My second favorite Cologne Christmas market was the Angel’s Christmas market (Markt der Engel aka Kölner Neumarkt), which is Cologne’s oldest Christmas market. Love this! It’s also right next to the Chocolate museum, so you can combine this easily with visiting the Chocolate museum. Set against the backdrop of a magnificent cathedral and the largest Christmas tree in all of Rhineland, Cologne is one of Germany’s most impressive Christmas settings. Be careful when walking around with gluhwein as it. Cologne’s markets are home to hundreds of Christmas market stalls selling all of the traditional crafts that German Christmas markets are known for, as well as good German food and mulled wine. This area had many rides, including the skating rink, as well as the adorable entrance to the Heimat der Heizel (House of the Gnomes. Dress warmly and bring coins in case you need to pay for the toilet. You don’t need a tour of the Cologne Christmas markets. You can stay in the center, but it’s nice to unplug away from the craziness of the Christmas markets in Cologne and the crowds. The Cologne Christmas Markets are the 2nd largest visited Christmas Markets with over 4 million visitors. Cologne. If you're a female travel or lifestyle blogger, join my Facebook group for bloggers! ​In 2019,  Cologne will have its annual Christmas market from November 25th to December 23rd. (Be prepared that this FREE walking tour of Cologne includes a lot of walking although it covers many major landmarks.) The Stadtgarten is one of the parks on the edge of Cologne city centre and this Christmas market is held in the beer garden of the main restaurant in the park. That said, the Kolner Dom (Cologne Cathedral) is not to be missed, and you might get to hear a choir in the church if you’re lucky enough. One magical December, we spent two weeks in Cologne and went to a Christmas Market at least every other day. Filed Under: Europe, Germany, Uncategorized Tagged With: beautiful places, City Guide, cologne, europe, germany, Holidays, self-guided walking tour, Travel, travel tips. Although it was quite crowded, it felt safe and fun. The market, however, was extremely busy and you couldn't move. Closed 2020: Returning in 2021 An update from Cologne Tourism: Due to the potential risks with regard to the Corona pandemic, some Cologne Christmas markets such as the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral and Heinzels Winter Fairytale in the Old Town, will not take place this year. They look absolutely charming and I could spend days wandering through them all. I loved not only reading your post but also seeing those vibrant pictures. It feels like one BIG Christmas market, however, the Alter Markt extends out from Heumarkt. If you have extra time, I recommend visiting the Old Market Christmas market in Cologne as early as possible in the morning to do your actual shopping and once at night (to see the lights). We absolutely loved seeing all of the darling treats and holiday items. Altstadt-Nord, Cologne Show on map 0.3 miles from Cologne Christmas Market Just 328 feet from Cologne Cathedral, the a&o Köln Dom offers bright rooms and a 24-hour reception. Thanks for the tips because I feel like I would totally lost at one of these markets. 20th - 25th February 2020 The "crazy days" of Carnival are celebrated with parties on the streets, in public squares and in pubs. Instead, visit Ehrenfeld for fantastic local cafes and graffiti, perfect for those seeking an untraditional experience in Cologne. How far is the total walk from start to finish, Your email address will not be published. Christmas music, arts and crafts, toys, Christmas decorations and the scent of the Christmas bakeries create a wonderful atmosphere. It offers award-winning cuisine and elegant rooms with a free minibar. Collecting the mugs from the Christmas markets are not cheap as you’ll pay at least 4 euros (as a deposit for the Christmas mugs) in case you choose to keep your mug. Perfect for brunch, intellectual drinks, or relaxing after a hard day’s work (or shopping). City map: > Christmas markets in Cologne. Absolutely gorgeous! I love all the colors and decorations. ​I’ve set up this as a walking tour of five Christmas markets in Cologne with a downloadable map of the Christmas markets in Cologne. This market also had entertainment for children. There are six different markets dotted around the city. Getting to Cologne, Germany. I spent a summer in Cologne and I wish I could have seen it at Christmas!! The Christmas-market-Express drive through the streets of the old city of Cologne which are decorated for Chirstmas and go directly to the most beautiful Christmas Markets. If there’s only one Cologne Christmas market you can make it to, it should be the Weihnachtsmarkt am Dom. Don’t underestimate how much you might spend on food/drinks alone. I am ruined for life! I would *totally* join the locals in just giving up on work altogether. Personally, I did not love the Rudolfplatz Christmas market so much, but they served some traditional food that I didn’t find at others, but it just felt cramped to me compared to the Stadtgarten. Nov 10, 2017 - Tips for visiting Christmas markets in Cologne with locations of the Cologne Christmas markets map and things to do in Cologne in December. Dates: 21.11.19 - 23.12.19 Times: Monday-Friday: 16.00-21.30 Saturday-Sunday: 12.00-21.30 Location: At the Stadtgarten Restaurant beer garden After reading about Goldmund LiteraturCafe, I so want to visit it. It's Christmas, and who doesn't want to get away on German Christmas markets breaks? I’m hoping to visit Cologne in December so this is perfect, the map especially is really useful! You’ve inspired my next vacation! New Yorker–born and raised. The main Christmas market is decorated very nicely with a roof