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Every year, the city centre of Cologne is touched by the magic of the festivities in the run-up to Christmas.
Cologne is a Christmas Wonderland with stunning markets dotted across the old town! The gay scene also hosts wonderful parties and events and there is even a dedicated and colourful gay market, Heavenue!
- Are you visiting for Cologne Christmas Markets? Stay close to the markets and the bars at 25 Hours Hotel Koeln The Circle, rated “Fabulous” by guests featuring beautifully decorated rooms and excellent on-site bar and restaurant.
The Most famous Christmas markets in Cologne include:
The Cologne cathedral Christmas market.
- Awaiting dates – With the Cathedral forming an impressive backdrop, Cologne’s landmark “Cathedral christmas market” features more than 150 attractively designed wooden pavilions.
- Beneath the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland, you can choose from numerous sweet delicacies, watch artisans at work and drink “Original Christmas mulled wine” from the festively decorated Christmas mugs.
- Stay close to the market at the The Legend Hotel, offering luxurious suites with a “Superb” rating.
The Old Christmas market.
- Probably the most attractive christmas market is the one on the Alter Markt in front of Cologne´s town hall.
- From treats, toys, and items to waken that feeling of nostalgia, through to handicrafts and Christmas products – here you’ll find everything your heart desires.
- Stay close to this market at the MGallery Hotel, with beautiful views of the Cathedral and delicious breakfast options.
- The market is a 15 minute walk from the Neumarkt main christmas market.
Angel’s Christmas market.
- Colognes Neumarkt transforms into “Angel’s Christmas Market”. This is the main Christmas market in the city, famous for its fluttering angels, who sprinkle fairy dust on the streets awaiting Santa’s arrival who makes his appearance on a grand horse. How gay is that!
- Neumarkt is the largest of Cologne squares, located in the heart of the city’s shopping district and two busy shopping centres, Neumarkt-Galerie and the Neumarkt-Passage.
- Check out the top hotels closest to the market.
Harbour Christmas market.
- In a picturesque setting overlooking the Rhine, the Cologne Harbour Christmas market at the Chocolate Museum brings the gateway to the Rheinauhafen to life and gives festive Cologne a maritime flavour.
- Products sold here tend to be more artistic and of higher quality with some unique items on offer, including some hand crafted Christmas Cards. Food here is also delicious.
- The Rheinauhafen is located along the river Rhine between the Südbrücke and Severinsbrücke, just south of the inner city’s historic old town. The district includes several cafés, restaurants, and galleries and some of the city’s most unique architecture and the art’otel Cologne.
- The centerpiece of the new Cologne promenade is the trio of buildings called the “Kranhäuser” (crane towers), which rise to a height of about 60 meters. The buildings, which are shaped like hoisting cranes, are defining elements of the skyline on the west bank of the Rhine.
- The market is a 25 minute walk from the main market.
The Stadtgarten Christmas market.
- The Christmas market in the Stadtgarten exudes charm, attracting both locals and visitors alike. Slap bang in the middle of the hip Belgian Quarter, it has a romantic, village-like feel to it.
- The market is a 15 minute walk from the main market.
- Cologne’s Belgian Quarter is home to some of the city’s young fashion designers, custom artisan products and abundant trendy pubs, cafés and restaurants that radiate the charm of “old” Brussels, Liège & co. in the very heart of Cologne.
The Gay Christmas Market – Heavenue Cologne
- Colorful market booths in pop art style, decorated with romantic elements and snow-white garlands – Everyone is welcome when the “Christmas paradise on Earth” opens its doors.
- The market is a 7 minute walk from the Neumarkt main christmas market.
- Get the insider guide on Cologne’s gay christmas market.
Getting around the markets, The Christmas Market Express
- The Christmas-Market-Express is ideal for all of those who would like to visit more than just one of the beautiful Christmas Markets of Cologne even in wind and weather.
- The train drives through the lavishly decorated streets of Cologne’s old city and goes directly to the central stops which are located nearby four of the most beautiful Christmas Markets.
Gay Cologne
- Cologne has two different gay districts. Rudolfplatz is home to some of the more modern bars and clubs, while the Old Town is where you will find more traditional German gay bars.
- Enjoy a fun and friendly festive atmosphere in the gay bars and cafes during the Christmas Market celebrations. The following venues are popular with both visitors and tourists:
Gay Cafes
- Cafe Era – Modern gay friendly cafe with a busy street terrace open daily, perfect for lunch.
- Cafe Rico – Popular post-shopping meeting spot in the designer shops district, Open Wed-Sun
Popular Gay Bars
- Amadeus – Cafe Bar in the old town close to the Klein St Martin tower.
