This very ancient cathedral town on the river Rhine is one of the most necessary industrial and cultural facilities in western Germany. Cologne (Köln in German) is well-known for its 12 terrific Romanesque church buildings – specifically the brilliant Cologne Cathedral – all an convenient stroll from the ancient Old Town. Its college is one of the oldest and greatest in Europe.
Cologne can hint its roots lower back to the first century AD, when it used to be mounted as a Roman provincial capital and navy stronghold. In fact, one of its most attractive elements for vacationers is that it retains factors from all the more than a few durations of its lengthy history.
Among its many sights are Roman remains, medieval churches, Baroque palaces, and museums that replicate such numerous topics as its darker instances in the mid-20th century and the a number merchandise for which it is known: fragrances, mustard, and chocolate.
Cologne’s significance in no way clearly slowed, and today, the town stays one of Germany’s most essential cultural centers. To this end, it’s domestic to severa artwork and leisure facilities, alongside with greater than one hundred galleries and at least three dozen museums. It’s additionally a famous vicinity to shop, particularly alongside pedestrian-friendly streets such as Hohe Straße and Schildergasse.
To make certain you make the most of your sightseeing time, be certain to examine thru our listing of the pinnacle matters to do in Cologne.
- Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral at night
Cologne Cathedral at night
Located close to the left financial institution of the Rhine, Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the city’s towering landmark. Officially known as the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Mary (Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus), this beautiful edifice is a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the greatest cathedrals in Europe, it used to be started out in 1248 and is regarded the most bold constructing assignment of the Middle Ages. As brilliant as its 157-meter-tall twin towers is the cathedral’s superb interior, a must-see when traveling this bustling city.
Covering an vicinity of 6,166 rectangular meters, its hovering roof supported with the aid of fifty six pillars, the cathedral is stuffed with treasures. These encompass the 12th-century Reliquary of the Three Kings created via neighborhood goldsmiths; the well-known comfort of the Adoration of the Kings from 1440; and the amazing Treasure Chamber, with treasured objects that consist of historical reliquaries and manuscripts.
Panoramic views from the south tower are reached by using extra than five hundred steps that pass by the cathedral’s well-known bells (ear safety is furnished on Sundays). A range of brilliant English-language guided excursions are available, as nicely as events, which include concert events and offerings (be positive to test for closures prior to arrival).
Address: Domkloster 4, 50667 Cologne
- Explore Historic Old Town Cologne
Historic Old Town Cologne
Historic Old Town Cologne
As you discover the severa historical church buildings and museums of Cologne’s metropolis middle (Innenstadt), you will crisscross the city’s stunning Old Town (Altstadt). In addition to historical church buildings such as Great St. Martin, you will discover your self traversing endless alleys lined with typical historic houses, many now domestic to boutique shops, galleries, cafés, and restaurants.
And with its many exceptional paths alongside the Rhine, you may discover adequate probability to experience awesome views as you diagram your route thru this historic city. You’ll additionally discover your self in awe of the infinite monuments and fountains that beautify the area, alongside with its Archaeological Zone, with its many historical ruins and artifacts.
- Cologne City Hall (Rathaus)
Detail of the Cologne City Hall
Detail of the Cologne City Hall
A specific spotlight of the city’s Old Town place is Cologne’s historical City Hall, the Kölner Rathaus. The oldest such public constructing in Germany, it boasts a wealthy records relationship returned extra than 900 years.
As the focal factor of the ruling training all through medieval times, the constructing you see these days displays a range of one-of-a-kind architectural influences. These consist of the 14th-century fundamental building, the 15th-century tower, and a Renaissance-style loggia and cloister. Even the 20th-century influences are pleasing, as viewed in the atrium.
Other City Hall highlights encompass the Hansasaal, or Hanseatic Hall, with its Gothic figures of eight prophets; the 9 “good heroes” (pagan, Jewish, and Christian); and its sonorous carillon that performs three instances every day.
Address: Rathauspl. 2, 50667 , Cologne
- Hop Aboard a Rhine River Cruise
Rhine River Cruises
Rhine River Cruises
It would be a disgrac
e to go to this lovely metropolis besides viewing it – and its close by river surroundings – from a boat on the Rhine. On a one-hour Cologne Sightseeing Cruise, you may get unparalleled views of Cologne landmarks, consisting of the twin-spire of Cologne Cathedral, the picturesque structures of the Old Town, and the Hohenzollern Bridge.