of lights strung from a big Christmas tree in the middle of the market and has the beautiful Cologne Dom to finish off the market. It is a Christmas market in maritime atmosphere, located in a picturesque setting on the banks of the Rhine, there are over 70 stalls with quality products and a program of great diversity. Now in its 10th year, the Christmas market in the Stadtgarten continues to exude charm, attracting both locals and visitors alike. We ended up getting Christmas ornaments from the Käthe Wohlfahrt booth here, who makes beautiful German Christmas decorations with a bit of flare. Love this! Instead of staying in the centre (where prices were crazily high), I found accommodations in this part of Cologne quite reasonable and I’d recommend staying in Ehrenfeld in Cologne. Most restaurants do not allow people in unless they purchase something. The next Christmas market is the famous Rudolfplatz (Weihnachtsmarkt auf dem Rudolfplatz ). The city has several markets, the largest of which are in the centre of the city near the magnificent cathedral and centred around an enormous Christmas tree. Each one has its own unique vibe and atmosphere. I think it’s beautiful to see how Cologne has embraced its LGBTQ population! Thanks for sharing, enjoyed the pics as well ☺️, This is getting me so hyped for Christmas! It’s also a great way to get a photo in without tons of people (it’s impossible). Cologne Christmas market is best visited when the sun goes down and the Christmas lights turn on, it’s more magical in the evening and feels like a whole new experience. If you’re looking for the iconic Christmas market shot, this area can be great as you’re surrounded by the beauty of old town Cologne as well as many stalls. If you are in Cologne in December, you must stop at this Christmas Market. A bookstore cafe is a perfect combo for a coffee lover like me. I had never heard of these before this year, but now they keep popping up into my awareness. That’s bad timing. It’s the best for artisanal food and gifts (with different booths weekly). I bought a beautiful hand-made light-up house that still stands in my home for about twenty years as well as an adorable gnome. After this, you’ll be walking into the heart of the center of Cologne and where the bulk of the crowds are. When the Christmas markets in Cologne open their gates on the last Monday before Advent, millions of visitors from around the world delight at the goods on sale at the quaintly designed huts (or "Buden"). Visitors will be enchanted by this lovingly decorated Christmas marktet. See more ideas about cologne christmas market, christmas market, cologne. The map of the Cologne Christmas markets is at the bottom. The Cologne Cathedral, called the Dom (pronounced “dome”) is the landmark of the city and almost iconic with the word Cologne itself! American expat and cat lover from New York City who lived in Amsterdam…. There are 3 other Christmas markets in Cologne, each with a different theme, … Visitors can view Cologne’s magical nativity scenes laid out at around 110 different places in the city from the end of November until the 6th January. The Alter Markt is the Christmas market in Cologne that everyone comes to photograph. So festive! The magnificent Gothic cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is free to visit. Consider visiting the smaller local Ehrenfelder Weihnachtsmarkt and to also explore a different area of Cologne. 5) Christmas Market at the Port of Cologne Chocolate Museum (Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt). That means when it comes to a European Christmas Market break, the Cologne Christmas Markets offer great value for money. Cologne Christmas Markets are one of my favourites. Thanks for all the tips . If you’re feeling energetic (or you have more than one day), consider visiting the Harbour Christmas Market, which is much calmer than the Alter market. They give you the most bang for your buck. aka Why should you be on the look-out for gnome related souvenirs in Cologne? Oh wow this is perfectly timed as I’m thinking of going to the Christmas market there this year! Then, Paris. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats. Reibekuchen, the German potato pancakes, are a staple food in Cologne’s traditional brew houses and are not to be missed at a Christmas market.Grated potatoes and onions are mixed with eggs, flour and salt and then fried in oil. I see it says they close the 23rd and I am getting there Christmas day:( Do you think anything will still be Christmasy Or did I totally miss out!? ), A friend considers going skating in Cologne one of her favorite parts of the Christmas market although I found it a bit pricey. If you’re not one for crowded places, consider staying a few days to pace the Christmas markets with just 1-2 per day. Tips for visiting the Cologne Christmas markets, what to do in Cologne, and where the Cologne Christmas markets are! Also, I literally LOL’d at the local lore about the gnomes! This lovely cafe is a bookstore, cafe, and performing space and with fantastic drinks/food. Maybe next year, if I’m super lucky Your list of tips at the beginning was great, really well thought out, so thank you for that! If you’re lucky enough to visit Cologne in winter (just in time), be sure to spend at least a day (if not three days) browsing the famous Christmas markets in Cologne. If you fancy travelling a little further afield for your Christmas shopping, Cologne is well worth the trip. This market is in the middle of the Belgian quarter, which is a hip area of Cologne. Cancelled! ​ ​Keep reading for tips for experiencing the German Christmas markets and things to do in Cologne in December! Cologne's oldest Christmas market is held on the Neumarkt, the city centre market in the shopping district.