On the majestic Rhine River lies the captivating city of Cologne, also known as Köln in German. This place is like a treasure trove of culture and learning, boasting a vibrant university scene and a history that spans over two millennia. Back in the Roman era, Cologne held the reins of power over its own province, and remnants of that ancient past still pop up throughout the city, especially in the captivating Romanesque churches and the enthralling Romano-Germanic Museum.
If you’re a fan of immersing yourself in the wonders of a museum for countless hours, then Cologne is your paradise. This city is a haven for art enthusiasts and history buffs, offering so much to see and explore that you’d need a strict schedule and a determined mindset to even scratch the surface. And when you need a break from all the historical sites and exhibits, rest assured that Cologne has the highest number of pubs per capita in all of Germany. Cheers to that!
But wait, there’s more! Cologne surprises visitors with effortlessly trendy neighbourhoods, a bustling riverside district brimming with energy, and a world-famous cathedral that leaves a lasting impression.
With all these incredible attractions, it’s no wonder that once you set foot in Cologne, you might find it hard to say goodbye. So, let’s embark on this adventurous journey and discover the very best attractions and activities in Cologne that you’ll love.
1) Visit the Cathedral
Address – Domkloster 4, 50667 Cologne, Germany
Website – www.koelner-dom.de/en/
Cologne Cathedral, also known as Kölner Dom, holds the prestigious title of a UNESCO World Heritage site. As one of Germany’s most renowned landmarks, it is a definite must-visit when exploring Cologne. Its Gothic architecture will leave you in awe as you admire its exterior, and a peek inside reveals its captivating beauty.
To truly elevate your experience, I highly recommend climbing the south tower. For a nominal fee of €4, ascend the tower’s 533 steps and be rewarded with an extraordinary bird’s eye view of Cologne. From this vantage point, you’ll witness the city’s picturesque panorama and gain a unique perspective on its surroundings.
Don’t miss the opportunity to climb up the spiral stone staircase and venture into the bell tower of the cathedral, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Cologne and the Rhine River. On Sundays, ear defenders are provided to protect your ears from the tolling bells.
Although the staircase can be a bit narrow in certain sections, with two-way traffic, the effort is well rewarded. After the climb, treat yourself to some delicious ice cream, knowing that you’ve earned it. If you’re short on time and can only do one thing in Cologne, visiting the cathedral should be at the top of your list.
2) Stroll Across Love Lock Bridge
Address – Hohenzollernbrücke, 50667 Cologne, Germany
Website – www.lovelockbridge.cologne/index.html
Hohenzollern Bridge is the curved bridge that crosses the Rhine River between the cathedral and KölnTriangle. Over the past decade, the bridge has transformed into another one of the “love lock” bridges. Couples attach their padlocks to the bridge and throw the key into the river as a symbol of their commitment and affection.
Currently, the bridge is covered with innumerable locks occupying every reachable area by pedestrians. The local railway company assures that the weight of the locks does not present any issues for the Hohenzollern Bridge, and it is reassuring to witness that romance is alive!
If you continue walking to the end of the bridge, you will discover a viewing platform that offers breathtaking views of the Cathedral from across the water.
3) Explore the Altstadt (Cologne’s Old Town)
Address – 50667 Cologne, Germany
Discover the charming narrow alleys made of cobblestones, adorned with buildings in soft pastel shades. These buildings now house various establishments such as restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and cafes.
Experience the picturesque views of the river Rhine from the carefully restored townhouses that date back to the 14th to 17th century in Cologne’s Old Town. With the magnificent Gross St. Martin church as a backdrop, it is an ideal place to relax with a cup of coffee and watch the world pass by.
While exploring, you will come across Cologne’s twelve medieval city gates, three of which are still operational today. Make sure to visit Cologne’s Old Town Hall, which is the oldest public building in Germany, and keep an eye out for the cheeky statue on one of the towers at City Hall in the Alter Markt.
To fully appreciate these historical landmarks, it is recommended to take a guided tour. A guide will not only show you the well-known attractions but also introduce you to the lesser-known hidden gems.
4) Venture through New Cologne
Address – Im Zollhafen, 50678 Cologne, Germany
The Rheinauhafen area is a youthful and appealing district that offers a range of attractions. Situated by the Rhine and not far from the city centre, this recently redesigned and revamped waterfront complex has quickly become a popular destination in Cologne. The district showcases a mix of contemporary residential and commercial buildings, alongside numerous cafes, restaurants, and galleries.
Those interested in architecture and culture will also find plenty to explore in the Rheinauhafen. At the heart of the new Cologne promenade are the renowned “Kranhäuser” – a set of three buildings resembling hoisting cranes – which dominate the skyline along the Rhine’s west bank.
