Explore Cologne's Must-See Attractions In A Weekend

Cologne, Germany, is a city with a 2,000-year history, offering a range of attractions to visitors. With its compact size, it is easy to explore on foot. The city boasts over 30 museums, a UNESCO-listed Cathedral, and 12 Romanesque churches. Here is an itinerary for a 2-day trip to Cologne.

Day 1

- Start the day with a stroll along the River Rhine, admiring the Old Town's architecture, including the Kölner Pegel, a water level meter.

- Head to the Old Marketplace near Cologne City Hall, and explore the Renaissance buildings, such as the elegant City Hall Tower and the Jan von Werth Fountain.

- Take a panoramic city cruise on the Rhine River or a harbour boat tour.

- Visit the Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic-style cathedral with intricate stained glass windows, beautiful artwork, and ornate architectural details. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Germany's most-visited landmark.

- Climb to the top of the cathedral for panoramic views of the city.

- Explore the Cologne Cathedral Treasury, located deep below the cathedral, housing precious objects such as monstrances holding pieces of the True Cross and St. Peter's chains.

- Visit the Museum Ludwig, which is dedicated to Modern Art, featuring Pop Art, Picasso's works, and German Expressionism.

- Enjoy dinner at Gruber's Restaurant, offering modern Austrian cuisine and Asian-fusion vegetarian fare.

Day 2

- Visit the Cologne Chocolate Museum, located on the River Rhine, and learn about the history of chocolate and its production.

- Explore the Great St. Martin Church, one of the 12 Historic Romanesque Churches, with a tall central spire and smaller ones at each corner.

- Stroll across the Hohenzollern Bridge, adorned with love locks, and enjoy the views of the city skyline, including the Cathedral and the Great St. Martin Church.

- Experience the local beer culture by visiting a traditional brewpub, such as Peters Brauhaus, and tasting the local brew, Kölsch.

- Visit the Farina Fragrance Museum, one of the oldest factories for fine perfumes in the world, and learn about the history of Eau de Cologne.

Explore the Old Town

Cologne's Old Town is a must-see, with its cobblestone streets, small squares lined with colourful buildings, shops, and cafes. Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your hotel or in the Old Town, then stroll along the scenic River Rhine, admiring the stunning architecture. Don't miss the Kölner Pegel, a water level meter installed in 1951 to help warn of potential floods.

Make your way to the Old Marketplace near Cologne City Hall, and take in the Renaissance buildings in the area, including the elegant City Hall Tower and the Jan von Werth Fountain. Wander through the narrow lanes and cobblestone alleys, imagining the area as it would have been rubble just 70 years ago following World War II.

The Old Town is also home to several historic churches, including the Great St. Martin Church, with its tall central spire and smaller corner spires, and colourful surrounding houses. Another notable church is St. Gereon's Basilica, one of Cologne's 12 Romanesque churches, dating back to the 11th century, with a unique decagonal dome.

For a break, head to one of the many pubs in the Old Town, and sample the local brew, Kölsch, served in narrow glasses called stanges. You can also try the traditional Halve Hahn, a soft rye roll with butter, tomatoes, sliced onions, and generous slabs of gouda cheese.

Visit the Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral (German: Kölner Dom) is a must-see on your trip to Cologne. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 6 million people a year. The cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996.

History

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 the project was not properly funded until the 1840s. The edifice was finally completed according to its original medieval plan in 1880, with the towers for its two huge spires giving it the largest façade of any church in the world.

What to See

The cathedral is home to the Shrine of the Three Kings, which holds the remains of the Three Wise Men. Other highlights include the intricate stained glass windows, the black marble high altar from the 1300s, the medieval choir, impossibly thin columns supporting the vaulted ceiling, and original mosaic floors.

Practical Information

The cathedral is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. Visitors can climb the 533 steps to the viewing platform, which is about 100 metres above the ground, for a panoramic view of the city. The tower is open from 9 am to 6 pm from March to October and from 9 am to 4 pm from November to February. The last admission is half an hour before closing time. Admission costs €8 for adults and €4 for children, students, and persons with special needs.

Nearby Attractions

The Cathedral Treasury, located deep below the cathedral, requires a separate entrance ticket but is well worth a visit. It houses precious objects such as monstrances holding pieces of the True Cross and St. Peter's chains, as well as examples of Limoges enamels, silk vestments, and illuminated manuscripts.

Museum Ludwig, one of Germany's best art museums, is located just behind the cathedral. It boasts an extensive collection of modern art, including Pop Art, Russian avant-garde, and the third-largest collection of Picasso's works.

Take a boat trip

A boat trip is a fantastic way to see the sights of Cologne. The River Rhine is a defining feature of the city, so it makes sense to take to the water to explore. Boat trips offer a unique perspective of the city, and you can choose from a range of tours, from romantic evening cruises to panoramic sightseeing trips.

