Cologne

Visiting the Cologne Christmas Markets and Historic Landmarks

It’s no secret that Cologne (Köln in German) ranks among the best Christmas Markets to visit in Germany during the Advent Season. The multiple markets throughout the city coupled with the rich history and charm of its Old Town center, make Cologne a most enchanting destination.

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I have made several trips to Germany for the Christmas Markets over the years. Every town has their own traditions, specialties, and flair. No two are alike, which makes it so fun to hop from place-to-place. Still, there are a few that stand out as my favorites, and Cologne is one of them.

Above photo: The Cologne Cathedral and Christmas Market

If you are considering visiting the Cologne Christmas Markets, you will probably also want to work in other historic landmarks and attractions. In this post, I will outline the top sights and Christmas Markets in Cologne to experience during a short visit.

• Where we stayed
• Getting around Germany
• Our itinerary for Cologne
• Top landmarks in Cologne
• Cologne Christmas Markets
• For a longer stay
• Additional tips and tours

Where we stayed

There are two main location factors that I consider when booking accommodations for Christmas Markets: (1) proximity to the main central train station and (2) proximity to the main Christmas Markets. Location is everything when it comes to maximizing your time and minimizing transportation logistics. Note: It is important to book early for room availability and the best rates.

We stayed at the Hotel Mondial am Dom Cologne MGallery. We had the best of all worlds with the location just a block or two away from the crowds. It was our first hotel stay after our oversees flight. So, it was important to have a cozy room and a bit of quiet to recover from our jetlag. This hotel checked off all my boxes!

Above photos: Hotel Mondial am Dom Cologne MGallery

An alternative property that we considered was Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom. This hotels is located between the main train station and Cologne Cathedral. The location is amazing and it looks to be a stunning high-end property.

Above photo: Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom

Getting around Germany

If you are debating between renting a car or taking trains, I would recommend the latter unless you have plans to visit sights that are not served by rail. Germany has a sophisticated and impressive rail system that is incredibly easy to navigate. Plus, you won’t have the hassle of fighting traffic or figuring out where to park.

Above photo: Cologne Central Train Station

On each of my visits to Germany, I have opted for the train as my primary method of transport. However, I have rented cars for day trips to visit some of Germany’s famous storybook castles located out in the middle of nowhere.

The other option is to tour the Christmas Markets via a River Cruise. Although I have not done this myself, I have heard it is truly a wonderful experience.

Our itinerary for Cologne

My travel companion for this trip was my sister, and this was her first time setting foot on European soil, which made it even more exciting. We arrived in Cologne via train from Frankfurt Airport (roughly an hour in duration). Our international flight landed just after 7:00 am, and by 10:00 am we were in Cologne and grabbing selfies in front of the Cathedral. We had okay weather when we first arrived, but it was pretty rainy during most of our visit. The weather did not have much of an impact on our day though (we just got a little wet).

Top landmarks in Cologne

As tempting as it is to dive right into the Christmas Markets, I usually like to start out seeing a handful of a city’s top historic landmarks. The views and architecture are always better in the daylight. Opening hours for many attractions are shorter during the winter season, often ending around 5 or 6 pm. Christmas Markets stay open much later. Plus, they are prettier after dusk when the lights sparkle:)

Hohenzollern Bridge

The Hohenzollern Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke) is one of Cologne’s most famous landmarks. It spans the Rhine River between the Old Town and the Köln Triangle. If you take the train into Cologne, chances are good you will cross over it. Originally, the bridge was built for both automobile and train traffic. It was badly damaged during WWII and subsequently re-built. However, now it is only used for train and pedestrian traffic.

Above photos: Hohenzollern Bridge

On a nice day, strolling across the Hohenzollern Bridge is a popular activity, especially for those who are headed to the Köln Triangle for the views. On our rainy day, we only made it partially across before we decided to abort our plans to collect our umbrellas from our hotel.

One of the most outstanding features of the bridge is the massive number of padlocks that have been left behind by romantics, which has earned it the alternative name of Love Lock Bridge. An estimated 500,000+ locks are on the bridge, adding approximately 15 tons to its weight.

Above photo: Hohenzollern Bridge

Rhine Garden

The Rhine Garden (Rheingarten) is a public green space that runs parallel to the Rhein River, starting at the Hohenzollern Bridge and ending at the Deutzer Bridge. This is an ideal place to come to catch views of the Rhine or grab a bite to eat at one of the many cafes that line the promenade.

There are wide paths for bicycling and walking, water features, trees, flower beds, benches, and a playground. Not too shabby for a place that was built on the rubble of war.

Above photo: Rhine Garden and Great St. Martin Church

Fish Market

While visiting Rhine Garden, don’t miss Fish Market (Fischmarkt), a small enclave of pubs, restaurants, and inns that back up to Great St. Martin Church. As the name implies, this area was once the site of the historic city fish market, with roots dating all the way back to the 13th century. This is one of most Instagrammable areas of Cologne due to the colorfully painted houses, a fountain, and outdoor cafes.

While we were here, a public works vehicle was blocking my frame and one of the historic row houses was covered in plastic and scaffolding for renovation. Although I felt robbed of capturing a perfect photo for myself, I am glad I got to see it nonetheless.

