Cologne Airport: Who's Flying In?

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is a large airport in Germany, with direct flights to 30 destinations and 103 airports worldwide offering direct flights to Cologne-Bonn. The airport is served by 23 airlines, including Aegean Airlines, Air Arabia Maroc, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Corendon Airlines, Eurowings, Pegasus Airlines, Ryanair, SunExpress, and Turkish Airlines.

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)

The airport is served by 23 airlines, with Eurowings operating the most routes to CGN. Other airlines that fly to CGN include:

• Ryanair
• Pegasus
• SunExpress
• Corendon
• Jet2
• Air Cairo
• AJet
• Ryanair UK
• Marabu
• Aegean
• Air Arabia Maroc

Cologne Bonn Airport is a convenient starting point for a city trip to Cologne. The city has something for everyone, from museums and historical monuments to bars, pubs and clubs. Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city and is known for its gothic architecture, including the Cologne Cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe. The city also has a contemporary side, with modern design and architecture transforming the banks of the Rhine in the harbour district of Rheinauhafen.

Cologne's historic centre and gothic architecture

The cathedral's construction was inspired by the desire to house the Three Kings' reliquary and to serve as a place of worship for the Holy Roman Emperor. It was built in the Gothic style, emulating the great cathedrals of France. The choir was completed in 1320 and consecrated in 1322, though construction continued until 1560 when it was halted. The cathedral stood unfinished until 1842 when work resumed, and the edifice was completed to its original medieval plan. The towers for its two huge spires give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world.

The interior of the cathedral boasts a wealth of artistic masterpieces, including the 14th-century stained-glass windows in the choir, considered especially beautiful, and the high altar, a massive gold shrine containing what are said to be relics of the Magi. This shrine is considered one of the finest examples of medieval goldwork. The altar in the Lady Chapel features a triptych, 'The Adoration of the Magi', painted by Stefan Lochner, a master of the Cologne school.

Cologne's historic centre also features other notable sites, such as the Roman and Germanic Museum, which houses the mosaic floor of a Roman banquet hall discovered during excavations near the cathedral in 1941. Other Roman remains include a well-preserved 1st-century tower from the earliest city wall, the remains of the North Gate, and a portion of the Praetorium visible in the basement of the restored Gothic Town Hall.

Cologne Cathedral

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, to its original medieval plan, in 1880. The towers for its two huge spires give the cathedral the largest façade of any church in the world.

The cathedral is a popular tourist destination famed for its Gothic architectural masterpiece. It is a Catholic Church and the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and of the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996 and added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of culturally important sites.

The cathedral is open to tourists on working days (Monday to Saturday) between 10 am and 5 pm and on Sundays between 1 pm and 4 pm. Visitors can climb 533 stone steps to a viewing platform about 100 m (330 ft) above the ground, which offers a scenic view over the Rhine.

Bonn, the former capital of West Germany

History

Bonn served as the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990 and was the seat of the reunified German government until 1999, when the government relocated to Berlin. The period during which Bonn was the capital of West Germany is often referred to as the Bonn Republic, in contrast to the Berlin Republic that followed reunification.

The history of the city dates back to Roman times. In about 12 BC, the Roman army stationed a unit in what is now the historical centre of the city. The Latin name for that settlement, "Bonna", may stem from the original population of this area, the Eburoni. In the 1st century AD, the Romans built a large military installation dubbed Castra Bonnensis, or "Fort Bonn", just north of the emerging town. Bonn is shown on the 4th-century Peutinger Map.

During the Middle Ages and early modern period, Bonn gained influence and grew considerably. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the Romanesque Bonn Minster was constructed, and in 1597, Bonn became the seat of the Archdiocese of Cologne. The elector Clemens August, who ruled from 1723 to 1761, ordered the construction of several Baroque buildings that still characterise the city today.

In 1794, Bonn was seized by French troops and became part of the First French Empire. After the Napoleonic Wars, it was awarded to Prussia by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Bonn became part of the German Empire in 1871 during the unification of Germany but remained relatively insignificant in the following years.

World War II and the Bonn Republic

During World War II, Bonn acquired military significance due to its strategic location on the Rhine River. The city was captured by the US 1st Infantry Division on March 7, 1945. After the war, it was in the British zone of occupation.