The Rhine River is a great choice for a boat trip. You can opt for a one-hour sightseeing cruise, taking in top attractions such as the Cologne Cathedral, the Old Town, and the Hohenzollern Bridge. This trip also includes an informative audio commentary, giving you a deeper understanding of the city's history. If you're looking for a more relaxed pace, you can choose a two-hour evening cruise, where you can see the city's sights illuminated against the night sky. This option also includes a bar, where you can purchase drinks like the local Koelsch beer.

If you're looking for a longer excursion, there is a three-hour boat tour that takes you under the magnificent Cologne bridges and includes a friendly and knowledgeable guide. This tour allows you to explore the sights up close and learn more about the history and culture of the city.

For a romantic experience, opt for an evening cruise. The city lights up in the evening, and you can see Cologne's sights sparkling along the riverside. The Cologne Cathedral, in particular, is a stunning sight, with its green lights reflecting on the water. This trip can be a wonderful way to end your day of exploring the city.

Boat trips on the Rhine offer a different perspective of the city and allow you to see Cologne's attractions from the comfort of the river. Whether you choose a shorter or longer trip, a daytime or evening cruise, you're sure to enjoy the experience and create lasting memories of this beautiful city.

Admire the city's Romanesque churches

Cologne is famous for its twelve Romanesque churches, which are set in a semi-circle around the city centre. These churches, which were built between the 10th and 13th centuries, are unique in the world and are well worth a visit.

One of the most notable is St. Maria im Kapitol, Cologne's largest Romanesque church. Located near the Heumarkt market square, it was founded in the 11th century by a Benedictine abbess, who was also the granddaughter of Emperor Otto II. The church boasts impressive original features, including massive wooden doors with intricate carvings from 1065, stained glass windows, and a plague crucifix from around 1300.

Another must-see is the Great St. Martin Church in the Old Town. This distinctive church, with its pastel-coloured townhouses, has graced Cologne's skyline since the 10th century. After being heavily damaged during World War II, the church was meticulously reconstructed, and today you can still see the transition between the Roman warehouse unearthed underneath the choir and the upper parts of the church.

St. Gereon is also worth visiting. Legend has it that St. Gereon was a Roman officer who died as a martyr, and a church was first built on his grave in 350 AD. Over the centuries, the church was enlarged and amended, eventually reaching its enormous height and being graced with a decagonal roof. The interior is just as impressive as the exterior, with its moody light, medieval murals, and gold ornaments.

Other Romanesque churches to visit include St. Pantaleon, the oldest of the twelve churches, which boasts elaborate decorations and a filigree early Baroque organ; St. Maria Lyskirchen, which dates from the early 13th century and has a beautifully painted ceiling; and the Basilica of St. Ursula, which was built on Roman ruins and features a reliquary decorated with a mosaic of human bones.

Sample the local beer

Cologne is famous for its beer, so it would be a shame to leave the city without trying some. Here are some of the best places to sample the local brew:

Früh am Dom

Früh am Dom is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. The restaurant is located right next to the Cologne Cathedral and offers a variety of regional dishes and its own house-brewed Kölsch beer. The venue features modern rooms, casual dining, and a traditional beer hall. Former President Bill Clinton visited the pub when he was in Cologne for a conference.

Gaffel am Dom

Gaffel am Dom is a restaurant and beer brewery in the city of Cologne, Germany. The menu features regional dishes, a garden terrace, and live music.

Brauhaus Sünner im Walfisch

Brauhaus Sünner im Walfisch is a historic, 1600s beer hall that serves up its own house-brewed Kölsch as well as meaty dishes. It has modern rooms, casual dining, and a traditional beer hall. Former President Bill Clinton visited the pub when he was in Cologne for a conference.

Papa Joe's Biersalon

Papa Joe's Biersalon is a funky bar with a lot of vintage music machines and memorabilia. It's open until 3am every night, and serves up local beers as well as German food. It's an interesting place to visit if you're looking for something different from the other bars in Cologne.

The Corkonian Irish pub

The Corkonian Irish pub is a popular hangout with a varied program and different special offers, every day. It is a truly international bar, with staff that are friendly and patient, making it perfect for big or small groups. The bathrooms need some work but the atmosphere is amazing, with delicious beer and shotjees and wonderful conversation.

Brauhaus FRÜH am Dom

Brauhaus FRÜH am Dom is a Cologne beer hall that is a popular spot for old-world German cuisine and beers. It has modern rooms, casual dining, and a traditional beer garden to the rear. As one of the city's most popular beer gardens, Brauhaus Früh am Dom is perfect for enjoying some tunes and good eats in the sun.

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