Markets in Cologne allow you to experience the authentic culture while picking up a wide variety of goods and food to make the most of your vacation in Germany. Cologne is famed for its Christmas and vacation markets, but it doesn’t end there. The city also offers many farmers’ markets where residents pick up fresh groceries for the day or week, where you can get to know them and how they live. You can find special items and prepared delicacies like sausages, cheese and home-brewed beer.

If shopping like a local is your thing, these traditional markets, flea markets and bazaars are great places to shop. Check out some of the best markets in Cologne.

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    Cologne Christmas markets

    Celebrate the winter vacations

    Cologne Christmas markets
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    Cologne Christmas Markets turn the entire city centre into a quaint old-world village packed with delicious food, gifts, souvenirs and celebratory spirit. The city is famous for its markets, which can be found across the city. Among the biggest and most famous is Weihnachtsmarkt am Dom, the Christmas Market at the Cathedral, which offers around 150 wooden huts selling everything from trinkets to meats to bakery items and candies, all surrounding a vibrant towering Christmas tree. It even has a merry-go-round for the kids.

    Other Christmas markets can be found in the Old Market and at Rudolfplatz. The oldest one in the entire city is located at Markt der Engel at Neumarkt.

    Location: Cologne, Germany

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    Wochenmarkt Köln Nippes

    Visit a suburban weekly market

    Wochenmarkt Köln Nippes
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    Wochenmarkt Köln Nippes is a weekly market held in the Cologne suburb of Nippes, open six days a week and offering traditional farmers’ market wares from produce to specialty foods. It’s a morning and afternoon market that opens at 7 am and closes at 1 pm Monday through Friday and at 2:30 pm on Saturday. It changes somewhat during the vacation season between Christmas and New Year to showcase holiday-themed goods. In addition to fresh produce and special foods, you can find handmade arts and crafts, clothing, souvenirs and gifts.

    This market is popular with residents and visitors, so it’s also a good place to soak up the local culture. It’s about 13 minutes north of the city centre.

    Location: Wilhelmplatz, 50733 Köln, Germany

    Open: Monday–Friday from 7 am to 1 pm, Saturday from 7 am to 2.30 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Map
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    Trödel mit, Parkplatz Kölner Galopprennbahn

    Shop a vibrant local carpark flea market

    Trödel mit, Parkplatz Kölner Galopprennbahn
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    Trödel mit, Parkplatz Kölner Galopprennbahn is a long-running market event that has been happening since 1982 to promote the reuse and recycling of gently used items. It’s held in the Cologne horse racing track carpark and gets crowded with vendors and visitors alike. Here you will find secondhand clothing, housewares, tools, old toys, vintage musical instruments, collectables like books and vintage vinyl records, CDs and DVDs, as well as some handmade arts and crafts, gifts and souvenirs.

    It’s a vibrant place where the vendors are friendly, and everyone is looking for that secret hidden treasure to complete their collection. It’s in the Nippes suburbs, about 18 minutes north of the Cologne city centre.

    Location: Scheibenstraße 40, 50737 Köln, Germany

    Open: Wednesday and Friday from 6 am to 1 pm, Saturday from 6 am to 2 pm (closed Sunday–Tuesday and Thursday)

    Phone: +49 221 557759

    Map
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    Köln Fish Market - Fischmarkt Köln im Tanzbrunnen

    Walk a seafood, specialty food and craft market in town

    Köln Fish Market - Fischmarkt Köln im Tanzbrunnen
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    Köln Fish Market - Fischmarkt Köln in Tanzbrunnen takes place between April and October and offers more than 30,000 square meters of space with over 80 traders selling their wares. Here you’ll find fresh fish and seafood right off the boat and other prepared and specialty foods, including crepes and steaks. Fantastic wine is also part of the experience and paired with everything from tarte flambée to oysters. Other foods found here include sausages, cheese, bakery items and produce.

    If you’re not into fruits and vegetables, you can also find handmade arts and crafts, including leather and woodworking, jewelry, souvenirs and gifts. It’s directly in the heart of the city centre.

    Location: Rheinparkweg 1, 50679 Köln, Germany

    Open: Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm (closed Monday–Saturday)

    Phone: +49 172 8860624

    Map
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    Flohmarkt & Antikmarkt Kölner Altstadt

    See one of the region’s oldest antique markets

    Flohmarkt & Antikmarkt Kölner Altstadt
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    Flohmarkt & Antikmarkt Kölner Altstadt is a vast and famous flea market and one of the oldest in the region, offering over 150 stands around the Rhein Promenade. Here you’ll find everything from the toys you remember playing with as a child to vintage musical instruments, first edition books, old vinyl records, vintage fashion, furniture, home decor and just about everything you can dream of. You can easily spend hours going through the stalls searching for hidden treasures to complete your collection or a unique souvenir to remember your trip.

    Between searching the booths, you can enjoy lovely views of the Rhein waterfront. It’s directly in the heart of the city centre.

    Location: Mauritiussteinweg 100, 50676 Köln, Germany

    Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 2 to 6 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

    Phone: +49 221 2790690