Is a German Christmas Market Worth It? My Frankfurt Römerberg Experience

Planning a trip to a German Christmas market? Start now.

I ate a chocolate-covered pretzel as big as my head in Frankfurt. And yes, it was worth every Euro.

For years, I asked myself the same questions over and over: Should we take the trip? Spend the money? Is it really as magical as the pictures?

In December 2025, I finally got my answer.

The Bucket List Question: Is It Worth It?

Short answer: YES.

Long answer: Also yes, but with some planning.

I'd seen the photos—twinkling lights strung between medieval buildings, steam rising from mugs of glühwein, wooden stalls overflowing with handcrafted ornaments. Movies and Instagram posts made these markets look like something out of a fairy tale. But were they really that special? Or just another overhyped tourist trap? Standing in Frankfurt's Römerberg square on a cold December evening, surrounded by the smell of gingerbread and cinnamon, watching snow fall on 600-year-old buildings while sipping spiced wine from a ceramic mug—I got my answer. It's magical. It's real. And that enormous chocolate-covered pretzel? More like a sweet cake than bread, and absolutely delicious.

How We Made It Happen (Without Breaking the Bank)

Here's the thing: We didn't originally plan a trip to Germany. We were booking a cruise, but budget constraints redirected us to Finland instead. Our flights had a convenient layover in Frankfurt—home to the Römerberg Christmas Market. The lightbulb moment: Why not turn a layover into a bucket list experience?

Our Strategy: Airport Hotel + Points = Winning

We could have powered through jet lag and dragged our luggage to the market. But would you want to navigate cobblestone streets and crowded market aisles with a rolling suitcase and winter coat? Hard pass. Instead, we used saved hotel points for a club-level room at the Frankfurt Airport Marriott. Our room was ready early, so we could shower, change, and head to the market refreshed. Was it worth the points? Absolutely. In fact, I'd have paid cash for this convenience.

Pro Tip: Pack essentials in a smaller carry-on bag inside your checked luggage. Once you get your bags, pull out the small one for easy access to fresh clothes and toiletries. No repacking in a crowded public space where someone might help themselves to your belongings during your “how NOT to pack” demonstration.

What's Next

In my next post, I'll walk you through the adventure of actually getting to the market from Frankfurt Airport—including our comedy of errors with German train ticket machines, why Google Translate became our best friend, and the $20 taxi ride that saved our sanity.

Spoiler: We walked in circles three times before admitting defeat.

Have you been to a German Christmas market? What questions do you have about planning your trip? Drop them in the comments below.

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