Above photo: Fish Market

Great St. Martin Church

It is impossible to miss Great St. Martin Church dominating the skyline of Old Town. The church is one of twelve historic Romanesque churches in Cologne. Honestly, if I had time, I would’ve loved to find and visit all twelve!

Great St. Martin Church was originally a Benedictine monastery and dates to the 10th century. It has been through multiple re-builds and renovation works, most notably after a fire in the 12th century and again following extensive damage during WWII.

Above photos: Great St. Martin Church

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Döm) is Germany’s most visited landmark, receiving over six million visitors per year. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and is never not busy. It is free to visit the cathedral. However, visitors who wish to ascend the tower incur a fee of €6.

Above photos: Cologne Cathedral

While 90% of Cologne was flattened during WWII bombing, Cologne Cathedral remained standing amidst the ruin and destruction. I don’t know who to thank for that miracle, but visitors from all over the world still have the opportunity to gaze up in awe at its Gothic exterior and experience the grandeur of its nave.

Cologne Cathedral is a High Gothic five-aisled basilica. I won’t even try to describe it because words are insufficient. I’ve been in a lot of beautiful cathedrals, but this one takes the cake. Somehow it doesn’t surprise me that it took over 600 years to build.

Above photos: Cologne Cathedral

Schildergasse Street

Even if you feel shopped-out from the Christmas Markets, a stroll down Schildergasse Street is a lot of fun. This pedestrianized street is lined with high-end department stores, with more upscale brand boutiques on Mittelstrasse between Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz.

During the holidays, strings of glowing orbs canopy the street and the crowds are quite thick. It’s a really festive atmosphere. Oh, and keep an eye out for Antoniterkirche, a small-ish Gothic church that dates to 1350 and the second most-visited church in Cologne.

Above photo: Schildergasse Street

Farina Fragrance Museum

The Farina House is the birthplace of the original Eau de Cologne. Today, the house is a fragrance museum which guides visitors through 300 years of fragrance history and the work of Johann Maria Farina whose famous cologne from 1709 is still produced. While the museum can only be visited as part of a guided tour, you can stop in at the Farina House to purchase a bottle of the original 1709 from their shop at street level to take home with you.

Above photo: Farina Fragrance Museum

Cologne Christmas Markets

As Germany’s fourth largest city, Cologne hosts multiple Christmas Markets in various locations. Surprisingly, Cologne opened its first Christmas market in 1820, which is comparatively late to many other well-known German Christmas Markets. It didn’t take long to catch up though. The Cologne Christmas Markets enchant and delight with various themes, Nativity scenes, and performances.

Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market

Location: Roncalliplatz next to Cologne Cathedral | Website

The most popular and well-known Christmas Market in Cologne is the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market (Weinachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom) that takes place along the side of the Cathedral in Roncalliplatz. Somewhere around 150 stalls characterized by their red tented tops offer a range of handcrafted ornaments, home decor, wearables, and gifts.

Above photo: Cathedral Christmas Market

There is also a stage area where performers play music and sing carols under a curtain of twinkling lights. Glühwein and specialty food stands are interspersed throughout the market, so you never hangry or shopping empty handed.

Above photo: Cathedral Christmas Market

We visited this market twice – once in the afternoon and again much later in the evening. The market really comes alive later in the evening. Many more locals come out and join the scene. We saw so many people just hanging out with friends and catching up after their workday.

Above photos: Cathedral Christmas Market

Heinzel’s Winter Fairy Tale

Location: Old Town on Alter Markt and Heumarkt | Website

Another popular Christmas Market in Cologne is Heinzel’s Winter Fairy Tale, sometimes called the Old Town Market. This market is a little like two markets in one because one part of it is located in Alter Markt and the other in the adjacent Heumarkt. One flows into the other so you might not even really notice.

Above photo: Heinzel’s Winter Fairy Tale Christmas Market

This adorable market is presided over by the local Heinzelmännchen, which are little mythical creatures that resemble gnomes. Hence, the market embraces a woodland theme with rustic chalet stalls decorated with garlands, moss, branches, and tree stumps. I was getting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs vibes. In addition to the market stalls, there is also an ice skating rink, ferris wheel, and carousel. It is super festive!

Above photos: Heinzel’s Winter Fairy Tale Christmas Market

One of the things I enjoyed most at this market was seeing all of the exquisite sweets and watching hand-pulled candy canes being made. We stood and watched the various colors rolled and then stretched to form the candy canes one-by-one. And, remarkably, these were also each different flavors. Talk about an assortment! I bought several of these to take home.

Above photos: Heinzel’s Winter Fairy Tale Christmas Market

Angel Christmas Market

Location: Neumarkt Square | Website

A short 15-minute walk away from Old Town is the Angel Christmas Market on Neumarkt Square. My recommendation would be to enjoy a stroll down Schildergasse to Neumarkt or take the tram from Heumarkt to Neumarkt via Cäcilienstraße.

