£1,849.00
3rd December - 7th December 2026
Cologne Christmas Markets Weekend
3–7 December 2026 | 4 nights | £1,849 per couple
Trip overview
Join us for a festive weekend to Cologne and its famous Christmas markets, one of Europe’s most atmospheric seasonal destinations. After memorable trips to Bruges and Lille over the past two years, this year we are heading to Cologne for a Christmas market experience that promises impressive scenery, lively market squares and plenty of seasonal spirit.
The trip includes four nights in high-quality 4-star hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with travel support, route planning and group coordination included throughout.
Why Cologne?
Cologne is renowned for its Christmas market tradition, with several major markets spread across the city and the spectacular Cologne Cathedral providing one of Europe’s most iconic festive backdrops. From traditional wooden stalls and handmade gifts to mulled wine, local food and riverside views, the city offers a memorable setting for a winter break.
Market highlights
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market: The city’s grand central market sits in front of Cologne Cathedral and is especially impressive in the evening when the lights and cathedral backdrop create a striking festive atmosphere.
Heinzels Winter Fairytale: A charming market village across the old town squares, known for detailed decorations, seasonal food, handmade crafts and a warm storybook feel.
Market of Angels: Located in Neumarkt Square, this elegant market is lit by thousands of lights and offers gifts, food stalls and a more refined festive setting.
Harbour Christmas Market: Set along the Rhine, this maritime-themed market offers riverside views, festive food and a relaxed place to enjoy the atmosphere by the water.
What’s included
• Four nights in high-quality 4-star hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
• Use of radios during the trip.
• Lead car support.
• Photos and video from your trip.
• Maps and route planning arranged for you.
3–7 December 2026 | 4 nights | £1,849 per couple
Trip overview
Join us for a festive weekend to Cologne and its famous Christmas markets, one of Europe’s most atmospheric seasonal destinations. After memorable trips to Bruges and Lille over the past two years, this year we are heading to Cologne for a Christmas market experience that promises impressive scenery, lively market squares and plenty of seasonal spirit.
The trip includes four nights in high-quality 4-star hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with travel support, route planning and group coordination included throughout.
Why Cologne?
Cologne is renowned for its Christmas market tradition, with several major markets spread across the city and the spectacular Cologne Cathedral providing one of Europe’s most iconic festive backdrops. From traditional wooden stalls and handmade gifts to mulled wine, local food and riverside views, the city offers a memorable setting for a winter break.
Market highlights
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market: The city’s grand central market sits in front of Cologne Cathedral and is especially impressive in the evening when the lights and cathedral backdrop create a striking festive atmosphere.
Heinzels Winter Fairytale: A charming market village across the old town squares, known for detailed decorations, seasonal food, handmade crafts and a warm storybook feel.
Market of Angels: Located in Neumarkt Square, this elegant market is lit by thousands of lights and offers gifts, food stalls and a more refined festive setting.
Harbour Christmas Market: Set along the Rhine, this maritime-themed market offers riverside views, festive food and a relaxed place to enjoy the atmosphere by the water.
What’s included
• Four nights in high-quality 4-star hotels on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
• Use of radios during the trip.
• Lead car support.
• Photos and video from your trip.
• Maps and route planning arranged for you.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Cologne Christmas Markets Itinerary December 2026
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel down to the Eurotunnel in Folkstone meeting at Holiday Inn Express at 7.30 am.
We will then travel together to the Eurotunnel for our 9.16 am crossing.
Arriving in Calais and traveling through France into Belgium to Ghent to our hotel.
Ghent is a historic, vibrant port city in the East Flanders province of northwestern Belgium, located at the confluence of the Leie and Scheldt rivers. With a population of about 270,000 people, it blends a well-preserved medieval old town with a lively university culture, modern arts, and a largely car-free center.
Day 2
Travel from Ghent to Cologne, takes about 3 hours, on a scenic detour through the rolling hills of Dutch Limburg, the High Fens, and Germany's Eifel National Park transforms the journey into a memorable 5.5-hour road trip.
We will be stopping along the route to take in some of the sights, coffee, breaks and lunch before arriving in Cologne.
The hotel is based in the heart of the old town near all the key attractions.
Day 3/4
Time to explore the 4 Xmas Markets and key sights of Cologne.
