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Located on the idyllic grounds of Regensburg’s Schloss St. Emmeram (St Emmeram Palace), the Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany.
Of course, one can expect extravagance and beauty when it comes to a market hosted at a sprawling 500 room estate… but entering this market truly feels like stepping into a royal Christmas wonderland, filled with plentiful stalls for eating, drinking, and shopping, along with a stacked program of performances.
We first visited this Christmas market in November 2021 and fell in love with the enchanting atmosphere, wide selection of activities, and all the absolutely delicious options for food and drink.
Looking to learn more about the Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis in Bavaria, or perhaps need some guidance on planning your own trip there?
In this post, we’ll be covering…
- Practical Info for the Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis
- A Brief History of the Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis
- Why Visit the Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis?
- Sections of the Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis
- More Photos of the Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis
We hope you find it helpful and interesting!
Practical Info for Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis
Here are some quick must-knows for Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis this year:
- Dates: Nov 22 – Dec 23, 2024 (closed Nov 24)
- November 24, 2024 Closed
- Official website: Click here
- Tickets: Required | Click here for more info
In need of a place to stay? Here are some quick hotel recommendations:
- Budget: Check prices and availability
- Mid-Range: Check prices and availability
- Luxury: Check prices and availability
Looking for more Germany travel inspiration?
Check out these guides on the best places to visit in…
A Brief History of Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis
Originally established in 2001, the Romantische Weihnachtsmarkt auf Schloss Thurn und Taxis (Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn und Taxis Palace) has established itself over the years as one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the country.
While it is one of the few Christmas markets in Germany to charge admission, the fee doesn’t appear to be a deterrent at all to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who now come to the market every year.
For many, it’s a rare glimpse at the opulent lifestyle of the Thurn und Taxis family who still call this elegant estate home… and with certain areas accessible only during special events like this, visiting is a must for any palace enthusiast.
Why Visit Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis?
Wondering whether Regensburg Christmas Market is worth a trip? Here are some reasons to visit:
Great programming
From artisan demos and concerts to a nightly poetry reading from the Christkind, there are a lot of great activities at this Christmas market beyond just the standard program of eating, drinking and shopping.
During our visit, we noticed a separate children’s play area, a beautiful lakeside walk illuminated by twinkly lights, and a hilltop champagne pavilion that offered great views over the market.
While it’s just a single Christmas market, we found it very easy to spend a full evening here.
Tons of delicious food
It’s safe to say that we left this market deliriously full. The food options here are numerous, and (based on everything we tried) incredibly tasty.
From standard Christmas market food and drink like sausages and mulled wine to less common comfort foods like this outrageously good creamy gnocchi we enjoyed, there are many tasty options to choose from… and (a true rarity in Christmas market world) many tables and standing areas to enjoy them.
The magical venue
Last but not least, we have to say that this “romantic” Christmas market taking place at a historic palace was every bit as enchanting as it sounds.
Maybe our brains were simply going into overdrive due to a year away from markets in 2020, but wow. This Christmas market seemed to get more and more beautiful with every turn, and every discovery.
Besides having an opulent palace as your backdrop here, you also get to enjoy the beautiful palace grounds, all of which combined make for one of the most breathtaking settings for any Christmas market we’ve been to in Germany.
Sections of the Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis
Wondering what to expect when you arrive at this Christmas market? Here’s a quick walkthrough of the areas we saw.
Kinderzauberwald
Located right by the entrance of the Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis, you’ll find the Kinderzauberwald (Children’s Magical Forest) which housed a variety of cute mini-games and rides for the market’s younger visitors.
Here, you’ll also find a little puppet theatre and a mosaic workshop.
Schlosspark St Emmeram
Another lovely section of the Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis is a lit-up circular trail that allows you to do a loop around the palace’s mini-lake.
During our visit, the walk was illuminated with string lights, and there was even a Glühwein stall tucked away by some trees for you to grab refreshments away from the crowds.
Definitely a nice activity to enjoy if you need a break from all the shopping and eating!
All Around the Palace
During our visit, there were stalls spread out all across the perimeter of the palace’s South and East wings, offering a sprawling selection of food, drink, gifts, and even some fun surprises, like an alpaca enclosure.
The Palace’s Inner Courtyard
Of course, our favorite area of the Thurn und Taxis Christmas market was definitely the inner courtyard. This is where you’ll find the market’s towering Christmas tree, performance stage, and many, many options for food.
The atmosphere here is undeniably enchanting, with the walls of the palace acting as a perfect backdrop to all the market revelry. We also appreciated the many open spaces where you could perch and enjoy some food and drink.
While it definitely got more crowded here later in the evening, we never felt like the market was too congested or busy, thanks to the courtyard’s airiness. We’d definitely recommend spending some time here just enjoying the atmosphere – it really is magical.
PS: Don’t forget to scope out the Davidhof while you’re here – this time of year is the only time it’s open to the public!
The Hilltop Champagne Pavilion
Last but not least, we definitely appreciated the hilltop champagne bar we found at the market, which offered bubbles with a view.
Served from an elegant little pavilion overlooking the market, this is where you’ll find some of the best views too.
More Photos of Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis
Looking for some more Regensburg Christmas Market eye candy? Here are some additional photos we captured during our visit:
We hope you enjoyed this Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis Guide!
Let us know in the comments if you have any more questions about your trip – we’re always happy to help.