Exploring Cologne, Germany In May: A Travel Guide

Cologne, or Köln, is a city of contrasts. With 2,000 years of history, it blends the few medieval structures that survived World War II with reconstructed areas designed to look as they did before the war, and modern architecture.

Here's an itinerary for things to do in May:

- Start your day with breakfast at Café Rico, a favourite hangout spot for the local LGBTQ+ community.

- Visit the Cologne Cathedral, Germany's most visited tourist attraction. It's a UNESCO site and the single most visited landmark in Germany.

- Check out the Ludwig Museum, home to the third-largest collection of Picasso works in the world.

- Explore the Old Town, with its cobblestone streets, small squares, and colourful buildings.

- Stroll across the Hohenzollern Bridge, adorned with half a million love locks.

- Take in panoramic views of the city from the KölnTriangle skyscraper.

- Indulge your sweet tooth at the Chocolate Museum.

- Wander through the Botanical Gardens, with its array of global flora and serene picnic spots.

- Sample the local beer, Kölsch, at a traditional brewpub like Peters Brauhaus.

Explore the historic Old Town

Cologne's Old Town (Altstadt) is a must-see for anyone visiting the city. With its winding alleys, cobblestone streets, romantic squares, and bustling pubs and restaurants, it's no wonder that both tourists and locals alike flock to this charming neighbourhood. Here are some tips to make the most of your time in Cologne's Old Town:

• Start your day by visiting the iconic Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). This Gothic masterpiece is one of the world's largest and is sure to take your breath away with its intricate architecture and stunning stained glass windows. Don't forget to climb the 533 steps up the South Tower for a panoramic view of the city!
• Take a stroll through the medieval streets and admire the colourful, steep-gabled houses that line the banks of the Rhine. Explore the winding alleys and discover hidden courtyards, cosy pubs, and unique boutiques.
• Learn about Cologne's Roman past by visiting the Roman-Germanic Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Museum). Peek through the window to see a Roman mosaic depicting scenes from the life of Dionysus.
• Cross the Hohenzollern Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke), one of the busiest railway bridges in the world. Join the thousands of couples who have attached love locks to the bridge railing as a symbol of their everlasting devotion.
• Wander through the historic squares of Fischmarkt and Alter Markt. Soak in the atmosphere and admire the medieval-style buildings, even though many of them were actually reconstructed after World War II.
• Visit the Old Town's City Hall (Rathaus) and marvel at its Renaissance porch, the sole survivor of the 1945 bombings. Circle the building to appreciate the intricate carvings on its sides.
• Indulge in some retail therapy at Schildergasse and Hohe Straße, two of Germany's busiest shopping miles located right in the Old Town. You'll find a wide variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants to suit all tastes.
• Sample the local brew, Kölsch, at one of the many traditional breweries in the Old Town. Join a beer tour to learn more about the city's brewing culture and enjoy hearty German food alongside your drink.
• If you're visiting in December, don't miss the famous Heinzelmännchen Christmas Market at Alter Markt. It's the perfect place to get into the festive spirit!

Visit the Chocolate Museum

If you're visiting Cologne, Germany, in May, a trip to the Chocolate Museum is a must. The museum, which is located on the Rhine, offers a comprehensive look at the history of cocoa and chocolate, with exhibits covering everything from the food's Aztec origins to modern chocolate-making techniques. Here's a detailed guide to help you plan your visit:

About the Chocolate Museum

The Chocolate Museum in Cologne is one of the most popular museums in the Rheinauhafen area, attracting around 650,000 visitors annually. It offers a unique cultural and historical experience, tickling visitors' palates and imaginations with tastings, tours, and other delights. The museum has something for everyone, from the famous chocolate fountain to exhibits on the history of cocoa and the industrial machinery used in its production.

Exhibits and Attractions

The museum offers a wide range of exhibits and attractions that showcase the 5,000-year history of cocoa and chocolate. Here are some highlights:

• The Chocolate Factory: Visitors can follow the journey of cocoa, from harvest to the major stock exchanges of world trade, and eventually to the chocolate factory. The factory has a glassed-in production facility and a chocolate workshop where visitors can see how chocolate products are crafted through mechanized and manual processes.
• The Chocolate Fountain: One of the museum's most famous attractions, the chocolate fountain contains 200 kilograms of chocolate flowing down from a height of three meters.
• Historical Artifacts: The museum displays a diverse collection of historic items, including an 18th-century porcelain and silver collection, exhibits from pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and various kinds of historical industrial machinery.
• The Greenhouse: Visitors can walk through a tropical greenhouse and learn about the natural history of cocoa.
• Café and Shop: The museum has a chocolate-themed café with a magnificent view of the Rhine, offering treats like chocolate fondue, drinking chocolates, and fresh waffles. There is also a shop where you can purchase different varieties of chocolates, including customized ones.