In 1998, the company Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG and the city of Cologne initiated the renovation of the old waterfront district and the transformation of unused land. The highly respected architectural firm Bothe, Richter, Teherani, based in Hamburg, was responsible for designing the revitalization plan.
5) Enjoy the Art at Wallraf-Richartz Museum
Address – Obenmarspforten 40, 50667 Cologne, Germany
Site – www.wallraf.museum/en
The establishment of the Wallraf-Richartz Museum took place in 1824 when Franz Ferdinand Wallraf left behind a vast collection of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Impressionist artwork to the city.
Among the remarkable Gothic artworks, Stefan Lochner, a 15th-century artist from Cologne who created the Dombild Altarpiece for the cathedral, produced some of the finest pieces. The Last Judgment, Madonna of the Rose Bower, and Triptych with the Virgin in the Garden of Paradise are worth dedicating ample time to appreciate.
However, Lochner’s contributions are only a fraction of the incredible art collection present in this exceptional museum. Works by renowned artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Hieronymous Bosch, Rubens, van Dyck, Rembrandt, Degas, Monet, and countless others can be found here.
6) Soak Up Art in the Ludwig Museum
Address – Obenmarspforten 40, 50667 Cologne, Germany
Website – www.wallraf.museum/en
The Museum Ludwig, located near the Cathedral in Cologne, is sure to capture your attention with its elegant curves. Peter and Irene Ludwig, in the 1980s, generously gifted their extensive art collection worth millions of dollars to establish this museum.
This contemporary establishment was specifically designed to house and showcase renowned artwork from the post-1900 era, ranging from Pop Art to pieces by Picasso. The museum also features notable works from movements such as Abstract, Surrealism, and Expressionism.
To enjoy a discount of 20% on admission, make sure to make use of the KölnCard.
7) Enjoy the Cologne Chocolate Museum
Address – Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a, 50678 Cologne, Germany
Website – www.schokoladenmuseum.de/discover-experience/?lang=en
The Chocolate Museum in Cologne is a haven for chocolate enthusiasts and a highly popular cultural attraction in the city, drawing in approximately 600,000 visitors annually. Originally founded in 1972 by chocolatier Hans Imhoff, this museum provides an interactive experience and live demonstrations that delve into the history of everyone’s beloved sweet treat. It takes you on a captivating journey from the ancient Mayan, Aztec, and Olmec civilizations that enjoyed a bitter form of chocolate to the contemporary variations we have today.
In addition to the captivating exhibits, visitors can indulge in delicious cakes and chocolate treats at the museum’s café, which offers a spacious terrace with a scenic view of the Rhine River. Undoubtedly, the highlight of your visit will be witnessing the enormous chocolate fountain that boasts a hefty 200kg of rich and velvety Lindt chocolate.
8) Observe the Views at the KölnTriangle
Address – Ottopl. 1, 50679 Cologne, Germany
Website – www.koelntrianglepanorama.de/en/
Because Cologne Cathedral is classified as a World Heritage site, there are restrictions on constructing buildings that significantly alter the city’s skyline. In adherence to these regulations, the KölnTriangle skyscraper has been limited to a height of just over 100 meters.
Located on the right bank of the Rhine, the skyscraper’s observation deck offers a picturesque view of the old town, the cathedral towers, and the 266-meter Colonius telecom tower located behind it.
Informative descriptions are provided for all the prominent landmarks visible from this elevated point. The observation deck remains open until 23:00, making it the ideal location to witness the sunset behind the cathedral.
9) Relax at the Botanical Gardens
Address – Amsterdamer Straße 34, Cologne, Germany
Cologne’s most beautiful park is located in the northern part of the city, adjacent to the zoo. This park spans over 11.5 hectares and includes expansive lawns, various gardens, and greenhouses. The centrepiece of the park is a stunning glass palace, inspired by the Crystal Palace in London, which was constructed in the 1860s.
Referred to as the Flora, this magnificent structure was originally designed as an orangery. Following a recent refurbishment a couple of years ago, it is now utilized for hosting concerts, lectures, and private events.
The park also features other glass buildings, such as the Main Greenhouse which houses a tropical rainforest, the Small Tropical House which supports the growth of tropical crops like sugar cane, vanilla, cocoa, and cinnamon, as well as a Subtropical House and a Cactus House.
Outside the glass structures, visitors can enjoy a Mediterranean garden situated by a pond, as well as a picturesque Italian Renaissance garden adorned with stone vases, pergolas, a cascading waterfall, and a temple.
10) Take a Rhine Boat Trip
At the Hohenzollern Bridge, situated on the left bank of the Rhine, there are docks where you can embark on a boat trip along the renowned Rhine River.
