Solo Traveling: Experiencing Cologne’s Fairy Tale Christmas Market

My wonderful trip side friends, I’m having so much fun reliving my 3 week Christmas Market journey by writing these mini wrap-ups for you. 

This blog post is all about my time in Köln (which is how it’s spelled in German). If you’re falling along, you’ll know I got a nasty cold when I was in Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges. However, Germany is where I finally started to feel like myself and get better. 

This meant I splurged on everything! Think treats, Glühwein, beer, and so much window shopping! 

_{Disclaimer: The following post has Bookshop & Amazon affiliate links. If clicked and purchased, a small percentage will go toward On the Trip Side. Thank you for your continual support!}

---

Cologne’s Christmas Fairy Tale Market

First of all, the Köln’s Christmas Market was huge. It spread for at least two miles and there are multiple markets throughout the city. There was one 2 blocks from my Airbnb that wasn’t in the downtown area. This was arguably my favorite market because I felt like a part of a community.

Wonderful handmade surprises 

Since the markets covered a vast majority of the city, there were a lot of stands to cover! I absolutely loved the stands that had homemade items. My favorite stands were the ones that had ornaments and yuletide home goods that smelled like the holidays. You know the scents I’m talking about – cinnamon, cloves, dried oranges, star anis, etc. 

I’ll add some images below so you know what I’m talking about! 

Some stands had:

1. Glass blown ornaments
2. Beautiful Yew bark hair accessories (made in the Black Forest)
3. Hand-painted holiday houses (add incense for a smoking chimney)
4. Locally produced soaps & essential oils
5. Unique and sweet Russian dolls
6. Christmas stars
7. Tons of locally made food (omg, a dream come true)
8. Not to mention homemade Glühwein (German mulled wine)

Famous Kòln local beer

I hired a photographer (info at the end!) and she said that Köln and Düsseldorf (a neighboring city) have a rivalry between their locally crafted beer. I loved hearing that because it’s very similar to Seattle and Portland. Both are huge in the beer crafting world. 

I’m biased because I had the best time in Köln but I’ve also never been to Düsseldorf so it’s a little unfair to say it’s my favorite. Haha! It was a great light beer (like a pilsner) and I can see people want to get it to help warm up on cold nights. 

Stunning fairy-tale-esque scenery (Hogwarts who??)

Oh, my word, you guys! When I tell you the background of this market was fairytale worthy… it truly was! 

The beautiful Köln Cathedral is stunning, especially as the main backdrop for the Roncalliplatz market. There are so many other iconic backdrops that they added for the holiday festivities. They had a beautiful windmill (which was the main beer garden), a ferris wheel, and ice skating – all in a Hansel & Gretel village-type atmosphere. 

I just loved it!

Gnomes 

There were gnomes everywhere and I got so curious I looked them up! The legend says that they’re called Heinzelmännchen in German and that the little house gnomes used to do all the work for the townspeople of Cologne. Til one day, a tailor’s wife got curious and wanted to see them so she set out peas to make the trip and fall. The gnomes got so mad, they never returned – forcing all the people of Cologne to have to do their own housework. 😅

Regardless, they were up to no good at these markets but they were also so stinkin’ cute! There’s a poem on Wikipedia here.

Now we know! I can’t believe I didn’t know that Gnomes were so famous in Köln because I’ve loved gnomes since watching Amelié.

Truly a family affair

Out of all the Christmas Markets I went to, I wished my family was with me the most in Köln, Germany. I loved everything about the atmosphere of these markets, especially how many kids were running around being happy. They were everywhere. Eating desserts and drinking warmed apple juice and cocoa. They were all so excited to be with their grandparents and cousins. 💕 

I loved seeing them soak up the holiday charm. It was darling to see them get excited to get on the ferris wheel and even watch their parents try curling. 

---

If you’re interested in getting updates on Köln and what to do while traveling there, sign up for my weekly newsletter!

As always, thanks for reading, and let me know if you want me to write anything specific about these Christmas Markets! 

Other posts you might enjoy:

• My Christmas Market Bucket List
• Bruges Christmas Market: A Hallmark Day Trip with a Twist
• What I’m Doing and Not Doing This December