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Christmas markets have exploded in popularity, and now you’ll find them the world over (even in countries that don’t traditionally celebrate Christmas).
But the original (and in my opinion, the best), Christmas markets in the world are in Germany. With Cologne as one of the countries Christmas capitals.
I love the Christmas markets in Cologne. In my opinion, Cologne is an ideal place to visit if you want to really get in the festive spirit this December.
There are four main Christmas markets in Cologne as well as dozens of smaller ones. But which is the best? Here is a breakdown of the Christmas markets in Cologne, including some of my favorites!
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1. Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market
When you think of Christmas markets in Cologne (or see images of them) the most iconic market is the one that stands in front of the cathedral. Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market winds around Roncalliplatz, the plaza that sits to the side of the cathedral.
This is also the largest Christmas market in Cologne with over 150 wooden stalls. Each is topped with a red canopy and trimmed with stars and festive foliage, creating a wonderfully Christmas atmosphere.
If you’re not already familiar, European Christmas markets are a place to eat, drink, shop, and make merry.
The Cologne Cathedral Christmas market has a central stage with a daily entertainment schedule. When I was there I watched carol singers on the stage, but there were also dance performances and other entertainments scheduled throughout the day.
This is the most commercial of the Christmas markets with plenty of Christmas ornaments and other tourist-focused gifts to buy. I came home with a glass bauble for my Christmas tree and a packet of Speculaas butter cookies shaped like the cathedral.
From my point of view, the best thing about this Christmas market in Cologne is the food. We tucked into a traditional currywurst (a traditional bratwurst sausage sliced and then covered in a sweet, mild curry sauce between being sprinkled with curry powder) then had a tray of Kartoffelpuffer – deep-fried potato pancakes.
The Kartoffelpuffer were my favorite snack on the Cologne Cathedral Christmas market. Crispy on the outside, soft and smooth in the middle with a subtle onion flavor. They’re served in trays of three with a healthy dollop of apple sauce for dunking. Absolutely delicious!
To drink why not warm up with a creamy hot chocolate? I had mine with a generous glug of amaretto and a healthy dollop of fresh whipped cream and it was a tasty, indulgent treat.
Local tip: When you buy a hot drink here (and at any of the Cologne Christmas markets) you will pay a 3 euro mug deposit in addition to the charge for your drink. Each market has their own mug design and these change annually. You can either return your mug when you’ve finished your drink (and get your money back) or keep it as a souvenir.
We visited the Cologne Cathedral Christmas market during the daytime and I’d recommend doing the same. This allows you to combine your market wander (and many snacks!) with a visit to Cologne Cathedral. The largest gothic church in Northern Europe, Cologne Cathedral was damaged extensively during WW2 but survived and was then painstakingly repaired.
2. Heinzels Wintermarchen
Of all the Christmas markets in Cologne, Heinzels Wintermarchen is my favorite.
This market is located on the Alter Markt in Cologne’s Old Town and has a more social and authentic feel. There’s also a lot more to do here, with less emphasis on shopping and more focus on having fun.
Adults and kids like can ride the ferris wheel or the carousel. There’s a winter ice sports arena where you could book lanes to try your hand at curling and a large ice skating rink that runs along one side of the market. This was so much fun, and not too busy if you vist on a weekday. Don’t worry about not having your own set of skates, as you can rent a pair there.
Curling starts from 69 euros per lane per hour, but this must be pre-booked via the online booking form.
Where Heinzels Wintermarchen really stood out from the other Christmas markets in Cologne, in my opinion, was the quality of the food and drink. There were cozy two level beer houses here where you can choose from beer, traditional gluwein, and hot fruit punch.
Heading up to the second floor of the beerhalls with a glass of hot fruit punch gives an amazing view over the ice skating rink and the market, and is a great place to relax and unwind after a busy day.
I also felt that the quality of the food was a little more luxurious here. The raclette was particularly decadent, with a generous serving of cheese scraped onto toast and then sprinkled with a heap of bacon lardons. This is the dish that still lives rent-free in my head!
Pasta made inside wheels of parmesan cheese was also a stand out dish here (and it smelt incredible, though having eaten a whopping serving of raclette I didn’t order any) and the desserts were excellent.
Liqueur flavoured chocolate kisses packed full of soft and fluffy marshmallow, sweet loaded belgium waffles, and leiberkuchen. This is a dense, traditional German gingerbread that is wildly popular at Christmas – try the version coated in dark chocolate, its by far the best one!
