Anyone who wants to enjoy the unique atmosphere of a Christmas market this month and even after Christmas can go to our eastern neighbours.
In Germany, many Christmas markets remain open between Christmas and New Year's Eve. In addition to an atmospheric day out, these markets offer excellent parking facilities, so you can relax and enjoy your visit. An overview of the best Christmas markets and handy parking tips.
Cologne
Cologne’s Christmas Market, just a two-hour drive from the Netherlands, is one of the most popular markets just across the border. Cologne offers over 22.000 parking spaces spread across the city, with plenty of options to park your car safely and conveniently. On busier days, when city centre car parks often fill up from 11.00am, parking on the outskirts of the city is a smart choice.
Locations such as the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring and the Mediapark are ideal alternatives. From these garages, you can walk to the Christmas market in just a few minutes. You can also park on the right bank of the Rhine, at the Lanxess Arena and the Cologne Arcades. From there, you can easily reach the city centre on foot or by public transport.
The special offer in Cologne is particularly attractive: on the Saturdays before Christmas, up to five people can use public transport in the city for free with a parking card from certain garages, such as Lanxess-Arena or Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring. For those who prefer to park directly outside the city, there are no fewer than 150 Park+Ride locations with a total of 19.000 spaces. From these locations, buses and trains will take you effortlessly to the Christmas market.
Hamburg
Hamburg, with its themed Christmas markets spread throughout the city, offers a dynamic parking guidance system that leads you directly to available spaces. The city is divided into three parking zones: Mönckebergstraße, Jungfernstieg and the harbour area.
Parking in Mönckebergstraße or Jungfernstieg brings you close to the vibrant city centre and the main Christmas markets. From the harbour area, the metro is the fastest and most comfortable way to reach the city. Thanks to clear signage, finding a parking space is easy, even on busy days.
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf offers seven Christmas markets spread across the city centre. Visitors can use a dynamic parking system that points the way to one of the 41 car parks in the city. This makes parking in Düsseldorf easy, even during the busiest periods.
With clearly marked routes and signs, you can quickly find a suitable parking space near the markets. From the parking garages, you can walk to the center in a few minutes, where you can admire the largest Christmas tree in the world, among other things.
With excellent parking facilities and a well-organized infrastructure, Germany’s Christmas markets are not only a feast for the eyes, but also a practical choice for visitors. From Cologne to Hamburg, each city offers a unique experience and the guarantee that you will be able to park your car without any problems.
Duisburg Christmas Market, famous for its ice rink and Ferris wheel, offers visitors excellent parking facilities. A clear parking system guides you to one of sixteen locations.
Parking garages in the city centre are marked with yellow signs, while blue arrows will lead you to parking options in the harbour areas. For those who want to avoid the city centre, there are parking lots on the edge of the city, marked with white arrows. From here you can easily walk to the Christmas market.
Oldenburg
For residents of the Northern Netherlands, Oldenburg is an attractive destination. The Lambertimarkt, right in the city centre, offers a charming and intimate Christmas atmosphere. Parking is available at various garages and car parks, some of which are free.
Oldenburg also has well-signposted Park+Ride locations. These parking spaces take you directly to the pedestrian zone near the Christmas market with a short bus ride. This way you can park without stress and enjoy the festive atmosphere to the fullest.
Environmental badge
Please note that in many German cities an environmental sticker (Environmental badge) is mandatory. Order this in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises. It is also smart to leave early, especially if you want to get a central parking spot on a busy day. If you want to avoid the hassle of parking altogether, you can choose one of the many Park+Ride options or travel by public transport.
