Choose from 7 Fun Things to Do in Cologne
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Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral)
With its imposing Gothic façade and dramatic twin towers, the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the city’s most recognized landmark. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the magnificent cathedral is one of the most important in Germany and dominates the city skyline.
The Basics
No city tour of Cologne is complete without a visit to the Cologne Cathedral, and most sightseeing tours include at least a photo stop at the famous landmark. Visible from all over the city, it’s possible to see the cathedral on a walking or biking tour, admire the views on a Rhine River cruise, or visit on a day trip from nearby cities, such as Frankfurt.
Visitors to the cathedral can also explore the interiors, visit the Treasure Chamber, and climb the bell tower for a spectacular view of the city.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There is an entrance fee to climb the tower and visit the Treasure Chamber.
- In addition to being a tourist attraction, the cathedral also hosts regular masses, choir performances, and organ recitals.
- While there is no official dress code to enter the cathedral, it’s recommended to dress modestly.
- Most areas of the church are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Cologne Cathedral is located at the western end of Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne Old Town. The cathedral stands right next to Cologne Central Station and can be easily reached on foot from many of the central attractions.
When to Get There
The cathedral is open year-round, but with some 20,000 daily visitors, it can get extremely busy, especially in the peak months of July and August. To avoid the crowds, opt for an early morning or evening visit.
Inside the Kölner Dom
The real highlights of Kölner Dom are inside. Most notable is the Shrine of the Magi, or shrine of the Three Wise Men, containing relics of Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. Visitors can also admire stunning stained-glass windows, the bronze altar by Elmar Hillebrand, and the Gero Crucifix. Visitors can climb the South Tower to take a peek at St. Peter's Bell and view the treasury’s holy relics, sacred artworks, and gold, bronze, and ivory sculptures.
Address: Cologne, Germany
Admission: Varies
From $ 12
Main River
Flowing 527km between Mainz and Bamberg, and passing through 3 German states (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hesse), the Main River is one of the main tributaries of the mighty Rhine River. Running through the heart of Frankfurt, the river is not only the lifeline of the city’s industrial center, but brings with it a steady stream of cruise passengers.
Frankfurt sightseeing cruises are also a popular way to take in the city’s sights, with attractions like Museumsufer (Museum Embankment), Frankfurt Cathedral, Frankfurt’s famed financial district, nicknamed ‘Little Manhattan’, and Europaturm, the city’s tallest building, all visible along the waterfront.
Address: Frankfurt, Germany
From $ 15
Römisch-Germanische Museum (Roman-Germanic Museum)
Part antiquities collection, part archeological dig, the Roman-Germanic museum (or Römisch-Germanische Museum) sits atop the last vestiges of the Roman town villa. In the museum's basement is a well-known Dionysus mosaic, undisturbed from its original installation.
Remnants of Roman architecture, inscriptions, portraits of Caesar Augustus and his ceramics and more piece together the story of Cologne's development from a Germanic tribal settlement (the Ubii), to the Roman Cologne, to the capital of the Lower Germania.
Other highlights of the museum are the 15 meters (50 foot) high sarcophagus of Poblicius, a legionnaire from the first century AD. Like the mosaic and the Roman road outside, this funereal monument was uncovered during excavations in the city. The collection also contains the largest collection of Roman glass, more mosaics and ceramics, as well as the stone, clay and bronze idols specific to various Roman cults.
Tours are available, but the museum is fairly easy to negotiate by oneself. Given the wealth of archeological finds in the surrounding area, the Roman-Germanic Museum is one of the most important museums in the world, and is one of the most popular museums in all of Germany.
Practical Info
The Roman-Germanic Museum was originally part of the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, but it moved east of the building in 1974, primarily due to the difficulty of moving the Dionysus mosaic from its original site. Thus, the architects designed the museum to fit around the Roman ruins.
Address: Roncalliplatz 4, Cologne 50667, Germany
Hours: Tues - Sun 10am - 5pm. Every first Thurs of the month: 10am - 10pm. Closed Mondays
Admission: € 8
From $ 81
Cologne Old Town (Altstadt)
Stretching along the west bank of the Rhine River and presided over by the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral, the Old Town (Altstadt) is both the navigational and historical heart of Cologne. With its colorful old buildings, beautiful Romanesque churches, and scenic riverside promenades, it’s an obvious starting point for any exploration of the city.
The Basics
No Cologne sightseeing tour is complete without a visit to Old Town landmarks like the Cologne Cathedral, the Town Hall, and the Hohenzollern Bridge. Join a walking tour and learn more about the city’s history from your tour guide; admire the views on a cruise along the Rhine River; or explore independently on a hop-on hop-off bus tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Cologne’s main Visitor Information Center is located outside the cathedral in the Old Town.
- There are free Wi-Fi spots located around the Old Town.
- Most of the attractions in the Old Town are wheelchair accessible, but some of the narrow cobbled streets might be tricky to navigate.
How to Get There
Most of Cologne’s main attractions, hotels, and restaurants are located in or around the Old Town, so it’s impossible to miss the neighborhood. The main Köln Hauptbahnhof train station sits just north of the cathedral. From the cathedral, trams run to nearby sights such as the Rheinauhafen and the Chocolate Museum.
When to Get There
Whether you visit during the day as part of a city tour or after dark to drink or dine along the riverfront, Cologne’s historic center is lively at all hours. The busiest time to visit is during the peak summer months (July and August), when attractions like the cathedral can get busy; get an early start if you want to escape the crowds. Alternatively, Cologne is at its most atmospheric during the annual Carnival or over the winter holidays, when the Old Town hosts some of Germany’s best Christmas markets.
