Est. 1985
Request Brochures Brochures

Group Travel Tour Operator and DMC for Cologne, Germany

Cologne Christmas Markets

  • View towards Cologne city centre with cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge ©Francesco Carovillano, GNTB

    A weekend in Cologne at night, Germany
  • View over Cologne city center with Cologne's Cathedral among other iconic buildings along Rhine river ©Francesco Carovillano, GNTB

    Germany - Cologne - View towards the city centre with cathedral
4 day tour
From £250 per person - minimum 25 passengers

Take a tour to the festively decorated and beautifully themed Cologne Christmas markets, inviting you to stroll, shop and explore to your heart’s desire.

Cologne’s Christmas markets are a veritable Mecca for Christmas market lovers and one of the most popular destinations in Germany. With at least eight separate markets, there is the perfect blend of the traditional, creative and fun.

Read more

Cologne: Big City, Old-World Charm

After near-obliteration in during WWII, Cologne’s old town was painstakingly rebuilt to it’s former glory. Now, despite being Germany’s fourth largest city, the old town has retained Cologne’s cosy old-world charm with narrow, cobbled streets and alleys.

The city’s most famous landmark, the Cathedral, stands proud with an ornate façade and filigree spires. The cathedral, a preotected UNESCO site, is just one element of this city’s unique architectural heritage and one of Germany’s most popular attractions.

Christmas markets line the streets in front of the cathedral are among the most spectacular places to get your Christmas shopping done. The historic backdrop of the giant black cathedral looms over the stalls and elaborately decorated Christmas tree.

A Special Something from the Christmas Markets

Not far away, located on the squares Alter Markt and Heumarkt, ‘Heinzel’s Winter Fairytale‘ has a spectacular ice rink. While, in the centre of the larger shopping areas, the ‘Market of Angels‘ stands amid the Neumarkt square.

Under a magnificently shining star-spattered sky, Rudolfplatz, young and old enjoy the spirit of the ‘Village of St. Nicholas.’ Here is a great place to pick up unusual Christmas presents, buy hand-crafted wooden decorations for your tree back home and warm up with some mulled wine.

The Cologne Christmas markets are world-renowned for their unique festivity, however they truly have to be seen to be believed.


Dates

November & December 2024


Suggested itinerary by coach

Day 1

Travel to Germany

Make your way to your hotel in Cologne. Depending on your arrival time, begin exploring this wonderfully festive city.

Day 2

Cologne Christmas Markets

Explore the city’s amazing markets, at the heart of the city is the “Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral”. Not far away, located on the squares Alter Markt and Heumarkt, “Heinzels Winter Fairytale” attracts with a spectacular ice rink. Directly located on the Rhine, next to the Chocolate Museum, the “Harbour Christmas Market” exudes a maritime flair. In the centre of the larger shopping areas, the “Market of Angels” presents itself on the square Neumarkt under a magnificently shining star-spattered sky and quite near on Rudolfplatz, young and old enjoy the spirit of the “Village of St. Nicholas”. Nearby, between the streets Hahnen- and Schaafenstraße, the colorful and dazzling community Christmas market “Heavenue” opens its doors for the second time now. On the edge of the popular Belgian quarter, people meet on the cosy “Christmas Market at Stadtgarten” within Cologne’s oldest park.

Day 3

More Markets? Or explore Drachenfels and Königswinter

Spend today exploring more of the markets, or why not make an excursion to Königswinter, with its quaint Old Town and beautiful riverside promenade? Make the short journey from Cologne by road or along the river by boat. Against the beautiful backdrop of the Siebengebirge hills, perhaps take the cog railway to the top of the Drachenfels or ‘Dragon’s Rock’ where the legendary dragon was slain. Take in the breathtaking views over the Rhine. Stop off en-route to the summit at the striking Castle Drachenburg or simply enjoy the views from the comfort of the train carriage.

Day 4

Departure

It’s time to leave Cologne behind. If time permits, enjoy a final stroll through the city before beginning your return journey to the UK.


Featured Hotels

Ibis Köln Messe ***

Less than 1 km from Koelnmesse exhibition center, this hotel is also a 14-minute walk from concerts at Lanxess Arena and 5 km from Cologne Cathedral where you will find some of the Christmas markets. The rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and work desks. Amenities include an international restaurant with a terrace, plus a 24-hour bar.

Ibis Köln Centrum ***

The Ibis Köln Centrum is set in the centre of Cologne, is a 3-minute walk from Barbarossaplatz train station and 3.6 km from the harbourfront Imhoff-Schokoladenmuseum, which showcases the entire history of chocolate. The rooms contain desks, TVs and free Wi-Fi. The property has a 24-hour bar, business centre, 2 meeting rooms and bike storage.

H+ Hotel Köln Brühl ****

This hotel is located in Brühl, a picturesque town with a lot to offer. In addition, Cologne and Bonn are within easy reach. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, a restaurant, a bar and a relaxation/ spa area. As well as this, the hotel has free coach parking.


You may also be interested in:

Munich City Break

Reunified Berlin – Two Sides of the Wall

A Weekend in Cologne


4 days / 3 nights Half Twin Single Supplement
November & December 2024 From £250.00 per person Price on Request

 

Price based on exchange rate of £1.00 = €1.150. All prices are per person based on sharing a double or twin room and with one free place in a single room, based on a minimum 25 full fare paying passengers. Prices do not include UK coach hire or travel insurance. Dates are subject to availability. Smaller groups can be quoted for on request. Greatdays Holidays Limited is a member of ABTA (Y0380) which means you have the benefit of ABTA's assistance and Code of Conduct. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. Greatdays Holidays Limited has an ATOL licence (4279) and all of our air package tours are protected under this licence. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the Civil Aviation Authority will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any monies you have paid to us for an advance booking. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this tour are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate. Our website policy is to use only copyright free images or images which have been authorised to us for free use by the owner. If you consider an image to be unauthorised or to be your property, please contact us immediately and if invalid we will have the image removed. If your image requires crediting or is missing a copyright statement then we will be pleased to add this to the webpage, contact us at info@greatdays.co.uk

Send an Enquiry

Greatdays Wholesale

Greatdays offer a trade only booking service for coach and tour operators or professional group travel organisers and we can provide single or multiple elements of a holiday.

Read more

bawta ETOA CTA AGTO

Greatdays Holidays

Greatdays are able to offer a complete tailor-made booking service for group travel organisers with the help of one of our friendly consultants to assist you through the booking process.

Read more

ABTA ATOL CTA AGTO