Cologne Christmas Markets Travel Guide
You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime, going to a Cologne Christmas Market in Germany. Christmas in Cologne, Germany is a dream come true! After traveling to the Cologne Christmas Markets in Germany I can say in all honesty it is every bit as magical and festive as you imagine it will be and then some!
After traveling Germany Christmas Markets for 2 weeks we found the Cologne Christmas Markets to be one of, if not the BEST Germany Christmas Market we went to! They had incredibly decorated markets, wonderful locally made food and beautifully created local goods and friendly kind locals.
How to get to Cologne, Germany?
Cologne is easy to get to and well worth the journey! If you are flying from the US odds are you will be flying into Frankfurt Airport, this is where most flights will go in or through. Fly into Frankfurt, Germany from your home base.
I would recommend taking a stop in Frankfurt before heading to Cologne as the market there is historic and enchanting.
After you have spent the time you want in Frankfurt you can easily catch a train or drive to Cologne. We drove and loved the flexibility it gave us and ended up saving us a ton of money! If you book early you can find car rentals around 20-50 a day. Especially if you are driving with at least one person this will end up saving on train tickets.
Now, driving in Germany is not for the faint of heart. German drivers tend to be more aggressive than we are used to and the roads can be a bit confusing. If you are a strong driver the convenience of taking a car is very nice.
Be sure to rent the car ahead of time- months in advance to get a good deal. The longer you wait the more limited your selection of cars will be, this is especially important if you want an automatic transmission which is a little harder to find.
Whether you decide on a train or car the journey from Frankfurt to Cologne will only be around 2- 3 hours.
And now the magical trip of a lifetime begins!
Where is Cologne Germany?
Cologne, Germany is located in Western Germany on the Rhine River. It is only 2 hours outside Frankfurt and is easy to get to via train or car.
Language
German of course is the language spoken in Germany. As an ethical traveler always take the time to learn basic words and phrases such as “thank you”, “hello”, “good bye”, and “cheers”. Most people in Germany know enough English to communicate with you if you do not speak German.
They are such incredibly friendly people and go out of their way to help you and answer any questions- they were just a delight! We used google translate ALOT! You can use it to translate signs using the image button on google translate or google chrome, this was a life saver! We also used it when talking to Germans when there was a language barrier.
It can be confusing to figure out parking garage payments among other day to day activities because of course it is in German so be prepared with your google image translation and ask a local if you need help.
Read more about parking garages and driving here! Hopefully it’ll save you from being stuck in a parking garage like us!
Currency
You will be using euros while in Germany. Bring cash with you, especially while at the Christmas Markets in Cologne where most places do not take cards. Now this is changing as more and more are offering credit card as an option for payment. When this is available, hop on it to help preserve your cash. There are a ton of ATM machines around town for when you need to get cash since Germany as a whole is a very big cash-using country.
If you are short on cash and heading to a bar or restaurant be sure to clarify that they take cards before you order anything.
A great time saver we do before a trip is get the local currency sent to us via our bank website. You can simply go log in to your bank account or search on the website for “foreign currency exchange” or “foreign currency ordering” and get the money sent directly to your home before you leave. This is amazing hack so when you land in Germany you have euros in hand to hit the ground running and avoid the hassle of getting cash out at the airport.
Budget
You can easily get around 50-100 a day for spending on souvenirs, 2- 3 meals, snacks, coffee, and drinks. This price can vary a lot depending on how much you want to drink and if you are returning drink mugs (you get money back when you do this 3-5 dollars). We tend to split meals or get food from food stalls and split so if you tend to not share or eat larger meals the budget will go up from there. Germany will tend to be a little less than other European prices and have very affordable beers that are amazing! Overall Germany is manageable as a budget destination!
This budget will not include accommodations or ubers/taxis. We did not take ubers or taxis in Cologne at all, it is a very walkable city and we walked everywhere! This was a great way to walk off our calories and see the city! Most markets are located just a couple minutes walk away from one another.
Where to stay in Cologne?
