The Magic Behind Cologne's Holiday Season

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, is a popular tourist destination, especially during the Christmas season, when its Christmas markets attract visitors from all over Europe. The city boasts a rich history, stunning architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene. With its magnificent cathedral, charming old town, and lively squares, Cologne offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a festive holiday experience.

Cologne Christmas Markets

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, is a popular destination for Christmas markets, attracting visitors from all over Europe. The city boasts a range of markets, from the well-known Cathedral Christmas Market to smaller, neighbourhood markets, each with its own unique character and offerings. Here is a guide to some of the best Christmas markets that Cologne has to offer:

Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market

The Cologne Cathedral, the city's most recognisable landmark, hosts one of the most beautiful markets. Located on Roncalliplatz, next to the cathedral, the market features live entertainment and a dazzling display of fairy lights. It offers a variety of food options and stalls selling handmade decorations, arts and crafts, and festive treats.

Harbour Christmas Market

The Harbour Christmas Market is set in the beautiful Cologne Harbour, next to the Chocolate Museum. This lively market features pointed-roof tents filled with crafts and gifts, as well as gorgeous boats to explore.

Market of Angels (Markt der Engel am Neumarkt)

The Market of Angels, located in central Neumarkt, is built beneath a canopy of twinkling stars. This market is a popular spot for locals to meet and enjoy drinks, with several large bar areas. It is known for its hot Christmas cocktails, including a hot Aperol Spritz. It also features teenage girls dressed as angels who hand out sweets to children.

Rudolfplatz Christmas Market

The Rudolfplatz Christmas Market is a smaller, quaint market set in front of the medieval Hahnentor city gate. The stalls here mimic a cute medieval village, and it is a great spot for food lovers, offering delicious Prager Schinken (Prague ham). The Glühwein mugs at this market are shaped like little boots, making them a cute souvenir.

Stadtgarten Christmas Market

The Stadtgarten Christmas Market, located in the municipal garden, is a quieter alternative to the busier markets. It offers a festive atmosphere with live music and unique finds among its pretty stalls. The stalls change frequently, showcasing a variety of Cologne's independent businesses and delicious food options.

In addition to these markets, Cologne also offers unique festive experiences like the LGBTQ+ Christmas Market, Glühweinwanderweg (Glühwein walking routes), and an entirely vegan Christmas market. With its variety of markets, delicious food, and entertainment, Cologne is a top destination for a magical and memorable Christmas market experience.

Cologne Cathedral

The Christmas market on Heumarkt is another spectacular offering. Built around an elongated ice rink, the market features a wooden bridge over the ice and a two-floor chalet offering stunning views of the skaters below. This market is also known for its Feuerzangenbowle, a strong drink served on fire.

For those seeking a quieter experience, the Stadtgarten Christmas market is held in the municipal garden, offering a festive atmosphere with live music and unique finds among the pretty stalls.

Old Town

Cologne's Old Town, situated on the banks of the Rhine, is a must-visit for anyone exploring this historic German city. Known as 'The Home of the Gnomes', the Old Town market is a traditional treat for adults and children alike during the festive season. Here, you can soak in the festive cheer with the sound of carols, hunt for souvenirs, or glide around the ice rink.

The Old Town is renowned for its charming character, with narrow cobblestone streets, old-school pubs, and traditional German restaurants. The historic squares of Heumarkt and Alter Markt are particularly worth visiting, as they regularly host market days where you can find unique souvenirs and immerse yourself in the local culture. The squares are also adorned with glittering illuminations during the Christmas season, adding to the magical atmosphere.

For those seeking a break from the bustling markets, the Stadtgarten Christmas market in the municipal garden offers a quieter alternative. This market features festive music and a variety of unique stalls, creating an idyllic and relaxed atmosphere.

In addition to its markets, the Old Town boasts a wealth of museums, including the famous Chocolate Museum, where visitors can indulge in delicious cakes and chocolate specialties. Another notable museum in the area is the art museum, Museum Ludwig, which houses a diverse collection of artworks from renowned artists such as Dali, Warhol, and Picasso.

Cologne's Old Town truly comes alive during the Christmas season, with the scent of gingerbread and the twinkling lights, making it a delightful destination to explore and embrace the festive cheer.

Local food

Cologne, Germany's fourth-largest city, is a great place to visit for its local food and drinks. The city's old town, situated along the Rhine, is filled with narrow cobblestone streets, traditional pubs, and restaurants serving up German fare. Here are some of the local food delights you can try during your visit:

Kolsch

A pale beer exclusive to the region, Kolsch has been brewed for over a century and is a must-try when in Cologne. To get the authentic experience, look for breweries within 30 miles of the city.

Currywurst

Although it originated in Berlin, Currywurst is a popular dish across Germany. It consists of fried sausage chopped into small pieces and covered in curry ketchup, often served with chips or a bread roll.

Rievkooche

These sweet and savoury potato pancakes are a delicious local treat. They are typically served with toppings such as apple sauce or sugar beet syrup, and can be found in taverns throughout the city, but only on specific days.

Chocolate Museum Specialities

Indulge your sweet tooth at the Chocolat Grand Cafe within the Chocolate Museum. Here, you can treat yourself to delicious cakes and other chocolate specialties.

Glühwein

No visit to a German Christmas market is complete without trying Glühwein, a traditional hot spiced wine. It's the perfect drink to warm you up as you stroll through the markets.

Spätzle

Spätzle is a type of soft egg noodle or dumpling that is a popular dish in the region. You can find it at the Stadtgarten Christmas market, along with other local specialties like empanadas.

Cologne offers a variety of culinary delights, from traditional German fare to sweet treats and local beverages. So, whether you're exploring the historic old town or wandering through the Christmas markets, be sure to sample the local food and drinks that Cologne has to offer!

Carnival

Cologne Carnival takes place annually and traditionally begins on the 11th of November, at the 11th minute of the 11th hour. After a brief pause for Christmas and New Year festivities, the main events of the carnival, known as the "crazy days", start on Weiberfastnacht, the Thursday before Shrove Tuesday, and end on Ash Wednesday.

Cologne Carnival is Germany's wildest party, even outdoing Oktoberfest. The city's old town, located on the banks of the Rhine, is filled with narrow cobbled streets, old-school pubs, and traditional restaurants serving German food, as well as a healthy handful of museums. The historic squares at Heumarkt and Alter Markt hold regular market days, and the city has a newer tradition of the 'Comforter Tree' in Rheinpark, where children hang up their comforters to 'put them to rest' when they no longer need them.

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