Cologne Christmas market
If you fancy travelling a little further afield for your Christmas shopping, Cologne is well worth the trip. The city has several markets, the largest of which are in the centre of the city near the magnificent cathedral and centred around an enormous Christmas tree. The Christmas market runs from 25 November-23 December 2019.
Get to Cologne in under 5hrs 30mins, door to door from St Pancras International. After a quick train change in Brussels, you’ll be sipping gluhwein with the elves in no time.
Don't miss
For sheer Christmas magic, head to the angel-themed Markt der Engel to see the hundreds of brightly lit stars suspended above you, guaranteed to make you feel as if you’d wandered into the milky way.
For families
Children will love Nikolausdorf (St Nicholas’ village) on Rudolfplatz with its life-sized crib, candyfloss sellers and backdrop of Hahnen gate, the 13th century gate that used to be part of the city walls in medieval times.
You may also like
Brussels Christmas market
A great market for a family break or weekend shopping trip at 2 hrs 1 min from London.
Lille Christmas market
Ideal for a day trip, you can be browsing the Christmas market in just 1 hr 30 mins from London.
Bruges Christmas market
The perfect place for a romantic Christmas break, and just 3 hrs 30 mins from London.
Strasbourg Christmas market
The oldest Christmas market in Europe and one of the prettiest.
Image credits: © CityProjekt Veranstaltungs-GmbH; © CityProjekt Veranstaltungs-GmbH; © CityProjekt Veranstaltungs-GmbH; © Dieter Jacobi / KölnTourismus GmbH; © Shutterstock; © Eurostar; © Gagliardi Images - Shutterstock; © Philippe de Rexel/OTSR