Christmas Markets in Regensburg: Which Ones Are Worth Visiting?

_{This post may contain affiliate links which means that I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, for qualifying purchases. For more information, read our disclaimer.}   

Regensburg was one of the biggest surprises of our German Christmas market trip. I’d been particularly excited about visiting Nuremberg, but it was Regensburg that ended up having my favourite Christmas market of the entire week.

We spent two nights here, exploring the old town, browsing the smaller Christmas markets and saving the famous Thurn und Taxis Palace Christmas Market for the evening.

And I’m so glad we did.

While I loved Nuremberg’s traditional Christmas atmosphere, Regensburg felt a little different. We found more unusual gifts, sampled some incredible mulled wine and visited a palace Christmas market that was genuinely worth paying to enter.

If you’re planning to visit the Christmas markets in Regensburg, here’s which ones I’d recommend, which are worth prioritising and how to make the most of your visit.

Are the Christmas markets in Regensburg worth visiting?

Absolutely. Regensburg was one of my favourite discoveries during our trip through Bavaria in December.

The old town is beautiful, with colourful buildings, narrow streets and independent shops, many of which were decorated for Christmas.

I particularly loved how easy it was to walk between the different markets. We could spend some time browsing one square, wander through the old town and find ourselves at another market within minutes.

I also found some of the gifts more interesting than those at the larger Christmas markets we’d visited in Nuremberg. There seemed to be more individual, handmade-looking products rather than several stalls selling similar decorations.

But the biggest highlight for me was the Thurn und Taxis Palace Christmas Market.

I’d initially wondered whether paying to enter a Christmas market would be worth it. By the end of the evening, I was so glad we’d paid to go in. It was my favourite market of our entire trip.

If you’re deciding between Bavarian cities, I’d recommend Regensburg for its smaller markets, beautiful old town and the opportunity to experience something quite different at the palace.

Which Christmas markets in Regensburg should you visit?

Regensburg has five principal Christmas markets, each offering a different experience.

We explored Lucrezia-Markt at Kohlenmarkt and Haidplatz, visited the main Christkindlmarkt at Neupfarrplatz and spent an evening at Thurn und Taxis Palace.

We also walked over to Katharinenspital Advent Market, although it hadn’t opened for the day when we arrived.

Here’s how I’d choose between them.

Lucrezia-Markt at Kohlenmarkt and Haidplatz

Lucrezia-Markt was one of my favourite places for browsing Christmas gifts.

The market is spread across two squares, Kohlenmarkt and Haidplatz, with relatively small groups of stalls at each location.

I particularly enjoyed browsing the unusual, handmade-looking gifts here. With fewer stalls, I could take my time looking at what was being sold rather than rushing from one to the next.

We also watched someone making chimney cakes, rolling dough around a cylinder before coating it in sugar.

They smelled incredible!

One of my favourite moments of the day happened at a drinks stall in Haidplatz.

The people working there were so friendly that they let Jass and me sample several different varieties of mulled wine and festive punch before we committed.

I don’t usually like wine unless it’s mulled, but the blueberry mulled wine was easily the nicest I’d tried during our entire trip.

Jass also ordered a hot apple drink with amaretto.

If you enjoy browsing gifts or trying festive drinks, I’d definitely make time for the charming Lucrezia-Markt.

It’s a particularly good choice if you prefer smaller markets where you can take your time looking around.

Regensburger Christkindlmarkt at Neupfarrplatz

The main Christmas market in Regensburg is held at Neupfarrplatz, around the church in the heart of the old town.

This one was noticeably bigger than the smaller market areas at Kohlenmarkt and Haidplatz.

There was a children’s carousel alongside stalls selling decorations, gifts and festive treats.

I particularly enjoyed browsing the little decorative German houses, jewellery and artwork.

Some of the prices were more reasonable than I’d expected, although there were also more expensive pieces.

I liked having a larger selection of stalls to browse without needing to travel across the city.

If you’re visiting Regensburg for the first time, I’d include Neupfarrplatz alongside Lucrezia-Markt. They’re close enough to explore during the same walk around the old town.

You can find opening times and visitor information on the Regensburg Christkindlmarkt website.

Thurn und Taxis Palace Christmas Market

If you only visit one Christmas market in Regensburg, I’d make it Thurn und Taxis Palace Christmas Market.

Also known as the Romantic Christmas Market or Romantischer Weihnachtsmarkt, it takes place in the grounds of St. Emmeram Palace.

Unlike the other markets we’d explored, this one charged an entrance fee.

I wasn’t entirely convinced about paying to visit a Christmas market when there were free ones nearby, but it turned out to be so worth it.

As we approached the palace, we could hear carol singers and it was deeply enchanting.

The long entrance path winds through trees illuminated by glowing torches, making it feel like you’re walking through a magical forest.

Inside, beautifully decorated stalls, festive lighting and grand palace surroundings made everything feel incredibly atmospheric.