One of the most popular matters to do in Cologne at night time is the Rhine River Evening Panorama Cruise, a leisurely two-hour tour to see the town aglow with lights. You can revel in the views as you savour regional specialties from a buffet on board the three-hour Cologne Rhine River Dinner Cruise.
To see even greater of the Rhine Valley, be a part of a Rhine River Cruise to Königswinter or spend an complete day exploring the Rhine and Mosel rivers and their charming cities with a hop-on hop-off KD Rhine Pass from Cologne.
- The Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums
The Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums
The Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums
Art fans will prefer to go to each the Wallraf-Richartz Museum and the Ludwig Museum when in Cologne. Housed in one of the city’s more moderen architectural structures, these two great galleries cowl a vast vary of European artwork to view. Of specific be aware are works with the aid of Rembrandt, Manet, Renoir, Leibl, Liebermann, and Slevogt.
The Wallraf-Richartz Museum is mainly robust in the work of the Cologne school, whilst the Ludwig focuses on present day and modern-day painting.
In the equal constructing is the Agfa-Foto-Historama with its shows of images and cameras relationship again to 1840. Also of pastime is Kolumba, the artwork museum of the Archdiocese of Cologne, super for its artwork and antiquities.
Address: Obenmarspforten 40, 50667, Cologne
- NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne
Prison cells at the NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne
Prison cells at the NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne | Adam Jones / image modified
Those with an pastime in existence underneath the Nazi regime and its aftermath will choose to go to the NS Documentation Centre of the City of Cologne ( NS-Dokumentationszentrum der Stadt Köln). This necessary memorial offers an unvarnished account of National Socialist (Nazi) horrors, in particular for the residents of Cologne.
A aggregate memorial site, interactive museum, and lookup facility, the middle – occasionally referred to without a doubt as NSDOK – is set in the true constructing where prisoners have been held with the aid of the Gestapo. Its most chilling ride is getting into the true jail cells in the basement with the writing of prisoners scratched into the walls.
The core tries to put a human face on the results of the police kingdom on each Germans and occupied countries, with man or woman stories. It additionally focuses on the lengthy aftermath of the Nazi technology and the efforts to deliver these accountable for its atrocities to justice.
Address: Appellhofplatz 23-25, Cologne
- Cologne Zoological Gardens
Cologne Zoological Gardens
Cologne Zoological Gardens
Founded in 1860, Cologne Zoo (Kölner Zoologischer Garten) is one of Germany’s oldest zoological gardens. Evidence of its age can be viewed in its pleasant series of 19th-century menagerie buildings, such as its Moorish-style elephant residence and an historical birdhouse (now domestic to chimps) such as a common Russian church.
Other highlights encompass Ape Island with its mock rainforest; a well-stocked aquarium; and an outstanding massive cat enclosure, a biotope habitat the place traveller view the animals via glass except bars. One of the most attractive facets of the zoo is that you can see its records – and attitudes towards zoos – unfold over the years, with modern-day services retrofitted into ancient structures of the authentic menagerie.
- Get a Bird’s-Eye View of Cologne from a Cable Car
Cologne Cable Car
Cologne Cable Car
Since its institution in 1957 as the first European cable auto to go a river – in this case, the Rhine – the Cologne cable automobile has carried hundreds of thousands of passengers. The views are, of course, the massive draw, mainly these of the Old Town and Cologne Cathedral.
For extra magnificent views, a go to to Cologne Telecommunications Tower is worthwhile. Located northwest of Cologne’s Old Town, Colonius, as it is recognised locally, is 243 meters excessive with a brilliant viewing platform and a revolving restaurant. KölnTriangle, a hanging cutting-edge constructing on Ottoplatz, additionally has a panoramic viewing platform.
Address: Riehler Straße 180, 50735, Cologne
- Satisfy your Sweet Tooth at the Cologne Chocolate Museum
Cologne Chocolate Museum
Cologne Chocolate Museum | Rubén Vique / photograph modified
The Cologne Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum) can hint its roots to 1972, when Hans Imhoff received the Stollwerck chocolate factory. What he observed there used to be a rubbish container stuffed with damaged machinery, packaging material, and different remnants of chocolate manufacture. Thus inspired, he commenced maintaining and restoring these as the foundation for the museum, the place famous observe the whole technique from bean to the finished packaged product.
