Not sure what to do in Cologne, Germany during your stay? Here’s a detailed breakdown of the top things to do and see in the city, plus day trip ideas!
Tiny beer glasses with unending refills, rowdy Carnival festivities, a soaring Gothic cathedral, fragrant eau de cologne, and super friendly locals — Cologne, Germany is known for many things, and I can’t choose a favorite amongst them!
When planning a trip to Germany, Cologne might not be at the top of your bucket list. It’s not the prettiest, wealthiest, or largest city in Germany, but I’d argue that it’s one of the most interesting places to visit. With a fascinating history that stretches back to Roman times and lots of things to do in and around the city, Cologne is up there with Munich and Berlin as one of the best cities to visit on any trip to Germany!
In this post, I’ll be sharing the top attractions in Cologne, Germany. Keep in mind that there are lots more things to do in Cologne beyond what I’m sharing in this post, but these are the absolute can’t-miss activities to add to your itinerary.
Table of Contents
Click “show” to see the full table of contents for this post. You can jump around the post as desired by clicking on the individual sections listed below.
A (Very) Brief History of Cologne, Germany
The name “Cologne” stems from the Latin word “Colonia,” which means “colony.” Cologne was actually settled by the Romans, who lived there for almost 500 years!
The settlement was first called “Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium” in 50 CE. To this day, remnants of the ceramics and glass that the Romans manufactured are still being dug up!
The Franks conquered the are in the 450s and held power for many generations. In the 8th century, Charlemagne (King of the Franks, among other titles) made Cologne an archbishopric. This gave the archbishop of Cologne a huge amount of power, and by the 10th century he was facing opposition from the city’s merchants.
In 1288, the Archbishop of Cologne was defeated in the Battle of Worringen in 1288. From that point, Cologne was a free imperial city!
Cologne flourished in the Middle Ages. It was an important member of the Hanseatic League, a medieval commercial and defensive league that operated throughout northern Europe. Cologne’s strategic location along the Rhine River made for excellent trade opportunities and meant that most merchants stopped by the city to sell their wares or purchase goods.
Following the Thirty Years War in the 1600s, Cologne began to decline. Eventually the city was taken by France in the 1790s and later became part of Prussia in 1815, which led to it revival.
Like many important cities in present-day Germany, Cologne was bombed incessantly during World War II. It’s estimated that the city was bombed over the course of more than 260 air raids throughout the war!
Those air raids are the primary reason why Cologne isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing of cities. The city was quickly rebuilt after the war, on a low budget. However, its unique culture lives on and the locals are some of the kindest I’ve met throughout my travels in Germany!
Naturally, this is the briefest of snapshots into Cologne’s rich and fascinating history. I only mentioned the absolute most important events to highlight how the city’s unique culture came about today. If you want to learn more about Cologne, you need to visit!
What to Do in Cologne, Germany
Below are the top attractions in Cologne that you absolutely cannot miss! I highly suggest taking a walking tour or visiting one of the museums, as that’s the best way to learn more about the city’s history. Otherwise here are all of my recommendations for what to do and see in Cologne!
Visit the Cologne Cathedral
No visit to Cologne is complete without seeing the Cathedral (or Dom). The foundation stone of the Kölner Dom was laid in 1248, but the cathedral wasn’t finished until 1880.
Although it took so long to finish, the cathedral looks like it dates back to the Middle Ages. This is because the various builders who worked on the cathedral throughout the years never deviated from the original architectural plan!
The cathedral was damaged in World War II, but it’s been remarkably restored. I took my sweet time wandering around the cathedral — there are so many statues, altars, and one-of-a-kind stained glass windows to admire.
Tip: Note that the cathedral is free to enter, and you can stay inside as long as you like. I’ve visited Cologne a few different times, and no matter the season or time of day the Cathedral is spectacular.
See All 12 Romanesque Churches
In addition to the Cathedral, Cologne is known for its Romanesque churches. There are quite a few — 12, to be exact!
If you’re scratching your head wondering what “Romanesque” even means, it’s an architectural style that’s known for its use of rounded arches, pillars, and columns. The 12 Romanesque churches of Cologne were built sometime between 1150 and 1250.
You likely won’t have the time or desire to see all 12 churches on a single visit (I see one or two new ones each time I visit the city!). However, the three Romanesque churches I recommend visiting are:
- Groß St. Martin (Great St. Martin’s Church) — A former Benedictine church that’s a key feature in the city’s skyline
- St. Andreas — This beautiful church blends the Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles.
