by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:12th December 2023
Yuletide Fun in West Germany
Yay, it’s that time of year again, and our festive spirits will be topped up by visiting the enchanting Christmas markets in the historic city of Trier in West Germany.
Trier was the first destination on our 2023 German Christmas Market road trip, followed by the wine city of Koblenz, nestled along the rivers of Moselle and the Rhine. Then we headed on to the cathedral city of Cologne for more Yuletide fun.
Our Christmas Market road trip adventures always begin from Le Shuttle in Calais; we chose to drive via Luxembourg, which was around 289 miles (466km).
We had 2 nights to explore the ancient city of Trier and our hotel, the Mercure Porta Nigra with underground parking, was perfectly located opposite the Roman city gate.
Why not Pin it for later?
If you’re looking to combine a historical city break with your Yuletide market adventure, then Trier is perfect for you.
So, all checked in, and it was time to discover Trier’s delights.
Where is Trier?
Have a peek at the latest offers from Booking.com, our preferred hotel booking website.
Booking.com
Alternatively, it’s so easy to visit Trier on a road trip. Rental Cars searches multiple well-known car hire brands and discovers the deals that suit you the best.
If you’re venturing from the UK, jump on Le Shuttle and tour Germany under your own steam.
Discover Trier at Christmas time
A treat along the Moselle RiverAs soon as Gary and I strolled out of our hotel and walked beneath the ancient Roman city gate, we knew Trier was going to be an instant hit for us.
Porta Nigra
Trier felt so welcoming; we ambled along Simeonstrasse, passing under the glistening festive street decorations and admiring the charming architecture as we went. Just up ahead, we could see the magical rotating Christmas pyramid above the traditional Käthe Wohlfahrt cabin. Instantly, there was a yuletide feel upon us.
Käthe Wohlfahrt has some incredible Christmas decorations for your home; I urge you to step inside and indulge; the nutcrackers and smokers are delightful, and we have a few to brighten up our home. This year, we curbed ourselves and just bought a couple of baubles.
Christmas pyramid in Trier
Watching the huge revolving pyramid always makes me smile; you instantly know you’ve arrived at a Christmas market in Germany. As we ambled closer, the sweet aroma of sticky sugar-coated nuts and the spicy fragrance of glühwein were irresistible.
Sugar-coated nuts for sale
It was time to explore.
Christmas Market Visitor Information
For a bit more information on Trier’s Christmas market, visit the Trier Weihnachts Markt website. You’ll find some extremely useful tips and fun facts regarding the Christmas market.
Exploring Trier’s Christmas markets
Woven amongst the historic squaresAt Christmas time, Trier’s pedestrian Old City is transformed into a fairy-tale location for the young and old.
The Medieval Main Market square is surrounded by stunning pastel-coloured, gabled, timber-framed buildings. During the festive season, they are aglow with twinkling lights and yuletide cabins.
The Hauptmarkt transformed for Christmas
The Hauptmarkt is the perfect backdrop for the Trierer Weihnachts Markt; however, as you take a short skip along the pedestrian Sternstrasse, you arrive at Cathedral Square. This enchanting market, with the Dom as the star of the show, will bring a smile to your face.
Trier Cathedral and Christmas Market
In Trier’s Cathedral Square, you can enjoy the dulcet tones of a singing moose above a glühwein cabin, the choral notes of a live concert and the beautiful carousel with leaping Christmas ponies.
Live performances below Trier Dom
After strolling around Trier’s Old Town for a little while Gary, and I both agreed that Trier is a perfect size for an introduction to your first German Christmas market.
Or if you wanted a location that wasn’t too tiring on your feet, as the main markets are adjacent to each other.
Where to stay in Trier at Christmas
Mercure Porta Nigra
Our accommodation for the two nights in Trier was in the Mercure Porta Nigra; this hotel was in a perfect location, overlooking the ancient Porta Nigra. The Old Town and Trier’s Christmas market was just a short hop away.
