Exploring Cologne's Surroundings: A Cultural Journey

Cologne, Germany, is a cultural hub with more than 2,000 years of history. The city has a lot to offer, from its famous cathedral to its charming old town and scenic river views. Here is an introduction to some of the best things to see and do near Cologne.

Cologne Cathedral

The Cologne Cathedral is Germany's most visited tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its Gothic architecture and twin spires. Inside, you will find invaluable art pieces such as stained glass windows from the 1500s and a black marble high altar from the 1300s.

Romanesque Churches

Cologne is home to twelve Romanesque churches from the Middle Ages, including St. Gereon's Basilica and St. Maria im Kapitol. These churches showcase the city's rich religious history and feature intricate architecture, wooden doors, and carvings.

Old Town

Cologne's Old Town, or Altstadt, is a charming historic neighbourhood with colourful buildings, cobblestone alleys, and lively plazas. Heumarkt and Altermarkt are popular squares where you can enjoy the old-world atmosphere and explore the local dining and shopping scene.

Hohenzollern Bridge

This bridge, located near the cathedral, offers scenic views of the Rhine River. It is adorned with thousands of love locks attached by couples as a symbol of their love.

Museums

Cologne has a diverse range of museums. The Romano-Germanic Museum displays artefacts from Roman times, while the Ludwig Museum showcases modern and contemporary art, including works by Picasso and Pop Art icons like Andy Warhol. The Chocolate Museum and the Fragrance Museum offer unique insights into the history of chocolate and perfume, respectively.

Botanical Gardens and Parks

Cologne boasts several green spaces, including the Botanical Garden, with its diverse plant species, and the Flora, a lovely park with a glass palace inspired by London's Crystal Palace.

Cologne Zoo

The Cologne Zoo, one of the oldest in the world, is home to over 700 species, specialising in primates.

Whether you're interested in history, art, nature, or just enjoying the local culture, Cologne has something for everyone!

Explore the Old Town

Cologne's Old Town (Altstadt) is the navigational and historical heart of the city. Stretching along the west bank of the Rhine River, it is presided over by the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral. With its colourful old buildings, beautiful Romanesque churches, and scenic riverside promenades, it is an obvious starting point for any exploration of the city.

As you wander from square to square in the historic centre of the city, remember that three-quarters of Cologne was destroyed in the war. It can be humbling to wander down a cobblestone alley and think that it would have been rubble 70 years ago. Yet the old-world atmosphere still shines through on streets and plazas like Heumarkt and Altermarkt, even among the newer concrete constructions from the post-war period.

Along Am Hof, look for the Heinzelmännchenbrunnen, a fountain from 1899. Here, you will meet Cologne's beloved Heinzelmännchen, gnomes who did all the city's work at night so the citizens could relax (until the gnomes were insulted and left town forever).

The Old Marketplace near Cologne City Hall is also worth a visit. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and admire the Renaissance buildings in the area, including the elegant City Hall Tower and the Jan von Werth Fountain.

Take a boat tour

One of the best ways to explore Cologne is by taking a boat tour along the Rhine River. You can board a boat at the jetties on the left bank of the Rhine at the Hohenzollern Bridge. There are three companies—KölnTourist, KölnDüsseldorfer, and Colonia—that offer panoramic tours of the city. The route most people take is south to the old fishing community of Rodenkirchen, an hour-long 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 dinner cruise to savour local fare with a backdrop of twinkling city lights.

If you're looking for a more comprehensive cruising option, you can book longer cruises that will take you beyond Cologne to see castles, churches, and vineyards.

Visit the Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral is Germany's most visited tourist attraction and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The magnificent cathedral, with its imposing Gothic façade and dramatic twin spires, is an international pilgrimage site. It has held the reliquary of the Three Kings since 1164.

The cathedral is home to a dizzying profusion of invaluable art. Inside, you will find stained glass windows from the 1500s, the 10th-century Gero-Kreuz crucifix, and a black marble high altar from the 1300s carved with niches featuring images from the Coronation of the Virgin.

But the main attraction is the gilded shrine of the Three Kings. This is a triple sarcophagus decorated with 12th-century reliefs depicting episodes from the life of Christ, prophets, and apostles, all by Nicholas of Verdun.

The cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic and Neo-Gothic architecture, making it one of the top places to visit in Cologne.

To see panoramic views of the city, climb to the top. The tower is open all year round, and you can arrange a guided tour of the belfry with the cathedral staff.

Try the local cuisine

Cologne's local cuisine is simple and hearty, and is best served with a cold glass of Kölsch, the local brew. Some of the most popular dishes are listed below, along with suggestions of where to try them.