- Barcelon – Art Cafe with some Mediterranean inspiration from Barcelona.
- Baustelle 4U – Popular gay bar in the old town with camp music and friendly staff.
- Casino-Eck – German style bar open from Tuesday to Saturday with a traditional feel.
- ExCorner – Perhaps the busiest gay bar in Cologne, with more than 30 years of history.
- Exile – Busy bar with modern interior and younger guys, music videos. Open Wed to Sat.
- Gentle Bars – Bear-friendly bar in the old town with a fun atmosphere.
- Kattwinkel – The busiest bar in the Eigelstein quarter.
- Mumu – Home to the young and the pretty. Open daily from 7 pm.
- Schampanja – Alternative gay bar, popular with guys in the 30s and 40s in the heart of the gay “Bermuda Triangle”.
- Zur Kaiserin – Small gay bar in the old town close to several other popular venues.
Cruising Bars
- Deck 5 – Small cruising bar with darkroom, popular with 30+ crowd.
- Kinkz – Fetish bar right in the heart of Cologne.
- Pullermanns – Longest running fetish bar in Cologne open daily until 3 am.
Saunas
- Badehaus Babylon Cologne – Very busy sauna in Cologne complete with pool and host of several theme nights.
- Phoenix Sauna – Spacious sauna, busy at weekends when its open 24 hours and attracts lots of young guys.
Cologne Hotels
The following hotels are close to the main Christmas market and a short ride to the city’s bustling gay bars
Hotel Lyskirchen, Maritim Hotel, Dorint-Cologne, 25hours Hotel,
Book your hotel well in advance for
Christmas Avenue as the city fills fast
25hours Hotel The Circle offers a great
restaurant in the heart of the gay district
For further information and advice on
Cologne Christmas Market Website
There two gay areas in Cologne: Rudolfplatz, known locally as the “Bermuda Triangle” is more modern in style with Many of the cafes, bars and clubs around have started during the last twenty years. The Old Town is home to more Traditional pubs and bars for mixed ages.
Filzengraben 26, 50676 Köln, Germany
This hotel lies in the heart of
, 100 m from the Rhine Promenade. Guests enjoy free use of the large indoor swimming pool and modern gym, and the sauna can be used for a surcharge.The bright and spacious rooms at Hotel Lyskirchen feature elegant interiors. All rooms come with a flat-screen TV, a desk and a coffee machine as well as a complimentary bottle of mineral water. Free WiFi is available.
Pipinstraße 15 0667 Cologne, Germany
This hotel is situated in Cologne city centre, 200 m from the Heumarkt Square. It offers spacious rooms and a restaurant. Some rooms include access to a health club with large indoor swimming pool (usable for a surcharge).
Dorint am Heumarkt Köln provides spacious rooms with soundproofed windows and modern décor. All rooms include free tea/coffee facilities and a stylish marble bathroom. Some rooms offer a view of Cologne Cathedral.
Heumarkt 2050667 Cologne, Germany
Centrally located in Cologne, this hotel provides
panoramic views of the River Rhine. The Maritim Köln offers elegant accommodation and a spa with a gym and indoor pool.The air-conditioned rooms and suites of the Maritim Hotel Köln are furnished in warm colours. All rooms include satellite TV, a desk and a modern bathroom. WiFi is provided free of charge for guests in the whole hotel.
Hohe Straße 30 51149 Cologne, Germany
Located next to the lively pedestrian areas Hohe Strasse and Schildergasse you find Hotel am Augustinerplatz, only a 4-minute walk to Cologne’s Old Town and the Rhine.
The rooms at the 4-star Hotel am Augustinerplatz were completely renovated in 2009 offering a comfortable, modern design. They all feature a TV with free sky channels, a telephone, minibar and a safe.
Im Klapperhof 22-24, 50670 Köln,
Conveniently set in Cologne, 25hours Hotel The Circle provides air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant, free WiFi and a bar. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a sun terrace. The hotel has newspapers and a fax machine and photocopier that guests can use.
Guest rooms at the hotel are equipped with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom with a hairdryer and a shower. All units include a desk.
Komödienstraße 3, 50667 Köln, Germany
The units come with tiled floors and feature a fully equipped kitchenette with a fridge, a dining area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and a private bathroom with bidet and a hairdryer. Free WiFi and a balcony.
Ehrenstraße 67, 50672 Köln, Germany
The apartment has 3 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 3 bathrooms with a bidet. Free WiFi and private parking
Friesenwall 24B, 50672 Köln, Germany
The units come with tiled floors and feature a fully equipped kitchenette with a fridge, a dining area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and a private bathroom with bidet and a hairdryer. Free WiFi and a balcony.