Although there were plenty of visitors, it didn’t feel chaotic. We could browse the stalls and enjoy the surroundings without constantly squeezing past people.

That made such a difference after visiting some of the busier Christmas markets earlier in our trip.

I also loved knowing that the palace was still a private residence. There was something particularly special about exploring the historic grounds with the illuminated building beside us.

And there were alpacas!

There were also campfires dotted around the palace grounds, which were perfect for warming up before heading off to explore more stalls. It was such a lovely touch and made the whole evening feel even more festive.

We also found plenty to eat throughout the evening. Jass bought churros, while I tried Schupfnudeln, traditional German potato noodles served with cabbage, choosing a vegetarian version without bacon.

They reminded me a little of gnocchi, and it was lovely trying something different from the usual Christmas market food.

Is Thurn und Taxis Christmas Market worth the entrance fee?

For me, absolutely.

It was my favourite individual Christmas market across Nuremberg, Regensburg and Munich.

I’d recommend visiting after dark, when the palace and stalls are illuminated, and allowing at least a couple of hours to enjoy the atmosphere.

You can check current ticket prices, opening times and admission arrangements on the official Thurn und Taxis Christmas Market website.

When we visited, Monday admission was considerably cheaper, so it’s worth checking whether discounted days are available for your trip.

Even though we paid a higher entrance fee, I felt like it was still worth it for a wonderful evening.

Katharinenspital Advent Market

Katharinenspital Advent Market is located on the grounds of a hospital across the Danube River, near the Stone Bridge in Stadtamhof.

We walked over to see it while exploring that part of Regensburg, only to discover it hadn’t opened for the day yet.

We hadn’t checked the opening time beforehand, and we didn’t return later.

If you’re planning to visit, it’s worth checking the schedule separately rather than assuming it follows the same hours as the old-town markets. You can find visitor information on the Katharinenspital Advent Market website.

The Magical Count’s Christmas Market

Another Christmas market worth knowing about is The Magical Count’s Christmas Market, also known as Zauberhafter Gräflicher Christkindlmarkt.

It’s held around the Rosarium in Dörnbergpark, offering a different setting from the traditional Christmas markets in Regensburg’s old town.

The market focuses on arts and crafts, Christmas gifts and festive food, with live performances taking place on selected dates.

Unlike Thurn und Taxis Palace Christmas Market, admission is free.

If you’re looking for somewhere a little different to explore, particularly if you enjoy handmade gifts and festive entertainment, this could be a lovely addition to your itinerary.

You can check the latest opening dates, entertainment programme and visitor information on the official Magical Count’s Christmas Market website.

Which Regensburg Christmas market is the best?

It depends on what you’re looking for.

For the most magical atmosphere: Schloss Thurn und Taxis Palace Christmas Market.

For interesting gifts and smaller stalls: Lucrezia-Markt at Kohlenmarkt and Haidplatz.

For a traditional Christmas market with plenty to browse: Regensburger Christkindlmarkt at Neupfarrplatz.

For a market near the Stone Bridge: Katharinenspital Advent Market, provided it’s open during your visit.

For arts and crafts in a park setting: The Magical Count’s Christmas Market.

My personal favourite was Thurn und Taxis, without hesitation.

However, I wouldn’t skip the smaller markets. They were a big part of what made Christmas in Regensburg so enjoyable.

What to eat and drink at Regensburg Christmas markets

Trying festive food and drinks was one of my favourite parts of exploring the markets.

And Regensburg had some particularly memorable options.

Glühwein and festive punch

My favourite festive drink in Regensburg was the blueberry mulled wine we sampled at Lucrezia-Markt in Haidplatz.

Jass also tried a hot apple drink with amaretto, which is worth looking out for if you fancy something different from traditional glühwein.

Schupfnudeln

At the palace market, I tried Schupfnudeln, a traditional German dish made with potato noodles.

Mine came with cabbage, and I chose the vegetarian version without bacon.

The noodles reminded me a little of gnocchi, although the dish felt different from the food I’d usually choose at a Christmas market.

I was really pleased to find something savoury and traditional to try.

If you’re vegetarian, check the ingredients before ordering, as versions of this dish can contain bacon.

Churros and chimney cakes

Sweet treats are always a win. Jass bought churros at Thurn und Taxis, while at Lucrezia-Markt we watched chimney cakes being prepared.

The dough was wrapped around a cylinder and coated in sugar, and they smelled incredible.

Even when we weren’t buying something, watching the food being made was part of the fun of exploring the markets.

Are Regensburg Christmas markets vegetarian-friendly?

We found plenty of vegetarian options during our visit, including the Schupfnudeln I tried at Thurn und Taxis.

However, I’d still recommend checking ingredients at individual stalls, particularly with traditional German dishes that may contain bacon or other meat products.

Germany on the whole is very vegan-friendly, however, it’s also worth checking how dishes are prepared rather than assuming that something vegetarian is automatically plant-based.