If you’re looking for unique souvenirs, then this is one of the better Christmas markets in Cologne to explore too. It had a more artisan feel, with craftsmen making and selling their products at the same time.
There were blacksmiths, jewellers, and glassmakers. And more food gifts than I can name! From this market I brought candied cashew nuts and artisan chocolate home in my gift stash.
3. The Market Of Angels
The Market of Angels is one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Cologne to visit at nighttime when hundreds of glowing stars cover the market and fairy lights fill the trees.
During the evening, stilt walkers dressed as angels and mythical creatures wander through the market, giving this Christmas market its name.
The Market of Angels is located on Neumarkt and Zeppelin St. This makes it right in the heart of the city’s shopping area. Its central location also means that this is one of the busiest Christmas markets in Cologne. I would advise avoiding this market at weekends if you’re not a fan of crowds.
If you’re travelling with kids you’ll find a beautifully decorated carousel and a small kids play area in the heart of the market.
You can find both red and white gluhwein (a popular hot, spiced wine) here which is perfect for warming up on a cold night. White gluhwein is much lighter and more refreshing, although not as common at this time of year. Uniquely, this market also features a cocktail bar where you can order both hot and cold freshly mixed cocktails.
If you’re looking for unique souvenirs, then one of the most interesting stalls on this market specializes in personalised wooden items with engravings while you wait. The beautifully carved rolling pins and cookie stamps were particularly popular.
And of course the giant German gingerbread hearts were abundant here: I took some home for my boys who want me to write that they were delicious!
Local tip: If you’re short on time (or short on stamina) and want to see as many of the Cologne markets as possible then there is a route train, called the Christmas Market Express, which travels in a loop around the markets. A round-trip ticket to see all four markets costs 15 euros.
4. The Harbor Market
Of the four main Christmas markets in Cologne, the Harbor Market is both the newest and the furthest from the city center.
This market sits on the banks of the Rhine and in the grounds of the Chocolate Museum. The market is incredibly picturesque and its setting overlooking the river means lights reflect all around.
This isn’t the only Christmas market in Cologne with a Ferris wheel, but the wheel here is significantly bigger than any other. It stands at 50 meters high and offers epic views. You can see the river, the cathedral, and the skyline of the city as you ride.
You’ll find over 70 stalls at the market and with their white sail-like canopies, they have a fun but subtle maritime theme. Adding to this, entertainers here dress like pirates and if you’re travelling with children, there are play boats to keep them entertained (as well as the now obligatory market carousel).
If, after you’ve eaten your way merrily around the other three markets (like I did), you’re still hungry then the speciality dishes not to be missed at this market are the fish. These are smoked and cooked over an open flame, lending a rich and delicious flavor.
If you want to head out to this market then I recommend taking the land train, as it can be a bit of a hike from the Cathedral, which is where most people choose to start their day.
The Habor Market Christmas market in Cologne opens from 12pm – 10pm every day. This market is best visited in the evening to see the lights on the river, and to watch the twinkling lights of the city from the Ferris wheel.
Why choose Christmas Markets in Cologne?
Cologne is the 4th largest city in Germany. However, any visitor will tell you how it feels much smaller due to its compact city center. That makes it so easy and convenient for exploring more than one Christmas market in a short period of time.
In sum, the markets in Cologne are beautiful. Within the markets in this guide, the Cathedral Christmas market is particularly photogenic, and wonderfully unique thanks to the scale both of the cathedral and of the market.
From a practical point of view the city’s main airport, Cologne Bonn International Airport, is wonderfully well connected to the city center. The airport has its own train station which is a short walk from the arrivals terminal.
Once you’re there, you can take the S19 train from Cologne Bonn straight to Koln Hauptbahnhof (Cologne Central Station). The journey only takes around 15 minutes.
The trains run every 20 minutes. As an added bonus, this is wonderfully affordable with the journey between the airport and the city center costing just 3.50 euros.
I don’t think I’ve ever had an easier journey from the airport to the city center anywhere else in Europe!
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Share This Article
Traveling soon? Subscribe to The Insight below and get exclusive access to our personalized travel advice community via WhatsApp so you can ask all your burning travel questions.
Looking for the best comprehensive travel insurance? SafetyWing has you covered.
And for your eSIM in every country, there is only one option we recommend: Airalo.
Read more of our best insights from around the world
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- 10 Best Restaurants In Pattaya: Fine-dining, Views and Beachfront Locations
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