Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral
The Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral is a large seasonal market surrounding the historic cathedral in the city's heart. The square features colorful stalls selling handcrafted ornaments, toys, jewelry, and traditional crafts, while food stands offer mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, potato pancakes, and baked goods. A tent canopy with lights and stars spans the space, and a towering decorated Christmas tree stands as the focal point, with a stage hosting daily music, dance, and theater performances.
This Christmas market is one of the oldest and largest in Germany, having grown around the Gothic cathedral that has anchored the city for centuries. It evolved from medieval trading traditions where people gathered before the holiday season to sell and buy crafts and food, a practice that has continued and expanded over generations.
The Christmas market at the cathedral is a gathering place where locals and visitors connect during the holiday season. People stroll slowly between stalls, chat with artisans about their crafts, and share warm drinks while watching performances. It reflects a long tradition of celebrating the season through community, handmade goods, and gathering together in the heart of the city.
The market is easy to reach, as the cathedral sits just a few minutes' walk from the main train station, making arrival straightforward. Public transport is recommended since the area becomes crowded during the event and parking is difficult.
The market draws around four million visitors each year, making it one of Germany's most-visited Christmas gatherings. A distinctive detail is that many stalls sell their own special mugs for mulled wine, allowing visitors to collect different souvenirs from various stands.
Location: Köln
Address: Roncallipl., 50667 Köln, Germany
Opening Hours: Monday-Wednesday 11:00-21:00; Thursday-Friday 11:00-22:00; Saturday 10:00-22:00; Sunday 11:00-21:00
Phone: +492213992930
Website: https://koelnerweihnachtsmarkt.com
GPS coordinates: 50.94058,6.95780
Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:00
Every year, when the advent arrives, Christmas markets change the squares and old streets of European towns. Wooden stalls are set up and offer local flavors, crafts, and seasonal decorations. Walking from one stand to another, you can taste hot mulled wine, roasted almonds, and see the handmade goods that each region is proud of. In Germany, markets are found in Nuremberg, Dresden, Munich, Hamburg, and Stuttgart. Austria has markets in Vienna and Salzburg. France gathers its markets in Strasbourg, Metz, Montbéliard, and Lille. Brussels, Bruges, and Louvain welcome visitors in Belgium, Maastricht and Valkenburg in the Netherlands, and Wrocław, Krakow, and Poznań in Poland. These places tell stories about their local history and food traditions. From Prague to Budapest, passing through Zagreb, Basel, and Bern, markets are also found in Central and Eastern Europe. Scandinavian cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo, and Rovaniemi, along with Riga and Tallinn in the Baltic states, keep this tradition alive. London, Edinburgh, Merano, Asti-Govone, and Madeira finish this winter trip across the continent, each showing how Christmas is celebrated in their ways.
Petersglocke
67 m
Cathedral Window
53 m
Romano-Germanic Museum
80 m
Bells of Cologne Cathedral
69 m
St. Andreas Church
248 m
Crossing tower of Cologne Cathedral
85 m
Museum für Angewandte Kunst
75 m
Dom-Hotel
57 m
Surroundings of Cologne Cathedral
62 m
Dionysosmosaik
63 m
Organs of Cologne Cathedral
83 m
Blau-Gold-Haus
64 m
Bayernfenster
52 m
Statue of St. Christophorus in Cologne Cathedral
77 m
Jüngeres Bibelfenster
52 m
Heinzelmännchenbrunnen
81 m
Columne pro Caelo
44 m
Domfontäne
32 m
Petrusbrunnen
40 m
Kurienhaus
79 m
Nave organ of the Cologne Cathedral (Klais 1998)
86 m
Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom
13 m
Römisches Nordtor
61 m
Gedenktafel für den XX. Weltjugendtag
54 m
Tafel zum Andenken an Papst Johannes XXIII.
54 m
KLN_07
70 m
Scenic viewpoint
73 m
Adolph-Kolping-Pilgerweg
52 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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