Exploring Cologne: Is It Worth The Visit?

Cologne is a city steeped in history, with a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant food and drink scene. But is it worth visiting?

Well, that depends on who you ask. Some say it's one of the ugliest cities in Europe, with nothing to offer the average tourist. Others claim it's one of the best places to visit in Germany, boasting vibrant energy, impressive architecture, and a unique cultural experience.

So, let's explore both sides of the argument and let you decide whether Cologne is worth adding to your travel itinerary.

Christmas markets

Cologne is a beautiful city with a rich history that transforms into a Christmas wonderland during the holiday season. The city is illuminated with festive lighting, and its Christmas markets offer a variety of delights, from handcrafted gifts and festive delicacies to traditional Christmas decorations and entertainment.

The Christmas markets in Cologne are known for their magical atmosphere, with fairy lights, Christmas carols, and the smell of festive treats filling the air. The city's impressive cathedral provides a majestic backdrop to the markets, with the Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market being the largest and most popular. This market boasts over 200 stalls with a wide variety of traditional Christmas foods, drinks, and gifts. It is also famous for its towering Christmas tree, standing at 25 meters, and adorned with stars and 50,000 LED lights.

In addition to the market at the cathedral, there are several other charming markets worth visiting in Cologne. Here is a selection of the best:

• Advent Village with Christmas Pyramid: This quaint market is located just around the corner from the cathedral. It features a sizable Christmas pyramid, a traditional element of German Christmas markets. Here, you can enjoy treats like mulled wine and gingerbread cookies.
• The Christmas Market in Cologne's Old Town: Known as "Heinzel's Winter Fairytale," this market is located in the historic old town and is based on the legend of the hardworking Heinzelmännchen. It features around 120 stalls, a 1,800-square-meter ice landscape, and a magical winter wonderland atmosphere.
• The Angels' Market: This market, located in the popular shopping district of Neumarkt, is adorned with twinkling starlights and colourful craft and food stands. It is a popular spot for locals to meet and enjoy drinks, and it also features angels walking through the crowds to hand out sweets to children.
• Nicholas Village: Located in Rudolfplatz Square, this market features an enchanting village with cosy half-timbered houses. It offers a relaxed atmosphere, handmade crafts, and family-friendly entertainment, including visits from Santa Claus himself.
• The Christmas Market in the Stadtgarten: Set in the Stadtgarten park in the trendy Belgian Quarter, this market showcases the best of Cologne's independent businesses. It is a great place to find unique, locally produced gifts, and it also offers delicious food options like cinnamon rolls, crepes, and mulled wine.
• Harbour Christmas Market: Found on the banks of the Rhine River, next to the Chocolate Museum, this nautical-themed market features around 70 stalls offering high-quality gifts, arts, and crafts. It also has a large wooden ship where you can enjoy culinary delights and special drinks like mulled beer.

Cologne's Christmas markets offer something for everyone, from bustling city centre markets to smaller, quaint markets in quiet parts of the city. With their enchanting atmosphere, delightful treats, and unique shopping experiences, they are definitely worth visiting.

Cologne Cathedral

The cathedral is a masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value, containing many artistic masterpieces. It is also a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity. The building is characterised by its huge spires, which are entirely Germanic in character.

The cathedral is open to tourists on working days (Monday to Saturday) between 10 am and 5 pm and on Sundays between 1 pm and 4 pm. Visitors must be prepared for identity checks and can only bring small bags and rucksacks (maximum A4 size). There are 533 steps to the viewing platform, which is about 100 m above the ground. The platform gives a scenic view over the Rhine.

The original liturgical appointments of the choir are still largely present, including the high altar, believed to be the largest in any Christian church, the carved oak choir stalls, the painted choir screens, the statues on the pillars, and the great cycle of stained-glass windows. There is also an outstanding series of tombs of twelve archbishops.

The cathedral contains many other notable works of art, including the Gero Crucifix, the Shrine of the Magi, the altarpiece of St Clare, the altarpiece of the City Patrons by Stephan Lochner, and the altarpiece of St Agilolphus.

Roman history

Cologne, Germany, is a city with a rich Roman history. Founded in 38 BC, it was one of the northernmost colonies established by the Romans. Known originally as Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, or CCAA for short, the city was named after Emperor Claudius' wife, Agrippina, who persuaded her husband to elevate its status from a tiny town next to a Roman fort to a city. Agrippina is known as the 'Mother of Cologne', and her son, Nero, was born in the city.