Above photo: Angel Christmas Market on Neumarkt

Neumarkt is situated in a high-traffic shopping area with a lot of stores to explore before or after you visit the market. The market is characterized by white wooden stalls, chalet huts, a carousel, and a gorgeous canopy of Moravian stars hanging from the trees. It is whimsical, romantic, and rather ethereal.

Above photos: Angel Christmas Market on Neumarkt

We completely enjoyed this market. The food stalls were outstanding and the lines weren’t too long. We saw a few specialties here that we didn’t see elsewhere, such as speculoos cookies, Baumbrot, and Dom-shaped Belgian waffles.

Above photos: Angel Christmas Market on Neumarkt

Nikolausdorf in Rudolfplatz

Location: Rudolfplatz | Website

Another 10-minute walk from Neumarkt is the Nikolausdoft Christmas Market on Rudofplatz. This is a much smaller market, but very charming. The stalls are made to resemble half-timbered houses and seem to comprise their own little village. The market stalls are more focused on handmade crafts (not so much food), so it is a good spot to find unique gifts. Plus, the market sits next to the historic Hahnentor, a 13th century restored city gate that was part of the city’s medieval fortifications.

Above photos: Ornaments and nougat at Cologne Christmas Market

The Christmas Market in the Stadtgarten

Location: Stadtgarten Restaurant Beer Garden | Website

If you are up to venture further outside of Old Town, you may want to consider visiting the Stadtgarten Christmas Market. This is comparatively small market located in a beer garden with a focus on food. There are some craft, jewelry, and gift stalls here, too. Although this market was on my list, we didn’t end up making it. Ideally, this market is best visited while also visiting the Belgian Quarter.

Harbour Christmas Market

Location: Next to the Chocolate Museum | Website

The Harbour Christmas Market is a newcomer to the Cologne Christmas Market scene. It is located next to the Chocolate Museum on the bank of the Rhine River. We didn’t make it to this market either. Based on other descriptions I’ve read, it has a nautical theme and a more modern vibe.

The Christmas Market Express

The Christmas Market Express is a tourist mini-train that shuttles visitors between the main Christmas Markets in Cologne. So, not an actual Christmas Market, but I thought I would add it to this list since it is related and operates during the Christmas Markets.

The Christmas Market Express can be enjoyed as a scenic ride through the decorated streets and markets of Cologne. Or, it can be utilized as hop-on-hop-off transportation between markets. The train runs every 15 minutes. So, you are never left standing for long periods of time awaiting the next train.

While aboard the train, passengers can listen to Christmas music or an audio guide. The train operates a different route during other times of the year for sightseeing. More information and online ticket sales can be found here.

Above photo: The Christmas Market Express Mini-Train

For a longer stay

Visiting German towns during the Christmas Markets always feel like a tease. I’m there just a long enough to realize I need to come back to fully explore more of the historic sights and museums. I had a number of such attractions scoped out. Alas, there just wasn’t enough time to pack everything in. So, here are the things I’ll be going back for:

Museum Ludwig

The impressive modern exterior of Museum Ludwig located behind Cologne Cathedral is hard to miss. We walked by it and immediately sensed its cool factor. Museum Ludwig’s collections include works of contemporary art and photography from Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, as well as one of Europe’s largest collections of works by Pablo Picasso.

Above photo: Museum Ludwig

The Chocolate Museum

The Chocolate Museum is a popular tourist attraction in Cologne that includes interactive displays and presentations. I’ve visited similar attractions in other places, so this wasn’t a high priority for me during the Christmas Markets. But, with a longer visit, this would definitely make the cut.

Köln Triangle

The Köln Triangle is a modern skyscraper located on the opposite side of the Rhine River from Old Town. Visitors cross the Hohenzollern Bridge in droves to take the elevator to the observation deck of this building for 360° panoramic views over the Rhine River and city. We regrettably missed this due to inclimate weather.

Belgian Quarter

The Belgian Quarter (Belgisches Viertel) is a neighborhood west of Old Town where you can find hip and artsy boutiques, art galleries, and trendy restaurants. I need at least half a day to explore places like this because I am inevitably drawn into every other shop and hate to be rushed. If you are lucky enough to make it here, be sure to drop in at the Stadtgarten, a live music venue and beer garden located in Cologne’s oldest promenade park.

Flora and Botanical Garden Cologne

The Flora and Botanical Garden Cologne (Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln) is home to about 12,000 plant species from all over the world on approximately 5.5 hectares of land adjacent to Cologne Zoological Garden. If you love old world, formal gardens, this is a must-see whilst in Cologne. Although it is said to be a great place to visit in any season, I’m holding out for a summertime visit when the outdoor gardens are in full bloom.

Kölsch Pub Tour

Kölsch is a type of beer that is only brewed in Cologne. It is known as a light, crisp hybrid between lager and ale. It one of the must-try foods to sample while in Cologne. Or, even better, take a pub tour to sample the various types and the traditions in making it.

Above photo: Peters Kölsch

Need help packing? Read my Christmas Market Packing Guide here.

Additional tips and tours

Guided Tours

If you are not comfortable going on your own or are interested in having a knowledgeable local point out the sights, I have added a few tour options below.

Thank you for reading my post! Please feel free to add friendly comments or questions below!