- St. Ursula — Named after the Breton princess Ursula. Legend has it that she and her 11,000 companions were martyred in Cologne.
All of the churches are free to enter, making them some of the best things to see in Cologne!
Take a Free Walking Tour
The walking tour I signed up for was the “Classic Cologne Free Walking Tour” with Freewalk Cologne. As the name suggests, this is a pay-what-you-want walking tour that takes you to some of the most well known spots in the city.
I loved this particular walking tour as it was a bit quirkier; the guide covered the basic historical facts about Cologne, and he also discussed the city’s culture, the architecture, and more. Learning about not only the key dates and founders of the city, but also some of the more niche cultural practices — all from a local! — made me fall in love with the city even more.
Tip: Freewalk Cologne offers the Classic tour every day in English and Spanish, Thursdays to Mondays in German, and tours in Portuguese on Saturdays. Make sure to bring cash with you to tip your tour guide!
Visit Some Museums
If you’re unsure what to do in Cologne besides see the Cathedral, visiting a museum is a great place to start. There are many wonderful museums in Cologne, but I’ll limit my recommendations to the ones I’ve personally been to and know are worth the entrance fee.
Wallraf-Richartz-Museum
The core collection of the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum is composed of art from the Middle Ages, Baroque period, and the 19th century.
The Middle Ages collection particularly impressed me. Personally, I find artwork from this era a tad boring (I’m sorry, I can only look at so many “Madonna and Child” paintings).
But the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum does a wonderful job of not only explaining what each artwork depicts, but they also went into detail about why certain colors were used in medieval paintings, why artists never signed their names on the art, and so on. I came away with a better understanding of medieval culture as a whole and was buzzing after I left the museum.
Römisch-Germanisches Museum
The Römisch-Germanisches Museum (Romano-Germanic Museum) houses hundreds of Roman artifacts that were unearthed within Cologne (a lot has been discovered over the years!).
Arguably the most notable artifact on display is the Dionysus mosaic, which was the dining room floor of a Roman noble who lived in Cologne. The museum near the cathedral is free to enter and is definitely worth perusing!
Tip: The Römisch-Germanisches Museum building right by the Cathedral is currently closed for renovations and is projected to remain closed until 2026. Until then, they’ve set up a temporary museum space at The Belgian House (Cäcilienstraße 46). I visited the temporary space the last time in Cologne and still recommend visiting!
Other Museums
There are many museums in Cologne that are worth visiting — I just haven’t had time to see them yet! Some museums I’ve heard good things about but have not yet vetted include:
- Ludwig Museum — Art museum with an expansive collection dating from the early 20th century to present day. It boasts the largest collection of Pop Art in all of Europe!
- Lindt Chocolate Museum — Learn about the 5,000-year history of chocolate as well as how chocolate is made today.
- Farina Fragrance Museum — Museum associated with the oldest fragrance factory in the world that’s still in operation.
- … and more!
Explore the Old Town (Altstadt)
You’ll likely spend the bulk of your visit to Cologne in the Old Town. There is lots to do and see here, but if you’re in a time crunch you can easily walk around the Old Town and see the main attractions in 1 day.
Some of the tourist attractions on this list already fall within the Old Town, such as the Cathedral and a few of the Romanesque churches.
Specific areas in Cologne’s Old Town that you shouldn’t miss include:
- Alter Markt — Once connected with the Haymarket (Heumarkt). The Old Town Hall is located here, and this is also where one of my favorite Christmas markets in the city takes place! There are some beautiful Renaissance buildings here as well.
- Heumarkt — Served as a hay market in the Middle Ages. Impossible to miss the massive statue of Friedrich Wilhem III in the center of the square.
- Rhine Promenade — A great place to sip a beer (or non-alcoholic Schorle!) and chat with friends or rest your feet. You’ll see the city from a different perspective and can also photograph the Hohenzollern Bridge from here. One of my favorite places to visit in Cologne!
Walk Across the Hohenzollern Bridge
The Hohenzollern Bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges in Cologne. It’s the only bridge in the city that wasn’t destroyed in the WWII air raids — alas, it was eventually blown up by the Nazis to make it tougher for the Allied forces to cross the Rhine River.
The reconstructed bridge is still beautiful, though, and offers a unique view of the city’s skyline from the opposite riverbank.