Tickets and Tours

The Chocolate Museum offers various tickets and tours to enhance your experience:

• Online Tickets: You can purchase tickets online to avoid waiting times and book special tastings.
• Guided Tours: The museum offers guided tours, such as the "Fine Tasting in English" tour, which includes tastings of selected chocolates.
• Chocolate-Making Classes: Visitors can book classes to make their own customized chocolate bars with their choice of ingredients.
• Combination Tickets: There are also combination tickets available, such as the museum entrance ticket with a Ferris wheel ride.

Practical Information

The Chocolate Museum is typically open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. However, it is closed on Mondays from January to March and in November, and the opening hours may change during the Carnival. The museum is easily accessible via public transport, with the Heumarkt stop (Tram: 1, 5, 7, 9) being an 8-minute walk away.

Admire Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral, or Kölner Dom, is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 6 million people a year. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an international pilgrimage site. It is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, the second tallest church in Europe, and the third tallest church in the world.

Construction

Construction of the cathedral began in 1248 but was halted around 1560 and left unfinished. Attempts to complete the construction began around 1814, but the project was not properly funded until the 1840s. The edifice was finally completed according to its original medieval plan in 1880.

Architecture

The cathedral is constructed from different types of rock, including trachyte and sandstone. Many sculptures and canopies are made of limestone. The filigree buttresses and arches are exposed to the weather from all sides and are susceptible to water damage, as well as damage from sulphur in the air and bird droppings. The cathedral features the largest façade of any church in the world.

Art and Relics

Cologne Cathedral is known for its important works of art, as well as its long and drawn-out construction. It is home to the Shrine of the Three Kings, which is considered one of the most sophisticated goldsmith's works of the Middle Ages. The cathedral also contains the 4th-century St. Peter's Staff, numerous other reliquaries, liturgical utensils, vestments, and manuscripts.

Windows

The cathedral's windows are especially impressive, with more than 10,000 square metres of colourful glass. One of the oldest is the famous Bible Window, located in the central chapel of the ambulatory. Other highlights include the south transept window by Gerhard Richter, which features 11,263 colour squares in 72 colours, randomly arranged to create an abstract tapestry of colour.

Take a boat tour

Taking a boat tour is one of the best ways to explore Cologne. On the left bank of the Rhine at the Hohenzollern Bridge, you can board a boat for a cruise along the storied Rhine River. There are three companies offering panoramic tours of the city: KölnTourist, KölnDüsseldorfer, and Colonia. If you book with the tourist board, you can pay a single price and then choose which company you'd like to go with.

The route most people take is south to the old fishing community of Rodenkirchen, a one-hour cruise that floats past the cathedral, the spires of the old town, the new Rheinauhaufen district, and under four bridges, each with interesting trivia attached.

You can also opt for a two-hour evening cruise to see Cologne's sights sparkling with lights along the riversides. Or, if you're looking for something more upbeat, try the Köln: Techno Dampfer cruise.

Stroll along the Rhine

The Rhine River is one of the best ways to see the city of Cologne. The river runs through the city, with many of the city's top attractions and landmarks located on or near its banks.

Starting at the Old Town, you can stroll along the riverbank and take in the stunning architecture of the surrounding buildings. Along the way, you'll come across the Kölner Pegel, a water level metre installed in 1951 to help warn of potential floods.

As you continue your walk, you'll be treated to beautiful views of the city skyline, including the iconic Cologne Cathedral and the nearby Great St. Martin Church. The river is also a great place to see the famous cable car, which offers panoramic views of the city.

If you're looking for a more relaxing way to experience the Rhine, you can take a boat tour. These tours typically last around three hours and glide under the magnificent Cologne bridges, giving you a unique perspective of the city.

Whether you choose to stroll or take a boat, exploring the Rhine River is a great way to experience the beauty and charm of Cologne.

Frequently asked questions