Exploring Cologne's Must-Sees In A Day

Cologne is a city of contrasts, blending Medieval structures with areas reconstructed to look as they did before World War II, and modern architecture. The city's highlights include the Cologne Cathedral, the Historic Old Town, and the 12 Romanesque churches. Here is a list of things to see and do in Cologne in a day:

- Marvel at the 157-meter-tall Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a wonderful example of Gothic architecture.

- Visit Museum Ludwig, which houses modern and contemporary works by artists such as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dali.

- Explore the Old Town, also known as Altstadt, with its quaint alleyways, cobbled streets, colourful buildings, and classic architecture.

- Walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge, adorned with half a million love locks, and enjoy scenic views of the Rhine River.

- Visit the Cologne Triangle, an iconic high-rise skyscraper with an observation deck offering a panoramic view of the city.

- Stroll along the Rhine River and admire the famous cable car and boat cruises.

- Indulge in some delicious food and drinks, such as Kölsch Beer, Himmel un Ääd, Halver Hahn, and Reibekuchen.

- Visit the Lindt Chocolate Museum and learn about the history and production of chocolate.

- Explore the Roman Germanic Museum, the Botanical Gardens Flora, and the Kölner Zoo.

- Experience the vibrant nightlife in neighbourhoods like Ehrenfeld and Belgisches Viertel.

Cologne Cathedral

The construction of this Gothic masterpiece began in 1248 but was halted around 1560 and remained unfinished for almost 300 years. Attempts to complete the construction began around 1814, but the project was not properly funded until the 1840s. The edifice was finally completed to its original medieval plan in 1880, a staggering 632 years after construction began.

The cathedral is the tallest twin-spired church in the world, standing at 157 metres (515 feet) tall. It is the second tallest church in Europe after Ulm Minster and the third tallest church in the world. The towers of its two huge spires give the cathedral the largest façade of any church globally.

The cathedral is free to enter as long as a service isn't in progress, and it can host up to 20,000 people inside. For a small fee, you can climb the 533 steps to the top of the South Tower and enjoy impressive city views. 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.

The original liturgical appointments of the choir are still largely intact. These include the high altar, which features an enormous monolithic slab of black limestone believed to be the largest in any Christian church; the carved oak choir stalls from 1308-11; the painted choir screens from 1332-40; the fourteen statues on the pillars in the choir from around 1300; and the great cycle of stained-glass windows, the largest extant early 14th-century cycle in Europe.

Of the many works of art in the cathedral, some of the most notable include the Gero Crucifix in the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which dates back to the late 10th century, and the Shrine of the Magi in the choir, which is the largest reliquary shrine in Europe.

Old Town

Cologne's Old Town, also known as Altstadt, is full of quaint alleyways, cobbled streets, colourful buildings, and classic architecture. Here are some spots to see in the Old Town:

• Grob St Martin Church – a Romanesque church with striking spires and stained-glass windows.
• St Maria im Kapitol Church – an architectural gem known for its beautiful frescoes.
• Cologne's City Hall (Kölner Rathaus) – an impressive building located in the old town area between Rathausplatz and Alter Markt.
• Alter Markt – the central square of the Old Market, surrounded by narrow medieval houses.
• Heumarkt – the second-largest square in Cologne, functioning as a marketplace during the Middle Ages.
• Neumarkt Square – a buzzing centre with the city's biggest shopping mall, Neumarkt Galerie.

The Old Town is also a great place for history lovers and, in some areas, it feels like you're travelling back in time.

Rhine River

The Rhine River is a key feature of Cologne, with many of the city's top attractions lying on its west bank. Here's a detailed itinerary for a day in Cologne focused on the river:

Morning – Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)

Start your day by visiting the awe-inspiring Cologne Cathedral, just a short walk from the main train station. This Gothic architectural marvel is Germany's largest and is free to enter. You can climb the 500+ steps to the viewing platform for panoramic views of the city and River Rhine.

10:00 – Visit Museum Ludwig

Next, head to the impressive Museum Ludwig, which showcases modern and contemporary art by the likes of Picasso and Salvador Dali. It's located adjacent to the cathedral and costs €11 per adult.

Lunchtime

Indulge in some local delicacies like Kölsch Beer, Himmel un Ääd, Halver Hahn, and Reibekuchen. Try the old city for a wide range of dining options, or Früh Am Dom if you want to stay near the Cathedral.

13:30 – Explore the Old Town (Altstadt)

After lunch, head to the Old Town (Altstadt) to explore its quaint alleyways, cobbled streets, colourful buildings, and classic architecture. Visit the Grob St Martin Church, St Maria im Kapitol Church, and Cologne's City Hall (Kölner Rathaus).

