Cologne christmas market. (1 Viewer)

[daveclare]

We're thinking of including Cologne Christmas Market on the way home. Anyone done it? Any suggestions on places to stay?

Many thanks
Clare and Dave.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I've been a couple of times, but staying in hotels.
It was amazing, there being 5+ different markets with their own atmosphere & design.
This was pre-pandemic though so goodness only knows what it'll be like now.

 

[cliffanger]

We stayed on a Stellplatz at the Park and Ride, and walked/cycled into Cologne. Lovely biergartens along the path when we were there.

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[daveclare]

Many thanks, did you get your green zone sticker before leaving or on the way?

 

[cliffanger]

We didn’t get one then, but we have one now. Applied for it here and it came within a couple of weeks.

I’ll go and get the name and coordinates from the van for you.

 

[Chipster]

Went 2019. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Can’t help with where to stay as went on the train. Food was great. Salmon in particular for Mrs. C.

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[cliffanger]

This is the one. Might be worth checking it’s still there, as we went in 2014! We also went in September so not sure whether it will be busy at Christmas Market time!

The walk into the city was lovely, with biergartens along the cycle track - I can vouch for the bratwurst, fries and sauerkraut!

 

[pjay]

Not sure about the P&R stellplatz but Reisemobilhafen Koeln listed above is within the umweltzone but there is a zone free corridor for those without a sticker....

Umweltzone - Reisemobilhafen Köln

www.reisemobilhafen-koeln.de

Pete

 

[cliffanger]

I thought it was at the P and R, but apparently Cliff says it wasn’t a Park and Ride!

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[daveclare]

Thanks all. Thought we'd do it on the way home this trip rather than start another trip once home, a week or two later.

 

[G7UXG]

The Christmas markets in Cologne are very good. Stelplatz gets very busy at weekends. Best to get there midweek to get the best chance of finding a space during the markets.

 

[G7UXG]

As for Umwelt sticker, just go to any TUV (MOT) station in Germany and they’ll provide one for 5 euros. You just need your registration document

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[orridge]

Great place there is about 5 or so different markets with different themes.

Stayed at the Stellplatze on the Rhine easy walk, cycle or taxi into the city.

There is a route from the ring road that does not require an umwelt sticker but if you can get one do so as you can then approach and leave from any direction.

 

[daveclare]

Thanks for the advice, will get a sticker on the way in. Looking to get there at the beginning of the market season, so will have my motorhome sized towel ready for the stelplatz.

 

[TerryL]

It's not actually a Park & Ride but a U-bahn station that happens to have a largish car park close by. It's quite close to the Zoo, sometimes referred to as that.

I believe that there are currently 8 different markets, all slightly different themed so that they're not boring. A couple are a good walk from the centre.

When we were there a few years ago it was possible to book a place, not sure if that's still possible though. Note - "6m separation" rule doesn't apply although you do get enough room to open the door...................!

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[bigwood]

We went there as part of a week long river cruise . It was the best Christmas market in the whole weeks .As said there were five markets and a skating rink.
The kids have things like penguins to help them stay up on the rink. Management want one as well. The mulled wine at each market adds to the atmosphere .

 

[MichaelT]

Sort of off topic but anyone know of any other great markets to visit, we are planning on going first week of December so Cologne is on the list but would like to do 2 or 3 others for our postponed 2020 trip.

 

[orridge]

Sort of off topic but anyone know of any other great markets to visit, we are planning on going first week of December so Cologne is on the list but would like to do 2 or 3 others for our postponed 2020 trip.

Gravelines close to the Tunnel is a traditional French little market but quite nice. Bruges is very touristy but a great city to visit at any time or perhaps Valkenburg in the Netherlands. There is a site on top of the "Mountain" and the markets are in the underground caves dotted through out the town.

All of which are on your way to/from Cologne or further south Strasbourg, Colman and Alsace are always good aswell.

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[Landy Andy]

Sort of off topic but anyone know of any other great markets to visit, we are planning on going first week of December so Cologne is on the list but would like to do 2 or 3 others for our postponed 2020 trip.

suavecarve is planning to visit a good few.

Xmas markets

I ve just started looking at the Xmas markets near to Calais in anticipation of hopefully going over last week of November for a quick 12 dayer. I used the website below to determine where we are off to, and working on aires nearby etc in due course. We have plumped for a route to Aachen and a...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[mitzimad]

probably to far south but we went to metz 2 years ago two markets a flouro light show projected light show on the cathederal and a couple of on street restaurant markets aire by the river

 

[shrek snr]

Ostend Christmas market very good and not massive, geniever bars.

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[MichaelT]

We are due to go next Friday but wondering now if it will be worth it with the situation in Europe. I know they are just catching up with us case wise and we will hopefully be triple jabbed so in no more danger than here but just wondering if others are still planning to go.

 

[TerryL]

Situation appears to be changing by the hour so who knows what will happen. Good news, though, is that from today the booster jab will be included in the Covid 19 NHS app.

Assume you can change your tunnel/ferry crossing if necessary? I'd wait until a few days before.

 

[haganap]

we're going to Chester Xmas markets tonight.

Not as good as when we went to Vienna and others in 2019 for sure...

But at least I won't be stranded out there with the impending lockdowns. I've knocked skiing on the head again this season as I sort of knew this was going to be coming. Good job we done a couple of weeks in Portugal a few weeks back.

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[MichaelT]

Situation appears to be changing by the hour so who knows what will happen. Good news, though, is that from today the booster jab will be included in the Covid 19 NHS app.

Assume you can change your tunnel/ferry crossing if necessary? I'd wait until a few days before.

Yes its on ET frequent traveller so flexible...

 

[WESTY66]

We are due to go next Friday but wondering now if it will be worth it with the situation in Europe. I know they are just catching up with us case wise and we will hopefully be triple jabbed so in no more danger than here but just wondering if others are still planning to go.

Up to now still planning to go to Germany on the 3rd Dec

 

[orridge]

Just back from Belgium so suspect Germany is similar wear a mask in shops, restaurants and have your NHS we codes scanned apart from that business as usual.

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[billym]

We are due to go next Friday but wondering now if it will be worth it with the situation in Europe. I know they are just catching up with us case wise and we will hopefully be triple jabbed so in no more danger than here but just wondering if others are still planning to go.

All the Christmas markets in Bavaria have been cancelled, there's some bad stuff going on in Rotterdam tonight, Austria's in lockdown .

Who knows what's next.

 

[L' Hobo]

Keep in touch with the news as there is talk on the BBC of Mrs M ordering TOTAL shutdown in Germany also? Good Luck!

 

[Mr porky]

As an alternative there is Chester and Manchester Christmas markets. Little roodee car park is an overnight parking spot in chester or the camc site next to cheshire oaks shopping outlet, the best option for Manchester would be the camc site at burrs Country Park and get the tram in from Bury.

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