In 1949, Bonn was chosen as the provisional capital of the newly formed Federal Republic of Germany, despite Frankfurt already having the required facilities. Bonn was selected because it was intended that Berlin would become the capital of a reunified Germany, and locating the capital in a major city was thought to imply a permanent division. Additionally, Bonn was closer to Brussels, the headquarters of the European Economic Community.

From 1949 to 1990, Bonn served as the capital of West Germany, accommodating the federal legislative bodies, executive offices, foreign embassies, and regional institutions. During this time, the city experienced accelerated development and was amalgamated with the towns of Bad Godesberg and Beuel and several small parishes in 1969.

Post-Capital Years

After German reunification in 1990, Berlin became the nominal capital of Germany again. However, a political compromise known as the Berlin-Bonn Act ensured that the German federal government retained a significant presence in Bonn. The 1991 legislation also provided nearly 1.5 billion euros to Bonn to mitigate the impact of the move.

Today, Bonn continues to share the status of Germany's seat of government with Berlin. It is considered an unofficial secondary capital and hosts the secondary seats of the President and Chancellor, as well as the primary offices of six federal ministries and twenty federal authorities. It is also home to the headquarters of Deutsche Post DHL and Deutsche Telekom, both DAX-listed corporations.

Culture and Attractions

As the birthplace of composer Ludwig van Beethoven, Bonn is dedicated to promoting the musical arts. It maintains a municipal orchestra and hosts numerous national and international concerts at the Beethovenhalle, a modern concert hall.

Bonn offers several important cultural and historical attractions, including:

• The Romanesque Bonn Minster, one of Germany's oldest churches, with five towers
• The old village churches of Muffendorf (10th century), Vilich (11th century), and Schwarz Rheindorf (12th century)
• The former Electoral Palace, now the Rhenish Friedrich-Wilhelm University of Bonn
• The Poppelsdorf Palace and its botanical gardens
• The Haus der Geschichte, a museum dedicated to the history of the Federal Republic of Germany
• The Kunstmuseum Bonn, an art museum with a focus on Rhenish Expressionism and post-war German art
• The Bundeskunsthalle, an exhibition space focusing on the crossroads of culture, arts, and science
• The Museum Koenig, a natural history museum affiliated with the University of Bonn
• The Bundesviertel (Federal Quarter), which includes the Post Tower, Maritim Bonn, and the former building for German parliamentarians, Langer Eugen

The city's 86 diverse neighbourhoods

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is an international airport in Germany with direct flights to 30 destinations across 99 cities in 31 countries. The airport is served by 23 airlines, the most frequent being Eurowings, Ryanair, and Pegasus.

Cologne is made up of nine Stadtbezirke (city districts) and 86 Stadtteile (city parts). The old town, or Altstadt, is located on the left bank of the Rhine, along with 230,25 square kilometres of the city. The right bank of the Rhine makes up 174,87 square kilometres of the city.

• Altstadt-Nord and Altstadt-Süd – The old town of Cologne, where you can experience the city as it appears on postcards.
• Belgisches Viertel and Kwartier Läteng – These neighbourhoods are fashion hotspots with a student vibe.
• Eigelstein and Agnesviertel – Eigelstein has a primal Cologne atmosphere mixed with Turkish-Mediterranean influence, while Agnesviertel is a tranquil residential area.
• Innenstadt – Also called the Ring of Cologne, Innenstadt is the city centre and a tourist hotspot. It is home to the Kölner Dom cathedral and the Belgian Quarter, considered one of the most liveable areas in the city.
• Nippes – A vibrant, up-and-coming area with a mix of traditional charm and modern flair. It has a community-focused atmosphere and is popular with families and older people.
• Ehrenfeld – Ehrenfeld has a very artistic, cultural, and alternative vibe, making it a haven for young creatives. It is one of Cologne's most popular residential areas.
• Lindenthal – Home to the Kwartier Latäng nightlife quarter, Lindenthal is popular among students and young professionals. It is also known for its picturesque cafés and bookshops.
• Kalk – Kalk is a working-class neighbourhood with a strong sense of community. It is known for its second-hand shopping, international cultures and cuisines, and vegan food spots.
• Porz – Porz has a village-like feel with river-side scenic views and a peaceful community-focused vibe. It is popular among families.
• Mülheim – Mülheim is a former industrial district that has become a hub for creatives and internationals. It is home to companies in the film, media, and music industries, as well as IT companies.
• Chorweiler – Chorweiler is known for its abundant high-rise buildings and strong sense of community. It is considered an island of creativity and is popular among families and professionals.

Frequently asked questions