Dusseldorf in December: Dusseldorf Christmas Markets & Best Things to do

Last updated on October 3rd, 2023 at 06:26 pm

Are you looking for a European Winter getaway? Then why not explore Dusseldorf in December? It has great Christmas markets and is a magical place to be as you stroll around the city enjoying some local German treats.

Go To:

• Dusseldorf Christmas Markets
• Locations
• Route
• Activities at the Christmas markets
• Food and drink at the markets
• Other things to do in Dusseldorf
• Where to stay
• Getting around

Dusseldorf Christmas Markets

Dates: 23rd November to 30th December 2023

There are 7 different Christmas markets located in Dusseldorf, so you will not be bored. I would recommend going for 2 days so you can take in all it has to offer. However, if you are living within 2 hours, a day trip is nice too.

I took a day trip from Eindhoven which was exactly 2 hours by train and it made for a perfect day out. If you are planning the same trip, I have detailed the route and the cheapest way to get train tickets here.

Locations

Each of the locations have a unique theme and the best option is to go to them all. Here are the list of locations:

1. Schadow Markt, Schadowstraße, 40212 Düsseldorf
2. Kö-Bogen-Markt, Kö-Bogen-Tunnel, 40212 Düsseldorf
3. Märchen Markt, Schadowplatz, 40212 Düsseldorf
4. Kö-Lichter-Markt – Königsallee, 40215 Düsseldorf
5. Altstadt Markt, Flinger Straße, 40213 Düsseldorf
6. Handwerker-Markt: Weihnachtsmarkt am alten Rathaus, Marktplatz 3, 40213 Düsseldorf
7. Benrather schloßalle, 100-108,40597, Dusseldorf

Route

Assuming you are starting at Dusseldorf central station (Dusseldorf hbf), let me explain the best route to take.

Start off by going to the Schadow Markt which is a 14 minute walk from the station. Have a look around here before heading to Ko-Bogen Markt, just a 2 minute walk from Schadow Markt.

After Ko-Bogen, head towards Marchen Markt, which will take you 8 minutes to walk. Here you will find an abundance of stalls all in one square. Pick up some Christmas presents here as you choose between Christmas decorations, puzzles, jewellery and more. This market is right beside the Konigsallee. Along the Konigsallee, you will find the Ko-Lichter Markt. Stroll along the river to the end, admiring the stalls.

Just a 10 minute walk from here is the Alstadt Markt, located on a busy shopping street. When you are finished browsing this market, you will want to see the Handwerker Markt, situated in front of the city hall. Lastly, head down to the Burgplatz where you can find plenty of stalls selling nice snacks and gluhwein along a stunning old town façade.

Also, there is another Christmas market which is a 15 minutes train journey from the centre – it is located at Benrath castle. If you have time, go and visit this one too. It has a stunning backdrop of the castle. This market is open from Fridays to Sundays only from 18th November to 18th of December 2022.

Activities at the Christmas markets:

Go ice skating

Looking for the perfect activity to do in Dusseldorf in December? Then ice skating it is. There is a big ice rink on the Konigsallee where you can pay €8 to use the rink. If you need to rent ice skates it will cost an extra €5. There is no time limit so head on in and spend as long as you like skating around.

Take a ride on the big wheel

Located at Burgplatz overlooking the Rhine, you can ride on the big wheel for just €8. Get a birds eye view of the city and watch the boats sail along the river.

Take a Festive Boat Cruise

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, why not sit back and relax on a boat? Cruise down the river Rhine on a festively decorated ship. Take in the old town views and soak up the festive atmosphere. Book your ticket here.

Food and Drink at the Markets

I was surprised at these markets, that such a large portion of stalls were food stalls. There is a variety of snacks on offer, so no need to bring a packed lunch! Here are a list of the main offerings:

• Gluhwein – the staple of all Christmas markets, keep warm with a glass of mulled wine.
• Bratwurst – basically a big long sausage on a small bread roll (mind you don’t poke someone’s eye out).
• Currywurst – chopped bratwurst in a curry ketchup sauce.
• Reibekuchen – hash Brown like Potato Pancakes
• Mushrooms in a garlic sauce
• Flammkuchen – flatbread with cream sauce and toppings (which look like a pizza but not a pizza).
• Lebkuchenherzen – gingerbread heart cookies
• Waffles
• Crepes
• Churros

Other things to do in Dusseldorf:

Visit the Rhine Tower

Visit the Rhine Tower and see the highlights of the city from the very top: the Media Harbour, the old town, Hofgarten, Königsallee and the river Rhine.

Go Shopping

Check out Königsallee, where you will find all the high end shops like Prada, Chanel, Cartier and more. Königsallee is located alongside a canal lined with trees and is a lovely area just to walk along.

Enjoy a Brewery Tour

Take a tour through the cities most famous breweries including im Füchschen, Zum Schlüsse, Brasserie Kürzer, and more whilst you taste the delicious local alt beer. If you are interested, then buy your tickets here.

Where to stay

Backpackers Dusseldorf

If it is a hostel or budget accommodation you are looking for, Backpackers Dusseldorf is a good option. Rated very good at 8.4 on hostelworld. It is around €30 for a 4 or 6 bed dorm and €80 for a twin room. Another plus is that free breakfast is included and it is only a 20 minute walk from the old town.

Hotel Favor

If it is something a bit more luxurious you are after, you should try Hotel Favor. Ideally located on the popular shopping street Koningsallee, it is a highly rated 4 star hotel. It has an 8.8 rating on booking.com. The price is roughly €210 per night for a double room.

Getting Around

• You can fly into Dusseldorf airport, which is a 20 minute drive from the centre of Dusseldorf.
• If you are coming by train, get the train to ‘Dusseldorf Hbf’ station where most markets are within walking distance.
• You can walk between all the Christmas markets.

I hope that you enjoyed this post about Dusseldorf in December. The Dusseldorf Christmas Markets are well worth a visit and there is plenty to do. If you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends and subscribe for more travel info.

Thanks for reading,

Lisa

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