If you are thinking to visit some Christmas markets in November/December, well the Cologne Christmas Markets in Germany are for sure the ones you should not miss. First of all, Cologne has at least 14 markets so basically visiting all of them is quite difficult (or you will probably need more days. So here you will find a recap of the most beautiful Cologne Christmas markets.

From my point of view, these are also the most beautiful ones I have seen so far: so do not miss them!

Ready to explore it?

First of all, it depends how you reach Cologne: you may opt for the train, get to the main railway station (Cologne Hauptbahnof) and therefore start the route from the Cathedral market. In my case, I came by car and therefore parked the car close to the Neumarkt. You will find the map of the markets at the bottom of the post.

Before starting, I want to point out that each of the Cologne Christmas markets has its own theme so you won´t find the same market. Another important tbing so mention is that the entrance is free.

At the Neumarkt, you can find the first beautiful one:

1) The Angel Market – Markt der Engel

The Angel Market or Mark der Engel is really nice and has a great charming atmosphere. It is inspired to the statue of the angel you can find in the market. The twinking lights are created in form of stars, the wooden white cabins selling handicrafted products and the nativity scenes contribute to this magical atmosphere. You can find the opening times and more info here.

2) Heizelsweihnachtmarket – the Home of the Gnomes

This is the one of the Cologne Christmas markets that i prefer. You can reach it by walking from the Neumarkt along the Schildergasse that is the shopping street. Once you get to the Heumarkt you find the Heinzelsweihnachtmarket or the House of the Gnomes. It is called like this as the gnomes as they are everywhere. It is also the largest market.

As you see below, the entrance is spectacular and then you can find the ice-rink and the markets. At the end of the Heumarkt, there is also a Alpine-style bar/restaurant and places where you can drink the gluhwein (mulled wine) and eat other specialties.

The Heinzelsweihnachtmarket occupies also the Alter Markt, where you can find nice cabins and the column where some music bands play.

It extends up to the little square close before the Cathedral, where you find the Weinachtspyramide am Kölner Dom, where you find the most intimate market of the city.

3) Cathedral market – Weihnachtmart am Kolner Dom

The Cathedral market has this scenic spot as it is dominated by the Unesco Cathedral and the huge tree with many light bulbs that create a kind of starlight tent. It has like 150 shops. I must say that I prefer a kind of fairy-tale picture like the Market of the Angel or the House of Gnome as this one looks more modern and minimalist. However, it is compulsory to take a pic under the huge Christmas tree and the starlight tent.

4) Nikolausdorf – Village of St Nicholaus

The Nikolausdorf or the Village of St. Nicholaus is another nice market located in Rudolfplatz immediately close to the Hahnentor. It displays half-timbered like houses and is dedicated mostly to Santa Claus, with his house, the village chapel and so on. This has a more intimate atmosphere and I loved it a lot.

5) Harbour Christmas Market – Hafen Weihnachtsmarkt

The Harbour Christams market is located close to the Imoff Chocolate Museum and has theme with ships, pirates, lighthouse. It is not as great as the previous ones, so you may stroll around and i strongly recommend to stop for a hot chocolate cup at the museum bar. The Malakoff Tower completes the scenery.

6) Heavenue – the gay Christmas market

Not far from Rudolfplatz and the Nikolausdorf, you can find the colorful and pop art style Heavenue, that is the gay Christmas market. The atmosphere was really like party one and many led light ( especially light blue and purpl) make this market particular and different from others. For sure if you want to see something different from the traditional ones, this is the place to go.

Map:

Travel tips:

• If you come by car, please make sure to park close to the Neumarkt as it has a ´strategic position´ to reach easily the markets on the eastern side and then the ones around Rudolfplatz.
• It is also recommended to come by train and start your visit from the Christmas market at the Cathedral.
• If you want to visit other Christmas markers around, I would recommend the underground markets of Valkenburg and the Aachen Christmas market.
• Please make sure you visit the markets when it is dark (so after 4pm in December and 5pm in November), as they look much better with all the lights.
• It may take half day to visit these markets – if you want to visit also the other ones I would recommend to stay overnight.

For suref you come by car, please find a place close to the Neumarkt so you can strategically

Where to stay:

• Budget accomodation: Weltempfänger Hostel, located just at 12-minute underground ride from Cologne Cathedral, has twin rooms with bathroom and breakfast included. Price 84 Euros per night per double room.
• Mid-range accomodation: the Hotel Ludwig Superior is located at just 5 minutes walking distance from the Cathedral and has large bedrooms and breakfast. Prices start from 146 Euros per double room. It has a strategic position to visit the Christmas markets
• Luxury accomodation: Hyatt Regency Köln, that offers great views of the Cologne Cathedral and located close to the Rhine River. The hotel has classical-style rooms and suites, breakfast included and prices start from 268 Euros per night per double room.

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