This was my favorite Christmas Market in Köln. Everything is gnome and fairytale themed, with handmade items at most booths and a huge ice skating rink. I read to go to the markets during the daytime hours to avoid crowds, so we set off after breakfast to shop at this one. Due to wind, the market stalls were closed until late afternoon. However, you could walk through- so I took pictures of all the gnome paintings. Normally, I wouldn't have noticed these when visiting during a crowded time. The paintings had ice skating gnomes, gnomes cooking sausages, and gnomes drinking beer. No matter how old you are, you can't help but smile at the fun art. Thankfully, the winds improved and we came back to the market that night to shop and have hot chocolate. The mugs were super cute, and numerous designs were offered. I don't know much German, so all I can tell is that my mug has a little gnome girl who likes to dance. You pay a deposit for the mug, but I chose to keep mine as a souvenir. If you visit Köln during the holidays, don't miss out on this market. read more

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Beautiful AND fun market!! They had a little ferris wheel and an ice skating rink where you could skate and play games. I tried truffle dumplings here which I hadn't seen at any other markets and they were very yummy! read more

This was my favorite market of the Cologne Christmas markets. Billed as a winter fairytale market, it had it all. Charming painted booths with vendors in colorful winter garb, a carousel, ice skating, curling, and shops featuring arts and crafts as well as aromatic treats. They were smoking salmon which smelled phenomenal. Who can resist the roasted nuts or the fragrant glühwein? I felt the wonder a child would feel. This was magical! read more

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Koln (Cologne) is Christmas market central. Out of all the places I've visited in Germany over the years, none compare to the markets here. The Weihnachtsmarkt Kölner Altstadt - Heimat Der Heinzel is one of my all-time favorites in all of Europe! I just got back from a holiday trip and this market is still just as strong as ever. With an adorable gnome theme (you'll see them all over: miscellaneous statuary, on the signs, the gluwein mugs, etc.), this is just such a pretty and photogenic Christmas market. My favorite are the giant trees that have colorful lanterns hanging in them. Photos don't do it justice! The merchandise booths focus more on the handmade: I bought this gorgeous hand-bound journal with homemade paper pages and a cute rubber stamp of the classic literary character Puss in Boots. That's the type of shopping you'll find here (not loaded with cheap Chinese junk). The food is also great; all of the markets in town have different foods. Sure you'll find the sausages and gingerbread and mulled wine, but this market has a good variety of savory and sweet treats. The homemade waffle stand was one of the best snacks I've ever had at any Christmas market in Europe. Ever! The theming is fantastic; in 2015 they had a huge ice skating rink complete with a life-sized "ski lodge" which featured tiny gnome dolls riding up and down the ski lift! Adorable! Great for adults and kids alike and admission is FREE. read more

Heinzels Wintermärchen - Freshly made waffles from a food vendor. Even in the pouring rain this thing was amazing! - Christmas Markets Near Me - Cologne, NW

This Christmas Market that anywhere else would be amazing but in Cologne came in middle of the pack, lots of good food around, some shops, crowds coming to have a drink and socialize, smaller then some with nothing to really set it apart ( at least to me). I think its the last one on the little train that connects it to the one with the ice rink and the cathederal one, its also across from the tram that goes on to the Angel market and another small one. To set its self apart this one had a larch ornament shop inside with a tight path weaving through it. Lots to choose from but not for anyone that has a fear of being traped as the tables are tight and there is just one path, no rushing through! Tip: when you buy a drink you pay a deposit that you can get back from any of the drink stands (around 2 euro's) or you can keep it. Every market in town has its own design, new every year. They make a good cheap souvineer. I have a set of 5 mugs from the 5 markets I went to. read more

Absolutely enchanting! We visited this Christmas Market during a cold, somewhat rainy evening. It was *so* busy you could barely navigate through the crowd. Despite the large crowd and the weather, my husband and I had a great time. We loved looking through all of the artisan's booths and bought several trinkets to bring home for ourselves and friends. All of the people at the artisan booths were incredibly friendly and tried to get to you quickly. The Christmas lights and decorations under the towering Dom were charming - we got some hot apple cider from a vendor and stood on the outskirts of the market to gaze upon the crowd before we left. This is absolutely something that everyone should go to and experience - so glad we braved the weather! read more

Cute, albeit small Christmas market. But nice place to get your gluhwein, a bratwurst, potato pancakes, and then go ice skating. read more

Heinzels Wintermärchen - Bratwurst! - Christmas Markets Near Me - Cologne, NW

Home of the Elves, and the place to go if you want a bit of exercise during your visit to the Christmas Markets. There's a sweeping ice skating route and some curling alleys set up for some friendly competition. The sprawling layout of this market means it doesn't get as gridlocked as some of the other ones, but still has that special atmosphere. read more

Heinzels Wintermärchen - The Nativity Statues - Christmas Markets Near Me - Cologne, NW

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Last year 2014, we created Weihnachtsmarkt tour. This was our third. The christmas market is spread across 3 subsections: Dom, Heumarkt, and lastly the Altermarkt. The good thing is that you can always bounce from one to other incase you got bored. The less interesting fact is that it is usually crowded and it is hard to travel in group when the whole market is full with people. What i like the most from the Christmas market in Altstadt is the recreation. They have enough thing for you to see and play with. The ice-ring is my personal favorite, you can always spend some time here Ice-skating. Although it might be crowded, it is still fun to do. What i found at Altstadt is that they have by far the most delicious, crunchy, and tasty Reibekuchen. I cant stop dreaming about it days after i last ate it. So, next time when they have Christmas Market again, lets hope that the Reibekuchen booth is still there serving the same quality like the one they have in 2014. :) read more

This was my favorite christmas market. It has nice stalls, easy to get through, had a really christmassy feeland im pretty sure i saw santa claus! read more

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The only reason why I consider the Weihnachtsmart in Koeln to be my favorite is because of the Dom in the area, but otherwise this markt is definitely as good and also crowded during weekends! read more