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Cologne is one of Germany's most impressive cities all year round, but really comes alive over the festive period when it plays host to no less than seven Christmas markets. The famous yuletide tradition of Christmas markets all began in Germany, and the European nation is still the best place to enjoy traditional Christmas cheer when browsing for unique gifts for your loved ones, hand-made decorations and festive snacks.
Visiting Cologne for your Christmas break gives you a wide range of options to choose from, whether you're keen to check out the city's four biggest markets - at the Cathedral, Alter Markt, Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz - or the smaller markets scattered throughout the city. Join the two million people who visit Cologne's Christmas markets each year to get back in touch with the true spirit of Christmas - the perfect escape from garish high street displays and other associations with the commercialisation of the holiday.
Cologne Cathedral market is the best known of these, and a must-see if you're visiting the city in December. Set against the magnificent cathedral, this market consists of around 160 dedicated wooden pavilions where vendors offer all manner of festive treats, gifts and activities for visitors of all ages - from sweets and unique ornaments to mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, helping to keep you warm in the Rhineland this winter.
That's not to say the other Cologne Christmas markets are any less worthwhile though, as each offers its own distinctive charms. Take the market set up in Cologne's Alter Markt, which is an ideal place for children due to its toy stands, puppet theatre and traditional fairground rides keeping the little ones entertained while their parents browse for bargains.
Despite its name, Cologne's Neumarkt hosts the oldest Christmas market in the city, and this history is proudly celebrated in the décor and illustrations around the area. Meanwhile, the Rudolfplatz Christmas market is a sure-fire hit for lovers of the more fantastical side of Christmas, dominated by fairy tale characters perfectly complemented by the medieval architecture.
If Cologne's medieval attractions are your primary reason for visiting, you'll have more opportunities to explore this side of the city at the dedicated Medieval Christmas Market, located outside the Chocolate Museum - another favourite during the Christmas period in particular. Those looking for an alternative experience on their Cologne Christmas break can also set sail aboard the MS Wappen von Mainz to enjoy the rare spectacle of a floating Christmas market on the Rhine.
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