£1,849.00
3rd December - 7th December 2026
Why not join us on our weekend to
Cologne and the Christmas Markets.
We have done Brugge and Lille over the last two years so this year we are aiming to top those two with Cologne.
This is what they say!!
After years of hearing that Cologne was home to the best Christmas markets in Europe, I decided I needed to experience it first-hand and finally check it off my bucket list. I already had plans to be in Frankfurt for the Christmas markets this year, so adding Cologne to the trip was seamless. And now that I’ve been, I can’t believe it took me so long to visit. The markets are incredible, and completely live up to the hype.
The Cologne Christmas market tradition began around 1820. Today, it features multiple major locations across the city, drawing roughly five million annual visitors to the famous Cologne Cathedral Market (Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom) alone.
COLOGNE CHRISTMAS MARKETS
COLOGNE CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS MARKET
The grand Weihnachtsmarkt am Kolner Dom (Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market) is the main market in town. It sits in front of the Cologne Cathedral, a truly epic backdrop
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market Hours: 11 AM-9 PM (Sunday to Wednesday), 11 AM-10 PM (Thursday and Friday) and 10 AM-10 PM (Saturday)
Verdict on the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market: This is the grand market of Cologne, and while it’s certainly epic with the cathedral backdrop, I prefer Heinzel’s Winter Fairytale. That said the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market is still a must while in town. It’s prettiest in the evenings, but this is also when it’s busiest.
COLOGNE HARBOR CHRISTMAS MARKET
This maritime-themed Christmas market is on the smaller side, located along the Rhine in Cologne. There are more than 70 white stalls that sell festive handmade goods, mulled wine, grilled salmon and more. The mulled wine is served from the hull of a large wooden ship.
Cologne Harbor Christmas Market Hours: 11 AM-9 PM (Sunday to Thursday) and 11 AM-10 PM (Friday and Saturday)
Cologne Harbor Christmas Market Verdict: A nice stop if you are by the water, but not a must-visit. The market is small, and feels more like festival stalls than a Christmas market village.
HEINZELS WINTER FAIRYTALE
This might be my favorite Christmas market in all of Europe. Heinzels Wintermaerchen (Heinzels Winter Fairytale) is charming, detailed and elaborate, resembling a medieval village from a children’s storybook. Look for little gnomes that are sprinkled throughout the decor. The market spans two large squares (the Alert Markt and Heumarkt), and literally has it all – handmade crafts, antiques, local cuisine, sweet treats, built-out bars, a variety of mulled wine served in 12 different gnome themed mugs, ice skating, curling, a carousels and carolers and performers.
Heinzels Winter Fairytale Verdict: This sprawling holiday village is bursting with heart, charm and character. An absolute must-visit.
Heinzels Winter Fairytale Hours: 11 AM-10 PM (daily), 11 AM-9 PM (December 26) and closed December 24 and 25
MARKET OF ANGELS
The ethereal Markt der Engel (Market of the Angels) is a beautiful market located in Neumarkt Square. The market’s long lanes are lined with white wooden huts illuminated at night by thousands of twinkling lights and glowing paper stars. This market is home to high-end handmade goods, Cologne cathedral waffles, flame-grilled salmon, cocktails, pasta, churros, crepes and more.
Market of Angels Hours: 11 AM-9 PM (Sunday to Thursday) and 11 AM-10 PM (Friday and Saturday)
Verdict on the Market of Angels: Loved it. The market is nothing over-the-top, but it’s completely lovely, especially in the evening when the huts are lit by thousands of lights. I also found my favorite Christmas market mug here.
STADTGARTEN CHRISTMAS MARKET
This Christmas market is one of the more local markets in Cologne. It’s held under the trees in Cologne’s oldest park and gives the vibe of an enchanted forest. There are more than 60 stall vendors that change weekly selling crafts, jewelry, fashion and handmade goods. There is also mulled wine, raclette and live entertainment.
