Cologne Germany Travel Guide: Top Things to Do in the city

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I’m going to guess that you’ve landed here because you wondered, “Is Cologne, Germany, worth visiting?” Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Cologne, nestled along the beautiful Rhine River, is a hidden treasure in the western part of Germany.

With its beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site (cathedral), lively arts scene, and fascinating history, Cologne has something for everyone to enjoy.

Fortunately, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting it once (2022) and truly enjoyed it.

In this post, I’ll show you some of the best things to do in the city, amazing places to eat, and a few travel tips to prepare for your trip to this historic city.

This guide only covers the fun things we did on the trip.

You can add or remove any of the suggested activities to suit your needs.

Now you’re ready to see the best of Cologne: the city of art, culture, and, of course, Cologne.

A woman smiling and walking in front of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. She is wearing a straw hat, a green sleeveless top, denim white shorts, and white sneakers, holding a small black bag. The towering Gothic architecture of the cathedral forms a striking backdrop, with other visitors scattered across the open plaza under a vibrant blue sky.

Table of Contents

What is Cologne Best Known For?

Cologne (or Köln, as the locals call it) is perhaps most famous for its stunning Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), a UNESCO World Heritage Site that towers over the city with breathtaking Gothic architecture. But there’s more!

Cologne Christmas Markets: If you plan to visit in December, you’ll find yourself with plenty of delightful options at the magical markets scattered throughout the city. See the details of various Christmas markets for this year (2024)

Carnival: If you come here in February or March, prepare for one of Europe’s most colourful and energetic street celebrations

Eau de Cologne: Yes, this is where the famous fragrance originated. Don’t forget to visit the Farina Fragrance Museum for a taste of history. A heads-up: the museum is only open during organised tours. Please explore the additional benefits included with the ticket here.

This image shows the Gothic Cologne Cathedral with its two towers and highly crafted spires against a beautiful blue sky. The dark stone front has intricate carvings and big pointed-arch windows. In the centre, there are modern brick and glass buildings that frame the building. The contrast between the modern and old features is mellowed by lush green trees. — *A view of the Cologne Cathedral’s Two Towers*

When to Visit Cologne?

Cologne is a year-round destination, but certain times stand out:

December: the renowned Christmas markets in Germany draw a lot of travellers, and Cologne is no different

Spring (March to May): Great for those nice, mild days when there aren’t too many people around. We went at the end of July 2022, and it was just right in terms of crowds

Carnival Season: The city gets buzzing with parades, costumes, and a ton of fun

How Do I Get to Cologne?

Cologne shares borders with Belgium and the Netherlands. Thanks to Germany’s efficient transport network, Cologne is a well-connected city that is accessible by train, plane, or car.

By Train

We chose to travel to Cologne by rail, which took roughly 30 minutes from Düsseldorf (via Brussels, where we spent a few days).

Book your train or bus ticket to Cologne here! 👇🏽

By Plane

Cologne has an airport, and from the city centre, it’s just a quick train or taxi ride. Also, Eurowings’s headquarters are in Cologne.

This means that there are many low-cost airline flights from Cologne Airport to many places in Europe, including popular travel destinations and big cities.

River Cruise/Boat

The Rhine River runs alongside Cologne. So, you can also take a river cruise or a regional boat to go to Cologne if you’re planning a cruise journey around Europe.

An aeroplane is on the ground at the airport, getting ready to take off.

Top Things to Do in Cologne, Germany

We had no packed itinerary for our visit to Cologne because it was the last city of our multi-city trip, which also included Bruges, Brussels, and Düsseldorf.

We decided to take it easy and explore, as we were already exhausted. Here is everything we did, and I’d recommend it!

A person in a vibrant red dress and straw hat stands on a cobblestone street, gazing at the grand Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The towering Gothic-style twin spires dominate the scene, with detailed stone carvings and arched windows. Surrounding the cathedral are a few buildings, parked cars, and pedestrians exploring the area under a bright blue sky.

1. Marvel at Cologne Cathedral (For FREE!)

The Cologne Cathedral is a breathtaking example of Gothic architecture that soars into the sky with towering spires and detailed dark stone carvings that make it feel like something out of a fairytale.

It is impossible to miss: as soon as you step out of the train station, it’s right there, welcoming you with its breathtaking views!

