The Baden-Baden, Germany Christmas market makes a picturesque place even more so during the holiday season. Nestled at the edge of the Black Forest, Baden-Baden is perhaps best known as a spa town thanks to its natural thermal baths, but after visiting in November 2024, I found the Christmas markets to be worth writing about, too. (Sidebar: Germany has so many Christmas markets!) (1)
Baden-Baden makes a great day trip from Strasbourg and is a worthy addition to any Christmas market itinerary. Since we live in Strasbourg, we drove, but there are multiple ways of getting to this chic little German city.
Getting to Baden-Baden from Strasbourg
Strasbourg and Baden-Baden are about 37 miles (60 kilometers) apart and well-connected by train and car. Below are two of the most common ways to get to Baden-Baden from Strasbourg:
- Train: The most convenient option is taking the train from Strasbourg to Baden-Baden, which takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour. Trains run frequently, so you can plan a flexible schedule. From Baden-Baden’s train station, a short bus ride or taxi will take you directly to the city center and the markets.
- Car: If you’re a fan of German autobahns (highways), the journey is quick and easy, taking around 45 minutes via the A5 motorway. Parking is available in several locations near the city center, though spots can fill up quickly during the holiday season. If you’re driving, plan to arrive before lunch. On our trip, we found a parking right by the Caracalla Spa and spent a half-day in the thermal baths. From the spa, it’s about a 10-minute walk into the city center.
Baden-Baden Christmas Markets 2024 Dates
The Baden-Baden, Germany Christmas market will run from November 21, 2024, until January 6, 2025.
Are the Baden-Baden Christmas Markets Worth Visiting?
If you’re looking for a “Black Forest Germany Christmas market,” Baden-Baden should definitely be on your list.
Baden-Baden’s Christmas markets, or Christkindelsmarkt, are held in the town’s beautiful Kurhaus Colonnade and spill over into the Lichtentaler Allee Park. The setting is straight out of a winter fairy tale, with twinkling lights, wooden chalets, and the scent of mulled wine wafting through the crisp winter air.
Below are just a few highlights of the Baden-Baden market that make it worth visiting during the holiday season.
The Kurhaus Colonnade: A Grand Entrance
Begin your market experience at the iconic Kurhaus, a historic spa and casino building that serves as the market’s centerpiece. This area is adorned with festive lights and elegant decorations that exude old-world charm. Artisans working the market offer handcrafted gifts, ornaments, and regional delicacies like Black Forest ham and lebkuchen (gingerbread).
We entered the market via the Trinkhalle Pump House, which has a lovely walkway curving around a small garden landscaped into the middle of two adjoining paths. As we entered, there was what I think of as a “classically beautiful” Christmas tree awaiting us at the top of the small staircase you climb to enter the building.
Indulging in Delicious German Food (Fair Warning: It’s Heavy Stuff.)
One of the best parts of any Christmas market is the food, and Baden-Baden does not disappoint.
Warm up with a cup of glühwein (mulled wine) or non-alcoholic kinderpunsch, a favorite among families. For a hearty snack, try flädlesuppe (German pancake soup), sausages fresh off the grill, or flammkuchen, the local name for what’s called “tarte flambée” in Alsace.
For dessert, local favorites include roasted chestnuts, apple fritters, or waffles dusted with powdered sugar. Don’t miss the stalls offering schneeballen, sweet fried dough balls dusted with sugar or dipped in chocolate—a specialty from the nearby town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Personally, we enjoyed fresh coconut macaron (called “Kokosmakronen” in Germany and “rocher au coco” in France) and purchased a small box of chocolate truffles.
Artisan Crafts
Baden-Baden’s market is an excellent place to shop for unique holiday gifts. Local artisans display beautifully crafted items such as woodcarvings, ceramics, and candles. Additionally, vendors also sell traditional Christmas decorations, including hand-blown glass ornaments and intricately carved nativity scenes.
These keepsakes make wonderful souvenirs or gifts to send home to family and friends in the U.S., but be sure to consider how you’ll transport them safely to their final destination.
Also, remember to bring cash and a reusable bag so that you can easily transport your purchase(s) as you continue exploring the market. Few things are a bigger buzzkill than not having your hands free in a new and exciting place because you’re holding onto a fragile box or bag.
Planning a Christmas Market Day Trip to Baden-Baden
While the Christmas markets are the main draw during the holiday season, Baden-Baden has plenty more to offer. If you have extra time, consider exploring these attractions:
Caracalla Spa
These heated indoor and outdoor pools are especially pleasant during winter, offering relaxation with a view of the (usually) snowy Black Forest. If you’re feeling especially bold, there are even naked spas where you can partake in the unique experience of sweating in your birthday suit in public – with absolutely no weird vibes.
Personally, we opted to do the spas first and then explore the markets. I wish we would have arrived a little earlier since the baths really start to fill up around noon, but I wouldn’t change the order of events.
Lichtentaler Allee
Take a winter stroll along this famous parkway, which is beautifully lit during the holidays. The pathway connects the Kurhaus area to the town’s monastery, offering serene views of the festive decorations.
Friedrichsbad
For a historical and luxurious spa experience, visit this 19th-century Roman-Irish bathhouse. It’s a perfect way to escape the cold and treat yourself to a nice experience.
Travel Tips for Visiting Baden-Baden During the Holidays
For all the chatter about how crowded these markets can get, don’t let that drown out the fact that they also get cold! Advance planning around what you’re going to wear and when you’ll take strategic indoor breaks to warm up is highly advisable to ensure you don’t become cranky and cold.
1. Pack Warm Layers
Baden-Baden can be chilly in December, with temperatures often dipping below freezing. Dress in warm layers, and don’t forget warm gloves and a hat, as much of the market experience is outdoors. Also, the French influence won’t let me finish this section without also calling for everyone to wear a big warm winter scarf.
2. Cash is King in Germany
I mentioned this earlier, but I’ll reiterate here in more dramatic fashion: I always feel like I’m starring in some weird 90s film when I cross the border. In France, you can pay by debit or credit card for pretty much everything, and it’s tap and go, too. In Germany, so many places are cash only. It’s exasperating, but manageable if you know what to expect. Make sure to take out cash ahead of time and safely store it throughout the trip.
Also, I also recommend creating a Wise account so that you can get one of their debit cards and safely/easily withdraw money from ATMs without getting slammed with fees associated with using U.S. cards at ATMs.
Related reading: My Favorite Travel Credit Cards (Based on Personal Experience!)
3. Combine It with Strasbourg’s Markets
Combining the bustling, large-scale Strasbourg Christmas Market with Baden-Baden’s more intimate, elegant vibe creates a perfect holiday experience. Spend one day enjoying Strasbourg’s markets at Place Kléber and Petite France, and dedicate another to Baden-Baden for a quieter outing.
4. Take Advantage of the Regional Flair
Being in Alsace means you’re in a unique position to enjoy a blend of French and German holiday traditions. Despite being less than an hour from one another, the two places often have completely different names for similar or even identical foods.
Why Baden-Baden Should Be on Your Holiday Itinerary
For those living and travelers in the Strasbourg area, Baden-Baden’s Christmas markets provide a delightful contrast to the French markets. The town’s unique charm, combined with its proximity to Strasbourg, makes it an accessible and rewarding day trip during the holiday season.