Accommodations can be very affordable with prices around 70-100 dollars a night that are walking distance for budget hotels or rentals. This price will give you a basic room with a full or queen bed with a private room. For nicer rooms you can expect to pay 200-300 a night. The further out you book the better your deal will be, the accommodations that are walking distance will book up fast so try to book early 3 months or more in advance. If you are more last minute you will still be able to find a place as well but will have less options. We ended up booking a month out and still found a reasonably priced that was walking distance from the Cologne Christmas Markets.
Where we stayed in Cologne: We stayed in a budget hotel which was clean and in a great location! It was about a 10 min walk to the Cologne Christmas Markets! Hotel Glockengasse is a perfect stay for the budget traveler!
Is Cologne Worth Visiting?
YES, YES, and YES!!!! Cologne was one of, if not my favorite city we visited in Cologne. It is the cultural hub of Germany, known for great beer, not as touristy as other German cities, had friendly people, and is just so incredibly beautiful! And Christamas in Cologne, Germany is absolutely incredible. The Cologne Christmas Markets are enchanting with lights hanging and decorating the stalls, beautifully locally made items, gluhwein, and the most delicious food imaginable. This is a trip of a lifetime, bucket list worthy!
What must you do and try in Cologne?
First off, try the beer! The beer is absolutely amazing!! And you will be able to get huge sizes of beer that are so well made, German beers have very high standards and rules brewers must follow making the beer some of the best in the world. Take the time to try the beer and stop at some breweries. Kolsch beer originated in Cologne so be sure to try it! When ordering some times they will not know what a kolsch is so when in doubt just ask for a beer and you will always end up with a delightful German beer!
Another must in Cologne Christmas Markets is the Heinzels Wintermaerchen (The Cologne Gnome Market) and the Dom Market (The Cologne Cathedral Market). These are the most beautiful and popular ones for good reason, the Dom Market was my absolute favorite in all of Germany.
When in Cologne be sure to visit the Cologne Cathedral where the Dom Market is located. The Cologne Cathedral is a gothic cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage site is will take your breathe away, it makes for the most incredible backdrop to the Dom Market too. Be sure to take the time to go inside and walk around the Cologne Cathedral.
You will love Cologne and visiting Cologne Cologne Christmas Markets is one of the best travel experiences you can do!
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- Kolsch in Cologne where the Kolsch beer was created!
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- Kolsch at the Gnome Market
When is the best time to go to Cologne Christmas Markets?
The first two weeks in December will be the best time to go to the Cologne Christmas Markets since it will be less crowded and the weather will be a little warmer. Try to avoid opening days and weekends if possible due to the crowds. These days will be when the Cologne Christmas Markets will be at the busiest.
Cologne Christmas Market Dates
Cologne Christmas Markets will usually run from the first weeks in December to the 23rd or 24th of December. Some other markets will be open later and even after the holidays but most will end a couple days before Christmas.
Cologne Christmas Market Locations
Cologne Christmas Markets are the best in all of Germany in my opinion and outside of the pure magic of the markets its the convenience of visiting each market within walking distance of the others. You can easily walk to all the Christmas Markets in Cologne and skip around to the different ones. They are all going to be located in the Old Town of Cologne and this will be the best place to base yourself.
What to pack for the Cologne Christmas Markets?
You will be out an about during the day and then again at night when the lights are the prettiest and with all that time in the cold you will need all the layers and gear to make it an enjoyable experience. And gluhwein helps warm you up too, so drink up buttercup. And besides gluhwein there are lots of must pack items to help make your trip to Cologne more enjoyable despite the cold weather!
A thick and long coat with a hood, this is important as a long one to your knees will keep you must warmer and the hood will come in handy when it rains and snows. This is something worth investing in, you will not regret it. We both have Eddie Bauer coats we love but any thick winter jacket will do.
Hand warmers and shoe warmers– This was a game changer. Bring enough of these for most of the days to put in your gloves and boots. Many last ten hours or more making it perfect for a day exploring in the cold weather.
