Exploring Cologne: A Guide To The City's Best Attractions

Cologne, Germany, is a historic city with plenty of attractions to keep visitors entertained. The city has a rich history, with its origins as a Roman settlement in the 1st century BC. One of the best places to start your trip is the Old Town, which stretches along the banks of the River Rhine and is home to Cologne's impressive cathedral. The city is also known for its food and drink, including its local beer, Kolsch, and its chocolate museum. If you're looking for unique things to do, you could visit the Mustard Museum or the Fragrance Museum, where Eau de Cologne was invented in the 18th century.

Visit the Cologne Cathedral

The Cologne Cathedral is a must-see when in the city. It is Germany's most visited tourist attraction, and for good reason. This Gothic cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting intricate stained glass, a challenging tower climb, and twin spires. It is the tallest church with twin spires in the world, standing at 154 meters.

The cathedral is an international pilgrimage site, holding the shrine of the Three Kings, a gilded triple sarcophagus decorated with 12th-century reliefs depicting episodes from the life of Christ, prophets, and apostles. The cathedral also houses invaluable art, including a black marble high altar from the 1300s, a 10th-century crucifix, and stained glass windows from the 1500s.

The Cologne Cathedral is a testament to the city's rich history and cultural significance. It is a beloved symbol of Cologne, having survived the Second World War, and is a must-visit attraction when exploring all that the city has to offer.

Explore the Old Town

Cologne's Old Town is the best place for sightseeing. Stretching along the banks of the River Rhine, it is the historic heart of an ancient city with a lot to explore.

Cologne's Old Town has its roots in the Roman settlement founded over 2,000 years ago. The name of that settlement was Colonia Agrippina, from which the modern name of the city is derived. Cologne became an important trading hub on the Rhine and grew to become one of the wealthiest cities in Europe during the medieval era.

Much of the Old Town you see today is restored, as the city suffered tremendous damage during bombing raids in World War II. At its centre is the cathedral, but there are many more sights to put on your Cologne bucket list. Cologne's 12 Romanesque churches are superb examples of medieval architecture, while the City Hall is the oldest such public building in Germany.

As you walk along the riverbank, check out the Kölner Pegel, a water level metre installed in 1951 to help warn of potential floods. Then make your way to the Old Marketplace near Cologne City Hall, where you can admire the Renaissance buildings in the area, including the elegant City Hall Tower and the Jan von Werth Fountain.

Along Am Hof, look for the Heinzelmännchenbrunnen, a fountain from 1899. You’ll meet the Cologne’s beloved Heinzelmännchen, gnomes who did all the city’s work at night so the citizens could relax (until the gnomes were insulted and left town forever).

Cologne's Old Town has its roots in the Roman settlement of Colonia Agrippina. It became a vital trading hub on the Rhine and grew to be one of medieval Europe's wealthiest cities. The Old Town you see today is largely restored, as Cologne was heavily bombed in World War II.

Cologne's Old Town is a historic neighbourhood featuring colourful buildings, cobbled lanes, and a preserved cathedral. It offers diverse dining and shopping amid a resilient post-war ambiance.

Check out the Romano-Germanic Museum

If you're looking for an educational experience in Cologne, then checking out the Romano-Germanic Museum is a great option. Here's what you need to know:

About the Museum

The Romano-Germanic Museum (known as RGM or Römisch-Germanisches Museum in German) is an archaeological museum that showcases the Roman cultural heritage of Cologne. It was completed in 1974 and is located near Cologne Cathedral, on the site of a 3rd-century villa discovered in 1941 during air-raid shelter construction. The museum's design centres around a large Dionysus mosaic, which was found in the basement of the villa and could not be easily moved. As a result, the museum's architects, Klaus Renner and Heinz Röcke, cleverly designed the building to incorporate this ancient artwork. The inner courtyards of the museum mimic the layout of the ancient villa, providing a unique blend of modern architecture and historical artefacts.

