The Most Beautiful Christmas Markets In Cologne
Cologne is one of my favorite cities in Germany, and more even around Christmas, when the city is extra beautiful with all its Christmas lights. The Christmas Markets in Cologne are of great quality, and there are several markets that are worth a visit. From crafty stands, heartwarming glühwein and all kinds of delicious snacks, to exciting activities like ice skating and Eisstockschiessen (which is a sport similar to curling), Cologne has it all. Let’s dive into the most beautiful Christmas Markets of Cologne!
Where are the Christmas markets in Cologne?
Christmas markets are spread all over the inner-city, and since it’s not that big, the Christmas markets are easy to reach by foot. There are more than 7 Christmas markets in Cologne every year. This makes visiting them all in a day quite a task, so I would not recommend doing so. You don’t want to have to rush all day long, all the while not being able to truly embrace and appreciate the German Christmas spirit. If you do want to experience a variety of different markets, I would advise you to pick two markets for one day. If you have more time, you can add another market and enjoy some of the other things Cologne has to offer.
Tip: When I travel to Cologne I usually stay at the Ruby Ella Hotel. Their rooms are clean and spacious and there’s a lovely bar where you can relax after a long day of exploring. Here are all your hotel options in Cologne
When are the Christmas markets in Cologne in 2024?
In 2024 the Christmas markets most likely start on November 22. Almost all of the Christmas Markets in Cologne are open 7 days a week. Opening hours are from 11:00 til 21:00 and on Friday and Saturday even longer, til 22:00 or 23:00. Most Christmas Markets close the day before Christmas, but there is an exception. The Christmas Market on the Heumarkt (Heinzels Wintermärchen) has a big ice skating rink which is open until the last day of the German Christmas holiday, which lasts until the first week of January. On November 24 all Christmas markets are closed due to a holiday called Totensonntag.
How do I get to Cologne?
Cologne is easy to reach by plane, car or public transport. There are several public parking garages at the edges of the city center, from there it’s an easy walk to one of the several Christmas Markets in the city. Do you want to explore Cologne by rental car? I always love booking with Sunny Cars because all insurances are included on your rental. If you travel from the Netherlands or Belgium, you can op for a sustainable choice and travel by train! Cologne is easy to reach from most big cities, which makes it super easy to travel by train. Book your tickets by clicking here!
The most beautiful Christmas markets in Cologne
Heinzels Wintermärchen
This is probably the cutest Christmas market in Cologne. It is located at the Altmarkt and Heumarkt and it even has a ice skating rink. The market has a gnome theme, and houses a lot of cute crafts stalls. So don’t forget to look up when you walk around, because there are a lot of gnomes to be seen. They are doing all kinds of activities. The greatest thing about this market is probably the food. There are tons of food stalls with classic German dishes, like bratwurst, reibekuchen and raclette.
Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom
The biggest and brightest of them all, the Christmas market near the Kölner Dom is quite impressive. There are a lot of interesting stalls with mainly Christmas decorations, but it’s also the perfect place to enjoy a glühwein and watch the lights on the Christmas tree and the incredible view on the Kölner Dom. Don’t forget to go inside the Kölner Dom to see its beautiful stained glass windows while you’re there.
The Angel Market
At the Neumarkt (not to confuse with Heumarkt), you can find an angel-themed Christmas market. The stalls are decked out in white and silver, and there are nods to stars and angels everywhere. You can also find angels at the tops of the stalls and lit stars hanging from the trees. You can even find women dressed up as angels walking around! They’re very nice – you can take a picture with them for free if you want to!
Stadspark Weihnachtsmarkt
When you’re in for a more authentic and not that touristy experience you should definitely visit the Stadspark Weihnachtsmarkt. This Christmas market is located at the other side of the bridge and lies next to the Chocolate Museum. The chocolate museum is amazing, that’s why I really recommend visiting it if you have the time. This market offers a lot of German snacks and drinks and the Kölner locals are also frequent visitors.
Other activities in Cologne
When you are visiting the Christmas markets of Cologne I would definitely recommend to extend your stay. Cologne has so much more to offer than just its Christmas markets. From the beautiful Kölner Dom to the Chocolate Museum, there are so many fun things to do around the city! We also used the Lonely Planet Germany guide to find fun activities in Cologne! You can order it here.
Things to do in Cologne
- I can’t stress this enough: go to the chocolate museum! It’s so much fun, and the chocolate is delicious!
- Sustainable and fun! Go on the hunt for street-art by joining this walking tour, or hop on a bicycle and join this super fun cycling street-art tour!
- Feeling a bit romantic? buy a padlock and immortalize your love for each other by hanging your lock on the Hohenzollern bridge.
- Join one of the most interesting activities in Cologne and visit the Melaten Cemetery, look at the incredible headstones and learn more about Colognes history. You can book this tour here.
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