Choose from 7 Fun Things to Do in Cologne
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.
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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.
Schokoladen Museum (Chocolate Museum)
- 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.
Hohenzollern Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke)
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Hard Rock Cafe Cologne
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Cologne Old Town (Altstadt)
- 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.
Main River
Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral)
- 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.