Hotels near Harbour Christmas Market at the Chocolate Museum

The Hafen-Weihnachtsmarkt (Harbour Christmas Market) sets up beside the Chocolate Museum on the Rheinauhafen peninsula, with white sail-like stalls and nautical touches such as ship-themed mulled wine stands. It has the longest season of the city's markets, typically running from mid-November into early January; check the organiser's website for the exact 2026 dates.

The market is calmer and more open than the Old Town markets, with views across the Rhine and towards the Kranhäuser, the crane-shaped office buildings that have become a landmark of modern Cologne. There is usually a Ferris wheel and plenty of food and drink stalls.

The Chocolate Museum next door makes an easy pairing, especially on a cold or wet afternoon.

Pro Tip: Visit the Chocolate Museum in the afternoon, then walk out to the Harbour Market as it gets dark. The riverside walk back towards the cathedral is one of the best night views in Cologne.