A beautiful view of the exterior gothic structure.

Interior view of a large Gothic cathedral with high ceilings, colourful stained-glass windows, and detailed decorations. The altar has flowers, and statues line the walls.

Cologne Cathedral is not only a major attraction but also the biggest cathedral in Northern Europe. To learn more about this masterpiece, book the Cologne Cathedral and Old Town trip now!

PRO TIPS:

⏰ The Cologne Cathedral is open every day from 6 am to 8 pm. Opening times may change based on events happening in the city. It is also one of the main attractions, so arrive early to take in its complex layout in peace.


🎟️ Entry to the cathedral itself is free, but if you wish to climb the cathedral tower, then you may have to pay a small fee. Check current prices on the Cologne Cathedral website and other details.

🎄 Christmas markets and popular concerts often take place in the area surrounding the cathedral.

🎤 During our visit to Cologne, we were fortunate enough to see a free live performance by Tom Jones outside the cathedral. 

Well, we were able to hear him perform but couldn't see him due to the presence of crowd control barriers.

If you want to know what concerts or events will be taking place during your visit, I recommend checking out the Lanxess Arena's official website. They put up calendars and schedules for future events up to a year in advance.

This image shows a happy woman sitting in a train-looking machine made just for virtual reality, right before she starts a tour of virtual reality time travel.

2. Take the Cologne Virtual Reality (VR) Tour

We couldn’t resist trying the Cologne Virtual Reality (VR) Tour. And let me tell you—it didn’t disappoint!

The tour takes you back in time, showing Cologne’s rich history and its most beloved tradition: Carnival. It felt like stepping into a time machine.

The VR experience brought historical moments to life in such a fun and interactive way. For a first-time visitor, it serves as an ideal introduction to Cologne’s cultural heritage.

Plus, learning about the origins of Carnival through this immersive format made it way more exciting than reading about it in a guidebook.

At just €19 per person, it’s worth it. Whether you’re travelling solo or with friends, this tour is a fantastic way to kick off your Cologne adventure.

Look through this tour. It’s a combination of entertainment, history, and enjoyment. And if you think it sounds like something you’d like to do, you can buy tickets here!

3. Explore the Old Town

Get lost and take a stroll around the lovely cobblestone streets, which are dotted with charming beer halls and colourful architecture. Take the time to see the famous love locks on the Hohenzollern Bridge. We missed it.

A view of the old town square in Cologne, featuring a prominent statue of a man on a horse in the centre, surrounded by historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and people sitting and walking. — *Old Town Cologne*

4. Cruise Along the Rhine River

A leisurely boat cruise provides a distinctive viewpoint of the city and its sites. Take a one-hour sightseeing cruise on the Rhine River, unwind, and take in the panorama.

During our visit, the prices ranged from €16 to €26, and onboard snacks and beverages were available for purchase.

Boats on the Rhine River with a view of the Old Town and cathedral. — *View of the old town & Cathedral from the boat tour.*

The Rhine River Christmas Afternoon Cruise might be fun for people who are going to Cologne in December.

Since it’s during the holiday season, they might sell out because Germany is quite busy around Christmas. So make sure you purchase your ticket.

5. Hop on the city bus tour

This is how we like to see and learn about cities in a lazy way. Particularly if you don’t have much time in a city, taking a guided tour is a must when visiting Cologne.

A few tour bus companies operate in the city. The buses follow a set path and stop at important landmarks where people can get off and get back on whenever they want.

The Hohenzollern Bridge, Cologne Cathedral (where it starts and ends), the Belgian Quarter, and the Roman-Germanic Museum are popular hop-on, hop-off Cologne stops.

People on an upper dock of a hop-on hop-off bus are listening to an audio guide while the bus moves slowly.

The tour we took was with Cologne CityTour. We saw many interesting parts of Cologne on the ride across the Hohenzollern Bridge to Deutz.

We might not have been able to see those parts if we hadn’t taken the hop-on bus. The Cologne Triangle and Lanxes Arena are among the attractions in this modern, diverse neighbourhood.

There seemed to be a wide range of museums, theatres, and bars in the area. If you have enough time in the city, I’d also advise exploring Deutz without taking the hop-on bus.

