Cologne draws more than four million visitors a year to the Christmas market at the foot of its Gothic cathedral, and the city has several more spread within walking distance of the old town. After visiting 20-plus German markets across two trips, the travel writers at Earth Trekkers rank Cologne's scene in their top ten — but not every market here is equal. Here's what stood out.

The headline market is the Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom on Roncalliplatz, running 16 November to 23 December 2026. It's the most famous, with red tents, a giant tree and the cathedral towering behind it. The verdict, though, is lukewarm: it was packed by mid-morning on a weekend day and crushingly busy at night, and the stall design didn't impress. Worth seeing for the setting, but go on a weekday or in daylight.

The real winners are the two Heinzels Wintermärchen markets. At Alter Markt (23 November to 23 December), decorative wooden stalls ring a handsome historic square, with the best shopping of the bunch — it was the authors' favourite. A short street away, Heumarkt's version (23 November to 3 January) centres on a big ice rink, with huts serving glühwein and feuerzangenbowle — mulled wine finished with a flaming rum-soaked sugar cube. The pair can be done together in an hour or two.

Also worth knowing: the Markt der Engel at Neumarkt (16 November to 23 December) swaps traditional huts for sleek white modern stalls, string lights and an 'upscale' feel — think champagne and Aperol spritz bars plus tarte flambée, lángos and flame-grilled salmon. Stilt-walking angels roam through. Out by the Rhine, the Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt at the Chocolate Museum (13 November to 3 January) is thinner on charm but far quieter, sweet-tooth friendly, and best at dusk when the Malakoff Tower and Ferris wheel light up.

Practicalities matter here. Most markets sit in or near the old town; the outliers take around 30 minutes on foot, or hop a tram, bus or Uber. Stalls generally trade 10 or 11 am until 9 or 10 pm, and evenings are the prettiest — but also the busiest, with weekends especially sardine-like. Carry cash, since some stalls don't take cards, and note that every glühwein glass carries a €3–5 refundable deposit (pfand): return it or keep it as a souvenir.

For travellers, Cologne works well as a base: a compact old town, an easy rail hub, and day-trip options to other Rhineland market towns. Three days is enough to cover the city's markets with room for a couple of excursions.