Christmas in Cologne: Where to Stay, What to See, and How to Enjoy the Markets 2025

Christmas time in Germany is genuinely one of my favorite times of the year. Nowhere else does the whole Christmas market tradition quite like Germany, the lights, the food, the mulled wine, the atmosphere, I just love how magical and authentic it all feels.

One of the best places to experience it all is Cologne. I actually grew up just outside the city, so I’ve spent countless winters wandering its Christmas markets, sipping Glühwein, and enjoying the festive spirit here. For me, Cologne has always felt like the perfect mix of big-city buzz and small-town charm, especially at Christmas.

Since so many of you are thinking about visiting Germany during the holidays, I thought I’d put together a little guide to spending Christmas in Cologne. It combines my personal experiences (including plenty of market-hopping and maybe too many bratwursts) with practical advice and tips from someone who knows the city well. Hopefully, it’ll help you plan your own festive trip to Cologne in 2025.

Christmas in Cologne – My Experience

I’ve spent Christmas in Cologne many times throughout both my childhood and adult life. Since I still have family and friends in the area, I’d often make the effort to spend entire weekends in the city during the festive season.

I can’t remember every single Christmas I had there (there were a lot!), but what always stuck with me was how magical the Old Town felt at this time of year. The little streets came alive, the houses looked extra cozy, and the whole city seemed to glow.

This past winter I went back to Germany and spent Christmas in Cologne again and honestly, it was exactly how I remembered it, maybe even better. 

Since it had been a while, I did the whole “tourist program”: I climbed up the stairs in the Cologne Cathedral, I wandered through the Old Town, I had plenty of Kölsch (the local Cologne beer), ate my way through traditional German dishes, and of course, I visited as many Christmas markets as possible.

When it comes to Christmas markets in Germany, I really do think Cologne has some of the best. Just before, I had been to the Christmas markets in Berlin and, if I’m honest, they didn’t wow me. But the Christmas markets in Cologne felt authentic, rustic, and full of charm exactly the kind of festive atmosphere I love.

When to Visit & Tips for Planning

Best time to go: Most Cologne Christmas markets open at slightly different times, so it’s always worth double-checking the exact dates before you go. As a rule of thumb, they usually run from late November until Christmas Eve, though a few start as early as mid-November and some even stay open until the New Year. (I’ve listed the details in my full Cologne Christmas Markets guide if you want specifics.)

Book hotels early: From my recent trip, I can tell you Cologne gets very busy around Christmas. It’s not just international visitors, but plenty of Germans also make a weekend of it here. I left my booking a bit too late and ended up paying more than I wanted for my stay, so learn from my mistake and secure your hotel early.

Pack accordingly: As someone who grew up in Germany, I can confirm: the weather in winter can be unpredictable and, let’s be honest, often unpleasant. It can get cold, wet, rainy, maybe even snowy. Pack warm layers, and make sure your jacket and shoes are waterproof. (That said, a little drizzle has never stopped me from enjoying a mulled wine)

Get an eSIM: I travel full-time now, and I basically can’t live without an eSIM. For Germany, I use SimLocal, which works seamlessly and saves the headache of hunting down a local SIM card. It makes it so much easier to navigate around Cologne and keep in touch. (You can click here to check out SimLocal and don’t forget to use my code GIRLONAZEBRA for a little discount.)

Crowd tips: My personal strategy is to visit the markets twice. First, I’ll pop by when they open in the late afternoon (usually around 4pm). It’s still light out, much quieter, and perfect for photos without a million people in the frame. Then I’ll return later in the evening, when the crowds arrive and the lights are glowing, because that’s when the Christmas market atmosphere is at its best.

Where to Stay in Cologne for Christmas

When it comes to where to stay in Cologne at Christmas, I follow one simple rule: I make sure to stay central. 

I always book a hotel in the Old Town or right in the city center. Why? Because I want to be able to walk everywhere, whether that’s the Cologne Cathedral, the Old Market, or straight into the Christmas markets. 

Ideally, I don’t want to be more than a 10–15 minute walk from the action. That way, there’s no need to deal with public transport or taxis, and I can just stroll between Christmas markets with a mulled wine in hand.

Most of the Cologne Christmas markets are clustered around the Old Town, so what I usually do is pull up Google Maps or Booking.com and make sure my hotel is west of the Rhine River (so on the same side as the Cathedral) and within the “Ring” (the big road called Hohenzollernring that circles the center). If you stay inside that area, you’re golden, the closer to the Cathedral, the better.

Here are a few of my favorite hotels in Cologne at Christmas that I’d personally recommend (though they do book up quickly around the holidays, so it’s worth locking them in early):

$$$ Book Here: Legend Hotel Cologne

$$   Book Here: Maritim Hotel Köln

$$   Book Here: Stadthotel am Römerturm

$     Book Here: Garner Hotel Cologne

My Top Christmas Markets Cologne Germany

Cologne Old Town Christmas Market

This one is hands down my favorite Christmas market in Cologne. I ended up coming back here a few times on my last trip because it was just that good. 

The whole setup feels authentic, rustic, and cozy, not overly commercialized. Each vendor has their own unique stall, and it really adds to the charm. Also, they’ve got an ice rink and even a curling track, so it’s easy to hang out for hours with food, drinks, and plenty to do.

Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market

This is definitely the most famous Cologne Christmas market and, because of that, also the busiest and most commercialized. 

