Cologne and Aachen – the best Christmas markets in Europe

Cologne and Aachen might not be the most famous cities in Germany, but I think they’ve got the best Christmas markets in Europe. Plus, both have an amazing Cathedral and some fun other sights.

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If you’re looking for more festive fun, there are loads more places in Europe to choose from. Brussels is nearby and really comes alive for Christmas in Brussels. Or how about Christmas in Prague, or New Year in Vienna? Make sure you check out this great guide to Germany ready for your trip (affiliate).

Cologne and Aachen are both small cities on the Western side of Germany. With great train links, it’s easy to visit both on the same trip, and maybe combine with another city as well such as Brussels. The highlight for me was the Christmas markets in both cities, but there’s more to Cologne and Aachen beyond the festive fun.

Cologne at Christmas

Cologne’s vast Christmas markets stretch across a huge area of the city centre, with the stunning Cathedral as a backdrop. You can spend a whole afternoon and evening just wandering around the stalls, listening to the Christmas music, and browsing so unique Christmas gifts and decorations to take home to your friends and family.

And of course, no visit to Christmas markets is complete without trying the food and drink. A mug of mulled wine just tastes so much better in this context. And one of my favourite foods: Langos! Deep fried bread with garlic and cheese.

And my other favourite Christmas market food: Kartofflepuffen! Deep fried potato. The perfect food to keep you warm all evening.

Other things to do in Cologne

The main sight in Cologne is the hugely impressive Cathedral. This immense Gothic structure dates back to the 13th century and in 1996 was declared a World Heritage Site.

Cologne also has a nice Old Town with colourful buildings, and plenty of cafes when you want to escape from the cold.

The Lindt Chocolate Museum is also definitely worth a visit. You can learn all about how chocolate is made, and of course there are plenty of opportunities to sample and piece (or two) and buy more!

Aachen at Christmas

Aachen is smaller than Cologne, but its easy train links make it a great extension to any trip to Cologne. Only an hour away from Cologne for under £20, I stopped off here for a day on my way back to Brussels. Check Germany’s train timetables for the most up to date times and prices.

The Christmas markets here are just as fun as Cologne, with great gifts, food and drink.

Other things to do in Aachen

Cologne and Aachen both have outstanding cathedrals. Like Cologne, the Cathedral is the focal point of the city, dominating the views. It’s one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe, constructed by Emperor Charlemagne, who was buried there in 814. The inside is equally, if not more, impressive than the exterior.

Enjoy your trip to Cologne and Aachen for Christmas! Don’t forget to check out this great guide to Germany (affiliate) and also my other blogs for ideas for how to extend your trip – maybe take the short train ride to Brussels, or carry on the Christmas celebrations in Prague or Vienna.

Want to see a different side of Cologne and Aachen? Jet Lagged and Loving it Travel Vlog have some great episodes in Series 2 of the vlog. Check it out!