I have always had a soft spot for Bernkastle-Kues. It’s the town I keep coming back to. I visited late one summer to find out most of the store owners had gone on vacation so I had the entire town to photograph. I came back later that year for my first season of Christmas markets. Last year, it was the only Christmas market I attended. This year, I went at night & it was a whole other side of magical. (I also visited the castle ruin above the town during lockdown & will include that on another post. The views of town are spectacular.)

**Bernkastel-Kues Christmas mugs from 2019, 2020, 2021**

The town is small & very easy to navigate, even for this self proclaimed Magellan. Bernkastle is the side with the castle, tourism center, market & where I park. Kues, is just on the other side of the bridge. It’s fun to wander - make sure you visit all the little corners. I love how quaint the town is. These type of towns with amazing half timbered buildings make my photographer heart happy.
After visiting in the evening I’d definitely recommend a night visit to this town. This market is well known for its Advent Calendar. Beginning 1 Dec a window covering is revealed to count down to Christmas.

FOOD & DRINK

My favorite this year was the flammlachs. Do NOT miss it! I had the flammlach brötchen and it was fantastic! There were also crepes (I had a Nutella one for desert), brats, & kartoffelpuffer among many yummy food choices.
There were options of red & white glühwein. I bought from the food vendor square pictured. There is another vendor in the same square with mugs from past years if you are looking.

The most crowded area was the food square. You can easily take your food & wander to one of the other areas. There is also another glühwein vendor tucked in a corner.
Bernkastle-Kues is just over an hour drive from the Ramstein area. If you have never driven to a town on the Rhine or Mosel Rivers, most of the drives include a winding switchback with corkscrew turns down to the town & water. It can be a bit nerve-racking at first, but you get used to it. Take a deep breath & take it slow :) You’ll also drive through a forest which is an amazing winter wonderland once it snows!

My Favorite Market souvenirs

I love collecting these wooden cut ornaments. The vendor selling these is located in the market square where the advent calendar is. These also make great gifts to go in German goodie boxes or stocking stuffers.
There’s a pin for it on my google map below.

My game plan is to normally park (I have the parking lot pinned on my Google map below), find a restroom and head to the tourism center (also on the google map). The parking lot is open & spacious. I drive a big SUV so I’m always on the hunt for good parking. Friday night I only had to pay for parking until 2000. Parking is along the river & fairly inexpensive - bring coins. There are restrooms in the food square.
The tourist office may be closed if you visit on a Sunday or later in the day. It’s a great place to visit to get information about the town or surrounding areas. The home page for the Christmas Market, listed in the details below, has a calendar with various events including music & tours.
I’d love to hear your experiences about the market. Feel free to tag me on social media @NerissaAlfordDesigns or leave a comment!