Christmas Markets in Cologne

Where the locals go. Away from the crowds at the Cathedral, we visit the smaller Christmas markets where Cologners meet. We start at the Neumarkt, where angels in white robes walk between the huts. Here you find Christmas decorations and handmade gifts of glass, felt, paper, stone, wood and metal, many of them one of a kind. Under the historic Hahnentor on the Rudolfplatz, the Nikolausdorf serves hot drinks in a mug shaped like St. Nicholas' boot. At the Friesenplatz, Heavenue, the colourful modern metropolitan contemporary market, welcomes all with pastel huts and a mulled wine palace. A short walk on, in the Stadtgarten, more than 60 makers, changing weekly, sell handcrafted goods, jewellery, clothing and design, with homemade winemaker's Glühwein. We end in the Südstadt at the Volksgarten, at the smallest Christmas market in town. Volunteers run it for local social projects, and you can taste Glühwein, Kölsch and hearty food from Hellers Brauhaus. Real Cologne, at Christmas. Hotel pickup possible.

1. Meet at the Neumarkt, or hotel pickup (2:30 pm) 2. Market of the Angels on the Neumarkt: decorations and handmade gifts (approx. 30 min) 3. Walk to the Rudolfplatz (approx. 10 min) 4. Nikolausdorf in front of the historic Hahnentor: a hot drink from the St. Nicholas boot (approx. 30 min) 5. Walk along the Ring to the Friesenplatz (approx. 10 min) 6. Heavenue, the colourful friendly market, and its mulled wine palace (approx. 30 min) 7. Walk to the Stadtgarten (approx. 10 min) 8. Stadtgarten market: crafts, jewellery and design from more than 60 makers (approx. 40 min) 9. Short taxi or tram ride to the Volksgarten in the Südstadt (approx. 20 min) 10. The smallest Christmas market in town: Glühwein, Kölsch and food from Hellers Brauhaus (approx. 50 min) 11. Tour ends at the Volksgarten, Volksgartenstraße 27, around 6 pm, or drop-off at your hotel