The tradition of mulled wine, known locally as Glühwein, runs deep in German culture. Dating back centuries, this warm, spiced beverage has become synonymous with winter festivities across the country.
As temperatures drop and holiday markets spring to life, locals and visitors wrap themselves in their favorite woolen accessories and gather around steaming mugs of this aromatic treat. Here is a list of 20 incredible places in Germany where you can enjoy a perfect cup of mulled wine while wearing your favorite neckwear.
Nuremberg Christmas Market
The medieval charm of Nuremberg provides the perfect backdrop for savoring mulled wine. This market’s version often includes a blend of cinnamon, cloves, and star anise, creating an unmistakable fragrance wafting through the air.
Vendors here take pride in serving their Glühwein in collectible mugs that change designs each year.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
This preserved medieval town transforms into a winter wonderland during the colder months. Local wine merchants infuse their mulled wine with white varieties and regional honey, creating a lighter, sweeter alternative to the traditional recipe.
The narrow cobblestone streets with timber-framed houses provide excellent wind protection for your cozy scarf.
Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt
Nestled between the French and German Cathedrals, this elegant market offers mulled wine with a sophisticated twist. Many vendors here add a splash of amaretto or rum for extra warmth and complexity.
The backdrop of illuminated historic buildings creates a grand and intimate atmosphere.
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Munich’s Marienplatz
The heart of Bavaria serves up mulled wine with regional flair, often using wines from nearby vineyards. Many stalls incorporate apples and orange zest into their recipes, giving the classic drink a fruity dimension.
The towering Christmas tree and ornate Rathaus create a postcard-perfect setting for sipping and people-watching.
Cologne Cathedral Market
The magnificent Gothic cathedral’s shadow falls across this bustling market, where mulled wine has a Rhineland twist. Local variants often feature a hint of cardamom and vanilla alongside traditional spices.
The proximity to the Rhine River adds a crisp quality to the air, making warm beverages taste even better.
Dresden Striezelmarkt
Germany’s oldest Christmas market dates back to 1434 and serves mulled wine recipes nearly as historic. Their traditional preparation includes dried fruits soaked in wine before heating.
The market’s iconic wooden pyramid serves as a meeting point for friends to share mulled wine conversations.
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Stuttgart Weihnachtsmarkt
Located in the heart of wine country, Stuttgart’s market offers some of Germany’s finest mulled wine varieties. Local vintners create special blends specifically destined to become Glühwein.
The market spreads across multiple plazas, allowing visitors to sample different recipes while strolling through the city center.
Hamburg’s HafenCity
This modern district offers a contemporary take on mulled wine traditions. Innovative vendors incorporate unexpected ingredients like ginger, cardamom, and even chocolate.
The striking modern architecture contrasts beautifully with the traditional beverage, creating a uniquely Hamburg experience.
Heidelberg Castle Grounds
Few experiences match sipping mulled wine while overlooking the old town from this historic castle. The elevation provides stunning views and also demands extra scarf coziness.
Vendors here often serve their Glühwein with a slice of lebkuchen, a traditional German gingerbread that pairs perfectly with the warm drink.
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Baden-Baden Christkindelsmarkt
This elegant spa town’s Christmas market sits alongside thermal baths, creating a unique mulled wine experience. After warming up externally with your beverage of choice, you can warm up internally at one of the historic thermal spas.
The combination makes for one of Germany’s most relaxing winter experiences.
Leipzig Christmas Market
Leipzig offers mulled wine with a musical twist in the historic market square. Street performers and choirs create a soundtrack for your sipping, and many vendors craft their recipes to honor Bach and other famous composers who lived in the city.
The aromatic spices complement the cultural atmosphere perfectly.
Trier Roman Ruins
As Germany’s oldest city, Trier combines ancient Roman history with mulled wine traditions. Local vendors set up near 2,000-year-old structures, creating a drinking experience that spans millennia.
The mulled wine here often features regional Moselle wines as a base, offering a lighter, more delicate flavor profile.
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Frankfurt Römerberg
The historic center of Frankfurt transforms into a winter paradise, where financial professionals and tourists gather for evening mulled wine. The region’s traditional apple wine appears in special mulled variations you won’t find elsewhere.
The illuminated medieval square provides a stunning contrast to the modern skyline.
Düsseldorf Altstadt
Known as ‘the longest bar in the world,’ Düsseldorf’s Old Town becomes mulled wine central during the winter. The local twist involves adding mustard seeds and juniper berries, creating a distinctly regional flavor.
The Rhine promenade offers spectacular riverside sipping opportunities.
Lübeck’s Medieval Center
This UNESCO World Heritage site serves up mulled wine with north German sensibilities. The maritime influence means recipes often include a hint of salt and sometimes even a touch of local marzipan flavor.
The Gothic architecture and narrow streets create natural protection from Baltic winds for your scarf-wrapped adventures.
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Weimar’s Cultural Quarter
In the city of Goethe and Schiller, mulled wine becomes an intellectual experience. Literary-themed stalls serve beverages inspired by famous German writers and their works.
The historic atmosphere encourages thoughtful conversation while warming your hands on a steaming mug.
Freiburg Market Square
This sunny southern city’s mulled wine traditions are influenced by the Black Forest. Many vendors incorporate cherry and raspberry notes, echoing the famous Black Forest cake flavors.
The unique drainage channels running through the old town, called Bächle, add a rushing water soundtrack to your mulled wine moment.
Quedlinburg Timber Houses
This lesser-known gem offers mulled wine in one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval settings. The half-timbered houses create a fairytale backdrop for winter beverages.
Local producers often add honey harvested from the nearby Harz mountains, giving the mulled wine a distinctive regional touch.
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Potsdam’s Dutch Quarter
The unique architectural style of this area provides a distinct setting for enjoying mulled wine. The Dutch influence extends to some recipes, with vendors adding unexpected spices like nutmeg and mace.
The royal gardens and nearby palaces add an aristocratic flair to the mulled wine experience.
Rüdesheim Wine Town
Located in the heart of the Rhine wine region, this town takes mulled wine seriously. The famous Rüdesheimer Coffee, which includes brandy and whipped cream, appears alongside traditional recipes.
The Drosselgasse, a narrow lane filled with taverns, becomes especially magical when decorated for winter festivities.
Warmth in Every Sip
The German mulled wine tradition represents more than just a beverage—it embodies communal gathering, historical preservation, and seasonal celebration. From medieval markets to modern waterfront districts, these locations offer unique expressions of a shared cultural heritage.
As you wrap your scarf a little tighter and take another warming sip, you’re participating in a practice that has comforted winter evenings for countless generations across Germany.
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