A walking tour of Cologne Old Town
Start your walking tour outside the magnificent Cologne Cathedral, then head to the riverfront to see the Hohenzollern Bridge and stroll along the waterfront. Stop to see Museum Ludwig and Great St. Martin’s Church, then head west to the Alter Market, where you can visit a traditional brauhaus (brew-pub) to sample a Kolsch beer. Continue to the Neumarkt, one of the main shopping centers, stopping along the way to see the Heinzelmännchen fountain and the Tünnes and Schäl statues, then visit the Farina Museum to learn more about Cologne’s perfume-making history.
Address: Germany
Admission: Free
From $ 27
Hard Rock Cafe Cologne
Since the 1980s young travelers have been collecting iconic Hard Rock Café t-shirts from far reaches of the globe. In April of 2003, another opportunity to secure serious Hard Rock swag opened in historic Cologne. Tucked into the landscape of one of the oldest cities in Germany—near the Gothic spires of St Peter and Mary’s cathedral—this American staple serves up traditional comfort food and some pretty incredible live music, too.
Travelers can pop in for one of the Hard Rock Café’s famous live performances, or tuck into a juicy burger with an ice cold beer while taking in a truly spectacular collection of music memorabilia. From Eric Clapton’s hallow body electric guitar to Sting’s autographed Fender and Bob Dylan’s black leather Harley vest, Hard Rock Café Cologne showcases some of the best of American food and international music, too.
Practical Info
Hard Rock Café Cologne is located at Gurzenichstr 8, 50667 Koln. The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from noon until 12 a.m. and on Friday and Saturday from noon until 1 a.m.
Address: Gurzenichstr 8, Cologne, Germany
Hours: Sun-Thurs noon-12 a.m.;
Fri-Sat noon- 1 a.m.
From $ 22
Schokoladen Museum (Chocolate Museum)
Opened by local chocolatier Hans Imhoff in 1993, the Schokoladenmuseum (Chocolate Museum) is devoted to Cologne’s chocolate-making history. This fun family attractions lets visitors peek behind the scenes of a working chocolate factory, learn about the farming of cacao beans, and sample delicious Lindt chocolate.
The Basics
A self-guided tour of the Schokoladenmuseum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through the history of chocolate, cocoa production, and chocolate-making around the world. Walk through a tropical greenhouse with live cacao trees, see the chocolate-making process through glass-sided machines, and watch demonstrations by master chocolatiers in the workshop area. Guided tours, workshops, and chocolate tastings are also available.
The museum is a popular inclusion on Cologne city tours, and hop-on hop-off bus tours stop right outside. For the best value, opt to combine your ticket with a sightseeing cruise along the Rhine River, a ride on the Schoko-Express train, or entrance to the Odysseum science and technology museum.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Plan 1–2 hours to explore the Schokoladenmuseum.
- Visitors are required to pass security checks to enter the museum, and large bags and suitcases are prohibited.
- Paid car parking is available at the Rheinauhafen underground garage, just a few minutes’ walk from the museum.
- The Chocolate Museum is fully wheelchair accessible, and discounted entrance is available for visitors with disabilities.
How to Get There
The Chocolate Museum is just opposite Malakoff Tower in central Cologne. It’s an easy walk from the Old Town and a 15- to 20-minute walk from Cologne Cathedral. By public transit, take bus 133 to the museum, the tram to Heumarkt, or the U-Bahn to Severinstrasse. The most scenic way to arrive is riding the Schoko-Express, a tourist train that runs from the train station to the museum, stopping at sights such as the cathedral, the opera house, and Cologne Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten Köln) along the way.
When to Get There
The museum is open daily year-round, although it is closed on Mondays throughout November. As one of the city’s most popular attractions, it can get busy, especially during July and August, when an early morning visit offers the best chance to avoid the crowds. December is an atmospheric time to visit, when the square in front of the museum hosts a lively Christmas market.
Lindt Chocolate
The Schokoladenmuseum is in partnership with famous Swiss chocolate brand Lindt & Sprüngli, and all the chocolates produced and sold at the museum are Lindt—an estimated 880 pounds (400 kilograms) every day. Visitors can sample the chocolates during a museum tour, including a scoop from the gigantic chocolate fountain. Opt to create your own chocolate bars; shop for chocolate goodies at the Chocolat Shop; tuck into house-made chocolate bars, truffles, and desserts; or sip hot chocolate at the Chocolat Grand Café.
Address: Rheinauhafen 1a, Cologne 50678, Germany
Admission: Varies
From $ 12
Hohenzollern Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke)
The waters of the mighty Rhine split Cologne in half, and the city is united across a series of seven bridges, with none more splendid than the spans of the Hohenzollernbrücke, which stretch 1,342 feet (410 meters) across the river in three great steel arches.
This spectacular city landmark is almost as famous as Cologne's twin-spired Gothic cathedral "“ the largest in Europe "“ and was completed in 1911, with four railway lines joining Cologne to cities across Europe. German troops destroyed the bridge at the end of World War II in the face of advancing Allied soldiers but it rose phoenix-like once more in 1948. Today it is both a pedestrian and rail bridge with around 1,200 trains passing over it daily and pairs of equestrian bronzes punctuating both ends.
A curious tradition has recently grown up around the Hohenzollernbrücke; lovers affix padlocks to its sides and throw the key into the Rhine in exchange for eternal love. So far the city fathers believe over two tonnes of extra metal is now attached to the bridge.
Practical Info
For the best views of the Hohenzollernbrücke, take a River Rhine boat tour, available as a daytime hour-long trip or a romantic dinner cruise when the lights of the city sparkle off the water.
Address: Cologne, Germany
From $ 12