Hat (woman)– You will need a thick hat that is cute and covers your ears to keep you warm and great for cute Cologne Christmas Market pics! Mens Hat
Scarf– Scarves are so important because they seal up the warmth and will keep your neck and upper chest warm. Bring one you can wear with anything! They also will have some at the markets too that make for the perfect souvenir. Men keep in mind scarves are more common for men’s fashion in Germany so do what the Germans do and get a stylish scarf to keep yourself warm.
Gloves– A couple things to consider for gloves, you will need waterproof gloves, with a phone touch for taking pictures, and thick gloves. Here are some that are similar to the ones we have but any gloves that have those things will fit the bill.
Boots– I only brought one pair of boots and wore them everyday. Be sure to find one that has excellent traction because many times the sidewalks will not be properly shoveled or salted so this is crucial. Also be sure they are waterproof and are versatile to dress up or down as needed. These are the ones I brought with me.
Photography Needs- The Christmas Markets in Cologne are even prettier than all the videos and instagram pics you’ve seen and you will want to take pictures of EVERYTHING! We always travel with our selfie stick that doubles as a tripod and also our flexible tripod to curl around odd objects to get the perfect pic- both are so handy! We also have been carrying with us a polaroid camera because they make for the cutest little souvenirs.
Toiletries Essentials- We brought these toiletry containers and they lasted us almost the entire two week trip for two people only refilling towards the end of our trip. We love them because they don’t spill open when pushed down in your suitcase and also can stand up in the shower on their own. They also come with labels which is very helpful.
Our Travel Musts- We never travel without a travel adapter and a rechargeable battery.
We love the travel adapter because it is universal means it works for all the different outlets so we can take the same one everywhere!
The portable battery has been so handy when our phone dies after using maps all day and we can not get stranded somewhere with a dead phone and no idea how to get home. For me this is a safety must- you always want a functioning phone on you- especially us ladies.
Outside of those items bring a ton of socks, thermal layers, and really thick sweaters. And I’d recommend a bag to carry at the markets if you plan on buying souvenirs and possibly a bag to take back the extra souvenirs you bring back and all those gluhwein mugs.
Things to know before going to the Cologne Christmas Markets
- Gluhwein will be available at all Cologne Christmas Markets for around 10 euros. This price includes the price of the mug which is around 3-4 euros. You will then bring your mug back to get the deposit back of 3-4 euros. Or you can keep the mug for a souvenir that only costs 3-4 euros, not bad for a very unique souvenir.
We even brought these back as gifts for our family. They loved them! We played white elephant and they picked a mug and we made gluhwein for Christmas. IT was so much fun!
- Another very important thing to know is most places still just take cash. Some places are slowly giving credit cards as an option for payment but this is still not the norm so bring cash with you. We always get money mailed from our bank in the currency we need which has a lower exchange rate and it is so easy since it is mailed to our door right before the trip! Of course we don’t take out tons since we never want to travel with big amounts of cash but it’s a great way to hit the ground running.
- Many stalls will not have bags so be sure to bring a small backpack or a reusable bag to put anything you buy.
- As many people can speak basic English it is always important to learn basic phrases. This is an important part of traveling ethically. Germans are very friendly people and were always so kind and helpful in explaining things to us and helping us with learning the German words for food items and so on.
- There are NA or non alcoholic options if you do not drink, called “kinder punch” or some places will offer hot chocolate you can get without alcohol.
- Many of the German food signs will be in German of course and most of it you will learn to order gluhwein but some may be a bit more complex. To translate the sign go to either google chrome or translate and click the camera button on the search bag and take a picture of the menu. Then you will be able to click translate and it will translate the entire menu! This was a life saver in Cologne Christmas Markets and at other restaurants or parking garages and so on.
What to buy at the German Christmas Market in Cologne?
If you love shopping you are going to the right place! When you are hopping around to other German Christmas Markets it can be tough to pace yourself and know which markets to buy more from or when to wait! I can assure you Cologne has some of the best quality of items in all of Germany. There are many other markets in other German cities that will be selling more junk and stuff shipped in and not made locally.
In Cologne you will find most of the items for sale or made locally in Cologne and are being sold directly by their makers.
You will find a ton of options of things to buy from ceramic German houses, ornaments, sweet treats, beer or drink glasses, locally made egg nog or beer, winter hats and scarves, among other hand crafted goods that are the best souvenirs and gifts for all your loved ones!
