Seven Christmas markets, a chocolate museum and a vast cathedral, all easy to reach by train from the UK. Here's what Cologne is like with the family, when to go and how long to stay.
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Late November to 23 December is when the Christmas markets are on, filling the city at weekends. Carnival in February is loud, colourful and fun with older children. May to September is warm, with river cruises and beer gardens.
Stalls gather under a canopy of lights right beside the cathedral, with Germany's biggest Christmas tree in the middle.
In Neumarkt, with angels wandering through and white lights strung through the trees.
A market by the river with a nautical theme and boats moored alongside.
Climb the 533 steps of the south tower for the view, if little legs can manage it.
See how chocolate is made and dip a wafer into a three-metre chocolate fountain.
Elephants, an aquarium and a rainforest house, a short tram ride from the centre.
Yes. The markets are close together, the Chocolate Museum is a big hit, and it's easy to reach without flying.
Usually from the last week of November to 23 December. Some smaller markets stay open a little later.
Yes. Take the Eurostar to Brussels and a fast train on to Cologne, about five hours from London in all.
Two or three nights is enough for the markets, the cathedral and a museum.
Put Cologne on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.