Please stay in Stuttgart.
We like that Tübingen does not feel this way, but if that is what you’re searching for, you’d most likely consider this a “bad” thing.
We should also remark that, while it’s adorable, it lacks some of the “festive feeling” that other markets have due to its authenticity. It isn’t as festively adorned for Christmas as other markets, and the stalls are plain white tents rather than attractive wooden stalls.
It also gets very busy in the evenings because it is only open for one weekend a year. You may avoid this somewhat by arriving early, as we did, which is advice we have for *every* Christmas market.
Tübingen At Christmas is For You If…
To help you decide whether or not to visit, here are some factors that might make it worthwhile if you agree with all or most of them:
- You want a real German experience.
- You don’t mind going slower and taking your time.
- You prefer basic beauty and don’t want it to feel like a Christmas carnival or overly celebratory.
- You desire the opportunity to support local companies and purchase souvenirs or presents from local craftspeople.
Tübingen at Christmas may not be suitable for you
On the other hand, if you agree with these ideas, then skip Tübingen:
- You want to visit a lot of markets in one city.
- You want a chaotic, joyous feeling atmosphere.
- You want a variety of food and drink options with all the Christmas “bells and whistles.”
Getting to Tübingen is an easy day trip from Stuttgart
If you’ve decided to visit Tübingen’s Christmas market, we recommend doing it as a day trip from Stuttgart. The Stuttgart Christmas markets provide a terrific “big-city” market ambiance to contrast the calmer, more relaxed vibe in Tübingen. It is also in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
We rode the MEX18 train from Stuttgart Central Station to Tübingen Hauptbahnhof, which takes around an hour and has no stops – it’s straightforward!
A Guide to the Beautiful Market
When we spent the day at the Tübingen Christmas market, we strolled all around the small city and down all of the side streets because, unlike larger cities in Germany like Berlin, the market does not “congregate” in a central area.
Yes, there is a farmers market on the main market square (Marktplatz) in front of the tower clock, however, it ends early. All of the Christmas vendor tents have spread themselves out along the city streets, so make sure to walk through them all.
We ventured off of the main area and discovered the cheapest mulled wine in the CUTEST cups (see above) for $2.50, which seemed like a nice way to start the day given the holiday season, and then walked about appreciating all the local items.
The beauty of Tubignens market is that it is just about traversing the cobblestone alleyways with mulled wine in hand and munching on delectable foods like waffles, bratwurst, and almonds along the way!
I ate a lovely heart-shaped waffle with chocolate and powdered sugar. You can only have one or the other, and when I asked for both, the lady gave me an “Oh, you must be American look.” I am who I am. 🇺🇸
It’s such a pleasant and leisurely pace compared to other markets we’ve visited, such as those in Prague, so take your time and simply enjoy it. You won’t find many other markets like this!
Tips to Make Your Time Better
- Understand that the market is not held at Hohenzollern Castle
When we went, we assumed the Christmas market would be near the castle on Tübingen’s hill. But it’s not there! It’s close to town, so keep that in mind if you’re planning on heading to the Christmas Castle. We simply want to set expectations!
- Get there early
The farmers market closes between 12 pm and 1 pm, so arrive early if you want to explore it. It got REALLY busy when we left in the early evening, so, like other markets, the best time to go is in the morning or early afternoon.
If you want to organize your morning, we looked everywhere online and found that the market opened at 9 a.m., but when we arrived at 9 a.m., nothing was open! It didn’t open for us until 10 a.m., so we recommend arriving around then. If you wish to go early, we enjoyed a coffee at Celebre Italian Coffee Shop, which was delicious and spacious with plenty of seating!
- Don’t Miss the Necklar Bridge
Make your way to Necklar Bridge for the best views of the charming old town, complete with colorful half-timbered houses! It makes for an excellent photo opportunity while also being charming and romantic!
Conclusion:
The Christmas Market in Tübingen is simply magical. With its medieval elegance, dazzling lights, and festive atmosphere, it’s more than simply a market; it’s a magical Christmas getaway. Whether you’re sipping mulled wine, sampling local foods, or exploring homemade products, the market has something for everyone, surrounded by the majesty of winter and centuries-old buildings.
A visit to Tübingen during the Christmas season is more than just going to a market; it’s an experience that embodies the essence of the festive season. For those looking for a festive trip steeped in history and tradition, Tübingen’s Christmas Market is the place to create amazing holiday memories.
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