Lake Tegernsee’s Christmas Markets

December 14, 2015 by California Globetrotter 9 Comments

Located in one of Southern Bavaria’s most stunning regions, not far from Munich, surrounded by mountain peaks patiently waiting for snow is Lake Tegernsee. Scattered around the lake are five small villages hugging the shoreline, each decked out in Christmas holiday spirit. Together, the five village’s Christmas markets form what is called Tegernsee Advent Magic loaded with Christmas stalls with a unique twist to traditional German Christmas gifts. A perfect location if you’re looking for something less touristy than Christmas markets in larger cities.

On select dates, the five different Christmas markets are open throughout the holiday season. Be sure to check the dates and times. The main Advents markets to check out here is the Tegernsee Schloss Markt and the Rottacher-Egern Advents Markt.

After setting out GPS guide to take us to the center of Tegernsee, we quickly found parking not far from the city hall. From here, we strolled down to the shores first to enjoy a beautiful mid-afternoon’s Baileys Hot Chocolate to get us started as we waited for the markets to open!

Most markets don’t open until around 2pm, so it is not necessary to get there much earlier, unless you want to stroll around and enjoy some of the beauties of Tegernsee. And that’s just what we did! A nice stroll along the walkways hugging the shoreline made for a relaxing afternoon before the hustle and bustle of Christmas market strolling.

A little before 2pm, the market in front of the Tegernsee Schloss (palace) began to trickle open. We meandered through, sniffing here and there of goodies to be tried and lunch to be had! We settled with a traditional Bratwurst Semmel (sausage sandwich) and some homemade Gluhwein from the local Verein (club).

After checking out some of the stalls which had some unique gifts to offer such as hand-carved wooden statues and Christmas ornaments, we made our way back to the shore of the lake, near the Rathaus (city hall) to catch a boat across the river.

While online, some sites might announce that there is a free shuttle boat between Tegernsee and Rottacher-Egern, we found this NOT to be the case! We ended up paying 5€ per person round-trip.

Now, on Dec 12/13 and 19/20th, the shuttle boat runs back and forth every 30 minutes between the two Christmas markets and takes about 10-15 minutes one way.

Immediately, upon arrival to the Rottacher-Egern Advents Market, you are greeted with the classic Christmasy image of the stalls lining the shores of the lake with the tall Alpine peaks looming in the distance.

The Christmas market here is not over loaded with stall after stall, but with around 20 stalls filled with more unique gifts such as Bavarian deer trophies. No, don’t worry, not real ones!

What made this market a little more high class than normal Christmas markets wasn’t just fancy, unique gifts but that Champagne was even offered for those who want to up their game instead of drinking traditional Gluhwein. Plus there was a large fire pit to stand around to warm up again after your hands and feet get cold!

By 4pm, the sun was starting to set rather quickly, which actually made for the perfect time to leave and catch the next boat out as more and more tourists were rolling in. I don’t say this just because I’m not a huge fan of big crowds, but because it’s the perfect time to snap some amazing pictures in that perfect Blue Hour glow. So as we waited in line to catch the next boat, we enjoyed a fantastic sunset with the glow of the white Christmas lights from the market. It was a perfect ending to a lovely sunny winter afternoon.

Opening hours Chrismas market at Lake Tegernsee:

• 28.11.2015: Christmas market Dürnbach
  12 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• 29.11.2015: Christmas market Kreuth
  2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• 28.11., 05.12, 12.12., 13.12, 19.12, 20.12.2015: Rottacher Advent
  2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• 28.-29.11./ 05.- 06.12.2015: Christmas market Bad Wiessee
  2 p.m – 7 p.m.
• 06.12.2015: Gmunder Nicholas market
  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• 05.-06.12.12.-13.12. and 19.- 20.12.2015: Christmas Castle market Tegernsee
  Sat./Sunday 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

What’s YOUR favorite Christmas Market in Europe?

Be sure to check out my other posts about Christmas Markets in Germany!:

Germany’s Magical Christmas Markets

Regensburg’s Christkindlmarkt

Stuttgarter Weihnachstmarkt

Heidelberg’s Romantic Christmas Market

Exploring Nuremberg’s Chriskindlmarkt

Kuchlbauer Brewery’s Weihnachtsmarkt in Abensberg

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