When do Regensburg Christmas markets open?

Regensburg’s Christmas markets generally take place during Advent, from late November into December.

However, opening dates and hours vary between markets.

I’d check the official Regensburg tourism website before travelling, particularly if there are specific markets you want to visit.

For Thurn und Taxis, check the official palace Christmas market website for current dates, opening times and ticket information.

I’d also check the opening times for Katharinenspital and The Magical Count’s Christmas Market on the official website separately, as they may differ from the other markets.

We arrived at Katharinenspital before it opened and didn’t have time to return later, so it’s worth checking the schedule if you’re hoping to visit.

Where are the Christmas markets in Regensburg?

One of the things I loved most about Regensburg was how easy it was to explore the Christmas markets on foot.

The main locations are:

Lucrezia-Markt: Kohlenmarkt and Haidplatz, in Regensburg’s old town.

Regensburger Christkindlmarkt: Neupfarrplatz, around Neupfarrkirche.

Thurn und Taxis Palace Christmas Market: St. Emmeram Palace, south of the old-town centre.

Katharinenspital Advent Market: Near the Stone Bridge, across the Danube in Stadtamhof.

The Magical Count’s Christmas Market: Dörnbergpark, around the Rosarium, at Hoppestraße.

If you’re visiting for one day, I’d explore Kohlenmarkt, Haidplatz and Neupfarrplatz together, then save Thurn und Taxis for the evening.

That gives you a good mix of traditional stalls, interesting gifts and the illuminated palace atmosphere.

How long do you need for Regensburg Christmas markets?

I’d recommend at least one full day, although staying overnight makes it easier to enjoy Thurn und Taxis after dark.

We spent two nights in Regensburg, with one full day dedicated to exploring the old town and Christmas markets.

That worked really well for us.

A few hours: Focus on Neupfarrplatz and Lucrezia-Markt.

One full day: Explore the old-town markets during the day, then visit Thurn und Taxis Palace in the evening.

Two nights: Enjoy the markets at a relaxed pace, explore the old town and make time for other sights without rushing.

If you only have one evening in Regensburg, I’d prioritise Thurn und Taxis.

It’s the experience I’d be most disappointed to miss.

Where to stay for Regensburg Christmas markets

We stayed at Eurostars Park Hotel Maximilian, within walking distance of Regensburg’s main train station.

It was a convenient location for our trip, particularly as we were travelling between Bavarian cities by train rather than hiring a car.

We arrived from Nuremberg in the evening, checked in and headed out for dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Guacamole nearby before getting an early night.

Being just a six-minute walk from the train station made arriving with our luggage easy, and we could explore the Christmas markets on foot the following day.

If you’re visiting Regensburg specifically for the Christmas markets, I’d recommend staying somewhere convenient for both the old town and train station.

Check prices and availability at Eurostars Park Hotel Maximilian.

Definitely book ahead for a December visit, particularly if you want somewhere within walking distance of the markets.

How to get to Regensburg Christmas markets

We travelled to Regensburg from Nuremberg by train, which took approximately an hour.

We booked our tickets in advance through Omio.

One thing we discovered at the station was that not every carriage on our train was travelling to Regensburg. Part of the train separates midway through the journey and continues to a different destination.

Thankfully, we checked the destination information before boarding and worked out which section we needed.

If you’re travelling by train, pay attention to the destination and carriage information displayed at the station, particularly on services that split along the route.

Regensburg also worked well as part of our wider Bavaria trip because we could explore the old town without needing a car.

You can read more about our route between Nuremberg, Regensburg and Munich in my 7 day German Christmas market itinerary.

Would I visit the Christmas markets in Regensburg again?

Definitely.

Regensburg was one of the biggest surprises of our week exploring Christmas markets in Bavaria.

I loved the colourful old town, the smaller markets with their more interesting gifts and the friendly stallholders who made our glühwein tasting so memorable.

But Thurn und Taxis was the real highlight.

I’d been unsure whether paying to enter a Christmas market was worthwhile, yet it ended up being my favourite market of the entire trip.

If you’re planning your first visit, I’d recommend spending two nights in Regensburg, exploring the smaller markets during the day and saving the palace for after dark.

And if you’re planning a longer festive trip, Regensburg combines beautifully with Nuremberg and Munich.

We visited all three cities by train, and I’ve shared our route, accommodation and recommendations in my German Christmas market itinerary.

Regensburg is somewhere I’d happily return to at Christmas, especially for another evening at Thurn und Taxis.

Found this Regensburg Christmas market guide itinerary helpful? PIN IT!

Read more about planning a trip to Germany:

• The Best Vegan Restaurants In Berlin
• Vegan Breakfast In Berlin: 3 Of The Best Frühstücken Spots
• 7 Day German Christmas Market Itinerary by Train in Bavaria
• Nuremberg Christmas Market Guide: Which Markets Are Worth Visiting?
• Christmas Markets in Regensburg: Which Ones Are Worth Visiting?