Exploring Cologne's Christmas Market: A Magical Winter Experience

Cologne, Germany, transforms into a Christmas wonderland during the holiday season, with several different markets to choose from. The city's most recognisable landmark, Cologne Cathedral, is home to one of the city's most beautiful markets, with over 200 stalls spread across two floors. The Old Town Christmas Market is another favourite, with about 120 stalls and a 1,800-square-metre ice landscape. The amount of attention to detail and design makes it seem like a permanent fixture. The Angel's Market is adorned with hundreds of twinkling starlights, and visitors may even meet some of the angels working at the market. The Harbour Christmas Market is a nautical-inspired market with 70 stalls, and the chance to sample some of the best winemaker mulled wine. Lastly, the Stadtgarten Christmas Market is smaller but packed with festive cheer, with over 80 vendors selling stylish and unique products.

Explore the six main markets, including the Harbour Market and the Angel Market

The Harbour Market and the Angel Market are two of the six main markets that make up the Cologne Christmas Market. Each market has its own unique theme and vibe, and they are all worth exploring.

The Harbour Market, or the Cologne Harbour Christmas Market, is one of the newest additions to the Cologne Christmas Market collection. It is located on the Rhine River, in front of the famous Lindt Chocolate Museum and the modern Rheinauhafen district. The Harbour Market is made up of 70 snow-white pagoda-style stalls adorned with twinkling festive decorations, with elevated gables and wooden floors that resemble sailing ships—a nod to its maritime theme. A giant wooden three-masted boat has been converted into a bar, serving warming gluhwein and other drinks. Many of the stalls offer products related to the sea, including seafood dishes and snacks, marine-themed crafts, and Christmas ornaments. The market also features a 50-metre-high Ferris Wheel, offering sweeping views of the Rhine and Cologne, including its majestic cathedral.

The Angel Market, or the Markt der Engel, is the oldest Christmas market in Cologne. It is located on Neumarkt, one of the city's largest squares in a popular shopping district. The market is devoted to all things angelic, with ladies in angel costumes and winter queens (on special days) spreading festive cheer by sprinkling Christmas glitter and reciting Christmas texts to children. Over 70 snow-white and grey alpine-style chalets are decorated with sparkling lights and stars, along with countless natural Christmas trees and cute nativity scenes. A small, traditional merry-go-round is a treat for children, while the stalls offer unique gifts, ornaments, sweet treats, and fun boozy drinks.

In addition to the Harbour and Angel Markets, there are four other main markets in Cologne: the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market, located right next to the Cologne Cathedral and featuring over 150 stalls; Heinzel's Wintermaerchen (the Gnome Market), located in the Old Town and featuring two sections with artisans, food, and a large ice rink; Cologne's Nikolausdorf (the Nicholas Village), known for its meat booth and convenient public transport connections; and the Stadtgarten Christmas Market, set in the oldest park in the trendy Belgian Quarter, offering stylish accessories and gifts from local designers.

Take the Mini Christmas Train between markets

The Christmas Market Express, also known as the Mini Christmas Train, is a great way to get between the various Christmas markets in Cologne. The train runs a loop between four of the markets: the Cathedral Market, Heinzel's Winter Fairytale (or the Gnome Market), the Harbor Market, and the Angels' Market. The hop-on-hop-off tickets cost 10 euros for adults and 7 euros for children, and the train departs every 15 minutes. The Mini Christmas Train is a convenient and festive way to get around, with cheerful Christmas music playing on board to set the holiday mood.

The Mini Christmas Train starts its journey in the street Burgmauer, located opposite the west façade of Cologne Cathedral, near Cologne Central Station. The first stop is the Cathedral Market, which is located right next to the cathedral and features 150 stands with food, drinks, and shopping. This market is the biggest of all the city markets and the most popular, with organisers expecting over 4 million visitors each year. The stalls are covered in classic red fabric and surrounded by the cathedral's massive spires, making for a stunning sight.

The next stop is Heinzel's Winter Fairytale, located in Cologne's Old Town in Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares. This market features a large ice rink and a beer hall, as well as traditional handicrafts and beverage stands with super cute mugs. The market plays on a local legend about gnomes helping craftsmen with their work, so you will see gnomes featured throughout the decorations.

The Harbor Market is the third stop, located along the bank of the Rhine River. This market has a fun pirate theme, with booths topped with pointed white tents meant to evoke sails and beverage stands shaped like massive wooden ships. The décor and food options follow the nautical theme, so you can enjoy a fish sandwich or buy a lighthouse ornament.

