Cologne

Atmosphere: 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Cologne was mostly destroyed by the Allies during WWII, and when it was rebuilt, it was done quickly and haphazardly. Yet, something about the Christmas decorations make this city feel timeless and beautiful.

Cologne is strewn with Christmas markets, each with their own theme. There’s the gnome themed market by the Heumarkt, the angel themed market at the Neumarkt, the Nativity themed market at the Cathedral, and so many more small ones to discover, too. Each has its own brand of commemorative cup, its own style of decor and lighting, and its own quirky features that set it apart from the rest. From flaming drinks to trees covered in hearts to literal castles, each one is picturesque and memorable and stands out in its own way.

I can’t emphasize enough how much the main squares of the city feel Christmas-y and festive thanks to the preponderance of markets here. Cologne really puts out for Christmas time—if you don’t celebrate in this city…I really can’t see what you’re doing here. The atmosphere was exactly what I hoped for in my most optimistic dreams of “European Christmas market”.

Food: 🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘

Quality food of pretty much any kind that taste both fresh and homemade. Cologne really impressed on the food front relative to my previous stops, which were underwhelming to say the least. From authentic German sausages to kebabs to cinnamon buns and other desserts, I did not go hungry here and I was very satisfied with everything I ate.

Crafts: 🛠️🛠️🛠️🛠️

Lots of hand-crafted and unique goods filled the stalls here, across almost every market I visited. Prices were probably more expensive than I’d find in local shops, but these vendors added a very nice ambiance that made each market feel unique and old-timey.

Affordability: 💶💶

Though most places will accept only cash, Cologne had the most affordable prices of the markets I had encountered before (or since). Gluhwein ran around 4 euros and snacks were around the same. It was too cold for me to want to try Kölsch, but prices were also reasonable. The only catch is that all the drinks come in commemorative mugs with a hefty deposit, so if you tend to lose your cup after you empty it, this will be one of the most expensive cities you visit by far.

Extras: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

From roller coasters to live music (including YMCA sung entirely in German) to fake snow to ice skating and curling, Cologne has a lot of extra activities on offer to augment your sipping and shopping. It’s pretty affordable, too—10 euros for an hour-long skating session, for example.

I particularly enjoyed the small ferris wheel at the gnome market, which really whipped you around (either the operator had one too many gluhweins, or this was a thrill ride and not a chill ride).

Overall: 🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼

Simply the best I encountered on my trip. The variety of markets, the quality of the food and the goods for sale, the prices, the ambiance of the town…Cologne didn’t miss. It embraces the spirit of German Christmas with elegance and style. Full marks.