Cologne Christmas markets

[bigchris]

Hi
Thinking of doing this next year, was thinking of driving so can bring more stiff back
Has anyone got any recommendations on where to stay, places to go , things to See?
We'd be there 3 nights I think

Stuff

I went to Cologne for the markets years ago, and stayed in a hotel near the Cathedral (no car though). We liked the market in front of the Cathedral best although there were three spread out over the city (one was quite small on a boat near the Chocolate Museum, don't know if that is still going).

The gluhwein is very strong ....

I was last there about 10 years ago, but the market (or markets really) are huge! You will spend ages walking around each of them.

Cologne is a great city too, the cathedral is definitely worth a look. Seem to remember the Roman museum was pretty good too. There's a lovely cobbled old town bit, which is very sweet and I'd recommend you visit a bakery. German bread is to die for and they have some festive sweet breads which are delicious: what lebkuchen should actually taste like!

Oh that sounds fab!
I have to admit I don't know much about it , chocolate museum sounds great and definitely want to see the cathedral
Is it the go to place in Europe or do they have Christmas markets all over ? Dh wants to drive but I'm not keen

Gp to Dusseldorf for the day (about an hour on the train), eat at Schweine Jane's and drink at the Killepitsch shop. You won't regret it.

I like the restaurant Bei Oma in Cologne itself - traditional German food and large portions. And yes the chocolate factory is a must do. And have the Feuerzangenbowle from the stall outside the chocolate factory - it's the best flaming gluhwein in Cologne.

I'm there next week and can't wait.

What made you choose Cologne, OP?
I'm also going next year and struggling to decide between cologne, Berlin or Munich.

They look magical, I can't wait

Oh thanks ! Is gluhwein the same as mulled wine ? Have a great time, wish we were going this year now ha ha !

Oh dh wants to go, would love to spend a week doing all of them

Was there at the beginning of the week. We stayed at Hotel Mondial am Dom, which has parking. Very convenient. Market was hooching with British!

Husband stayed at the cheap and cheerful Lowenbrau pub in the centre of Cologne right on the Rhine in an area full of restaurants. Cost about £230 with flights for 4 nights.

If you are looking for a cheap stay with a good breakfast included it may be an option. He never had an issue with sound and you get a discount on food and drink in the pub.

Have fun!! He loved Cologne.

I love Cologne at this time of year. If you are driving over, the Park Consul hotel is lovely. the hotel is in Mulheim, which has it's own little market (or did when I visited) at the tram stop. There's also markets in the Dom square, Neumarkt, Heumarkt (there's also a bit going down off Heumarkt on the streets that is often quieter), on a boat, and at Rudolphplatz. The ones at the Dom, Neumarkt and Heumarkt are busier as they are more central, Rudolphplatz is away from the busy areas, so is a little quieter.
Also, as pp have said, you can't go to Cologne and not visit the chocolate museum. It is law, especially if there is a staff member by the chocolate fountain with wafers
Along with the Gluhwein (which is mulled wine), if you are in Cologne, you should try Kolsch.
While you can walk between the markets, wherever you stay, I would recommend getting a Wochenticket for 26 euros. It's valid for all U-bahn, S-bahn, and bus journeys within the city. I've bought them before thinking I wouldn't use it only to find it's more than paid for itself by the time I'm going home. More information: www.kvb.koeln/en/tickets_prices/tickets.html

I think I'm sold on Cologne.
How do you get there by car? From where to where? And how long does it take?

There's a town called Koblenz not far from Cologne which also have a Christmas market. When I went about 10 years ago one of them was a floating market on a boat.

I actually think the Frankfurt market is better. But it's further to drive.

Cologne wins on having several different ones though.

I wouldn't have said you'd buy enough to justify driving. It's mostly tree ornaments and the like. It is lovely though.

I’ve been to Cologne, Berlin and Munich Christmas markets. Overall, especially as you are driving I would opt for Cologne. The markets are very good, there are about eight overall I think. There are lots and lots of lovely shops - the Galleria is marvellous with a Steiff bear window display. Bonn is only 20 mins away so worth a trip there if you have time.