Christmas Markets contain dozens of small booths selling handicrafts, adorable overpriced gifts, and food. You can shop all day long, sipping gluwein (warm spiced wine) as you go.
We started at the large market below the Cologne Cathedral. The huge cathedral is my favorite thing in Germany, and worth a trip itself.
The market by the cathedral had round booths.
This market had more food than any of the others, so we indulged in traditional German fare, such as pretzels and bratworst. For some reason, the concept of long buns to accompany long sausages has not made it to Germany, so brats are usually served on round rolls, with the sausage sticking out both ends.
I liked the cute bread people being sold at a bakery.
Our second market, a few blocks away, featured an ice rink and lots of greenery and wooden statues for decoration.
The restrooms were marked with uncomfortable-looking elves.
We went to four of the markets in total, and we enjoyed browsing through the wooden toys and handblown glass. Mostly we enjoyed eating (the quantity of food stands reminded me of the Iowa State Fair). My favorite treat was a big delicious dumpling-like thing drowning in warm vanilla and cherry sauces. It had an unpronounceable German name, and unfortunately we devoured it before we thought to take a photo. Ah well, the markets run all month, so perhaps we’ll have reason to go back soon.
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