The hotel had an on-site car park, and a daily charge was applied.
Visiting Trier’s Weihnachts Markt
As dusk descendsTrier’s Christmas Market is delightful to visit during the day; however, it’s when dusk descends, the festive cabins are twinkling, the Christmas tunes are playing, and the bratwurst and glühwein are flowing, when the yuletide fun truly comes alive.
Christmas in Trier Hauptmarkt
Trier’s Christmas market in Hauptmarkt is in a beautiful location. The festive huts are nestled all around the historic Marktkreuz, which is mounted on a granite Roman column and nearby is the charming fountain, Petrusbrunnen.
While exploring the Christmas stalls, ensure you keep looking up at the picturesque and historic architecture; it’s exquisite here.
Marktkreuz in Trier
Bratwurst for all
Come rain or shine, there are plenty of gifts to be found within Trier’s Christmas Market; whether it’s a present for friends and family or even a sneaky gift for yourself, there is so much to choose from.
Exploring Trier Christmas market
The Yuletide stalls not only sell festive decorations, but you’ll find woolly hats and scarves, scented candles, sweet treats, cheeses, handbags, and children’s toys, to name just a few.
I love nothing more than planning a trip and so often I use the DK Eyewitness books. I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our Germany road trips, now you can grab the revised copy.
Christmas market at Trier’s Dom
Enjoy a hot Apple WineBoth Christmas markets in Trier were enchanting to explore; however, I especially loved the stalls and the atmosphere around the market by Trier’s stunning cathedral.
Enjoy a glühwein with a singing moose
As the Christmas carousel spins and children’s laughter builds into a crescendo, the stage is ready for its next live act, and the glühwein cabins are overflowing. What more do you want from a German Christmas Market? Ahh yes, a singing moose.
Hot mulled apple wine
While in Trier, we had no choice but to try the local glühwein. It’s a tough job, but someone had to do it. The local glühwein was a hot mulled Viez, an Apple Wine; it was delicious; we always like to try the local tipples, and they often add a different twist on a traditional glühwein.
The charming stalls at Trier’s Cathedral Square
Trier is like many of Germany’s Christmas Markets in that they cater for all ages; I think adults enjoy the festivities more than children. There are always groups of young and old laughing and joking and exchanging fun stories while enjoying a glühwein.
Trier had such a charming mixture of stalls. As a memento of our visit, I bought a new Christmas decoration and picked up a Trier mug.
If you love taking to the ice, grab a pair of ice skates and visit the delightful ice rink in the Kornmarkt. We love standing by the rink’s edge and participating in people-watching; it is always great fun, and everyone enjoys themselves.
Just a few points to note;
- You need to book accommodation as soon as possible; these Christmas markets are very popular.
- Although all the German Christmas markets are fantastic to visit during the day, they really come alive in the evenings, don’t miss it.
- Be aware these markets become extremely busy at the weekends, particularly in the evenings. Children may feel a bit swamped with the crowds.
- Dress warm and comfortable.
- Germany’s Christmas markets are really for all ages; don’t be put off that it is all for children, it really isn’t. We are all big kids at heart.
Tourist Information
If you’re tempted to visit Trier, the local tourist office provides some extremely useful information and handy pointers for around the city.
If you’re looking to visit other Christmas markets in Germany, take a peek at our posts on Aachen, Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Münster, Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and Stuttgart.
Trier, exploring Germany’s oldest city
Rich in Roman historyThe city of Trier is located along the banks of the Moselle River. It is in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany, which is renowned for its wine. During this Christmas market road trip, we toured along the Moselle River wine route when we headed onto Koblenz.
It was beautiful scenery all along the Moselle River, with vineyards climbing high into the hills, it would be stunning during the summer months.
Roman Bridge in Trier
Not only is Trier celebrated for its wine, it also has an extraordinary number of Roman sites to explore, from the Aula Palatina Roman Basilica to the ruins of the Imperial Baths, amphitheatre, and the Roman Bridge.
