Explore The Best Places Near Cologne

Cologne, Germany, is a city with a rich history and a diverse range of attractions. From its ancient Roman roots to its modern architecture, there is something for everyone within and around the city.

The city is renowned for its twelve Romanesque churches, including the magnificent Cologne Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city also boasts impressive museums, such as the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, the Ludwig Museum, and the Chocolate Museum.

For those seeking a relaxing day out, the Carolus Thermen in Aachen offers bathhouses and saunas, while the Botanical Gardens Flora provide a tranquil escape.

If you're looking for a day trip, nearby towns such as Bonn, Düsseldorf, and Brühl offer historical sites, charming old towns, and beautiful natural scenery.

Cologne has something for everyone, whether you're interested in history, culture, nature, or simply relaxing and indulging in the local cuisine and beverages.

Cologne's Old Town

The Old Town is situated on the banks of the Rhine and is home to some of Cologne's most famous landmarks, including the Gothic-style cathedral, the 16th-century Town Hall, and the Romanesque Groß St. Martin Church. The area also boasts several museums, including the Roman-Germanic Museum and the Museum Ludwig.

For those interested in history, the Old Town offers a glimpse into the past with sites such as the Archaeological Zone, the Old St. Alban Memorial, and the Stapelhaus. The quaint yet impressive houses are quintessentially German and worth exploring. The area is also known for its lively bars, pubs, and restaurants, making it a great place to enjoy local food and drinks.

Cologne Cathedral

The cathedral is 157 metres tall and covers almost 8,000 square metres of floor space, with a capacity of over 20,000 people. It was constructed using 300,000 tonnes of stones and is made of different types of stone, including trachyte and sandstone. Many sculptures and canopies are made of limestone.

The cathedral is usually open from 6 am to 8 pm, and admission is free. However, there is a specific dress code that visitors must adhere to, and luggage restrictions apply. Visitors can climb the 533 steps to the top of the tower for a wonderful view of the city. The tower is open from 9 am to 6 pm during the summer months and from 9 am to 4 pm during the winter months. The cost to climb the tower is €8 for adults and €4 for children, students, and persons with special needs.

Boat Trip on the Rhine

Viewing Cologne from the Rhine River gives a unique perspective of the city's sights, panorama and atmosphere. The sparkling lights of the city reflect in the gentle rhythm of the swirling water, with Cologne Cathedral lighting up green in the evening hours.

There are many boat tours to enjoy from the Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge landing stage or Cologne's Old Town. These include:

• Romantic evening cruises
• Panoramic cruises with a view of Cologne's sights, with interesting facts about the city's history and its people
• Musical or event tours
• Round trips to the Crane Houses, past the Chocolate Museum
• Day trips to small neighbouring towns, down to the picturesque Siebengebirge hills

Tour Operators

Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) is the largest operator of day cruises and pleasure boats on the Rhine River in Germany. They offer many roundtrip panorama cruises in both Cologne and Düsseldorf, as well as cruises from Bonn to Linz. Cruises between Cologne and Düsseldorf are fairly rare.

Other cruise lines such as Kölntourist also offer roundtrip cruises from Cologne.

Tickets

Online ticket reservations can be cumbersome, but it is usually easy to buy tickets from ticket kiosks or when boarding boats. Only special event cruises require advance reservations.

Cruise prices are currently around €17 for one-hour panorama cruises and €25 for two-hour cruises. Cologne to Linz is €58 (€64 return) and Bonn to Linz is €24 (€27 return). Returns are almost free.

Show a train or bus ticket when buying boat tickets – KD usually gives a 20% discount on the cruise.

Flora and Botanical Garden

The Flora and Botanical Garden in Cologne is a tranquil botanical retreat boasting a diverse array of global flora, serene picnic spots, and a charming outdoor café. The garden is home to about 12,000 plant species from all over the world, including cacti, plant houses, and trees such as the cedar of Lebanon, which is said to be the queen of all plant species. The garden features many different styles, such as English landscape, Italian Renaissance, and French Baroque gardens. Visitors can stroll along shaded arcades, past waterfalls, ponds, springs, and a fountain, and visit the alpine plantings, the iris garden, and the lily garden. The camellia collection, with over 500 plants representing 400 species, is also noteworthy. The garden is always worth a visit, regardless of the season or time of day, and admission is free of charge.

The Flora and Botanical Garden has a rich history. It was created by the influential 19th-century landscape gardener Peter Joseph Lenné and opened to the public in 1864. The garden is located in the Riehl district of Cologne, and before that, there was an old botanical garden next to the Cathedral that was cleared away in the 1850s to make room for the construction of the city's main railway station. A joint-stock company was established to finance the construction of the new Flora, with Queen Augusta, the wife of the King of Prussia, becoming its official patron.

The garden is easily accessible by public transport, with tram line 18 stopping at Zoo/Flora and tram line 16 stopping at "Kinderkrankenhaus". It is also within walking distance from the Cologne Hauptbahnhof. However, dogs are not allowed in the garden, and there is a ban on picnics and cycling.

Brühl

The picturesque town of Brühl is located just 15 kilometres south of Cologne and is home to the stunning Schloss Augustusburg, a Late Baroque/Rococo palace that served as the home of the Archbishop of Cologne. The palace is renowned for its magnificent staircase hall, as well as its large park, which is often used for open-air concerts and festivals.

For those travelling with children, Brühl offers Phantasialand, one of the largest theme parks in Europe. Attractions include a cable car, a Viking boat trip, a monorail, and a reproduction of old Berlin.

Frequently asked questions