Exploring Cologne: A Day Trip From Düsseldorf

Yes, there are several ways to travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne. The most popular option is to take the train, which takes around 23 minutes and costs $3 - $60. Alternatively, you can take a bus, which costs $2 - $4 and takes 1h 25m.

Transport options

Train

The train is the most popular way to get from Düsseldorf to Cologne. The journey takes around 23 minutes and costs between $3 and $60. The trains depart every 20 minutes. You can take the train from Düsseldorf Hbf to Köln Hbf.

Bus

The bus is another option to get from Düsseldorf to Cologne. The journey takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes and costs between $2 and $4. The bus departs once daily from Duesseldorf Hbf to Koeln Hbf.

Taxi

You can also take a taxi from Düsseldorf to Cologne. The journey takes around 27 minutes and costs around $24.

Car

Alternatively, you can drive from Düsseldorf to Cologne. The journey takes around 26 minutes.

Rideshare

Finally, you can use a ridesharing service to get from Düsseldorf to Cologne. The journey takes around 49 minutes and costs around $3.

Attractions in Cologne

Cologne, Germany, is famous for its 12 Romanesque churches, particularly the magnificent Cologne Cathedral. The city is located on the river Rhine and is known for its rich history, with remnants from the Roman, Baroque, and Renaissance periods. Here are some of the top attractions to visit:

Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)

This towering Gothic cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Construction began in 1248, and its interior boasts treasures such as the 12th-century Reliquary of the Three Kings and impressive stained-glass windows. You can climb the 530 steps to the top for panoramic views of the city.

Historic Old Town (Altstadt)

Cologne's Old Town is filled with charming cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, and countless cafes, restaurants, and pubs. It's also home to several historic churches, including Great St. Martin, and ancient ruins, such as the Roman-era Praetorium.

Wallraf-Richartz Museum

This impressive museum houses a vast collection of European paintings, including works by Rembrandt, Manet, Renoir, and more. It showcases art from the 13th to the 19th centuries and is a must-visit for art lovers.

NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne (NS-Dokumentationszentrum)

This memorial, museum, and research facility provides a sombre look into Germany's Nazi past and its impact on Cologne. It is located in the former headquarters of the Gestapo, and visitors can see the chilling prison cells in the basement, with inscriptions on the walls left by prisoners.

Cologne Zoological Gardens (Kölner Zoo)

One of Germany's oldest zoos, the Cologne Zoological Gardens feature a variety of animals, including exotic species, big cats, and apes. It combines modern facilities with historic buildings, such as the Moorish-style elephant house and the old birdhouse, now home to chimps.

Cologne Cable Car (Rhein-Seilbahn)

The Cologne cable car offers breathtaking views of the city and the Rhine River. It was the first European cable car to cross a river, and it connects the botanical garden and zoo to Rheinpark.

Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum)

This museum traces the history of chocolate, from its origins in Central America 5,000 years ago to the present. Visitors can learn about the chocolate-making process, see antique chocolate boxes and wrappers, and even design their own chocolate bar.

Botanical Gardens Flora (Botanischer Garten Flora)

These beautiful botanical gardens feature a diverse array of global flora, with over 10,000 plant species. The gardens include greenhouses, ponds, fountains, and a historic glass and iron-clad orangerie.

Roman-Germanic Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Museum)

The Roman-Germanic Museum showcases Cologne's rich archaeological heritage, with exhibits ranging from the Paleolithic period to the early Middle Ages. It is built on the site of a Roman villa, and visitors can see Roman mosaics, glassware, and jewellery.

St. Gereon's Basilica (Basilika Sankt Gereon)

This Romanesque church is known for its unusual design, featuring a decagonal dome and a long choir. It was built on the ruins of a Roman chapel, and its current appearance dates mostly to the 12th and 13th centuries.

Hohenzollern Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke)

One of seven bridges crossing the Rhine River, the Hohenzollern Bridge is a famous landmark near the cathedral. It offers scenic views of the river and the cityscape.

Fish Market Square (Fishmarkt)

Overlooked by the Great St. Martin Church, this picturesque square is lined with colourful old buildings and offers stunning views of the Rhine. It is a great spot to enjoy a meal or a drink while admiring the river and the surrounding architecture.

These are just a few of the many attractions Cologne has to offer. Whether you're interested in history, culture, nature, or food, there is something for everyone in this vibrant German city!

Attractions in Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf, the capital of the North Rhine-Westphalia state, is steeped in rich history, with modern and contemporary attractions. Here are some of the best places to visit:

Königsallee

Known as 'Kö' to locals, this luxury shopping street is one of Germany's prettiest boulevards. It features designer boutiques, jewellery stores, malls, and department stores. The tree-lined canal and chestnut trees make it a great place for a stroll, and there are plenty of cafes for a quick coffee break.