Three companies provide panoramic sightseeing tours of the city (KölnTourist, KölnDüsseldorfer, and Colonia). However, if you make a reservation through the tourism office, you will pay a fixed price and then have the freedom to select the company you prefer for your ride.
The most popular route taken by most individuals is heading south towards the historic fishing village of Rodenkirchen. This hour-long cruise will pass by significant landmarks such as the cathedral, the spires of the old town, the new Rheinauhaufen district, and go under a total of four bridges, each with its own intriguing anecdotes.
11) Explore St Gereon’s Basilica
Address – Gereonskloster 2, 50670, Cologne, Germany
St Gereon’s Basilica, one of Cologne’s 12 Romanesque churches, is also the most peculiar. Its unconventional design can be attributed to the fact that it was constructed over four different periods in the 12th and 13th centuries. In each phase, newer sections were simply added onto the existing structure, resulting in a beautiful mishmash of architectural styles.
Instead of a typical nave, the basilica features a massive decagonal dome that extends 21 meters in diameter. Upon closer inspection, one can observe how its walls were ingeniously integrated into the pre-existing Roman ruins below.
This dome holds the title of the largest of its kind in the entire Western world between the periods of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople during the 500s and Florence Cathedral in the 15th century.
Scholars specializing in medieval architecture can delve into the mysteries of this enigmatic building, deciphering where each construction phase began and ended.
12) Check out the Trendy Belgian Quarter
Address – Brüsseler Straße, 50672 Cologne, Germany
Perhaps the most fashionable district in Cologne can be found between Aachener Straße to the south and Friesenplatz to the northeast.
This area is filled with art galleries, trendy bars, cafes, theatres, live music venues, and shops selling unique vintage clothing and handmade accessories. These establishments can all be found on streets named after various cities and provinces in Belgium, such as Liege, Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp, as well as Maastricht and Utrecht.
These street names are a reminder of Germany’s victory in the Franco-Prussian War from 1870-71. Brüsseler Platz, known for its abundance of bars and restaurants, is where the city’s stylish young crowd gather during summer evenings to enjoy beer and each other’s company.
13) Have a Day Out at Kölner Zoologischer Garten
Address – Riehler Str. 173, 50735, Cologne, Germany
Website – www.koelnerzoo.de/en/home-en
Established in 1860, the Cologne Zoo is known for being one of the oldest and most modern animal attractions. It consists of historical buildings from the 1800s and continually introduces new facilities, including the expansive Asian elephant park.
With over 700 species, the zoo specializes in primates such as bonobos, gorillas, tamarins, orangutans, and the critically endangered golden-bellied capuchin. Visitors can take note of the timetable to witness staggered feeding sessions throughout the day for penguins, sea lions, meerkats, otters, hippos, and even the piranhas in the aquarium.
One of the captivating aspects of the zoo in Cologne is its ability to showcase the evolution of zoos and their changing perspectives over the years. As you explore the grounds, you’ll witness a harmonious blend of modern facilities seamlessly integrated into the historic buildings of the original menagerie.
14) Learn the History at NS Documentation Centre
Address – Appellhofplatz 23-25, Cologne, Germany
Website – www.museenkoeln.de/ns-dokumentationszentrum/default.aspx?s=315
You have the opportunity to revisit one of the darkest periods in Cologne’s history by visiting the former headquarters of the secret police force, Gestapo.
Despite its involvement since 1935, the EL-DE Haus managed to escape significant destruction during World War II, making it an unsettling but fascinating record of the Nazi era. The permanent exhibition features over 30 state-of-the-art multimedia stations, providing a detailed account of Cologne’s experience under national socialism.
The cellar once used as a prison, is remarkably well-preserved and contains around 1,800 inscriptions on its walls, serving as poignant evidence of the horrific torture and murder that occurred there. On the upper floor, in the research area, the centre’s destroyed files from the end of the war have been meticulously reconstructed through forensic methods.
15) Visit the Christmas Markets
If you have made arrangements to visit Cologne for Christmas, coinciding with the season of kindness, then you are in for a delightful experience. Cologne is renowned for hosting some of the finest Christmas markets in Europe, with a selection of seven to choose from.
These markets offer a wide range of delicious German dishes such as apple schnitzel, stollen, and gluhwein. With so many markets available, you will have the opportunity to indulge in every tempting treat they have to offer. Don’t forget to collect your souvenir Christmas cup when you order a glass of spiced red wine, known as Gluhwein.
The most popular Christmas markets in Cologne are situated in the city centre, near the cathedral, the Alter Markt, the Neumarkt, and Rudolfplatz. Additionally, there is a smaller market located in Cologne’s oldest park, Stadtgarten, where locals gather to enjoy traditional festive food and drinks. There is also a market by the harbour, attracting millions of visitors each Christmas.