Hämergasse 4-14, 50667 Köln, Germany
All apartments at DASKöln feature designer-style furniture, a safe, and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom with a shower. Just a 10-minute walk from Cologne Cathedral & the Main Train Station
Pipinstraße 3 50667 Cologne, Germany
The Barcelon has been a popular gay gin bar in Cologne's old town since 2011 with a large outdoor terrace.
Art Cafe with some Mediterranean inspiration from Barcelona
Am Rinkenpfuhl 51, 50676 Köln, Germany
Busy gay bar with nice decor and lighting. The bar staff are friendly (and hot:-) and the drinks are well priced
Mühlenbach 53, 50676 Köln, Germany
Bear Bar in the center of Cologne.
Welcomes the Bear community and their allies
Club Bogen 2, Gladbacher Wall 5, 50670 Köln, Germany
Legendary party, well known for a great line up and light show. Cute crowd as well.
Schaafenstraße 49, 50676 Köln, Germany
Popular gay bar can be a lot of fun
Vor St. Martin 8, 50667 Köln, Germany
Cafe Bar in the old town close to the Kiein St Martin tower
Energetic, pink-hued gay bar featuring drinks, cafe bites & drag shows, plus outdoor tables.
Mauritiuswall 43, 50676 Köln, Germany
Alternative gay bar, popular with guys in the 30s and 40s in the heart of the gay "Bermuda Triangle"
Pipinstraße 5, 50667 Köln, Germany
Small gay bar in the old town close to several other popular venues
Mathiasstraße 22, 50676 Köln, Germany
Longest running gay fetish bar in Cologne open daily until 3 am
Mathiasstraße 5, 50676 Köln, Germany
Small gay cruising bar with darkroom, popular with 30+ crowd.
Balduinstraße 20, 50676 Köln, Germany
Gay Fetish bar right in the heart of Cologne Men Only!
Greesbergstraße 2, 50668 Köln, Germany
The busiest gay bar in the Eigelstein quarter always a fun night
Pipinstraße 5 50667 Cologne, Germany
Here everyone is welcome to have a good time and party either gay, trans, old or young, fetish rubber, sneaker, leather or none fetish at all.
Opened in June 2010 at the premises of former “Zille” we are a meeting point in the gay scène of Cologne.
Kasinostraße 1A, 50676 Köln, Germany
Since 2008, Josef and Wolfgang run the Casino-Eck, the slightly different neighbourhood pub.
Here everyone is welcome, whether young or old, male or female, hetero, lesbian, gay or transgender - here is simply lived tolerance.
Cosy and full of atmosphere; nice people meet with delicious beer and enjoy the season themed evenings, such as May Party, Holland evening, Octoberfeast or Travesty show.
Schaafenstraße 57 50676 Cologne, Germany
Rather inconspicuous during the day, the Ex|Corner wakes up in the evening with regular entertaiment this bar is always busy
Schaafenstraße 61 50676 Cologne, Germany
Your bar on Schaafenstrasse. Open Wednesdays to Saturdays with changing mottos, DJs & regular events
Schaafenstraße 45 50676 Cologne, Germany
Schaafenstraße 51 50676 Cologne, Germany
The Mumu is a somewhat wacky gay bar Cologne's hottest pub, open since June 2008
Mühlenbach 57 50676 Cologne, Germany
The traditional bar in the gay scene for 54 years in a cultivated communicative atmosphere for men from 30 + years and their admirers!
Alter Markt 58 50667 Cologne, Germany
Our Zum Pitter Cologne has been the first point of contact for gays and friends in the middle of Cologne's lively and popular old town for many years.
With us you can forget the worries of everyday life, meet very nice people and just feel good. It is not for nothing that our guests often refer to the Zum Pitter Cologne as the "living room"
Pipinstraße 7, 50667 Köln, Germany
A popular gay Inclusive & relaxed watering hole with outside seating
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We have chosen hotels in Cologne that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Promotional Video for Cologne Christmas Market
Cologne, affectionately referred to as the “Gay Capital of Germany”, boasts vibrant gay neighbourhoods brimming with history, culture, and LGBTQ+ pride. The city’s heart beats loudly in the districts of Rudolfplatz and the Old Town’s famous Bermuda Triangle.
Nicknamed “The Bermuda Triangle”, located west of town and home to Babylon & Phoenix saunas.
Known for its hip atmosphere offering a blend of chic boutiques, trendy restaurants, & lively bars.