While crossing the river, look for the love locks that couples have affixed to the bridge to commemorate their relationships! Once you cross over the bridge, you can either admire the skyline from there or you can continue on to the KölnTriangle for a bird’s eye view of the city.
Go Up the KölnTriangle
On the opposite bank of the Rhine River and 29 floors up a high-rise building, you’ll find the KölnTriangle. It costs 5 Euros to enter, but the 360º view of the city is worth it!
If you’re in the city for the night, I recommend watching the sunset from the KölnTriangle. (However, this is one of the better known tourist attractions in Cologne so it can get crowded.)
Visit the Flora and Botanical Garden
An underrated attraction in Cologne is the Flora and Botanical Garden. The gardens are free to enter and boast more than 10,000 species of plants.
The gardens are separated into themed gardens, each more eye-catching than the last. This is a wonderful place to visit in Cologne during the spring and summer months when the most flowers are in bloom!
Explore the Belgian Quarter
A walk around the Belgian Quarter is a must when in Cologne! This is one of the cooler neighborhoods in the city, with lots of cafes, boutiques, and pretty streets to discover.
Plan to window shop for an hour or so before grabbing a bite to eat in the Belgian Quarter.
Admire the Old City Gates
Having grown up in the US, it never fails to amaze me that structures from ancient times are still standing. I expect to see ruins or ancient buildings in places like Athens and Rome, but Cologne? I’d never have expected it!
As luck would have it, some of Cologne’s city gates are still standing. The original city wall and gates were built by the Romans during the 1st through 3rd centuries. In the Middle Ages, another (larger) wall was built around the city. There were 12 gates in total, which symbolized the city’s connectedness to Jerusalem, which also had 12 city gates.
There are three surviving medieval city gates in Cologne: the Hahnentor, Severinstorburg, and Eigelstein-Torburg. If you’re looking for more unique things to see in Cologne, track down the remaining city gates!
Drink Kölsch (the Local Beer!)
No trip to Cologne is complete without trying Kölsch! It’s a special kind of beer that’s only brewed in Cologne.
Kölsch is light in color and flavor, almost like a Pilsner. It’s typically served in small glasses (about 200ml) — which is a stark contrast to the liter beer steins you get in Munich at Oktoberfest!
When ordering Kölsch at a bar or restaurant, the waiter will refill your glass automatically until you place your coaster on top of the rim to signal that you no longer need refills.
If you want to try Kölsch while you’re in Cologne, some of the best breweries are: Päffgen, Mühlen, and Peters.
Bonus: See the Cologne Christmas Markets!
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Cologne in December, allow yourself a day or two to visit the city’s many Christmas markets. There are five major Christmas markets in Cologne (plus lots of smaller markets that crop up throughout the Advent season).
I have a full guide to Cologne’s Christmas markets on my blog, but my two favorites are at the Alter Markt and the Heumarkt. These are two of the best Christmas markets in Germany, so definitely visit them if you can!
Day Trips From Cologne
There are many great day trips from Cologne, but my favorites are Brühl, Königswinter, and Düsseldorf. All of these destinations are easily accessible by train and are roughly an hour or less away from the city center.
Cologne Day Trip: Brühl
Brühl is home to one of my favorite palaces in Germany, Augustusburg Palace. Completed in 1768, Augustusburg Palace was commissioned by Cologne elector and archbishop Clemens August. It’s a massive three-story structure that was built in the rococo style.
After visiting Augustusburg Palace, be sure to walk or drive to nearby Falkenlust, a hunting lodge that was also commissioned by Clemens August.
For more details on visiting Brühl, check out my complete guide to this small town near Cologne.
Cologne Day Trip: Königswinter
Königswinter is a short train journey from Cologne and is home to one of the most impressive (albeit phoniest!) castles in Germany. You see, Drachenburg Castle isn’t a real castle — it’s a 19th century mansion that was built to look like one!
Read my full guide to visiting Drachenburg Castle in Königswinter for all of the details and lots more photos. But if you’ve run out of fun things to do in Cologne (as if!) and want to take a day trip, this is a wonderful option.
