What to do at a German Christmas market? Accompany us to Cologne, Lübeck, and Berlin!

Each December, Germany is transformed into a winter wonderland. Almost every city has a Christmas market, and some have several. Here the smell of burnt sugar almonds, grilled bratwurst and mulled wine wafts through the air. Today, Christmas markets are held around the world, but the tradition originated in German-speaking countries. There are close to 3,000 Christmas markets in Germany before the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020, they were all cancelled. This year, some have opened up again, especially in northern Germany, where infection rates are currently lower than they are in the south. We took a look around three of this year's nicest Christmas markets, in Cologne, Lübeck and Berlin. What should you absolutely see and do there? Find out in this video. We start off at the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral. The tree at the center of the square is 25 meters tall. It's surrounded by a canopy of lights comprising 70,000 LEDs. This year, the Sternen Mädchen, or star girls, who help visitors, are also carrying out spot checks. The Sternen Mädchen ensure people abide by the coronavirus restrictions. Only those who have been vaccinated against Covid or recovered from it can visit the market. The costumed girls scan people's proof of vaccination and issue stamps that are valid at Cologne's other Christmas markets, too. In this second pandemic winter, checks are essential. But how do people react to them? With a stamp on your hand, you're ready to set off and see the sights. Did you know that the Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral is the largest in all of Germany? Before the coronavirus outbreak, 4 million visitors flocked here in just four weeks. This year, organizers expect only half as many guests. But that hasn't dampened people's mood. I mean, we get interesting cuisine in the Netherlands, but the German food is much nicer. It's a lot more sauerkraut, which I'm very fond of. But I love the potato pancakes that they have here. It's fantastic. And the Flamme-Lachs? Is that what it's called? Yeah, Flamme-Lachs. Flamme-Lachs, yes, it's fantastic. Yeah, and obviously the bratwurst. Those grilled sausages, waffles, gingerbread, and candy canes are classic treats sold at every German Christmas market. But Cologne has things you won't find everywhere. You can have a photo taken with a loved one under the mistletoe. Maybe even steal a kiss. According to British tradition, that brings luck. Or buy a love lock. You can attach it to one of the bridges over the Rhine in Cologne, or somewhere closer to home, to show that your bond is everlasting. The mugs used to serve mulled wine are another nice souvenir. There's a new design every year. The taste of Cologne's organic mulled wine also undergoes subtle changes. And what would Christmas be without music? Other cities may have cancelled their big on-stage events, but the people of Cologne love singing too much to do that, even performing carnival songs at the Christmas market. So join in and sing along. Here are the three things you really must do at Cologne's Christmas market. Take a photo under the mistletoe. Sample some organic mulled wine. Catch a show and sing along. Loudly. From Western Germany, we head north to Lübeck. The Holsten Gate is the Hanseatic city's most famous landmark. Its image can be found all over Lübeck's Christmas market. The medieval old town provides the perfect backdrop for festive events. Yet things are much quieter here than in Cologne. The city banned all stage shows to prevent large gathering and has introduced strict safety measures. Another factor which contributes to that sense of safety is that this year, there are simply far fewer visitors. Lübeck is an old trading and seafaring city that's always been well-connected internationally. Maybe that's why visitors come from all over. A round of mulled wine among friends. Though in Lübeck, you should also give the Feuerzangenbowle a try. But beware, its alcohol content is quite high. There's nothing like a mug of Feuerzangenbowle to warm your heart on cold days. A trip to Lübeck at Christmastime just wouldn't be as sweet without a visit to Café Niederreger. Here, you can get a taste of the festive holiday confection Lübeck is famous for, marzipan. But a small exhibition does reveal the firm's history. In 1806, Johann Georg Niederreger opened a café. Soon afterwards, he started to make marzipan, often pressing it into moulds like these. And this is his original recipe. Though unfortunately, the secret ingredient is written on the back. Marzipan can be formed into virtually any shape, like these life-sized figures, for instance. Incidentally, the man with the top hat is Johann Georg Niederreger himself. There's even a replica of Lübeck's old town, made almost entirely of marzipan. So these are the three must-dos at Lübeck's Christmas market. Sample some Lübeck marzipan, sip some Feuerzangenbowle, and enjoy the flair of the old town. Berlin is the third stop on our festive holiday tour. This year, the German capital is hosting more than 40 Christmas markets. One of the biggest and best is held near City Hall, near Alexanderplatz. Like every year, visitors can lace up their skates and glide around the Neptune fountain. The only thing missing? The daily shows normally performed here. But another crowd favourite is back again. The 50-metre tall Ferris wheel. Its panoramic gondolas are heated so riders stay nicely warm and have a view over the whole market. In Berlin, everything's a bit larger than life. Like this huge Christmas pyramid. It was crafted in the Erzgebirge, or Ore Mountains, in the state of Saxony, an area known for its traditional Christmas ornaments. Here, miners' wood carvings reflected their longing for light. Handicrafts from the Erzgebirge are sold at many markets, including in Berlin. These are pyramids, incense smokers known as Reuschermenschen, and even figures of the miners themselves. Another well-known motif is this little church. Many Germans place these candle arches by their windows at Christmas. They're called Schwibbogen, after the German word for floating. Here's why. Who'd have thought that old traditions would play such a big role at a Berlin Christmas market today? But there's more. You can even watch an artist blacksmith at work. Or find handmade jewelry at the market. And of course, in Berlin, we checked out a mulled wine stand on your behalf. Here, they also serve mead, like the Celts once drank. If you think you're seeing things after a couple of glasses, that's not because of the mead. Santa Claus really is flying over the Christmas market, live and in person, here in Berlin. Your three must-dos for the Christmas market by Berlin's City Hall? Take a ride on the Ferris wheel, marvel at wood art from the Erzgebirge, and try some mead. But Santa Claus always has the last word.