Cologne, Germany: travel guide
A twin-spired cathedral on the Rhine and a city that loves its carnival
Home to the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral (UNESCO, 157 m tall) — took 632 years to complete, Germany's most visited building at six million visitors per year.
About Cologne
Cologne is dominated by its Gothic cathedral, whose twin spires rise beside the Rhine and are the first thing most visitors see on arrival by train. Around it lies a compact old town of narrow streets, brewery taverns and riverside promenades.
Things to do in Cologne include climbing the cathedral tower, visiting its museums, including the Museum Ludwig, walking the Rhine embankment and trying Kölsch, the local beer, served in small straight glasses. The city is known for a friendly, informal character, and its carnival in the weeks before Lent is the big event of the calendar.
Cologne suits short breaks and easy combination with other Rhineland cities. Late spring to early autumn is the most comfortable time to visit Cologne.
- Country
- Germany
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Berlin
- Nearest airport
- CGN
Last updated
Top places to visit in Cologne
Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)
Gothic cathedral · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry €12 (≈ ₹1,280)
Germany's most visited building — twin-spired High Gothic cathedral 157 m tall, 632 years to complete (1248–1880). Holds the Shrine of the Three Kings reliquary and the Gero Cross (976 CE), oldest large crucifix north of the Alps. The…
Hohenzollern Bridge & Rhine Promenade
railway bridge · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The most-crossed railway bridge in Germany — 1,200 trains daily — and one of Europe's most romantic spots, covered with 500,000+ love padlocks. Connects the cathedral quarter to Deutz, offering the best panoramic view of the Cathedral…
Cologne Cathedral Inside
cathedral-interior · 4.9 rating · about 1 h · entry €12 (≈ ₹1,280)
The interior of Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) — Germany's most visited landmark, with the spectacular Shrine of the Three Kings (the largest medieval reliquary in Europe), the medieval stained glass, and the Gerhard Richter window.
Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum)
food museum · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Most-visited museum in Cologne after the Cathedral — ship-shaped into the Rhine, documenting 3,000 years of chocolate history from Aztec cacao rituals to Lindt production. The centrepiece is a 3-metre-high chocolate fountain where visitors…
Old Town (Altstadt) & Alter Markt
historic old town · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Cologne's historic old town clusters around the Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares — a lively ensemble of bars, restaurants and the traditional Kölsch taverns (Brauhaus Früh, Peters Brauhaus). The pre-WWII street pattern survives intact even…
Cologne Schildergasse Christmas
christmas-market · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The Cologne Christmas Markets — seven spectacular Christmas markets across the city, including the famous Cathedral Market with the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland, and the Heumarkt Medieval Market.
Cologne Hohenzollern Bridge Locks
love-lock-bridge · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The Hohenzollern Bridge Love Locks — the most famous love-lock bridge in Europe with over 500,000 padlocks attached to the railings, the spectacular pedestrian crossing with views of the Cathedral.
Museum Ludwig
modern art museum · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
One of Europe's most important modern art museums — beside the Cathedral, holding the largest Picasso collection outside Spain/France (774 works), plus exceptional Pop Art (Warhol, Lichtenstein, Oldenburg) and German Expressionism. First…
Cologne Schildergasse Shopping
shopping-street · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Schildergasse — Germany's busiest shopping street, with the spectacular Art Deco department stores, the famous Brillenmuseum (Eyewear Museum), and the heart of Cologne shopping.
Cologne Hauptbahnhof Architecture
train-station · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Cologne Hauptbahnhof — Germany's busiest train station with the spectacular position right next to the Cathedral, the historic 19th-century architecture, and the iconic view of the Dom from the platforms.
Cologne Phantasialand Day
theme-park · 4.7 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip to Phantasialand — Germany's leading theme park near Cologne, with the spectacular themed areas (Mexico, China, Mystery), the famous rollercoasters (Black Mamba, Taron), and the family attractions.
Cologne Rhine Valley UNESCO
rhine-valley · 4.9 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate
A day trip to the UNESCO Upper Middle Rhine Valley — the spectacular Rhine Gorge with the famous castles (Burg Eltz, Marksburg, Pfalzgrafenstein), the Lorelei rock, and the dramatic river landscape.
Things to do
- Cologne Cathedral Expert Guided Tour Cultural · 1.5 h · from EUR 17 per person
Where to stay in Cologne
- Altstadt & Cathedral District about EUR 155 per night
Germany's most visited address for a reason — the Cathedral is visible from most rooms, the Rhine promenade is steps away and the Kölsch Brauhaus beer halls are everywhere. Tourist-dense and pricey but unmatched for…
- Belgisches Viertel (Ehrenfeld) about EUR 80 per night
Cologne's coolest neighbourhood — independent boutiques, gallery spaces, the best brunch scene in the city (around Brüsseler Platz) and a genuinely local atmosphere far from the Cathedral tourist crush. Tram 1 to centre…
Hotels
- Hyatt Regency Cologne 5-star · EUR 280 to EUR 1,800 per night
- Hotel im Wasserturm Cologne 5-star · EUR 220 to EUR 580 per night
- A&O Hostel Cologne Dom 2-star · EUR 16 to EUR 75 per night
Where to eat
- Brauhaus Früh am Dom German, Cologne · about EUR 22 per person
- Peters Brauhaus German, Cologne · about EUR 20 per person
- Hallmackenreuther Brunch Café International, Café · about EUR 18 per person
Getting to Cologne
Airport: Cologne (CGN)
Getting around
- Metro
- Transit Pass
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Cologne Cathedral Pickpockets
Around the Cathedral, Hauptbahnhof, Hohe Straße shopping street
Cologne's Cathedral area has Germany's highest concentration of pickpockets in tourist areas. The Cathedral courtyard, the Hohe Straße pedestrian shopping street and the Hauptbahnhof concourse are all active.
How to avoid it: Use a money belt or front-facing bag; never put your phone in your back pocket in the Cathedral area.
More in Germany
Frequently asked questions about Cologne
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Cologne?
- The highest-rated places in our Cologne guide are Cologne Cathedral Inside, Cologne Rhine Valley UNESCO, Cologne Schildergasse Christmas, Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), Cologne Hohenzollern Bridge Locks.
- Where should I stay in Cologne?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Cologne: Altstadt & Cathedral District, Belgisches Viertel (Ehrenfeld).
- How do I get around Cologne?
- Ways to get around Cologne covered in our guide: Metro, Transit pass, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Cologne?
- Scams reported to us for Cologne include Cologne Cathedral Pickpockets. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Cologne?
- The nearest airport to Cologne has the code CGN.