Stadtgarten Christmas Market Hours: 4 PM-9:30 PM (Monday to Friday) and 12 PM-9:30 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
Verdict on the Stadtgarten Christmas Market: A small, pleasant market to visit, but definitely not a must if you are tight on time in Cologne.
ST. NICHOLAS VILLAGE
This St. Nicholas themed Christmas market leaves visitors smitten, set against the epic medieval Hahnentorburg Gate. Nikolausdorf (St. Nicholas Village) resembles a rustic village where timbered huts sell bratwurst, pretzels, potato pancakes, hot chocolate, eggnog and mulled wine. Additionally, children can meet St. Nicholas at his home that is located inside the market.
4 nights in top end 4 star hotels bed and breakfast.
£1849 per couple .
Where better to get into the seasonal spirit than in Europe’s biggest Christmas Markets. Cologne really comes into its own at Christmas time?
Day 1 we meet at Eurotunnel for 12.20 and travel across to our hotel in Ghent with is around 1.5 hour from Calais .
Day 2 we set off to Cologne around a 3 hour run arriving in the old town around 2pm. Time to get settled and start exploring !!
Day 3/4 time to venture around the Markets . I believe there are 4 different Markets to visit and time to visit the key attraction of Cologne and even do a trip on the Rhine.
Book your trip to the Cologne Christmas markets with LeShuttle – it’s just a 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais.
Timings 3/12/26 at 13.20 return 07/12/26 at 15.20
Use of Radio’s
Lead car .
Photos and Video of your trip .
Maps etc all done for you .
Limited places to please book ASAP
Cologne and the Christmas Markets.
We have done Brugge and Lille over the last two years so this year we are aiming to top those two with Cologne.
This is what they say!!
After years of hearing that Cologne was home to the best Christmas markets in Europe, I decided I needed to experience it first-hand and finally check it off my bucket list. I already had plans to be in Frankfurt for the Christmas markets this year, so adding Cologne to the trip was seamless. And now that I’ve been, I can’t believe it took me so long to visit. The markets are incredible, and completely live up to the hype.
The Cologne Christmas market tradition began around 1820. Today, it features multiple major locations across the city, drawing roughly five million annual visitors to the famous Cologne Cathedral Market (Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom) alone.
COLOGNE CHRISTMAS MARKETS
COLOGNE CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS MARKET
The grand Weihnachtsmarkt am Kolner Dom (Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market) is the main market in town. It sits in front of the Cologne Cathedral, a truly epic backdrop
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market Hours: 11 AM-9 PM (Sunday to Wednesday), 11 AM-10 PM (Thursday and Friday) and 10 AM-10 PM (Saturday)
Verdict on the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market: This is the grand market of Cologne, and while it’s certainly epic with the cathedral backdrop, I prefer Heinzel’s Winter Fairytale. That said the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market is still a must while in town. It’s prettiest in the evenings, but this is also when it’s busiest.
COLOGNE HARBOR CHRISTMAS MARKET
This maritime-themed Christmas market is on the smaller side, located along the Rhine in Cologne. There are more than 70 white stalls that sell festive handmade goods, mulled wine, grilled salmon and more. The mulled wine is served from the hull of a large wooden ship.
Cologne Harbor Christmas Market Hours: 11 AM-9 PM (Sunday to Thursday) and 11 AM-10 PM (Friday and Saturday)
Cologne Harbor Christmas Market Verdict: A nice stop if you are by the water, but not a must-visit. The market is small, and feels more like festival stalls than a Christmas market village.
HEINZELS WINTER FAIRYTALE
This might be my favorite Christmas market in all of Europe. Heinzels Wintermaerchen (Heinzels Winter Fairytale) is charming, detailed and elaborate, resembling a medieval village from a children’s storybook. Look for little gnomes that are sprinkled throughout the decor. The market spans two large squares (the Alert Markt and Heumarkt), and literally has it all – handmade crafts, antiques, local cuisine, sweet treats, built-out bars, a variety of mulled wine served in 12 different gnome themed mugs, ice skating, curling, a carousels and carolers and performers.
