Things to do and see in Cologne

Our German intern Mirja shares her favourite things to do and see in Cologne, her home city. Cologne is a popular destination for river cruises, school trips and also Christmas Markets.

Cologne is one of the biggest cities in Germany but its actually difficult to get lost, because where ever you go,  you can always see the big tower from the cathedral in the centre. The cathedral is definitely worth a visit, but there are so many more typical German things to do and to see, that not many people know who they never been in Cologne before. Here are some insider recommendations, tips and things you should know about the city:

The cathedral

Cologne is famous for its huge cathedral in the city centre and its large towers make it easy to find your way around the city.

Construction of the cathedral took around 600 years. Construction began in 1248 and was completed in 1880.

Entry is free, but it is important to dress appropriately, especially in summer. Do not wear skirts or shirts that are too short and make sure you cover your shoulders. You can also climb the tower for a few euros. Make sure you are up to the challenge, as climbing so many stairs is not easy.

It’s impressive just from the outside and worth a visit, but it’s not possible to photograph it completely. It is recommended to walk over the Hohenzollern Bridge to enjoy the view and take some pictures. It is especially beautiful in the evening when everything is illuminated.

Parks and walks

The Rheingau Park is one of the largest and most beautiful parks in the city. Many locals spend their free time there. It’s in a great location, right next to the Rhine, and easy to reach on foot.

Schlosspark Stammheim is another magical park located right in the city centre. There are some sculptures on display. It’s not as close to the centre as the Rheinpark, but it’s still easy to find and there aren’t many stops on the bus or tram.

The simplest and best way to go for a walk is, of course, to follow the river Rhine. Many Germans go for a walk in the evening after eating out before going home.

Exploring the Old Town

It is also recommended that you visit the Old Town. As Cologne is an ancient city, there are many historic buildings. This part is very colourful, and there are some great alleys to stroll through.

Quite the opposite is the new harbour area. The whole area around it is modern and is known as the ‘New Cologne’. It is characterised by art and architecture that you don’t see every day.

Since they’re not that far apart, you can visit both areas in one day. You can either take a longer walk or use public transport.

Museums

The Ludwig Museum is a good art museum and has a collection of both modern and old art. The Ludwig Museum is home to the third-largest collection of Picasso’s work after those in Paris and Barcelona.

A must for every chocolate lover is the Lindt Museum where you can learn about the entire process, from cocoa bean to chocolate bar. The whole history is super interesting. Best of all, you can sample the different varieties and eat as much as you like.

Shopping

The shopping streets Schillerstrasse and Hohe Strasse are popular. You can find every store you could possibly imagine there. They are often busy and full of tourists.

A quieter option would be the ‘Ehrenstrasse’ which offers a mix of retail stores, boutiques and eateries. You can find many interesting food spots with things you’ve never heard of before.

Guide tours

If you’d prefer not to organise everything yourself, you can book a guided tour and experience everything at a more relaxed pace. Almost every tour you can imagine is available in English.

There are excellent tours introducing you to the city and its history. You can take them by bike or on foot. Other options include a beer tasting and brewery tour or street art tours.

It’s worth finding out exactly what interests you, reading the reviews and comparing prices, because there are many similar tours from different providers.

Food and drinks

Germany is famous for its wide variety of breads. Schwarzbrot, or black bread, is particularly popular in the Cologne area. It’s not like normal bread. If you would like to try it, Bäckerei Zimmermann, an old traditional bakery, offers it.

It’s well worth visiting a typical German restaurant. Himmel un Ääd, for example, is a hearty dish of mashed potatoes, apples and blood sausage that is often found in Cologne. But don’t worry, there are many more ‘normal’ German dishes that sound better, such as Sauerbraten or Currywurst.

‘Kölsch’ is the Cologne beer. When you drink it in a brewery, you usually get a 0.2-litre glass, which they refill until you put the beer mat on it, it’s an important part of German hospitality.

Seasonal activities

The Germans celebrate Carnival in a big way, especially in Cologne. It’s a little different to the Brazilian carnival, but the basic principle is the same. It lasts for one week in February or March. The streets are packed, and everyone dresses up for the parades with their decorated floats, and all Cologne residents look forward to this time of year.

The Christmas markets in Cologne are beautiful and have a very special atmosphere in winter. They usually start in mid-November and last until Christmas. The most well-known market is located right by the cathedral. With the cathedral, snow and all the stalls, it creates an incredible Christmas feeling. Another great market is located right next to the harbour.

We hope you these tips for things to do and see in Cologne useful, specially if you are embarking on a Rhine River Cruise or joining our Christmas Markets Escorted Tour.

Cologne is also a popular destination for school trips to Germany, see our fantastic Rhineland School Trip.