Cologne/Koln - This Is What You Can Expect From The Christmas Markets In The City

The days are shorter and the weather is grey, which means Christmas is right around the corner, or at least the Christmas markets. One of my favorite location for Christmas markets is in Germany. From everything I have seen until now, the German annual Christmas markets are soon going to open their doors, and all it’s going to be winter wonderland again. Germany is the Christmas market country par excellence, I want to tell you about one of the cutest German Christmas markets where you can easily enjoy the mulled wine and heiße Schokolade. 

Cologne/Koln has seven different Christmas markets. I visited two: one at the Dom and the one in Stadtgarten. Both have been a household name in the city for years, but also so different from each other!

Weihnachtsmarkt Am Kölner Dom

The largest, most famous and busiest is the 'Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom'. Right next to the station and right next to the highlight of the city. You will find dozens of stalls here that sell a lot of mulled wine (and chocolate milk), but also all kinds of fish, sandwiches, sausages, cookies, pancakes, and sweets. Of course, you can also purchase many (Christmas) knick-knacks.

When it is dark, a band appears, all the lights are on, and the Christmas tree is more impressive than ever before. It is then just a bit cozier than when the weather is gray during the day. And that view of the Dom is, of course, not bad either! Keep in mind, especially on weekends, that this Christmas market is quite busy. Not too busy, but you shouldn't be in a hurry to get anywhere.

Weihnachtsmarkt im Stadtgarten

Are you more of a fan of a smaller place? Then walk a few kilometers further. Doing some research, I figure out that the 'Weihnachtsmarkt im Stadtgarten' is the next best thing. What peace here! The market is set up in the city park. It has a lot fewer stalls, but you will, of course, still find an overload of mulled wine, chocolate milk, and eggnog, you can go there for all kinds of Christmas stuff, and you can score great food. The kebab place here is especially popular. The atmosphere here is much more relaxed and German. A world of difference with the market next to the Dom, but just as recommended. It just depends on what you love.

How Do You Get To Cologne/Koln?

Of course to answer this question I need to know where do you come from. In my case, there is an international high-speed train called ICE, which easily connects Amsterdam to the main cities in Germany. Really, what a relief! I also love driving, which will make my trip to Cologne/Koln around 3-hours, but then again, I will be a bit tired, and I will need to look for safe parking. Why even bother, when I can take the train and sleep for those 3 hours and be ready to enjoy my eggnog right at arrival. Also, let’s not forget that most cars require an environmental badge to be able to drive around in Cologne/Koln!

For me, the train is just as fast (almost 3 hours from Amsterdam), and you can get a single ticket from € 19,  With a bit of luck, you will also have a socket next to your seat, so you can charge your phone and watch a movie on your tablet or laptop. As far as I am concerned, this way of traveling is really worth it!

The Cologne Christmas markets can be visited until December 23th each year.

https://www.cologne-tourism.com/