Heinzels Winter Fairytale Verdict: This sprawling holiday village is bursting with heart, charm and character. An absolute must-visit.
Heinzels Winter Fairytale Hours: 11 AM-10 PM (daily), 11 AM-9 PM (December 26) and closed December 24 and 25
MARKET OF ANGELS
The ethereal Markt der Engel (Market of the Angels) is a beautiful market located in Neumarkt Square. The market’s long lanes are lined with white wooden huts illuminated at night by thousands of twinkling lights and glowing paper stars. This market is home to high-end handmade goods, Cologne cathedral waffles, flame-grilled salmon, cocktails, pasta, churros, crepes and more.
Market of Angels Hours: 11 AM-9 PM (Sunday to Thursday) and 11 AM-10 PM (Friday and Saturday)
Verdict on the Market of Angels: Loved it. The market is nothing over-the-top, but it’s completely lovely, especially in the evening when the huts are lit by thousands of lights. I also found my favorite Christmas market mug here.
STADTGARTEN CHRISTMAS MARKET
This Christmas market is one of the more local markets in Cologne. It’s held under the trees in Cologne’s oldest park and gives the vibe of an enchanted forest. There are more than 60 stall vendors that change weekly selling crafts, jewelry, fashion and handmade goods. There is also mulled wine, raclette and live entertainment.
Stadtgarten Christmas Market Hours: 4 PM-9:30 PM (Monday to Friday) and 12 PM-9:30 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
Verdict on the Stadtgarten Christmas Market: A small, pleasant market to visit, but definitely not a must if you are tight on time in Cologne.
ST. NICHOLAS VILLAGE
This St. Nicholas themed Christmas market leaves visitors smitten, set against the epic medieval Hahnentorburg Gate. Nikolausdorf (St. Nicholas Village) resembles a rustic village where timbered huts sell bratwurst, pretzels, potato pancakes, hot chocolate, eggnog and mulled wine. Additionally, children can meet St. Nicholas at his home that is located inside the market.
4 nights in top end 4 star hotels bed and breakfast.
£1849 per couple .
Where better to get into the seasonal spirit than in Europe’s biggest Christmas Markets. Cologne really comes into its own at Christmas time?
Day 1 we meet at Eurotunnel for 12.20 and travel across to our hotel in Ghent with is around 1.5 hour from Calais .
Day 2 we set off to Cologne around a 3 hour run arriving in the old town around 2pm. Time to get settled and start exploring !!
Day 3/4 time to venture around the Markets . I believe there are 4 different Markets to visit and time to visit the key attraction of Cologne and even do a trip on the Rhine.
Book your trip to the Cologne Christmas markets with LeShuttle – it’s just a 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais.
Timings 3/12/26 at 13.20 return 07/12/26 at 15.20
Use of Radio’s
Lead car .
Photos and Video of your trip .
Maps etc all done for you .
Limited places to please book ASAP
Itinerary
Day 1 we meet at Eurotunnel for 12.20 and travel across to our hotel in Ghent with is around 1.5 hour from Calais .
Day 2 we set off to Cologne around a 3 hour run arriving in the old town around 2pm. Time to get settled and start exploring !!
Day 3/4 time to venture around the Markets . I believe there are 4 different Markets to visit and time to visit the key attraction of Cologne and even do a trip on the Rhine.
Day 5
Travel back from Cologne to Calais a 4 hour drive and home.
Book your trip to the Cologne Christmas markets with LeShuttle – it’s just a 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais.
Timings 3/12/26 at 13.20 return 07/12/26 at 15.20
Day 2 we set off to Cologne around a 3 hour run arriving in the old town around 2pm. Time to get settled and start exploring !!
Day 3/4 time to venture around the Markets . I believe there are 4 different Markets to visit and time to visit the key attraction of Cologne and even do a trip on the Rhine.
Day 5
Travel back from Cologne to Calais a 4 hour drive and home.
Book your trip to the Cologne Christmas markets with LeShuttle – it’s just a 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais.
Timings 3/12/26 at 13.20 return 07/12/26 at 15.20
