A Day In Cologne: Sights, Scents, And Sounds

Cologne, Germany, is a city of contrasts, with a blend of medieval structures, reconstructed areas, and modern architecture. Here is an itinerary for spending one day in this charming city:

Morning:

Start your day with breakfast at Merzenich Bäckerei, where you can try the local delicacy, 'Nougat Brezel'. Then, head to the Cologne Cathedral (Kolner Dom), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the interior of the cathedral, marvel at the stained glass windows, and discover the Shrine of the Three Kings. If you're feeling adventurous, climb the 509 steps to the top of the South Tower for panoramic views of the city.

Afternoon:

Stroll through the Old Town (Altstadt), including the Fischmarkt, where you'll find colourful medieval houses and the Romanesque church, Great St. Martin. Wander along the Rhine River and cross the Hohenzollern Bridge, adorned with thousands of love locks. Enjoy the views of the river and the city skyline from the KölnTriangle observation deck.

Evening:

As the sun sets, savour drinks and dinner along the Rhine promenade. Sample the local Kölsch beer at a traditional brewery like Brauhaus Sünner Im Walfisch or Brauhaus FRÜH am Dom. For nightlife, consider visiting Bootshaus, one of the top clubs in Germany, known for its vibrant atmosphere and renowned DJs.

Explore the Old Town

Cologne's Old Town (Altstadt) is a must-see when visiting the city. The area is packed with restored historic buildings, including churches and colourful terrace buildings, as well as narrow cobblestone streets and attractive squares.

Start your exploration at the Fischmarkt (fish market), where you'll find a row of brightly coloured buildings dating from the Middle Ages. This is also where you'll find the Romanesque church, the Great (Gross) St Martin, which features a distinctive central spire surrounded by four turrets.

Another notable landmark in the Old Town is the old City Hall (Altes Rathaus), located in Alter Markt (old market). Wander around this area and you'll hear its tower bells ringing at various times.

Underneath the City Hall lies the Praetorium, the remnants of a Roman governor's palace. This unique attraction showcases Roman relics and a planned new Jewish Museum.

While in the Old Town, be sure to check out the various traditional beer halls, including the Brauhaus Sünner Im Walfisch, where you can sample the local Kölsch lager.

Visit the Cathedral

The Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is Germany's largest cathedral and arguably its most recognisable site of historic interest. It is the first thing you will notice on your approach to the city as it practically dwarfs the rest of the city. It is the most visited landmark in the city, attracting up to 20,000 visitors a day.

The foundation stone for this gothic-style cathedral was laid in the 13th century, but it was only completed in 1880, over 600 years later. It is built with 300,000 tonnes of stone and has more than 10,000 square metres of windows.

The cathedral is free to enter unless a service is in progress. Inside, you will be astounded by the sheer scale and beauty of its interior. The stained glass windows, particularly Gerhard Richter's design in the cathedral's south transept, are truly illuminating. The Shrine of the Three Kings is another highlight, holding a sarcophagus that supposedly contains the remains of the three kings who gave gifts to the baby Jesus.

If you want to explore more of the cathedral treasures, you can book a guided tour. Adult tickets are €10.

You can also climb the 509 steps to the top of the South Tower for some of the city's best views. On the way up, you can stop and see eight of the cathedral's 11 bells. Entry to the tower is €6 for adults.

Wander along the Rhine

The River Rhine is one of Europe's great waterways, and the banks of the Rhine in Cologne offer a wealth of attractions and stunning views.

The Rhine promenade is a must for a stroll. The wide embankment stretches from the train station along the whole city, offering impressive views of the opposite river bank and a host of restaurants and cafes. This is the departure point for many boat river cruises that go from Cologne to Königswinter, Düsseldorf or Bonn.

The Fischmarkt (fish market) is a great place to take photos, particularly of the row of brightly coloured buildings dating from the Middle Ages. Here you will also find the Romanesque church, the Great (Gross) St Martin.

The Rhine riverbank is also the place to go for nightlife. The Bootshaus in Cologne-Deutz is one of the most popular clubs in the city, and has been named the best club in Germany and the eighth best in the world.

For a more relaxed evening, enjoy a drink on the Rhine promenade and watch the bustle of the city.

Go up the KölnTriangle

If you're spending one day in Cologne, you'll want to make the most of your time in this beautiful city. A great way to end your day is by heading to the KölnTriangle, which offers a panoramic view of the city from the observation deck on the roof of the European Aviation Safety Agency Headquarters. For just €3, you can enjoy incredible views of Cologne from over 103m high. The KölnTriangle is situated a short walk from the city centre, across the bridge on the opposite side of the Rhine River. It is the perfect spot to watch the sunset and see the city's illumination.

From the top of the KölnTriangle, you can take in breathtaking views of the Cologne Cathedral, the promenade, and the railroad bridge. The cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of St. Peter, is one of the tallest churches in the world and the most visited landmark in Cologne. Its huge spires dominate the city's skyline and were likely a navigational reference point for Allied pilots during World War II bombing raids. The church also houses a significant artifact, the Shrine of the Three Kings (The Magi), which holds a large gold-covered sarcophagus said to contain the bones of the Three Wise Men.

In addition to the cathedral, you can also admire the Rhine Promenade and the railroad bridge from the KölnTriangle. The promenade is a must-visit attraction, offering impressive views of the opposite river bank and a stretch of restaurants and cafes. The railroad bridge, known as the Hohenzollern Bridge, is famous for being covered in love locks placed by hopeful couples. The locks come in various shapes, sizes, and colours, adding a romantic touch to your evening.

The KölnTriangle is an excellent way to get a different perspective of Cologne and capture some memorable photographs. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the magical views of this charming German city.

Learn about Eau de Cologne

Cologne, Germany, is known for its Eau de Cologne, a perfume that originated in the city. The original Eau de Cologne was created by Giovanni Maria Farina (also known as John Maria Farina or Giovanni Paolo Feminis) in 1709. Farina was an Italian perfume maker who moved to Cologne in the early 1700s. He named his fragrance Eau de Cologne, or "Water from Cologne", in honour of his new hometown.

The fragrance was designed to smell like "a spring morning in Italy, mountain narcissus, and orange blossom just after the rain". Farina described it as having the scent of "an Italian spring morning, of mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain". The perfume was delivered to nearly all royal houses in Europe and was worn by Princess Diana, Oscar Wilde, and Voltaire, among others.

The success of Eau de Cologne led to countless other businessmen selling their own fragrances under the same name. The Original Eau de Cologne 4711, for example, was developed in the 18th century by Wilhelm Mülhens and has been produced in Cologne since at least 1799. It is named after its location at Glockengasse No. 4711.

The Farina family shop, located at Obenmarspforten, is the world's oldest fragrance factory and has been open since 1709. The formula for the original Eau de Cologne has been produced there since its creation and remains a secret.

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