What to see at Germany's famous Cologne Christmas markets

DW (English)

Mulled wine, gingerbread and handicrafts: DW takes you on a tour of one of Germany's most beloved Christmas markets.

Transcript

00:00Dear Santa, I've been a very good employee this year.

00:05For Christmas, I'd like to report at a Christmas market in Germany.

00:13Who said that?

00:16What's happening?

00:19Oh my God, it's a Christmas miracle!

00:22I'm here at the Christmas market at the Cologne Cathedral.

00:26This is the city's most famous Christmas market.

00:29It's also considered to be one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany.

00:34This year, it has 140 stands.

00:37That brings me to one common mistake.

00:39Not dressing warm enough.

00:41There is so much to see, you don't want to have to cut your visit short.

00:45And by the way, this market has the Rhineland's largest Christmas tree,

00:49a Nordmann fir, 23 meters high.

00:54As I'm walking around here, there are so many incredible smells in the air.

00:58They have candied nuts, grilled meats, and that brings me to our next topic.

01:03Food!

01:04Germany is known for its wide range of Christmas market food.

01:08And there's so much to try.

01:13Like Kartoffelpuffer, fried potato pancakes.

01:16In Cologne, you'll find a special version called Reibekuchen,

01:19served with sour cream or applesauce.

01:24It has a sweet, savory thing going on.

01:27Raclette.

01:28You can smell the pungent Swiss cheese halfway across the market.

01:32Tastes better than it smells.

01:36And a classic, sausage, which comes in many varieties depending on the region.

01:40I try Mettwurst and kale.

01:43Don't make the mistake of bringing only credit card.

01:47At Christmas markets, a lot of vendors will accept cash only.

01:52Authentic Christmas markets typically have live music,

01:56and this one is no exception.

01:58But now it's time to try one of my favorite Christmas market classics.

02:02Mulled wine or Glühwein.

02:06Typically, it's red wine spiced with cinnamon, cloves, lemon, and a bit of anise.

02:12Don't make the mistake of drinking too much too quickly.

02:15It's so sugary, it goes straight to your head.

02:18And there are non-alcoholic versions too.

02:21The cost of the drink also includes a deposit for the cup,

02:24which you get back when you return it.

02:29Now it's time for our second Christmas market,

02:31the Market of Angels, set to be the city's oldest.

02:34Let's talk about gifts.

02:36This market has only 70 stands,

02:39so that still gives us plenty to check out.

02:41Christmas markets offer many chances to support local artisans

02:45These pyramids are from the Ur Mountains in East Germany,

02:49and I really, really love this.

02:51This is a great example of typical kind of wood and handicrafts

02:55that you find in Germany at Christmas markets.

02:57When you light these candles,

02:59the heat from the candles actually makes the little propeller spin,

03:03and these little figures here spin around.

03:06So cute.

03:08These are the typical nutcrackers,

03:10which are also from the Ur Mountains,

03:12These are the typical nutcrackers,

03:14which are also from the Ur Mountains,

03:16they date back to the late 17th century.

03:24Is it just me, or is it time for some sugar?

03:30The number of sweet treats you can find at German Christmas markets

03:33is pretty mind-blowing.

03:35Here we have a couple of typical ones.

03:37These are candied nuts, all different kinds of varieties,

03:40and these Lebkuchenherzen, or gingerbread hearts.

03:45Speaking of Lebkuchen, Germany's gingerbread,

03:47there's a special kind at this market called Plinten.

03:51It comes in many varieties.

03:53Is that who I think it is?

03:56It's Santa's helper, the Christmas angel.

03:59Hello.

04:00Sarah.

04:01Hello.

04:02Thank you for your letter.

04:03This is your big wish,

04:05the Christmas market in Cologne.

04:07It's for you.

04:08Thank you so much for making my Christmas wishes come true.

04:12Well, I think we've seen all the Christmas market essentials.

04:16We've had delicious food,

04:18mulled wine,

04:19entertainment,

04:20sweets,

04:21and, of course, a great atmosphere.

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