Twinkling lights, the aroma of baked treats and mulled wine filling the air and countless stalls to browse – the arrival of Christmas markets in towns and cities across Europe marks the start of the festive period every year.
With the start of Advent just around the corner, there’s still plenty of time to head to a festive shopping hotspot near or far – but there’s one Christmas market destination, says the Daily Mail’s Holiday Guru, that outshines the rest…and you can still get there before the Man in Red makes for the chimney on Christmas Eve.
Where? Cologne. The historic city in Germany‘s west has not just one, but several markets that take place within its pretty confines.
The main event though is the Cathedral Christmas Market, which runs from November 17th to December 23rd this year, and sits within easy walking distance of the spectacular River Rhine.
The city is beautiful whatever time of year you visit, but the magnificent backdrop of ‘the twin spires of its magnificent Gothic cathedral’ makes for a particularly atmospheric setting, says our expert.
The Holiday Guru explains: ‘In this evocative location, the market itself is set around a huge, glittering Christmas tree with stalls crammed in a labyrinth of passageways.
‘Beneath ruby-red awnings, you will find hand-knitted woollen sweaters and scarves, leather gloves, jewellery, arts and crafts, including ceramics and wooden kitchen implements, and children’s toys galore,’ the Guru commented.
Europe’s best Christmas market? Our Holiday Guru thinks so: Cologne’s Cathedral Christmas Market runs from November 17 to December 23 this year
A vision of red and white: The Daily Mail’s Holiday Guru describes Cologne’s Cathedral Christmas Market (pictured) as ‘hard to beat’
‘It’s also good for picking up tree ornaments (glass baubles and wood carvings), candles, snow globes and religious figurines. Then you have the festive cheer side of things.’
There are plenty of local dishes and the traditional Christmas market food to tuck into from various stalls.
The Guru adds: ‘Add bratwurst sausages, a local speciality called ‘himmel un aad‘ (heaven and earth) comprising apples and mashed potato, pancakes, crepes, schnitzel, pork knuckle and sauerbraten (slow-cooked beef in a sour, tangy sauce) and you get an idea of the no-nonsense, hearty nature of options.’
Return flights for an enchanting weekend in December from London to Cologne can still be found for £169, according to Skyscanner.
After venturing around the stalls and filling up on festive treats, somewhere to stay nearby is essential.
A hotel for two people near the city centre can be found for £157-a-night in December.
The Cathedral Christmas Market’s popularity can be seen on TripAdvisor, where its rated 4.6 out of five and has hundreds of glowing reviews from visitors.
The Holiday Guru described a ‘heaven on earth’ dish consisting of ‘apples and mashed potato, pancakes, crepes, schnitzel, pork knuckle and sauerbraten’
One happy tourist penned: ‘The markers are spread out and the best ones are the one by the cathedral, the angel market and gnome market. The prices are reasonable compared to the UK.
‘The Christmas decorations are fantastic and original designs and look great on my tree.’
Another gushed: ‘The Cologne Christmas Market was like something straight out of a storybook. We absolutely loved seeing all of the darling treats and holiday items.
‘Although it was quite crowded, it felt safe and fun. If you are in Cologne in December, you must stop at this Christmas Market.’
The Holiday Guru said: ‘There are other Christmas markets dotted across Cologne – so you can effectively go Christmas market hopping.’
Located in the city’s Old Town, the Alter Markt is themed around the legend of the Heinzelmännchen dwarves.
These were small creatures who, according to local folklore, would do housework during the night.
Alter Markt opened up on November 25 and will be spreading Christmas joy until December 23. Visitors can meander around the stalls from 11am to 10pm.
Return flights for an enchanting weekend in December from London to Cologne can be found for £169
Neumarkt is also popular choice for its unique St. Nicholas-themed setup, extraordinary light art and festival atmosphere.
Doors opened for Neumarkt on November 17 and it’s set to run until December 23.
‘There’s one in Stadtgarten, with more than 60 stalls in the city’s oldest park, another in Neumarkt, featuring wooden huts offering gifts, currywurst and cocktails, and one at Friesenplatz,’ the Guru explained.
Stadtgarten’s market is located at the edge of the city centre and opens from November 14 in the Stadtgarten Restaurant beer garden.
The Guru went on to recommend other ‘wonderful’ market options elsewhere, including in ‘Strasbourg, Bruges, Lille, Vienna, Berlin, Dresden and Brussels’ – festive holidaymakers will be spoilt for choice.
Recently, Maren Schullerus, 35, shared her take on which markets are the best to go to, and the ones that you perhaps shouldn’t bother with.
As GetYourGuide’s Christmas Market expert, she’s visited more than 60 and has one in particular that’s her absolute favourite.
For Maren, the Esslingen medieval market and Christmas market in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany tops them all.
The Cathedral Christmas Market’s popularity is proven on Trip Advisor, where its rated 4.6 out of five and has hundreds of glowing reviews from visitors
Maren explains: ‘It is close to my hometown in southern Germany, and the city used to be a very rich medieval town, and they still do a medieval Christmas market until this day.
‘So, it is very different from your traditional Christmas markets, because you don’t pay in euros, but they ask you for medieval currency. You have medieval-themed food, people are dressed up in medieval costumes. That is definitely my favorite one.’
You can also take a bath in a medieval jacuzzi.
Flight and hotel prices were calculated for December 6 to 7 and are correct as of November 25, 2025.