The final stop on the Mini Christmas Train route is the Angels' Market, located in a popular shopping district in the city centre. This market boasts a sprawling size, wide lanes, and a fantastic ornament shop. Women dressed as angels float through the crowds, and the glühwein mugs feature demonic elves.

Visit the Chocolate Museum

If you're visiting the Christmas markets in Cologne, Germany, you might want to pay a visit to the Chocolate Museum. Here's everything you need to know.

Location

The Chocolate Museum is located on the banks of the Rhine River in the grounds of the old main customs office in Cologne's Rheinauhafen. It's easily accessible from the city centre, and you can get there by public transport, car, or even a festive motorized train that runs between the Christmas markets.

Opening Hours

The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, and on weekends from 10 am to 6 pm. Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays from January to March and in November. Opening hours may also vary during the Carnival season.

Tickets

You can buy tickets online or at the ticket counter. Adult tickets cost around €13-€14.50, and there are discounts for children. There are also special tickets available, such as combo tickets that include attractions like the nearby Ferris wheel.

What to Expect

The Chocolate Museum takes you on a journey through the 5,000-year cultural history of cocoa and chocolate. You'll learn about the ancient American cultures associated with cocoa, like the Maya and the Aztecs, and discover the industrial history of chocolate production. The museum covers over 4,000 square meters and includes a walk-through tropical house, exhibits on the natural history of cocoa, and a collection of baroque porcelain and silver. You can also see historical machines from the industrialization era and watch how chocolate is made, both industrially and by hand, in the glass-walled production facility and chocolate workshop.

Tastings and Cafe

Throughout the museum, you'll have the opportunity to taste different chocolates, including from a chocolate fountain. There is also a cafe, the Chocolat Grand Cafe, where you can enjoy delicious chocolate treats and specialties while taking in the view of the Rhine River.

Other Tips

• The museum can get busy, especially on weekends, so consider visiting on a weekday if possible.
• There is a cloakroom available for a small charge where you can leave your coats and bags.
• If you want to create your own customized chocolate bar, place your order as soon as you enter the museum, as it can take up to 2 hours for your chocolate to be ready.

See a Cologne Christmas Lights Bike Tour

Get into the holiday spirit with a Christmas Market bike tour in Cologne. This tour gives you the chance to get into the festive mood in an active way. Explore the city all lit up and visit four Christmas markets on this fun seasonal tour.

The Cologne Christmas Market Bike Tour is a great way to see the city's Christmas lights and experience the holiday cheer. The tour is led by an experienced local English-speaking guide who will take you to four different Christmas markets, each with its own unique theme and special features. You will get to explore the city all lit up in its festive glory as you cycle through the streets.

The tour starts in the evening, when the markets are at their most magical, with the twinkling lights and soaring Christmas trees creating a lace curtain of light. You will get to visit markets such as the Cathedral Christmas Market, with its classic red-covered stalls spread out below the cathedral's massive spires; Heinzel's Winter Fairytale, with its large ice rink and lanes for skating; and the Angel Market, located in a popular shopping district in the city centre.

As you pedal through the city, your guide will point out interesting landmarks and share stories about Cologne's history. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels and is a relaxed way to experience the city's cultural offerings. The pace will be leisurely, with plenty of stops for photographs, so don't forget your camera!

To make the experience even more festive, your guide will be equipped with a boombox, blasting traditional carols and your favourite Christmas hits. This is a fun and eco-friendly way to explore Cologne during the holiday season and get into the Christmas spirit.

Enjoy the view from the Köln Triangle

The Köln Triangle is a tower across the river from the cathedral, from which you can get an aerial view of the city. It's not the highest vantage point in Cologne, but it's said to offer some of the best views. There is an observation deck at the top of the tower.

The tower is located in the Deutz neighbourhood, on the eastern side of the Rhine. The Deutz neighbourhood is also home to the Chocolate Museum, which is worth a visit if you're interested in the history of chocolate and cocoa.

To get to the Köln Triangle, you can take the regional rail link (the S-Bahn) from the airport to the main Cologne railway station, which is located next to the cathedral. From there, you can walk across the river to the Köln Triangle.

If you're looking for other things to do in Cologne, the city has a lot to offer, especially during the Christmas season. There are several Christmas markets to explore, including the popular Cathedral Christmas Market in front of the Cologne Cathedral. This market features over 150 stands with food, drinks, and handicrafts.

In addition to the Christmas markets, Cologne is home to several historical sites, such as the Cologne Cathedral itself, which is a World Heritage-recognised site and a symbol of the city. The current building was started in the 13th century and took six centuries to complete.

Cologne also has several sports teams, including the FC Köln football club and the Kölner Haie ice hockey team. If you're interested in sports, you can catch a game or visit one of the team's home stadia.

Frequently asked questions