There are interactive displays, collections of molds, vintage chocolate containers and wrappers, plus free samples from the chocolate fountain. There’s even a working manufacturing line the place you can watch candies being made.
Better still, you can even sketch your very own chocolate bar to take domestic with you. Guided excursions are available.
Address: Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a, 50678 Cologne
- Flora and Botanical Garden
Flora and Botanical Garden
Flora and Botanical Garden
Established in the nineteenth century close to the riverbank in Riehl, a northern district of Cologne, Flora and Botanical Garden (Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln) covers 11.5 hectares, with extra than 10,000 species of plants. You can stroll thru this public park to examine about the plants, or truely to experience the lovely and colourful plants organized in formal beds during the developing season.
Open all year-round, the tropical settings of the greenhouses and the Palm House are delightful, some thing the season. Serving as an dependent backdrop to the gardens is The Flora, a historical constructing that hosts flower shows, concerts, and events.
Address: Amsterdamer Straße 34, Cologne
- The Roman-Germanic Museum
The Roman-Germanic Museum
The Roman-Germanic Museum | inyucho / photograph modified
Just a few minutes’ stroll from Co
ogne Cathedral, the Roman-Germanic Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Museum) gives a charming perception into the city’s prosperous archaeological heritage from the Paleolithic duration to the early Middle Ages.
Exhibits of activity are the Dionysus Mosaic relationship from the 2nd century and the 15-meter-high funerary monument of Poblicius from the 1st century, each observed for the duration of excavations in the city. The museum additionally shows different mosaics, Roman glass, home pottery and sculpture, and Roman and Germanic jewelry.
Address: Roncalliplatz 4, D-50667 Köln
- Brühl: Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces
Augustusburg Palace
Augustusburg Palace
In the picturesque city of Brühl, 15 kilometers south of Cologne, Schloss Augustusburg stands the 18th-century palace of the Archbishop of Cologne. Sumptuously adorned and furnished, this charming Late Baroque/Rococo palace is well-known for its superb staircase hall. Other highlights encompass its giant park, used for open-air concert events and festivals.
Sharing the equal park is Falkenlust Palace, constructed in 1740 and an vital section of this World Heritage site.
Brühl is additionally domestic to a number of museums and ancient sites, consisting of one devoted to surrealist artist Max Ernst, as properly as Augustusburg Castle and Castle Falkenplatz. Kids will revel in touring Phantasialand, one of the greatest theme parks in Europe. Highlights consist of a cable car, a Viking boat trip, a monorail, and a replica of historic Berlin.
Address: Schlosstrasse 6, D-50321 Brühl
- St. Gereon’s Basilica
St. Gereon’s Basilica
St. Gereon’s Basilica
Romanesque St. Gereon’s Basilica (Basilika Sankt Gereon) is possibly Cologne’s most uncommon church. It used to be constructed on the website online of a former 7th-century church, which was once itself developed in the twelfth century on a ten-sided domed shape relationship from Roman instances (and nonetheless visible).
Dedicated to Saint Gereon, this visually attractive shape has an surprisingly lengthy choir, and is stuffed with medieval murals, mosaics, and historical relics.
Address: Gereonskloster 2, 50670, Cologne
- Altenberg Cathedral
Altenberg Cathedral
Altenberg Cathedral
Just six kilometers aw
ay from its well-known cousin in Cologne, Altenberg Cathedral, (Altenberger Dom, additionally regarded as the Bergischer Dom) is one of the best examples of Early Gothic structure in the Rhineland. Built in 1259, its richly furnished indoors consists of Gothic stained glass and many tombs of princes and abbots.
Although now not strictly talking a formal cathedral – no bishop has ever sat right here – it earned the title thanks to its imposing dimensions and is special in Europe in that each Protestant and Catholic congregations share it.
Address: Eugen-Heinen-Platz 2, 51519 Odenthal
- The Museum of Applied Art
The Museum of Applied Art
The Museum of Applied Art | Ren Spitz / picture modified
Southwest of Cologne Cath
edral is the Museum of Applied Art (Museum für Angewandte Kunst Köln). One of the city’s “newer” museums – it used to be headquartered in 1888 – MAKK, as it is acknowledged locally, is properly viewed for its excellent series of extra than 100,000 portions of utilized and ornamental artwork from the medieval length onwards.
Other vital collections consist of jewelry, furniture, porcelain, fingers and armor, as nicely as a quantity of fascinating architectural exhibits.
Address: An der Rechtschule, D-50667 Köln