Cologne Christmas Market, Cologne

Advantages: a different way of christmas
Disadvantages: the crowds

...I have never visted Germany before but took a trip to see the Colocgne and Koblenz christmas markets. We went with a tour company which as it happens will be another story and spent only 4 hours in Cologne but it did leave its mark on me. They have 4 christmas markets 2 near the cathedral and 2 just a few minutes walk away.We went to the largest which was a battle to get to as we had to go through the shoppers but when we got to it we were not disappointed. It was not as I imagined but it was brillant, small stalls all around selling christmas things and many many food stalls. On the christmas stalls you could buy many wooden things nativity sets and the wooden displays like windmalls which you put candles in and the heat makes them turn,I got the most brillant handpainted balls and different sorts of baubles for the tree all at good... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Milka...Lindt...chocolate in general
Disadvantages: cable car shut in winter

...We went to Cologne this December so I could practice my German, we could go to the Christmas markets and we could take some much needed time off work. Actually, scrap that. Those were the reasons we went to Germany. The single reason we went to Cologne in particular was the flight schedules - Tui now fly there from Manchester, and our flights cost less than £70 return including taxes and the credit card fee (alarmingly charged per passenger, not per transaction). I had been to Cologne before, but not since 1991, which is a decent chunk of my life ago. My companion had never been there, nor anywhere else in Germany for that matter. We booked in September, and had been annoying our mutual colleagues ever since, with tales of the heavily-chocolate-infused fun we were going to have. Now everywhere in Germany has fabulous chocolate... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great to visit at Christmas, Lots to do
Disadvantages: Gets very cold in autumn/winter so take warm clothing

...Having relatives who live in Germany, I visit at least once a year and my favourite time of the year is Christmas. There is something about arriving in a city like Cologne or Koln, as it is referred to in German, and visiting their Christmas Markets. They have about eight markets in operation between the end of November up until Christmas day. They are an absolute delight and a must for anyone visiting Cologne, all brimming full of continental delights from hand crafted Christmas decorations and toys to enticing chocolate truffles. There are a number of stalls selling Gluwein, which is the local equivalent of Hot Mulled Wine, the perfect antidote to the cold that seems to creep into every part of your body. As others have noted the Cathedral is the main attraction and very beautiful, but if you have a visual impairment... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful