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

Cologne, Germany, is a cultural urban oasis centred around the towering Gothic Cologne Cathedral. The city is famous for its Carnival celebrations, a world-renowned fancy-dress party fuelled by beer and good spirits. But there's plenty to do in Cologne all year round. Here's a list of attractions and activities to keep you entertained during a short trip to the city:

- Climb the 533 steps to the top of the Cathedral for a bird's-eye view of the city.

- Wander through the cobblestone alleyways of the Old Town, taking in the pastel-coloured buildings, cafes, boutiques, and galleries.

- Cross the Hohenzollern Bridge, adorned with tens of thousands of love locks, for a romantic stroll and stunning cityscape photographs.

- Visit the Chocolate Museum, which explores the history of chocolate through interactive displays and live demonstrations.

- Take a Rhine boat trip, floating under the Hohenzollern Bridge and taking in the views of the twin-spired Cathedral and Old Town buildings.

- Explore the Belgian Quarter, a trendy, cosmopolitan neighbourhood known for its mix of boutiques, galleries, cafes, and bars.

- Visit the Fragrance Museum to learn about the history of perfume and the life of its inventor, Johann Maria Farina.

- Indulge in a traditional German dining experience at Peter's Brauhaus, where meals are heavy on meat and potatoes, rich and fatty, and hearty and delicious.

- Relax at the Cologne Botanical Garden, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city, home to over 10,000 plant species.

Explore the Altstadt (Old Town)

Cologne's Altstadt (Old Town) is a must-see for visitors to the city. Located on the banks of the Rhine, the Old Town is full of charming squares, winding alleys, and picturesque buildings. Here are some highlights of things to see and do in the Altstadt:

• Walk the cobblestone streets and explore the squares: Get lost in the narrow, cobblestone streets and discover the medieval flair of the Old Town. Explore romantic squares such as Alter Markt, considered Cologne's most traditional square, and Fischmarkt, a historic market square dating back over 1,000 years.
• Admire the architecture: Take in the colourful and picturesque steep-gabled houses along the Rhine, as well as the Gothic-style cathedral, the 16th-century Town Hall, and the Romanesque Groß St. Martin Church.
• Visit museums: The Old Town is home to several interesting museums, including the Roman-Germanic Museum, the Museum Ludwig, and the Farina Fragrance Museum, where you can learn about the history of Eau de Cologne.
• Enjoy the local cuisine and brew: Sample the local brew, Kölsch, at one of the many pubs and breweries in the Old Town, such as Früh. Indulge in traditional German dishes at restaurants like Peter's Brauhaus.
• Shop in the historic neighbourhood: Browse the boutiques and flagship stores along the original Roman streets of Cologne, such as Höhestraße and Schildergasse.
• Take a river tour: Start your river tour along the Rhine promenade and enjoy romantic views of the Old Town and churches.
• Discover monuments and fountains: See monuments and fountains such as the Tünnes and Schäl statues and the Heinzelmännchen (Cologne elves) fountain.

Visit the Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral (German: Kölner Dom) is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 6 million people a year. It is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. The cathedral is a towering Gothic structure with intricate stained glass, vaulted ceilings, and twin spires. It is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, standing at 515 feet (157 meters).

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

The cathedral is a testament to the enduring strength of European Christianity and contains several artistic masterpieces. Notable works include the Gero Crucifix, a large oak crucifix from the 10th century; the Shrine of the Three Kings, a large reliquary in the shape of a basilican church; and various altarpieces, such as the altarpiece of St. Clare and the altarpiece of St. Agilolphus.

The cathedral offers a viewing platform about 100 meters above the ground, accessible by climbing 533 steps. The platform provides a scenic view over the Rhine. Visitors can also explore the Cathedral Treasury and join guided tours to experience the ringing of the bells.

The Cologne Cathedral is typically open to tourists on weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm. It is recommended to plan for identity checks and baggage restrictions when visiting.

Take a Rhine boat trip

There are many boat trips along the Rhine River in Cologne, Germany, that you can take. Here is some information about them:

Boat Trip Operators

Several operators offer boat trips along the Rhine River in Cologne. The largest operator is Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD), which offers various cruises, including:

• Round-trip sightseeing cruises from Cologne, usually around an hour long.
• Day trips from Düsseldorf to Cologne, medieval Zons, or Duisburg.
• Special event cruises, such as those during the Christmas market Advent season and New Year's.

Other operators include Kölntourist, which offers a one-hour river ferry ride, and Die Weisse Flotte Düsseldorf, which operates in Düsseldorf and offers excursions downriver to Kaiserswerth.

Boat Trip Routes

Boat trips along the Rhine River can take several routes, depending on the operator and the length of the cruise. Here are some common routes:

• Cologne to Linz: This route takes about two hours upstream and 85 minutes downstream. It passes through Bonn and the Siebengebirge mountains.
• Bonn to Linz: This cruise takes two hours upstream and is the most common Rhine River day trip. It passes through the Siebengebirge mountains and several castles and ruins, including Drachenfels, Rolandsbogen, and the remains of the bridge at Remagen.
• Cologne to Düsseldorf: Cruises directly between these two cities are fairly rare.
• Koblenz to Rüdesheim/Bingen: This route is the most popular section of the Rhine for day-trip cruises and includes the romantic Middle Rhine (Loreley Valley), with its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, numerous castles, and romantic villages.

Boat Trip Costs and Ticketing

The cost of Rhine River boat trips varies depending on the operator and the length of the cruise. Here are some average prices:

• One-hour panorama cruises: €17
• Two-hour cruises: €25
• Cologne to Linz: €58 one-way, €64 return
• Bonn to Linz: €24 one-way, €27 return

Tickets for boat trips can usually be purchased online, from ticket kiosks, or when boarding the boat. However, special event cruises may require advance reservations.

When to Go

The Rhine River boat cruise season generally runs from April to October, with the high season being from late April to early October. Cruises are rare in the winter, but sightseeing cruises during the Christmas market Advent season and New Year's are popular.

Wander over Love Lock Bridge

A wander over Hohenzollern Bridge, also known as Love Lock Bridge, is a must-do when visiting Cologne. The bridge is adorned with hundreds of thousands of love locks, attached by couples to symbolise their love. The tradition began in 2008, and since then lovers have been coming to the bridge to attach a padlock, often engraved with their names or initials, and throw the key into the Rhine River below.

The locks are mainly concentrated on the southern footpath, so head there to see the bulk of them. However, if you want to attach your own lock, you'll find more space on the northern footpath.

The bridge also offers fantastic views of the city centre and the Rhine. You'll be able to see the Cologne Cathedral in the background, as well as enjoy a panoramic view of the cityscape.

If you're looking for a lock, there are shops in the city centre, close to the main railway station, where you can buy one and even get it engraved.

After your walk across the bridge, you can head to the nearby Chocolate Museum, or take a stroll through the Historic Old Town with its colourful buildings and cobbled lanes.

Visit the Romano-Germanic Museum

The Romano-Germanic Museum is an archaeological museum that showcases the history of Cologne, from prehistory to the early Middle Ages. It is located near the Cologne Cathedral and was built in 1974 above the site where the Dionysos mosaic was found. The museum is currently closed for renovation, but visitors can view the exhibition at the Belgian House, which is a short 2-minute walk from the Neumarkt tram stop.

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. It also serves as an archaeological site, protecting the original ruins of a Roman town villa, with a large Dionysus mosaic remaining in its original place in the basement. This mosaic dates back to around AD 220/230 and was discovered in 1941 during the construction of an air-raid shelter. The museum's inner courtyards are designed to mimic the layout of this ancient villa.

The museum boasts the world's largest collection of locally produced Roman glass, as well as an array of Roman and medieval jewellery. Visitors can also explore everyday objects such as containers, coins, toys, and portraits, providing a glimpse into the daily life of Roman Cologne. The Romano-Germanic Museum is more than just a collection of artefacts; it is a window into the past, offering a lively picture of Roman culture on the Rhine.

In addition to its archaeological exhibits, the museum acts as a research centre. It houses archives related to the archaeology of the city, documentation on historical monuments, and a specialist library containing 30,000 volumes. The museum also exercises archaeological supervision over the construction of the Cologne underground, ensuring the preservation of Roman cultural heritage.

Frequently asked questions