Altstadt (Old Town)

Known as "the longest bar in the world," the Altstadt is a compact quarter with around 300 bars, clubs, and breweries. In the evenings, people spill out onto the streets, crowding around tables and benches, drinking the local brew, Altbier. One of the most famous spots is the restaurant/brewery, Zum Schiffchen, which dates back to 1628.

Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen (Museums K20 and K21)

Düsseldorf is a hub for modern and contemporary art, with a vast collection of works by celebrated German artists. The collection is so large, it spans two museums, K20 and K21. K20 houses works by Picasso, Warhol, Richter, and Klee, while K21 features challenging contemporary art and video installations.

MedienHafen (Media Harbor)

Once a dingy commercial port, MedienHafen has been transformed into a hub for media, fashion, and creative industries. The area boasts postmodern architecture by renowned architects such as Frank Gehry and David Chipperfield. Gehry's Neuer Zollhof complex is a standout, with its trio of twisting, leaning buildings.

Rhine Embankment Promenade

This mile-long stretch links the Old Town to MedienHafen. The upper level is lined with trees, cafes, and bars, while the lower level offers river cruises and grassy banks for relaxation. The Kunst im Tunnel, a contemporary art gallery, can also be found here.

Carlsplatz Market

One of the largest food markets in the world, Carlsplatz Market offers a plethora of local produce, from meats and cheeses to freshly baked goods and pastries. It's a foodie's paradise and a great place to find unique souvenirs.

The Rhine river

The Rhine is also an important cultural landmark, with many historic cities and towns dotted along its banks. These include Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf, and Koblenz, each with their own unique charm and attractions. The river is also famous for its stunning scenery, with picturesque vineyards, medieval castles, and lush green valleys.

The Rhine has played a significant role in European history, with many battles and conflicts fought along its banks. It has also been a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and musicians, including Beethoven, who composed his famous "Rhine Symphony" while gazing at the river.

Today, the Rhine remains an essential part of German life, offering recreational opportunities such as boating, swimming, and fishing. It is also a popular destination for tourists, who come to enjoy the river's natural beauty and explore the charming towns and villages that line its shores.

The history of the two cities

Cologne and Düsseldorf are two cities in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Cologne is the fourth-most populous city in Germany, while Düsseldorf is the seventh-largest. Both cities are located on the River Rhine, with Cologne centred on the left bank and Düsseldorf on the right.

Cologne

Cologne was founded in the 1st century CE as Colonia Agrippina, a Roman colony in Germanic Ubii territory. It became the capital of the Roman province of Germania Inferior and served as the headquarters of the Roman military in the region until it was occupied by the Franks in 462. During the Middle Ages, Cologne flourished as it was located on one of the most important trade routes between eastern and western Europe. It was a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire and a major member of the Hanseatic League.

Cologne was one of the largest European cities in medieval and Renaissance times, with a population of around 50,000 in 1200. By the 20th century, the city's population had grown to 700,000. However, during World War II, Cologne was heavily bombed, and its population decreased by 95%. The post-war reconstruction has resulted in a mixed cityscape, with only around 25% of pre-war buildings remaining.

Today, Cologne is a major cultural centre in the Rhineland, hosting over 30 museums and hundreds of galleries. It is also known for its Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic church that was the world's tallest building from 1880 to 1890 and is now the third-tallest church and tallest cathedral in the world.

Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf, on the other hand, has a more recent history. The first written mention of the city, then called Dusseldorp, dates back to 1135. The small town of Kaiserswerth, located north of Düsseldorf, became a well-fortified outpost under Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa, from where soldiers kept watch over the Rhine. In 1186, Düsseldorf came under the rule of the Counts of Berg, and in 1288, the village gained town privileges.

Düsseldorf became the regional capital of the Duchy of Berg in the 14th century, and several famous landmarks were built during this time, including the Collegiate Church of St Lambertus. The city enjoyed a revival in the 19th century thanks to the Industrial Revolution, and its population reached 100,000 by 1882.

Düsseldorf was heavily damaged during World War II and was occupied by American forces in 1945. After the war, the city became the capital of the new federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Today, Düsseldorf is an international business and financial centre, renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. It is also known for its Altbier, a traditional German beer style.

Rivalry

Despite their proximity and shared history, Cologne and Düsseldorf have a well-known rivalry, often described as a "love-hate relationship". This rivalry is expressed in various forms, including carnival parades, football, ice hockey, and, most notably, beer. Cologne is known for its Kölsch beer, while Düsseldorf prefers Altbier. It is common for waiters and patrons to scorn or mock people who order the "wrong" beer in either city.

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