Exploring Cologne With Kids: Fun Activities And Adventures

Cologne, Germany, is a fantastic place for a family break. The city offers a wide range of attractions for kids, from unique museums to amusement parks and plenty of delicious food. Here's a quick overview of some of the best things to do in Cologne with children.

Cologne Cathedral

The Gothic Cologne Cathedral (officially the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter) is a must-see on any trip to Cologne, whether you're travelling with kids or not. Construction of this Catholic cathedral began in 1248, but it wasn't completed until 1880, over 600 years later! At 157 metres tall, it's the tallest twin-spired church in the world and the second-largest church in Europe. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and is Germany's most-visited landmark, attracting around 20,000 visitors per day.

The people of Cologne are very proud of their cathedral, which is considered a masterpiece of exceptional intrinsic value and a powerful testimony to the strength and persistence of Christian belief in medieval and modern Europe. It's also a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture.

You can visit the cathedral on your own or as part of a guided tour. There are multiple guided tours each day, with tours in English at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. most days during the summer (except Sundays). Tickets cost €8 for adults and €6 for concessions.

If you're feeling energetic, you can climb the 533 steps up the southern cathedral tower. The views are fantastic, but this activity is not suitable for those with claustrophobia or acrophobia, or for small children. The tower climb is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. between May and September and costs €5 for adults.

You can also visit the Cathedral Treasury, with tickets costing €6 per person, €3 for school children, and free for under 6s. Or you can purchase a family ticket for €12.

Lindt Chocolate Factory

The Chocolate Museum in Cologne is a great place to visit with kids. The museum offers a comprehensive overview of the history of cocoa and chocolate, with exhibits covering the production, history, and trade of chocolate. Here's a detailed guide to help you plan your visit:

Getting There and Opening Hours:

The Chocolate Museum is located in the Rheinauhafen (Rheinau Harbour) district of Cologne. It's easily accessible by public transport, with the nearest tram stop being Heumarkt (Tram: 1, 5, 7, 9). The walk from the tram stop to the museum takes about 8 minutes. The museum is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily, but it's closed on Mondays from January to March and in November.

Tickets and Pricing:

Tickets for the museum can be purchased online or at the ticket counter. The prices may vary, but reviews suggest that adult tickets typically cost around €13-€14.50, while tickets for children are usually €8.50. Family tickets and combo tickets with other attractions are also available. It's important to note that the museum may be more crowded during weekends, and the prices tend to increase on Sundays.

What to Expect:

The museum offers a unique and interactive experience for both adults and children. Here's what you can expect during your visit:

• The World of Cocoa and Chocolate: The museum showcases the 5,000-year cultural history of cocoa and chocolate. You'll learn about the natural history of cocoa, the pre-Columbian cultures of Central America, and the industrial process of chocolate-making.
• Exhibits and Displays: The museum features a diverse collection of exhibits, including a walk-through palm house, a greenhouse, a famous chocolate fountain, a collection of baroque porcelain and silver, historical industrial machinery, and a glass-walled production facility.
• Tastings and Treats: One of the highlights of the museum is the opportunity to taste various kinds of chocolate. Visitors can enjoy treats from the chocolate fountain, sample molten chocolate on a wafer, and indulge in chocolate delicacies at the café. There are also special chocolate-making courses for children and adults, where you can create your own chocolate bar with customized toppings.
• Other Facilities: The museum has a gift shop where you can purchase different varieties of Lindt chocolates. There is also a café offering chocolate fondue, drinking chocolates, chocolate cakes, and more. The café provides a magnificent view of the Rhine River.

Tips and Recommendations:

• It is recommended to buy tickets in advance, especially if visiting during the weekend, to avoid long queues.
• The museum can get quite busy, and it may be challenging to access all the interactive displays due to the crowds. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting on a weekday.
• If you plan to create a customized chocolate bar, place your order at the beginning of your visit as it can take up to 2 hours for your chocolate to be ready.
• If you're visiting with children, allow for 2-3 hours to explore the museum and participate in the interactive activities.