14:30 – Walk Across the Hohenzollern Bridge

Make your way to the iconic Hohenzollern Bridge, adorned with half a million love locks. Enjoy scenic views of the river and the city skyline, including the cathedral in the background.

15:15 – See a Panoramic View from KölnTriangle

On the other side of the bridge, visit the KölnTriangle, an iconic skyscraper with an observation deck offering breathtaking views of the city. It costs €5 per adult and is the perfect spot for photography enthusiasts.

16:00 – Go for a Walk Along the Rhine

Stroll along the Rhine River to take in the sights and admire the city from a different perspective. Look out for the famous cable car and the boat cruises on the river.

16:30 – Visit Cologne’s Lindt Chocolate Museum

End your day with a sweet treat at the Lindt Chocolate Museum. Learn about the history of chocolate, watch its production, and even make your own chocolates! It costs €14.50 per adult.

Other Rhine River Attractions

If you have more time in Cologne, here are some other attractions related to the Rhine River:

• Go on a river cruise: Sail down the Rhine, admiring the city's buildings and skyline. There are various cruise options, including lunch and dinner cruises.
• Roman Germanic Museum: Located next to the cathedral, this museum showcases ancient Roman artefacts.

Roman ruins

Cologne has 2000-year-old Roman roots, with ruins still visible underneath the modern city. The Roman city wall was almost four kilometres long and had at least nine gates and 19 round towers. The best-known structure in the ancient defences of the city is the 'Roman Tower', which marks the northwest corner of CCAA (Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium). The 'Roman Tower' is located in the old town, which was the seat of the Roman governor of Cologne. The 'Roman Tower' is also near the Cologne Cathedral, where you can find an arch from the former northern gateway into CCAA.

In front of the western entrance to the Cologne Cathedral, you can find the arch from the former northern gateway into CCAA. The foundations of the gate and part of the defensive wall can be seen in the underground garage beneath the open area beside the cathedral and in the excavation area under the cathedral. A 32-metre-long section of the wall with the 'Lysolph Tower' and a 90-metre-long section of the curtain wall near the Prussian guardhouse next to the Cologne City Museum are also significant.

A 160-metre-long section of the city wall with the remains of a round tower can be seen in the open area between Alexianer-Strasse and Mauritiussteinweg. This leads to the southwest corner of the city wall at Griechenpforte. The city wall then followed the course of a former river, the Duffesbach, down to the Rhine. Another section, 78 metres long and over 6 metres high, is visible on the level of Mühlenbach.

The most important gate facing the Rhine was the Mars Gate (Marspforte), which was demolished in 1545. The name of the gate derives from its medieval name 'Markttor' (Market Gate). At Kurt-Hackenberg-Platz, an underground visitors centre will soon be opened, where a 12-metre-long section with the remains of the harbour gate and a sewer can be seen.

Local food and drink

Cologne's local cuisine is simple and hearty, and it goes perfectly with a cold glass of the local beer, Kölsch. The city's food is known for its menu descriptions in flowery language, which even Germans from outside the city struggle to understand. Here is a list of local dishes and drinks to try when you are in Cologne.

Himmel und Erde

The name translates to 'heaven and earth' – 'earth' is mashed potatoes, and 'heaven' is a chunky apple puree. This simple dish is refined with onions, bacon strips, and slices of fried black pudding, or Blootwoosch in the local language.

Eisbein

Eisbein is a salt-cured knuckle of pork.

Mettbrötchen

This is a bread roll with minced pork. It is a favourite in Cologne and is eaten at any time of the day. The minced pork is raw, which may be off-putting for some people.

Halber Hahn

Translating to 'half a rooster', this dish does not contain any chicken or meat. It is a traditional sandwich that can be found on almost every menu in Cologne's brewhouses and pubs. It is an open-faced rye bun, spread with butter, and topped with thick slices of gouda cheese and raw onion. In the brewhouses, customers are usually given a plate with all the ingredients, and they make the sandwich themselves.

Reibekuchen

Reibekuchen are potato pancakes. They are usually served plain or with apple sauce at German Christmas markets. In Cologne, they are often paired with dark rye bread and salmon in brewhouses, pubs, and traditional restaurants.

Local beer: Kölsch

Cologne has its own signature beer, Kölsch, which is fermented with ale yeast and is light and refreshing. It is served in small 200ml glasses called Stangen. The best way to experience it is by going on a brewery tour or ordering it at a local pub. Some of the city's most popular breweries include Brauhaus Früh am Dom, Peters Brauhaus, Brauhaus Sion, Gaffel Haus am Alter Markt, and Bierhaus an der Salzgass.

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