I’ll admit, it doesn’t have the same charm as the Old Town one, but the setting is unbeatable. Standing under the massive Cathedral with all the lights twinkling at night while sipping mulled wine was really beautiful , I have to admit. I wouldn’t spend the whole evening here, but I did enjoy walking a couple of laps to enjoy the atmosphere.

Harbour Christmas Market

This one is quite a bit smaller, and I actually stumbled across it by accident. It’s right next to the Chocolate Museum by the river, which makes for a pretty cool setting with views over the Rhine. It’s not necessarily a “must-see,” but if you’re already staying in the Old Town, it’s just a 10-minute walk away and worth stopping by for a quick mulled wine and the views.

Food in Cologne – My Favorite Restaurants in Cologne

Whenever I’m in Cologne, I make it a point to sit down for some proper German food. I’ll be honest with you, Cologne isn’t exactly known for having the world’s most exciting international food scene. 

But what the city does have is fantastic, authentic German pubs and traditional restaurants, and that’s where I think Cologne really shines.

If you go, promise me you won’t just order schnitzel or currywurst. There are so many other amazing dishes you should try! One of my personal favorites is Himmel un Ääd, it’s fried blood sausage served with mashed potatoes and applesauce. I know it doesn’t sound very glamorous, but trust me, it’s delicious.

Other dishes worth trying:

• Pork knuckle (Haxe) – crispy on the outside, tender inside, served with sauerkraut or dumplings.
  
• Sauerbraten – a German-style pot roast with rich gravy, one of Cologne’s specialties.
  
• Reibekuchen (Reibeplätzchen) – basically German hash browns, but traditionally eaten with applesauce (it works, I promise).
  

Here are a few of my favorite restaurants in Cologne where you can try these:

Lommerzheim: a Cologne institution, famous for massive pork chops and Kölsch beer.

Augustiner am Heumarkt: a cozy place in the Old Town for hearty Bavarian and Cologne classics.

Bei dr Tant: rustic, traditional, and full of local charm.

Things to Do in Cologne & Activities in Cologne

• Cologne Cathedral: Of course, the star of the city. Admire it from the outside first (you really can’t miss it), but don’t skip going inside. If you’re up for it, climb the tower. Yes, it’s 533 steps, but the views from the top are absolutely worth the effort. I did this a while back and it was a fun but exhausting experience.
  
• Wander Cologne’s Old Town: The Old Town is one of the prettiest parts of the city, especially around Great St. Martin Church with its pastel-colored houses. It’s also one of the most photographed spots in Cologne, and for good reason. It’s a spot I visit every single time I’m in Cologne.
  
• Join a Brewery Tour: Cologne is famous for its small, traditional breweries, and trying Kölsch (the local beer) right where it’s brewed is a must. A little brewery hopping doubles as a sightseeing tour through the Old Town, which is a pretty fun way to explore.
  
• Take a Rhine River Cruise: One of my favorite easy (and surprisingly affordable) activities in Cologne is hopping on a Rhine River cruise. It’s a relaxing way to see the city from a different perspective, and perfect for when your feet need a break from walking. Plus, you’ll learn a bit about Cologne’s history along the way.

FAQs About Christmas in Cologne

What are the best Christmas markets in Cologne?

From my experience, the best Christmas market in Cologne is the one in the Old Town. I visited recently, and it was absolutely magical, authentic, cozy, and so much better than the ones I’ve seen in Berlin.

Is Cologne worth visiting?

Definitely! Cologne is worth visiting any time of year, but in winter it really shines. I think the city has some of the most authentic and beautiful Christmas markets of any major city in Germany.

What to do in Cologne?

Of course, visiting the Christmas markets is the highlight. But for something different in winter, I love the Chocolate Museum. Being indoors, learning about chocolate, and then tasting it, it just feels perfect to me when it’s cold outside.

Where to eat in Cologne?

One of my favorite restaurants is Augustiner am Heumarkt. I recently had both the pork knuckle and the sauerbraten there, and both were fantastic. Cologne’s traditional pubs and breweries are where the food really shines.

Is Cologne cold in winter?

Yes, it can be! I grew up in Germany, and winters can be anything from snowy and freezing to just cold and rainy. Either way, I’d recommend packing warm layers and something waterproof.

Final Thoughts on Christmas in Cologne

Overall, I think Cologne is one of the best Christmas destinations in Germany. I’ve visited most of the big German cities during the holiday season, and in my opinion Cologne really stands out for its Christmas markets. 

That’s not to say I don’t recommend places like Munich (which is stunning at Christmas) or Berlin (which is always a fun city), but Cologne has its own special charm you shouldn’t miss.

I’ve spent many Christmas seasons in Cologne, and I always have a wonderful time. The Christmas market Cologne Old Town especially is my personal favorite, I’ve been back to it so many times, and it never loses its charm.

I hope this little guide to Christmas in Cologne helps you plan your own winter trip to Germany and Europe.

Check Out My Cologne Germany Travel Guides

The Best Time to Visit Cologne Germany: My Seasonal Guide

How Many Days in Cologne Do You Need: My Day by Day Guide

Food in Cologne Germany: My Top Restaurants in Cologne

1 Day in Cologne: One Day Cologne Itinerary

Is Cologne Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Where to Stay in Cologne Germany: My Top Hotels & Areas

Things to Do in Cologne Germany: My Top Activities

Christmas Markets Cologne Germany: My Favorite Christmas Markets