Cologne Day Trip: Düsseldorf
One day in Düsseldorf isn’t enough time to see all of the city’s attractions, but you’ll get a good feel for the city in that time. Some of my favorite things to do in Düsseldorf include:
- Window shopping along Königsallee
- Explore the Old Town
- See the funky architecture along the MedienHafen
- Dine in the “Little Tokyo” neighborhood
Where to Eat in Cologne, Germany
Cologne isn’t short on good eateries, but there were a few I visited that I can highly recommend. Most of these restaurants were recommended to me by a friend who lives in the city, so know that these places are loved by locals too!
- Cafe Burr — Trendy breakfast spot in the Belgian Quarter. I had the shakshuka, but the breakfast bowls looked good too!
- Cafe Schmitz — Some of the best ice cream I’ve had in my life.
- Caminetto — Delicious pizza.
- Lu — Vietnamese food at a reasonable price.
- Herr Pimock — Another trendy brunch spot. Visit during the work week, as it fills up on the weekends.
- Café Bo — Another solid breakfast / brunch spot.
- Fassbender — Café with a wide variety of baked goods (both sweet and savory).
- Tapeo & Co. — Really delicious tapas (pictured above).
FAQs About Visiting Cologne, Germany
What is Cologne famous for?
Cologne is known around the world for its soaring Gothic cathedral, the Kölner Dom. Entrance to the cathedral is free and I make a point to visit each time I’m in the city.
Cologne is also known for its rowdy Carnival festivities, and the open-mindedness and kindness of the locals.
Is Cologne worth visiting?
YES! Cologne is an underrated city in Germany that is absolutely worth visiting. As I’ve mentioned already in this post, it’s not the prettiest of cities but the history, culture, and attractions are all fantastic.
How many days are needed to see Cologne?
Personally, I thought four days in Cologne was the perfect amount of time, but that’s because I took a couple day trips. If you plan on staying just in the city and don’t want to take day trips, 48 hours should be enough time to see and do all the top Cologne attractions.
How to get around Cologne?
The public transport system in Cologne is great. I recommend buying a day pass or week pass, depending on how long you’ll be in the area. Most of the things to do in Cologne that I mentioned above are within walking distance of each other, but you’ll likely wind up using public transportation a fair amount too.
What is the city of Cologne called in German?
Cologne is called “Köln” in German.
Is Düsseldorf or Cologne better to visit?
Cologne and Düsseldorf are known to have a (mostly friendly) rivalry. Personally, I think that Cologne has a more interesting history and local culture, but Düsseldorf is a little quieter, prettier, and, yes, is wealthier.
The two cities are about 30 minutes away from each other via train, and I highly recommend visiting both while you’re in this part of Germany!
Is Cologne a walkable city?
Yes, Cologne is easy to get around on foot. There’s also an extensive bus and train network throughout the city, and day or week passes for public transportation are fairly cheap.
What to eat and drink in Cologne?
Cologne is known for its beer, called Kölsch. I don’t drink alcohol, so I can’t speak to its flavor, but be sure to try it while you’re there! Otherwise, you can find many of the traditional German foods in Cologne.
What’s the weather like in Cologne?
It’s fairly mild year-round, with the winter being very gray and overcast but bearable. Even if you’re visiting in the summer, pack layers because Germany in general isn’t known for its amazing weather.
Where to stay in Cologne?
I stayed in the Belgian quarter and would recommend it! You’re close enough to the city center that you can walk or take the tram, but the restaurants in the Belgian quarter are better and not as touristy.
Viel Spaß in Köln!
Now that you know what to do in Cologne, I hope you have an amazing visit! I’ve been to the city a few times and always enjoy my stay. If you have any questions about the top things to do in Cologne that are mentioned in this post or about visiting the city in general, leave me a comment below!
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my daily adventures in Berlin and beyond!
Comments & Reviews
I loved reading this, Claire! Your blog is so great, and this post really brought me back to when my family and I lived in Köln. So glad you found Caminetto’s! That was our little family spot and we ate there all the time–we got to be really good friends with the owner (our dogs were best friends haha)
The Kölner Dom remains one of my all time favorite places in the world. 🙂
Thank you so much, Ellie!! I didn’t know you had lived in Cologne, how cool! The city definitely grew on me the longer I was there. I don’t think the Christmas markets will be open this year, but I’d love to return to Cologne around Christmastime 2021. Hope you’re doing well! xx
Thank you so much Claire. Your tips are awesome. My husband and i are planning to visit Cologne on May 2024.. How do you get the day pass and how much does it cost. Is the tickets for the castles expensive and how do i get the tickets.