One of our travel priorities while being in Europe for Christmas was to visit a place where we would experience plenty of the holiday spirit since we couldn’t be home with family this year. We had heard a lot about the Christmas markets of Germany and several people mentioned that Rothenburg was the best town to see them, so we made our way there to spend three days in December. It’s safe to say we were not disappointed and would recommend this quaint medieval town to anyone planning to visit Germany!
History
The town of Rothenburg is entirely surrounded by a stone wall, which people can explore on foot while visiting. Once used as protection for the inhabitants of the village, now the wall gives tourists a feel for what it was like to live here during medieval times.
Those who decide to walk the wall will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Food
We enjoyed plenty of street food from the vendors in the Christmas market, especially the mulled glühwein (hot spiced wine). Each mug cost about €4,50 and you would receive a €1,50 deposit upon returning the empty mug to any of the drink stands. Not only is it absolutely delicious, sipping a warm mug is the ideal way to keep warm while exploring (and acceptable to drink any time of day!)
Although my husband would probably say he liked the glühwein best, I couldn’t get enough of the schneeballen (snowballs), a traditional Christmas treat in Rothenburg. Strips of dough are fried and covered in your choice of powdered sugar, melted chocolate, or butter and cinnamon sugar (my favorite!)
Shopping
If you love decorating for the holidays, look no further than Germany to find some of the most unique pieces you’ll ever add to your collection. We purchased so many Christmas decorations that we had to empty one of our suitcases just to transport them home! 
The Christmas markets are a nice place to enjoy the holiday atmosphere once it gets dark, but you’ll want to be there for your last mug of glühwein before 8:00 P.M., when the stands close for the evening.
The true magic of Rothenburg happens when the sun sets and the twinkling lights shine on every street: the very definition of a Christmas Town.
Don’t forget to take some schneeballen with you when you leave–all of the stores offer to-go packages, as well as worldwide shipping!