Halve Hahn

Despite its name, which means 'half a rooster', this dish contains no chicken or meat at all. It is an open-faced sandwich made with a rye bun, butter, thick slices of gouda cheese and raw onion. In brewpubs, it is customary to bring out a plate with all the ingredients, and you make the sandwich yourself.

Try it at:

• Brauhaus Pütz, Engelbertstr. 67, Cologne, Germany, +49 221 2111 66
• Any of Cologne's brewhouses and traditional pubs

Himmel und Erde

'Heaven and earth' is a simple dish of mashed potatoes ('earth') and chunky apple puree ('heaven'), refined with onions, bacon strips and fried black pudding.

Eisbein

A salt-cured knuckle of pork.

Mettbrötchen

A bread roll with raw minced pork, raw onion, salt and pepper. The meaty cousin of the Halve Hahn. If this is too adventurous, try the Kölsche Kaviar, a rye bun with blood pudding and mustard.

Reibekuchen

Potato pancakes, often served with dark rye bread and salmon. They can be found at Christmas markets, usually served plain or with apple sauce.

Erbsensuppe

Pea soup, often served in to-go containers at outdoor events, especially during the Karneval festivities.

Sauerbraten

Marinated and braised meat.

Kölsch and Halve Hahn

If you want to impress the locals, order a Kölsch (beer) and a Halve Hahn at one of Cologne's traditional Kneipen (pubs).

Admire the street art

Cologne is a haven for street art enthusiasts, with talented artists swiftly transforming grey emptiness into eye-popping political statements. The city's Ehrenfeld neighbourhood boasts the highest concentration of large-format murals, with outstanding works by internationally acclaimed street artists like ROA, Herakut, Faith47, INTI, M-City and Interesni Kazki. Fans of smaller-format street art should also check out the community's local hotspots on Heliosstraße, Lichtstraße and Körnerstraße.

Where to Find Street Art in Ehrenfeld

• Embankment around Ehrenfeld station (Gerhard-Wilczek-Platz, Ehrenfeldgürtel)
• Vogelsanger Straße (between Innere Kanalstraße and Äußere Kanalstraße)
• Bürgerzentrum Ehrenfeld, Venloer Straße 429
• Venloer Straße (between Ehrenfeldgürtel and Leyendeckerstraße)
• Kolbhalle (Helmholtzstraße 8)
• Playgrounds between Glasstraße and Grimmstraße

If you arrive by train, you'll be greeted with wall-to-wall murals as soon as you step off the platform at Köln-Ehrenfeld station. One of the most photographed pieces, by Berlin-based artist El Bocho, can be found just outside the station, next to the bike railings. You'll also find a moving tribute to The Edelweiss Pirates, an anti-Nazi youth group hanged outside Ehrenfeld station in 1944.

As you exit the station, you'll see the famous Captain Ehrenfeld mural at the corner of Glasstraße and Stammstraße, just behind the Goldmund LiteraturCafe. Continue along Glasstraße and you'll come across a flock of four-storey-high animals and extinct creatures bursting out of the walls.

Back on Ehrenfeldgürtel, you'll find an eye-catching geometric piece brightening up a residential block. This was created during the CityLeaks Urban Art Festival, which invites artists from around the world to transform everyday buildings and city streets into works of art.

Street Art in Other Parts of Cologne

In addition to Ehrenfeld, other areas in Cologne with notable street art include:

• The street art hub between Aachener Straße and Venloer Straße features an eclectic array of works, including magnificent murals by Tika, Hendrik ECB Beikirch and Sepe & Chazme, as well as small-format pieces by local artists.
• Nippes: Home to some outstanding pieces by the crème de la crème of Cologne's writers, including SatOne, El Bocho, Ripo and Danjer Mola.
• Mülheim: This district on the right bank of the Rhine offers fascinating murals by international street artists like Hense, Axel Void, Franco Fasoli and Ammar Abo Bakr.
• The northern part of Cologne's city centre, including the railway line between the central station and Hansaring station, and the Alte Feuerwache hall of fame.
• Cologne's student district, with murals by Debug Visuals and the Low Bros, as well as small-format gems and mosaic tile aliens by street art pioneer Invader.

Street Art Tours

To fully appreciate the city's street art, consider joining a guided tour. Here are some popular options:

• Street Art Tour Köln Ehrenfeld: A 3-hour bike tour in a small group with a guide.
• Freewalk Cologne
• CityLeaks Tours
• Alternative Cologne Tours

Frequently asked questions