All of these ancient monuments were inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trier’s monuments in 1986, along with its magnificent Romanesque Trier Cathedral.
Aula Palatina Roman Basilica
The Aula Palatina Roman Basilica was constructed on the order of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great around AD 310 and is now known as the ‘Basilica of Constantine’. It’s an incredibly unusual-looking basilica that once formed part of the Roman Emperor’s palace.
The Porta Nigra the ‘Black Gate’ was erected by the Romans in AD 170. This magnificent gate is the last remaining of the four gates that once encircled Trier along with the city walls.
Inside the Porta Nigra
The Porta Nigra has been restored over the centuries and is now considered to be the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps.
Trier Roman Amphitheatre
Trier played an important role in Roman history and is considered Germany’s oldest city. Along with the Porta Nigra another significant Roman ruin is Trier’s Roman amphitheatre.
Trier amphitheatre was dug into the side of a hill around the 2nd century AD. It was built to hold approximately 20,000 spectators, who would watch gruesome events unfold below.
Barbara Baths, Trier
Trier is overflowing with Roman history; along the Moselle River is its ancient Roman Bridge, and short hop east are the Barbara Baths, and a little beyond are the Imperial Baths.
The Barbara Baths can be accessed for free, and you can stroll across an elevated walkway to imagine the magnificent spectacle of Roman times. The Barbara Baths were once the largest bath complex in the Roman Empire outside of Rome.
Very little of the complex remains today; however, let your imagination run wild to envisage how the spectacular bathing temple would once have looked.
Imperial Baths, Trier
The other Roman baths in Trier are the Imperial Baths, which were constructed in the early 4th century during the reign of Constantine the Great. These imposing baths were built around hot water pools, which would have reached 40 degrees Celsius.
Inside Trier Cathedral
Returning to Trier’s Altstadt, visit the oldest church in Germany, Trier Cathedral. This magnificent church with a Christmas market at its feet has an incredible mix of ancient styles and architecture.
Discovering more of Trier
A city with so much to offerOne famous son of Trier is Karl Marx, who was born in the city in 1818 when Trier was part of the Kingdom of Prussia. Karl Marx became a famous German philosopher and one of the founders of Marxism.
Karl Marx statue
Plaque on Karl Marx’s House
Marx’s ideas significantly impacted world politics and continues a considerable amount of debate today. Karl Marx died in London in 1883 and is buried in a prominent tomb in Highgate Cemetery.
House of the Three Magi
Judengasse ‘Jew’s Alley’
The ancient city of Trier has so much to offer a visitor all year around, there are some wonderful pieces of architecture and history dotted throughout the city. Along Simeonstrasse you’ll spot the House of the Three Magi (Dreikoenigenhaus) built around 1230, and is so unusual, it’s beautiful.
Just a short stroll further up Simeonstrasse you’ll notice the narrow passageway of Judengasse. This walkway along Jew’s Alley was built around 1219 and leads to the Jewish Quarter of Trier.
The Steipe in Hauptmarkt
The Red House in Hauptmarkt
Within the medieval square of Hauptmarkt, keep a look out for the Steipe House and the adjacent Red House. These two magnificent buildings have been lovingly restored, particularly the Steipe House, which was extensively damaged during WWII.
Lowen-Apotheke
On the other side of Hauptmarkt is Lowen-Apotheke, Germany’s oldest pharmacy. If you continue to stroll further southeast in Trier city, you’ll spot the dusty pink grand Electoral Palace and gardens, which were constructed during the 16th-century.
Electoral Palace
The Electoral Palace was erected next to the historic Roman Basilica of Constantine. It was used by the Archbishops of Trier from the 16th-century through to the late 18th-century.
Trier is a fascinating city to visit all year around; however, at Christmas time you have the additional fun of the festive markets.
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