The Trier Christmas Markets are a favorite German Christmas market for anyone that prefers a small local experience with a picturesque setting.
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How to Get to Trier
Trier is a small historic city that lies on the Western border of Germany near Luxembourg. The city is actually closer to Luxembourg City than any of the major cities in Germany. By train, it is just around an hour to/from Luxembourg, with trains running regularly throughout the day.
By train, it is 2.5 hours to Cologne, and 3.25-4 hours to Frankfurt. Frankfurt is also the largest airport in Germany and biggest hub near Trier.
When flying through Frankfurt read: How to maximize One Day in Frankfurt
The easiest way to book your train tickets is directly through Bahn, the German train website. If you like using a third party service, I’ve also had good luck with Omio and Trainline.
Once you arrive in Trier you have a few options for getting around or to your hotel. When I visited, my hotel was only a 10+ minute walk from the train station, which was cheaper and faster than the bus or a taxi. However, there is a bus system available to get around town. You can also use Uber or collect a taxi at the train station.
To get to the Trier Christmas markets, you can walk from just about anywhere in the city center to the markets within 15 minutes.
What to know before visiting the Trier Christmas markets
2025 Trier Christmas markets dates
The Trier Weihnachtsmarkt (Trier Christmas market) opens November 21st and runs through December 22nd.
The market is open Monday through Thursday from 11am until 8:30pm, and Saturdays from 11am to 10pm, and Sundays from 11am to 8pm.
Trier Christmas market location
The Trier Christmas market is one market split into two main squares that are in the center of the city. The main portion of the market is in the Hauptmarkt (main market), and it is said that all roads lead to the medieval main market.
Map of the Trier Christmas markets
How to pay at the Trier Christmas markets
Unlike other Christmas markets in Germany and across Europe, this market is not credit card friendly. You will need to make sure you have cash readily available for any food and drink purchases. I did not purchase any goods from the gift stands, so there may be some that take cards, but come prepared.
If you are like me and try to limit having foreign currency, you can find two banks with accessible ATMs by walking a few minutes past the McDonald’s along Jakobstraße.
Glühwein mugs
The Christmas markets in Germany are known for glühwein and their souvenir mugs. At glühwein stands, there is only one mug used throughout Trier but comes in either red or green. The mugs have a €3 deposit, which means when you return them they will refund your money, or you keep them for a low cost souvenir.
Glühwein is a staple at the holidays in and around Germany. This is a hot mulled wine with added spices. You will find Glühwein not only in the christmas markets, but also at most restaurants. My hotel even had glühwein available in the lobby. The Glühwein in Trier is €4, but there are other alcoholic and non alcoholic (cocoa, cider) drinks that are available as well. If you want to stay on the move, it is legal to wander around with your “open container”.
Navigating the Trier Christmas Markets
Trier is a very small city, and similarly so is the Christmas market. There Trier Christmas markets are centrally located in the Hauptmarkt (main market) and the Domfreihof (square directly in front of the Trier Cathedral). These markets are easily walkable in 10-15 minutes from just about anywhere in the city center.
Hauptmarkt
Walking up to the medieval main market you get a picture perfect view of a quintessential German Christmas market. On the north end of the square is the classic Christmas pyramid, complete with a mini Käthe Wohlfahrt retail shop. This is the most famous Christmas shop in Germany with an enormous selection of ornaments, christmas villages and other holiday decor.
In the square there are stalls for food and drinks all adorned with garland and Christmas lights. There’s a small carousel along the south end. The square is surrounded by the colorful medieval architecture dating back to the 1200s, as well as the St. Gangolf Kirche belltower.
Typical to most Christmas markets I visited, there’s no seating, but you can find a few covered standing tables to hang out and enjoy a hot beverage with friends.
Domfreihof
Head one block east towards the Trier Cathedral, and you’ll find the second half of the Trier Christmas Markets in the Domfreihof plaza. The food and drink stands are mostly along the street, whereas the rows of stalls on the north end have shops with gifts ranging from leather goods to sweets.
If, like me, the glühwein is not for you, there is one stall near the cathedral that had other hot drinks like cider and hot aperol. This is also the only stand to have a different glass than the standard glühwein mugs. These drinks were €6 but the deposit was still only €3. The glass is a beautiful frosted glass with an illustration of the Hauptmarkt.
Kornmarkt
If you walk further south down the Fleischstraße to the Kornmarkt, you will come across the Winterland Trier ice skating rink. This is open for the Christmas market and into the new year. They have special events happening throughout the holiday season which you can find on their website.
Hotels near the Trier Christmas Markets
Holiday travel during the market season also means that accommodations in small cities are limited. Plan ahead especially if you wish to visit on a weekend. If you have flexibility in your schedule, you will find more availability mid-week.
Mid-budget travel
I stayed at the Mercure Hotel Trier Porta Nigra. This hotel is conveniently located directly across the Porta Nigra (Roman ruin) and a short walk to the Trier Christmas markets. The rooms are well sized and clean. The hotel has competitive pricing and good reviews.
Higher end travel
The Romantik Hotel zur Glocke offers a stay at an updated hotel right in the city center just minutes away from the Christmas markets. The small boutique hotel has elegant rooms and suites.
FAQs
Is there a Christmas market in Trier, Germany?
Yes, Trier has a small but beautiful Christmas market. It’s perfect for anyone that wants to visit a market that is more local and less crowded than the larger cities.
Where is Trier Christmas market?
The Trier Christmas Markets are centrally located in the Hauptmarkt and the Domfreihof. Trier Germany is on the western border of Germany and Luxembourg.
When does Trier Christmas market start?
The Trier Christmas market opens November 22nd and runs through December 22nd.
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