Farina Museum

The Farina Museum, also known as the Fragrance Museum, is a unique attraction in Cologne. It is the world's oldest fragrance factory, founded in 1709, and has been based in the Farina House since 1723. The museum offers an insightful glimpse into the history of perfume and its production processes. Here are some details to help you plan your visit:

Location and Hours:

The Farina Museum is located in the Farina House on Obenmarspforten in the Altstadt-Nord district of Cologne. It is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, and on Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm.

Tickets and Tours:

Entry to the museum is €8 for adults and €6 for reduced-price tickets. Historical costume tours are also available for an enhanced experience at an additional cost. Tickets can be purchased online, and booking in advance is recommended. The museum can only be visited as part of a guided tour, which are conducted in various languages, including English, German, French, and Italian.

What to Expect:

During your guided tour, you will learn about the history of Eau de Cologne, which was created by Italian perfumer Johann Maria Farina. He crafted this fragrance to remind him of his homeland, capturing the essence of a spring morning in Italy after the rain. You will discover the fascinating story behind the famous scent, which includes notable users such as Napoleon, Queen Victoria, and Goethe. The tour also includes sensory experiences where you can sniff different essences and learn about the processes used to create perfumes, such as enfleurage.

The museum showcases three centuries of fragrance history, starting from the Rococo era. You will see flacons (decorative bottles), paintings, and art objects that illustrate the evolution of perfume through the ages. The guides, dressed in historical costumes, add to the charm of the experience.

After the tour, you can visit the museum shop, which offers a range of perfumes and other products. Even if you don't have time for the full tour, the staff in the shop are happy to provide a brief introduction to the history of Eau de Cologne.

Reviews:

The Farina Museum has received excellent reviews, with many visitors describing the tour as informative, entertaining, and passionate. The building itself is beautiful and steeped in history, and the guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Some reviews highlight the interactive aspects of the tour, such as smelling the perfume ingredients and learning about the different notes. Overall, it is considered a hidden gem worth visiting in Cologne.

Cologne Zoo

The zoo has a wide range of animals, including elephants, gorillas, gibbons, and hippopotamuses. The hippopotamus enclosure is particularly impressive, with a viewing window that allows visitors to watch the hippos swim. In addition to the animals, the zoo also has a massive adventure playground area where kids can let off steam.

Tickets for the zoo are €23 for adults and €11 for children aged 4 and above. For a unique way to get to the zoo, you can take the 'Zoo express' from next to the cathedral, which offers a tour of the city on the way.

If you're looking for a smaller and more intimate zoo experience, Lindenthaler Tierpark is a petting zoo located just outside the city centre. This park has over 250 animals, including highland cattle, goats, donkeys, sheep, and various birds. Entry to Lindenthaler Tierpark is free, and you can purchase food to feed the animals for 50 cents.

Boat trip down the Rhine

A boat trip down the Rhine is a great way to see Cologne from a different perspective. The flowing river gives a unique view of the city's sights, panorama, and atmosphere. In the evening, the Cologne Cathedral lights up green and the sparkling lights reflect in the gentle rhythm of the swirling water.

There are various boat tours to choose from, including romantic evening cruises, panoramic cruises with a view of the city's landmarks, and musical or event tours. The Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) line runs a one-hour sightseeing boat tour, the "panorama cruise", starting from the old quarter. They also offer a "hop-on hop-off" bus and boat ticket combination, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace. This flexibility is great for families with kids, as you can decide when and where you want to join or leave the tour.

If you're looking for a longer excursion, consider a day trip to the picturesque Siebengebirge hills or the small neighbouring towns along the Rhine. These trips provide a relaxing and scenic experience, passing by castles, ruins, and other ferries along the river.

Boat tours are a fun and informative way to explore Cologne with kids, offering a mix of entertainment, history, and beautiful views.

Frequently asked questions