You can pre-book the same bus tour here! 👇🏽

Where to stay in Cologne, Germany?

For easy access to public transportation, I suggest staying near the cathedral in the city centre. Just outside the train station is the Wyndham Köln Hotel, where we stayed.

From the hotel, we were able to stroll to most of the city’s attractions. Other than arriving and departing, we didn’t use public transport very frequently.

Since we walked practically everywhere, this hotel was a convenient place for us to stay, and it also helped us save money on transportation.

A happy woman standing in front of the mirror inside the Cologne Wyndham hotel room.

Night view of Cologne train station with lights and the Cologne Cathedral in the background, seen from the Wyndham hotel.

In addition to being spacious, the hotel room had a beautiful view of the cathedral.

Generally, Cologne offers reasonably priced lodging; during the offseason, you can find hotels in the city centre for less than €300 for three nights.

Check your stay options below! 👇🏽

Places to Eat in Cologne

Cologne has a surprising number of diverse places to eat. Where you eat depends on how you like to travel and your budget.

However, if you’re curious about the restaurants we enjoyed during our trip and found worthwhile, here are a few recommendations.

1. Angelo Trattoria Enoteca: I enjoyed their bolognese pasta and amazing wine. This place is small but quite charming, and it’s not too close to the loud old-town restaurants.

It is in Altstadt-Nord, an area that is mostly quiet but has lovely streets, small shops, and a lively vibe. So, remember to explore the area.

A plate of bolognese pasta, taken at Angelo Trattoria restaurant in Cologne.

A person holding a glass of white wine, a photo taken at Angelo Trattoria restaurant in Cologne.

2. Rheinzeit: It’s a classic German restaurant and pub. Here, we only had drinks. It has a lovely terrace seating area, and you can people-watch as well as enjoy the lights that shine against the busy riverbank of Cologne.

The atmosphere here feels like a welcome invitation to relax after a day of exploring. It is the type of place where you would find yourself wanting to stay for a while when it is less busy.

A couple is making a toast on the terrace of the Rheinzeit restaurant in Cologne, with one person holding a glass of white wine and the other holding a glass of red wine.

3. El Chango: My favourite, and well worth the cost! On our last day in the city, we had a late lunch here, and we quite appreciated it.

The excellent reviews drew us here, and they did not disappoint. I was a little put off by the lengthy queue to enter when we first arrived.

A happy couple making a toast at the El Chango restaurant while they wait for their lunch. Each of them is holding a glass of sangria.

To be honest, I was expecting El Chango to be one of those overhyped tourist traps, but I was wrong. You’ll feel like you’re in a cosy Argentine getaway as soon as you walk into El Chango.

The warm wooden tables, dim lighting, and walls with tango-inspired art and rustic charm make you feel right at home.

The atmosphere is just as welcoming as the steaks sizzling off the grill. I’d truly recommend it!

A happy woman is looking down at the tasty food that was just brought to her table at a restaurant.

A restaurant has steaks on a table that are sizzling off the grill.

Tips for Planning your trip Cologne, Germany

There are undoubtedly a lot of travel tips to help plan your trip, but I believe the following are worth pointing out:

You may find Cologne to be a bit unclean, but that’s just part of its charm. Everybody has a unique travel experience. A true traveller, however, will always find beauty in every city

Sundays are referred to as “Ruhetag” or “Day of Rest” in Germany. Many stores, including some supermarkets and certain restaurants, remain closed on Sundays. So if you’re only going to be there for one day, don’t plan your trip for a Sunday

Don’t forget to bring comfy shoes. It’s likely that you will walk more than using public transportation

Exterior view of the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany.

Final thoughts: Is Cologne, Germany, worth visiting?

Absolutely! But it depends on how you like to travel. If you’d like to learn about another German city that was badly damaged during World War II but was rebuilt and has wonderful high Gothic architecture, then I’d advise making at least one trip to Cologne.

After seeing Düsseldorf on my first trip to Germany, I must say that Cologne was a far better place to visit.

But Cologne is not a destination you want to return to time and again. I hope this guide helped you learn more about going to Cologne.

Is Cologne, Germany, Worth Visiting? A Guide to Top Things to Do

What is Cologne Best Known For?

When to Visit Cologne?