Best things to do in Cologne
A liberal, cosmopolitan metropolis with 2,000 years of art and history, Cologne is the greatest of all western Germany’s cities - a fascinating, free-spirited and enormously fun place to visit.
Viewpoints and panoramas
Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom): Climb the 509 steps to the top of the south tower for a breathtaking panorama over the city and the Rhine.
KölnTriangle: For an easier climb, head to this soaring, steel-and-glass skyscraper on the opposite side of the Rhine, whose observation deck offers unbeatable views of the city skyline.
The best districts
Belgisches Viertel: Cologne’s most fashionable district, it’s a great place to linger over a Milchkaffee or glass of wine between extensive bouts of window-shopping in the area’s numerous small boutiques.
Südstadt: An engaging mix of good restaurants, quirky boutiques along Merowinger Strasse and Jugendstil facades in Teutoburger Strasse and Volksgartenstrasse.
Ehrenfeldt: A working-class neighbourhood that has acquired a bohemian overlay, it’s one of the most cosmopolitan corners of the city, with everything from baklava bakeries to an Asian tea shop.
Museums
Ludwig Museum: One of Germany’s premier collections of modern art, particularly strong on American Pop Art and German Expressionism.
Roman-Germanic Museum: Riches from Cologne’s Roman past are housed in this superb museum whose most famous exhibit is the 3rd-century Dionysos mosaic, discovered on the site as an air-raid shelter was being dug in 1941.
Wallraf-Richartz Museum: Beautifully laid out and curated, it has an important collection of medieval Cologne art, Flemish and Dutch masters, and French and German art of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Parks and gardens
Historical monuments
Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom): Begun in 1248 and only finished in 1880, Cologne’s gigantic Dom is one of the largest Gothic buildings ever built and its archbishop was one of the seven Electors of the Holy Roman Empire.
Haus Balchem: Dating from 1676, this tall, gabled edifice is one of the best-preserved historic merchant’s houses in the city.
Day trips in the area
Brühl: Easily reached from the centre of Cologne by tram #18 or by train from Cologne’s Hauptbahnhof, Brühl is home to one of Germany’s most magnificent palaces and one of Europe’s best theme parks, as well as a museum devoted to the Dadaist artist, Max Ernst.
Königswinter and Drachenfels: For a welcome dose of the outdoors, head to this small town on the Rhine and take a hike or funicular ride up to the Drachenfels, a hilltop offering fantastic views and the ruins of a medieval castle.
Activities for families in Cologne
There’s no shortage of family fun to be had on your holidays to Cologne, and the city has some superb attractions to keep the little ones entertained.
Schokoladenmuseum: As you can probably tell from the name, this is all about chocolate, and what kid (or adult) wouldn’t enjoy this little slice of chocolate heaven?
Zoos and gardens: Cologne’s child- (and parent-) friendly Zoo and Botanical Garden are pleasant escapes from the bustle of the city on a fine day. The former has a wonderful elephant and the latter has tropical and arid hothouses, formal flowerbeds, fruit trees and a palm avenue.
Boat trips: Boats of the KD Köln-Düsseldorfer fleet anchor in front of Gross St Martin and offer a variety of cruises all year round, including evening and one-hour cruises, plus longer trips south past Bonn and the Siebengebirge.
Free things to do in Cologne
Free events are what Cologne does best, but if you are looking to save some pennies, then there are all kinds of different ways to do this.
Carnival: This is the big one. Best of the numerous parades are the alternative Geisterzug Saturday night, complete with juggling and drumming, and the spectacular Rose Monday Parade, with music, floats and political caricatures.
Cologne Cathedral: If you only see one building in Cologne (or Germany for that matter), make it Cologne’s Dom: while you have to pay to visit the tower, visiting the interior of the cathedral is free or, alternatively, you can attend a service.
Nature and outdoor activities in Cologne
Whilst the city doesn’t lend itself naturally to the outdoors, look hard enough and there are plenty of pursuits you can partake of.
Cycling: Cologne is another fantastically bike-friendly German city, with numerous cycling routes; bike rental is available at Radstation, on the north side of the Hauptbahnhof at Breslauer Platz and at Colonia Aktiv, Gereonswall 2–4, which also offers guided cycle tours of the city.
Water sports: A spot of paddleboarding on the Rhine River is one way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Hiking: A short drive or train ride from Cologne, the Eifel National Park offers excellent if undemanding hiking; the region is known for its rolling hills, forests and volcanic lakes.