Cologne's Roman past is still evident today. The city boasts 12 Romanesque churches, many of which have Roman roots. The Great St Martin Church, for example, was built on an island in Roman times, and the base of the ancient warehouses upon which it was constructed can still be seen. The Romano-Germanic Museum, located in the heart of the Old Town, is another must-visit attraction for those interested in the city's Roman history. The museum is built on the grounds of an ancient Roman villa and houses artefacts from both the Roman era and prehistoric times. These include a statue of Emperor Augustus, stone arches, Roman glass, and a Roman mosaic crafted from a million pieces of glass, stone, and ceramics.

Other remnants of the Roman era include the Roman Tower (Römerturm), the best-preserved section of the ancient Roman city wall, which features stunning ornamental embellishments; the Roman Eifel Aqueduct, one of the longest aqueducts in the Roman Empire, which once supplied the city with water; the Roman Sewerage System, which showcases the advanced engineering and sanitation practices of the ancient Romans; and the Pfaffenpforte, or North Gate, one of the main entrances to the city during the Roman era.

Cologne's Roman history is a fascinating part of the city's rich cultural heritage. With its abundance of well-preserved relics and historical sites, the city offers a captivating glimpse into the Roman past and its influence on the region.

Local food and beer

Cologne's local cuisine is simple but hearty and usually served with a glass of the local beer, Kölsch. Many traditional dishes have poetic or satirical names, such as "Halve Hahn" ("half chicken" in German), which is actually a rye bread roll with butter, a thick slice of mature Dutch cheese, raw onion, and mustard. This dates back to the 15th century and was a parody of the few guests in a beer house who could afford poultry.

Another example is "Himmel un Äd" or "Himmel und Äd" ("Heaven and Earth"), a dish consisting of fried black pudding, mashed potatoes, apple sauce, and fried onions. The name refers to the apples, which grow in the sky towards the trees, and the potatoes, which come from the ground.

Other local dishes include:

• "Rheinischer Sauerbraten" or "Rhenish Sauerbraten" (a vinegar-marinated joint of beef or horsemeat, usually served with red cabbage and a potato dumpling)
• "Dicke Bunne mit Speck" (boiled white beans with hefty boiled bacon slices)
• "Rievekoochen" or "Reibekuchen" (flat fried potato cakes with sweet or savoury toppings)
• "Schweinshaxe" or "Hämchen" (pig's leg)
• "Bratwurst" and "Currywurst" (fried or grilled German pork sausages)

When it comes to beer, the local tipple is Kölsch, which gets its name from the city and is served in small glasses ("Stangen") of 0.2 litres to ensure the beer is always fresh and cold. There are several major and minor breweries across the city, and many distinctive flavours to try.

Some of the best places to sample local food and beer include:

• Peters Brauhaus (a traditional German beer house close to Kölner Dom, serving 26 types of Kölsch)
• Päffgen (a local brewery and beer house that has been brewing and serving its own version of Kölsch on the same premises since 1884)
• Bei Oma Kleinmann (a casual restaurant on the party street of Zülpicher Straße, known for its schnitzel)
• Hellers Brauhaus (a pub with a younger crowd)
• Brauhaus Pütz (a traditional brewery pub with a younger crowd)
• Mühlen (a traditional brewery pub that is less touristy)
• Früh (a famous brewery and pub)
• Sion (a lesser-known but well-regarded brand)
• Malz-Bierbrauerei Gerhard Fischenich
• Brauerei zur Malzmühle (the city's second-oldest brewery restaurant)

The Old Town

For those interested in Romanesque art and architecture, the Old Town and its surrounding areas have a lot to offer. The Gate of St. Severin, with its collection of 19th-century tenement houses and the large Renaissance merchant house, is considered one of the nicest parts of the city. The area around the church of St. Agnes and the Eigelstein Gate also showcases well-preserved 19th-century architecture.

In addition to its historical significance, the Old Town provides plenty of shopping opportunities. Schildergasse, a major shopping street, offers a variety of European chains and souvenir shops. For local markets, Wilhemplatz is the place to go. The Old Town is also known for its numerous brewery houses (pubs) and restaurants serving local cuisine.

Overall, the Old Town of Cologne offers a mix of history, culture, and modern conveniences, making it a worthwhile destination for visitors interested in exploring the city's past and present.

Frequently asked questions