Cologne Christmas Markets is the best place to get some Christmas shopping done!
Other top German Christmas Markets for shopping are Munich and Nuremberg.
Cologne Christmas Markets
There are 10 Christmas Markets in Cologne and they are all so very unique from one another and worth the stop to experience each one! In this Cologne Christmas Market Guide we will tell you all about our top picks!
If you have limited time I would recommend going to The Dom Market and the Heinzels Wintermaerchen as the must go markets (read on to find out more about them).
Weihnachtsmarkt am Dom (The Cologne Cathedral Market)
The Dom Market is not only my favorite Cologne Christmas Market but my favorite Christmas Market in all of Germany. It is the perfect size, not too big and not too small. It has an incredible backdrop with the Kolner Dom or Kolner Cathedral looming above. The Kolner Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedrals in Germany and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and when we first set eyes on it you will see why. It is just breathtaking.
The entire market is in a small areas in from of the cathedral and there is a tree hoisted up and string lights all coming from the tip of the tree and draping down the covers almost the entire market. As you walk around and look up you will see a netting of lights, this looks absolutely magical at night with the lights just twinkling against the dark sky and the cathedral right behind the tree. The entire dom Market will have gold star decorations and little cathedral outlines on the stalls. In my option the Dom Market is the prettiest market in all of Germany!
I also loved the vendors and quality of products being sold here. Most of the businesses selling were local makers and the quality was very nice and handcrafted. There was much more variety in what you can buy in Cologne Christmas Markets at large and especially here at the Dome market. Be sure to get a souvenir from this market- you will not regret it!
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- Dom Market
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- Cathedral Christmas Market
Markt der Engel (Cologne Angel Market)
Markt der Engel is an angel themed market in the heart of Cologne and a perfect place to enjoy Christmas in Cologne Germany. The stalls and market has a modern classy posh look to it with stalls selling finer cocktails as well as gluhwein and great German food. We found this Cologne Christmas Market to be less touristy and had great food to enjoy that had the traditional Germany Christmas Markets food with pretzels and frankfurters but also had GREAT cinnamon rolls handmade and cheese pretzels which we loved! The Markt der Engel is also stunning at nighttime with the white lights, angel lights, and classic traditional decor making it a wonderful Cologne Christmas Market.
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- Markt der Engel (Angel Market)
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- Cathedral Waffle at Angel Market
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- Angel Market Gluhwein
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- Adorable Goat Decorations on the Stalls
Heinzels Wintermaerchen (Cologne Gnome Market)
The Heinzels Wintermaerchen is probably the most popular Cologne Christmas Market and you most likely hear about this one because it is just so cute and unique! The Heinzels Wintermaerchen is a gnome themed market with adorable gnomes everywhere from the tops of the stalls doing silly things like stringing lights among other mischievous and cute things! They are even riding a mini ski lift above the ice skating rink!
It is even cuter than you can imagine!
The front entrance is the best photo spot with a beautifully wooden carved entrance with the most enchanting gnomes. It is all these little details that make it such a magical experience.
The Heinzels Wintermaerchen is the most popular Cologne Christmas Market so get there early and try to go on the weekdays when possible, although it will still be packed every night it is still less crowded than on the weekends.
Another plus about Heinzels Wintermaerchen is this the biggest Cologne Christmas Market with lots of stalls to explore and tons to eat, drink, and shop!
Nikolausdorf Markt (St. Nikolaus Market)
Nikolausdorf Markt is a St Nicholas Santa themed market that is a smaller but very festive market! This market was so fun and had very Christmasy decor with a huge sleigh and Reindeer display over the stalls, garland with lights, traditional red and green decor throughout the market and a giant advent calender. You also can take a pic in a giant gluhwein mug which is just too fun, you have to hop on in! It is located on RudolfPlatz and is in a very charming area of Cologne with more historic buildings and is fun to explore! Nikolausdorf also had great local goods to shop and take as a souvenir!