Collections and Exhibits

The Romano-Germanic Museum houses an extensive collection of Roman artefacts from the Roman settlement of Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, on which modern-day Cologne is built. Here are some highlights of what you can expect to see:

• Roman Glassware and Jewellery: The museum boasts the world's largest collection of locally produced glass from the Roman period, as well as an array of Roman and medieval jewellery.
• Everyday Life in Roman Cologne: The museum displays various artefacts that provide a glimpse into the daily lives of Roman Cologne residents. This includes portraits of important figures like Roman emperor Augustus and his wife Livia Drusilla, inscriptions, pottery, toys, coins, and architectural fragments.
• The Dionysus Mosaic: This renowned mosaic dates back to around AD 220/230 and is a stunning example of Roman artwork. It remains in its original place in the basement of the museum, protected under the building's structure.
• Sepulchre of Poblicius: In addition to the mosaic, the museum also features the reconstructed tomb of the legionary Poblicius, dating back to around AD 40.
• Archaeological Finds and Monuments: The museum exhibits numerous archaeological relics from prehistory to the early Middle Ages. These include objects from daily life in Roman Cologne, such as containers, as well as architectural elements, inscriptions, and pottery that illustrate the development of the ancient city.

Location and Tickets

The Romano-Germanic Museum is located on Roncalliplatz in Cologne. However, due to renovation work, the museum's exhibition has temporarily moved to the Belgian House (Cäcilienstraße 46). The Belgian House is easily accessible, just a 2-minute walk from the Neumarkt tram stop. Tickets for adults are priced at €6.00, and reduced tickets are available for €3.00. The museum is open daily, and you can contact them via email or phone for more information.

Take a boat trip on the Rhine

Cologne is a city centred around the towering Gothic Cologne Cathedral, and the river Rhine is an integral part of the city's landscape. A boat trip on the Rhine is a great way to see the city from a different perspective and take in its beautiful architecture.

Boat trips on the Rhine are available all year round, with special party cruises during the Christmas market Advent season. The high season for boat trips is from late April to early October, with cruises generally available from late March/April to the end of October.

There are various options for boat trips on the Rhine, from short one-hour sightseeing cruises to longer three-hour tours that include coffee breaks, dancing, lunch or dinner. You can also choose an evening cruise to see the city's sights lit up at night.

During your boat trip, you'll glide under magnificent bridges and take in sights such as the Cologne Cathedral, the Old Town, the Chocolate Museum and the Hohenzollern Bridge, adorned with thousands of love locks.

You can buy drinks, including the local Koelsch beer, from the bar on board, and there is often informative audio commentary available in multiple languages.

Tickets for boat trips can be purchased online, from ticket kiosks or when boarding the boat. Prices start at around €17 for a one-hour cruise and €25 for two hours.

Visit the Chocolate Museum

The Chocolate Museum in Cologne is a must-see for any chocolate lover. The museum offers a comprehensive look at the history and making of chocolate, from its ancient origins in South America to its modern-day production. With over 4,000 square metres of exhibition space, the museum provides an immersive and interactive experience for visitors of all ages.

The History of Chocolate

The museum showcases the 5,000-year history of cocoa and chocolate, featuring exhibits on the natural history of cocoa, pre-Columbian cultures of Central America, and the colonial history of the chocolate trade. Visitors can learn about the brutal history of colonialism and racism in the chocolate industry, including the enslavement of Native Americans and the use of racist depictions in advertising. The museum also offers insights into the present and future of chocolate, with exhibits on sustainability and the working conditions of cocoa farmers.

Interactive Exhibits and Tastings

One of the highlights of the museum is the famous chocolate fountain, containing 200 kilograms of chocolate cascading down from a height of three metres. Visitors can also watch chocolate being made in the glass-walled production facility and chocolate workshop, seeing both mechanised and manual processes. There are plenty of opportunities to taste chocolate, with samples and treats offered throughout the museum, including a chocolate fondue and a variety of chocolate cakes and drinks in the café.

Creating Your Own Chocolate

For an additional fee, visitors can create their own customised chocolate bar. By choosing from a list of ingredients, you can design a unique chocolate bar and have it made while you explore the rest of the museum. This process takes about 45 minutes, so it's best to place your order at the beginning of your visit.

Practical Information

The Chocolate Museum is located on the River Rhine in the Rheinauhafen (Rheinau Harbour) district of Cologne. It is open daily, except for Mondays from January to March and in November. The museum can get very busy, especially on weekends, so it is recommended to book tickets in advance. There is a café and a shop on-site, as well as a cloakroom for a small charge.

Frequently asked questions