How to Christmas-Market Like a Local: Sip, Snack, Shop, Repeat

Christmas markets in Austria and Germany are a feast for the senses, from steaming mugs of Glühwein and sizzling bratwurst to handmade ornaments, spiced gingerbread, and festive traditions. On Boundless Journeys’ Germany & Austria: Christmas Markets and Winter Traditions, we explore six distinctive Christmas markets starting in the Mozart’s Salzburg including Hellbrunn Palace, Berchtesgaden, Kufstein, Lindau and Bregenz. 

Baroque squares come aglow as brass bands and church bells compete for attention, and the scents of cinnamon, cloves, and roasting almonds fill the frosty air. Each market has its own distinct personality, but all of the temptations are wonderfully familiar: sip something warm, sample local specialties, browse handcrafted gifts, and soak up the magic of the season. 

Here’s how to Christmas-Market like a local

First, take a lap.

Rule number one: don’t buy the first wooden angel you see. Shop around and pace yourself. We’ve got six Christmas markets to explore! 

Wander the stalls, compare the offerings, and watch artisans at work. Salzburg’s grand cathedral-square market is wonderful for Christmas music drifting down from the surrounding towers, while Berchtesgaden celebrates centuries-old wood and leather crafts. Kufstein adds Tyrolean traditions to the list, and Lindau’s harbor festival adds a nautical flair with a Christmas cruise across Lake Constance. 

Look for locally-made goods rather than mass-produced souvenirs made in China. And carry cash. While many vendors accept cards, food stalls (especially) prefer euros. 

Mind Your Market Manners 

A little know-how goes a long way. At food stalls, order at the counter, pay, and step aside so the next hungry customer can squeeze in. And about those tall standing tables? They are communal, so don’t be shy about sharing one with strangers. It’s part of the fun. Other than in a beer garden, this is a rare moment when Germans are their most laid-back. 

Remember the Pfand (deposit) system: return your Glühwein mug to reclaim your money, or keep it as a souvenir. Don’t haggle over prices; Christmas markets aren’t flea markets, and handmade crafts have fixed prices. Ask before photographing artisans or their work, and remember that a friendly Grüß Gott (hello) and Danke (thank you) are always appreciated.

And one final tip: don’t rush around like an American. Locals come to Christmas markets to catch up with friends, enjoy the atmosphere, and savor the season—moving slowly is encouraged. 

Get Warm: Glühwein, Punsch & Jagertee 

Cold fingers? There’s a mug for that. 

Glühwein is the undisputed king of Christmas market drinks: red wine gently heated with cinnamon, cloves, citrus, and sugar. Austria’s fruity Punsch comes in numerous varieties, while Jagertee, a potent blend of black tea, rum, schnapps, and spices, is guaranteed to put some cheer in your cheeks. Prefer something alcohol-free? Order Kinderpunsch, a spiced fruit punch. 

Go Savory: Salt, Smoke & Sausage 

Forget the restaurant reservation. Tonight, dinner is served from a wooden hut. 

Start with a sizzling Bratwurst tucked into a crusty roll with a generous dollop of mustard. In Austria, try a Käsekrainer, a smoky sausage stuffed with little pockets of melted cheese. A giant, salt-crusted pretzel makes an excellent walking snack, while Tyrolean pan-fried cheese dumplings are particularly satisfying on brisk evenings. 

In Berchtesgaden, keep an eye out for hearty Bavarian specialties like smoked sausages and mountain cheeses. Whatever you choose, arrive hungry. Christmas market grazing is a legitimate dining strategy. 

The Sweeter Side: Gingerbread Man and Friends

Now for the difficult decisions. 

Germany’s richly spiced gingerbread comes glazed, chocolate-covered, or decorated with cheerful messages. Vanillekipferl are delicate, crescent-shaped vanilla cookies dusted with sugar. Stollen is a dense fruit-and-nut Christmas bread that hides a ribbon of marzipan beneath its snowy coating. And there’s others like chimney cake and apple strudel. A German Christmas market is pure heaven for a sweet-tooth. 

Lest we forget the irresistible scent of gebrannte Mandeln, almonds roasted in caramelized sugar, tumbling from copper pans into paper cones. And should you catch a whiff of fried dough served with powdered sugar or jam—don’t walk past. 

Some treats are best eaten warm, standing beneath the Christmas lights, while others deserve a place in your suitcase. 

Smart Christmas-Market Shopping: Gifts that Travel Well 

The best Christmas market souvenirs aren’t the biggest. 

Look for hand-carved wooden ornaments, small nativity figures, beeswax candles, felt decorations, wool socks, and locally crafted ceramics. Berchtesgaden’s traditional woodcraft is especially distinctive, while Salzburg offers everything from delicate ornaments to beautifully packaged seasonal sweets. 

For edible gifts, choose commercially packaged Lebkuchen, Stollen, chocolates, tea, and spice blends. They’re relatively easy to pack and generally travel well. 

Less practical? Oversized glass decorations, fragile pottery, fresh pastries, and anything requiring refrigeration. Sausages and other meat products are subject to strict U.S. import restrictions, so enjoy those at the market instead unless their vacuum-wrapped.  

And bring an extra bag. A lightweight, packable backpack or duffel takes up almost no space on the outbound journey and gives you room for unexpected treasures. Just check your airline’s baggage allowance before going wild. 

Can vendors ship purchases to the United States? Some can, particularly established artisans with online shops, but international shipping isn’t universal. Ask about delivery costs, customs paperwork, and packaging before purchasing anything large or fragile. 

Tempted to pack a bottle of Glühwein? Leave it behind. It’s heavy, breakable, and wonderfully easy to make yourself at home. 

How to Make Your Own Glühwein 

Serves 4–6 

1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (Zweigelt or Merlot) 

1 orange, sliced 

2 cinnamon sticks

5 whole cloves 

2 star anise 

2–3 tablespoons sugar or honey, to taste 

Optional: a splash of dark rum or brandy 

Combine everything in a saucepan and warm gently over low heat for 20–25 minutes. Don’t let it boil. Strain into mugs, garnish with an orange slice, and enjoy. 

Better yet, serve it in the souvenir mug you brought home from Salzburg, Berchtesgaden, Kufstein, Lindau or Bregenz. 

One Last Local Secret 

Christmas markets aren’t just about shopping. They’re about meeting friends after work, warming your hands around a steaming mug and lingering over something truly delicious. It’s all about enjoying the season to the fullest and forgetting clocks were ever invented. 

And remember: Sometimes the best Christmas market moment is simply standing beneath the lights, Glühwein in hand, thinking you might need another gingerbread cookie. 

Of course you do! 

Experience the traditions firsthand on Boundless Journeys’ Germany & Austria: Christmas Markets and Winter Traditions winter walking and shopping adventure. 

About the Author: Kristin is a former European tour leader who now develops new walking, hiking, and cultural journeys for Boundless Journeys.