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- Nikolausdorf Markt (St. Nikolaus Market)
Hafen Weinhnachts Markt (Cologne Harbor Christmas Market)
Now you will not see Hafen Weinhnachts Markt on most lists of the best Christmas Markets in Cologne and that is a mistake! This market is so unique and you will find very few other tourists there with great locally made goods, gluhwein of course, and beautiful river views which are gorgeous at night! It also has a ship bar, which is located on land but is so unique to grab a drink from a boat turned into a bar! This is a must while in Cologne! It is a bit of a walk from the main area of Cologne but is doable!
Heavenue Market (LGBTQ+ Market)
The Heavenue Market looks like it was such a fun market but was closed when we visited. It was closed in both 2022 and 2023. Check the website for latest updates for 2024! It looks AMAZING in the past with elaborate and incredible drag shows and other performances as well as bright and glittery decor that looks like a dream!
The Cologne Christmas Markets are my favorite in all of Germany! You will find they are more authentic, have great details in the decor and stalls that make them so intricate and beautiful, and have the best food and goods!
Cologne itself is such a beautiful city with charming buildings, friendly people, and the stunning Dom Cathedral that alone is reason to visit Cologne. And of course the reason you are visiting, the best christmas markets in all of Germany and all within walking distance which make it a no brainer for you Germany Christmas Market Trip!
Have the best time exploring all the Christmas cheer in the Cologne Christmas Markets! Happy Travelers!
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Seek Out Sustainable Travel
As an ethical and sustainable travel blog for the budget travelers we want to help you SEEK out Sustainable Travel while in Cologne to help you travel better! Following SEEK out Sustainable Travel Pillars we can all make a positive impact by support Social Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability, Economic Sustainability, and the power of learning and expand our Knowledge.
Social Sustainability- Understanding the culture and customs in Germany and doing everything in your power to treat the locals with respect and kindness.
In Germany a great way to do this is to learn German phrases and words when communicating with Germans.
Another important part of German culture is structure and rules- they are huge about following all the rules to a T. For example J walking is very frowned upon and not something you should do. Following the rules in a very uniform way is something you want to do in respect with their culture. While waiting in line in Germany I was standing maybe 5 inches over the line and was told to move back to the line to give you an idea of what I mean by follow the rules.
Following customs and culture norms is something as travelers that is so important and a wonderful trade off for getting to experience a new culture! It is these culture differences that make travel so fun!
Environmental Sustainability
- Using Re-usable Goods when possible- Germany does a great job providing paper straws, recycling, and other sustainable practices! When possible use your own water bottle or thermos to cut down on waste.
- Reduce Pollution and use of Fossil Fuels- Walk or bike when possible to cut down on our use of fossil fuels and pollution whenever possible! Plus this will help work off all those delicious food and drink you will be enjoying!
Economic Sustainability- As travelers we have a powerful tool that can leave a positive impact on the communities we visit in how we spend our money and where we spend our money.
Not only can we give money to the local community but we can make changes in what causes we can effect systematic change. For example, in spending our money at an elephant sanctuary and not riding an elephant we can do our part to put businesses that support animal cruelty out of business.
Stay Locally- when possible stay at a locally ran accommodation where your money can go in the hands of a local.
Eat and Drink Locally- Drink and Eat Locally which is easy to do when you are visiting the Cologne Christmas Markets!
Knowledge- Knowledge is the key to all change in our world. In educating ourselves as travelers we can leave a positive impact on the places we explore.
When traveling to Cologne, learn about Cologne’s History & Culture- Educate yourself prior to going about German customs and culture. And when you are in Cologne visit attractions that help you to learn about Cologne’s history and culture.
One of our recommendations to help educate yourself of Cologne’s history is the NS Documentation Center.
- The NS Documentation Center was the Cologne Gestapo Headquarters and is now a museum with exhibits about the Jewish victims and the history of the events that occurred during 1933-1945. Tickets are 4.50 euros or free for students. If you have the time this is a very informative museum and a way to better educate yourself about this period in Cologne’ history.
- These are other Cologne museums that are wonderful ways to further your education about Cologne.
- Learn Basic Phrases- Learn basic German and make an effort to use German when talking to locals.
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