We start our Christmas magical tour at the Neumarkt (new market) and its angelic realm of the Angels Market. The Neumarkt Christmas Market is Cologne's oldest Christmas Market and is curiously located on the “New Market”. In the backdrop, you will see St. Apostlen’s Church and Cologne’s main shopping area. This market gleams with charmingly designed chalets and a unique “stars at night” theme.
Time to go on to the most famous Christmas Market in Cologne. At Alter Markt, you will find the most photogenic spot in the city, a bit touristy but manageable. Get close enough to the Christmas tree for pictures! The Kolner Dom (Cologne’s Cathedral) cannot be missed. If you are lucky, you might get to hear a choir in the church. This is the heart of Cologne and where the bulk of the crowds are.
Although it feels like one large Christmas market, the Alter Markt continues towards the Heumarkt where you will find several rides including the skating rink. It’s also the “Heimat der Heizel”, or the Home of the House Gnomes. Those, here known as Heinzelmännchen, play a large part in the lore of this city.
Then, for some more quiet but more delicious markets, we go on towards the Harbour Christmas Market. With its maritime flair at the shores of the Rhein River, it’s also right next door to the Chocolate Museum, so you can combine this easily with a visit after the tour. Enjoy some mulled wine (Glühwein) and see the sailors in the “Trudel”, a three-masted wooden ship. Get your sea legs ready for a sailor’s Christmas!