Major Christmas Markets
• Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market (Roncalliplatz):
The largest market featuring 150 wooden stalls right beneath the World Heritage cathedral.
• Heinzels Winter Fairytale (Alter Markt & Heumarkt / Old Town):
Themed around the local house-elf legends with crafts, food, and an ice rink.
• Angels' Market (Neumarkt):
Known for its glowing canopy of white star-shaped lights and figures in white.
• Harbour Christmas Market (Chocolate Museum / Rheinauhafen):
Features a maritime theme, regional food, a Ferris wheel by the Rhine, and proximity to the Chocolate Museum.
• Village of St. Nicholas (Nikolausdorf at Rudolfplatz):
Set in front of the medieval Hahnen Gate with a family-friendly atmosphere.
5/12/26
• Christmas All-Inclusive Evening Cruise (KD Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt)
o Schedule: Boarding at 7:30 p.m., departure at 8:00 p.m., return at 10:30 p.m. (end at 11:30 p.m.).
o Location: Cologne/Altstadt landing stage (MS RheinFantasie or MS RheinMagie).
o Highlights: Live band or DJ, lavish advent buffet, and all-inclusive drinks (wine, beer, and soft drinks) served to your table.
o €104 (Friday to Saturday) per person. Cashless payment only.
o Booking: Available via Köln-Düsseldorfer or Cologne Tourism.
6/12/26
Dinner at the Black Angus Steakhouse at 7.30 pm
Day 5
Travel Home
What’s Included:
Full Itinerary.
Maps.
Directions sent to your phone each day.
4 star Hotels B & B
Use of Radios.
Photos.
Video of your trip.
Lead car.
Kind Regards
Colin & Kel
Cologne Christmas Markets Itinerary December 2026
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel down to the Eurotunnel in Folkstone meeting at Holiday Inn Express at 7.30 am.
We will then travel together to the Eurotunnel for our 9.16 am crossing.
Arriving in Calais and traveling through France into Belgium to Ghent to our hotel.
Ghent is a historic, vibrant port city in the East Flanders province of northwestern Belgium, located at the confluence of the Leie and Scheldt rivers. With a population of about 270,000 people, it blends a well-preserved medieval old town with a lively university culture, modern arts, and a largely car-free center.
Day 2
Travel from Ghent to Cologne, takes about 3 hours, on a scenic detour through the rolling hills of Dutch Limburg, the High Fens, and Germany's Eifel National Park transforms the journey into a memorable 5.5-hour road trip.
We will be stopping along the route to take in some of the sights, coffee, breaks and lunch before arriving in Cologne.
The hotel is based in the heart of the old town near all the key attractions.
Day 3/4
Time to explore the 4 Xmas Markets and key sights of Cologne.
Major Christmas Markets
• Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market (Roncalliplatz):
The largest market featuring 150 wooden stalls right beneath the World Heritage cathedral.
• Heinzels Winter Fairytale (Alter Markt & Heumarkt / Old Town):
Themed around the local house-elf legends with crafts, food, and an ice rink.
• Angels' Market (Neumarkt):
Known for its glowing canopy of white star-shaped lights and figures in white.
• Harbour Christmas Market (Chocolate Museum / Rheinauhafen):
Features a maritime theme, regional food, a Ferris wheel by the Rhine, and proximity to the Chocolate Museum.
• Village of St. Nicholas (Nikolausdorf at Rudolfplatz):
Set in front of the medieval Hahnen Gate with a family-friendly atmosphere.
5/12/26
• Christmas All-Inclusive Evening Cruise (KD Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt)
o Schedule: Boarding at 7:30 p.m., departure at 8:00 p.m., return at 10:30 p.m. (end at 11:30 p.m.).
o Location: Cologne/Altstadt landing stage (MS RheinFantasie or MS RheinMagie).
o Highlights: Live band or DJ, lavish advent buffet, and all-inclusive drinks (wine, beer, and soft drinks) served to your table.
o €104 (Friday to Saturday) per person. Cashless payment only.
o Booking: Available via Köln-Düsseldorfer or Cologne Tourism.
6/12/26
Dinner at the Black Angus Steakhouse at 7.30 pm
Day 5
Travel Home
What’s Included:
Full Itinerary.
Maps.
Directions sent to your phone each day.
4 star Hotels B & B
Use of Radios.
Photos.
Video of your trip.
Lead car.
Kind Regards
Colin & Kel
