Christmas Markets by Motorhome: A Five-City Route Through Germany

December is the perfect month to combine motorhome travel with mulled wine, gingerbread and advent cheer. This route links five classic Christmas market towns in southern Germany and Alsace — Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Stuttgart, Strasbourg and a detour to Colmar — on a stretch that's comfortably doable in five to seven relaxed days. **Leg 1: Nuremberg – the Christmas market capital** The Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg is one of Germany's most famous, with hundreds of wooden stalls around Hauptmarkt and the iconic "Zwetschgenmännla" figures made from dried plums. With a motorhome, it's smartest to avoid driving into the city center — parking is limited and the low-emission zone requires a green sticker. Instead, head to Wohnmobilstellplatz Kleinreuther Weg, about a ten-minute tram ride from the main station, with electricity and freshwater hookups. Another option is Camping Knaus Nürnberg near Volkspark Dutzendteich, which has a regular bus link into the center. Plan for at least a full day here — mulled wine at Hauptmarkt, a Nuremberg bratwurst and Lebkuchen from one of the old bakeries in the Altstadt are non-negotiable. **Leg 2: Rothenburg ob der Tauber – medieval in miniature** From Nuremberg it's just an hour and a half to Rothenburg, one of Germany's most photographed small towns. Its Reiterlesmarkt takes place inside the medieval city walls, with stalls scattered across several squares rather than clustered in one spot — giving it a cozier, less commercial feel than the big cities. Motorhomes are directed to parking lot P4 "Am Mühlacker" just outside the walls, which doubles as a basic stopover with waste disposal, or to the better-equipped Reichsstadt Camping Tauberidyll down by the river, about a 15-minute walk from Klingentor. Don't miss the year-round Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop and the view from the city wall at dusk when the lanterns come on. **Leg 3: Stuttgart – southern Germany's biggest Christmas market** Next comes a roughly two-and-a-half-hour drive south to Stuttgart, whose Christmas market stretches from Schlossplatz to Marktplatz and Karlsplatz with around 280 stalls. Regional specialties abound — try Maultaschen, glühwein made from Trollinger grapes, and the colorful hand-painted baubles sold by local artisans. Stellplatz Stuttgart at Wasenareal, near Cannstatter Wasen, sits about three kilometers from the center with good S-Bahn and bus links, and offers powered pitches even in winter. For a quieter stay, Campingplatz Stuttgart am Neckar in Mühlhausen is calmer but requires a bus or car ride to the market. **Leg 4: Strasbourg – the capital of Christmas** From Stuttgart it's about two hours to Strasbourg in Alsace, which brands itself "Capitale de Noël." The Marché de Noël spreads across eleven locations in the historic center, with the giant Christmas tree on Place Kléber as its centerpiece. The half-timbered houses of Petite France look especially magical in December's low light. Book your stopover in advance here since demand is high in December — Aire de camping-car de la Montagne Verte, about a 20-minute walk or short bus ride from the center, is the most popular and fills up fast, while the neighboring Camping de Strasbourg offers more comfort, including electricity and showers, for longer stays. **Leg 5: Colmar – a sweet detour** If time allows, add a day in Colmar, about 45 minutes south of Strasbourg. This small canal town with its timber-framed houses hosts several Christmas markets spread across different quarters, including Place des Dominicains and along Petite Venise. Camping de l'Ill is within walking distance of the center and usually has space even in peak season, though booking a day ahead is wise. **Practical tips for the route** Drive between towns early in the morning to avoid queues at stopovers, which often fill up by lunchtime in December. Many German and French aires shut off water refills below freezing, so top up your tank before departure when possible. Pack warm clothes, non-slip shoes and maybe a spare gas bottle — nights get properly cold. In the RoadTide app you can filter stopovers by winter availability, electricity and distance to the center, which helps when booking the most popular spots well ahead of advent. The whole route, roughly 400 kilometers, is easy to drive at a relaxed pace with two to three nights per town, rewarding you with five completely different Christmas market experiences on a single trip.