On our recent trip around Europe, we spent a few days in Cologne, the fourth-largest city in Germany.

Cologne is spread out over both sides of the Rhine River and has a vibrant cultural scene with many museums, art galleries and a mouthwatering food scene that makes it an interesting place to visit.

We devoted three full days to exploring the city and were able to squeeze in a ton of wonderful spots.

From a historical perspective, I’d argue that it’s one of the most intriguing cities in Germany. 

Cologne was settled by the Romans, who lived along the Rhine River for close to 500 years. The city was later a key player in the medieval commercial and defence network known as the Hanseatic League.

The majority of the city was bombed and obliterated during WWII, so very few historic buildings are left in the city, and those that are standing were rebuilt after the war.

The architecture was quite fascinating as there’s such a juxtaposition between those old buildings and the 1950s-1960s brutalist style of buildings.

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Discovering the best things to do in Cologne

While the world-famous Cologne Cathedral is a must-see, there are many more interesting things to do in Cologne.

Let me show you some of the can’t-miss attractions, as well as the secret places that we discovered along the way.

But don’t forget that the best thing to do, especially on a first visit, is to just roam around through the city centre streets and marketplaces to soak up the ambience.

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 Start by exploring Cologne Old Town

Before you embark on exploring Cologne’s Old Town, keep in mind that it was almost completely destroyed in World War II – the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force alone dropped almost 35,000 tons of bombs on the city.

So, don’t expect rows of old buildings and a charming Old Town like you’d find in many European cities.

Instead, you’ll find endless bars, restaurants, breweries and a lively atmosphere around every street corner, and much of what makes it good requires nothing more than showing up.

Many of the city’s landmarks are located within the Old Town, such as Cologne Cathedral, restored historic houses facing the river and Great St. Martin’s Church with a 75-meter-tall spire.

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Take in the Views from the Cologne Triangle

One of the most popular Cologne tourist attractions and one of our favourite things to do in the city was the Cologne Triangle – an observation deck 29 stories high, perfectly positioned to offer unparalleled 360-degree views of the Rhine River, the city skyline, and the famous Cologne Cathedral.

The building, which is primarily used as an office building, was designed by Dörte Gatermann, a Cologne-based architecture firm, and was completed in 2006.

It is located across the river from the old town, in the Deutz district and is easily reachable on foot by crossing the Hohenzollern Bridge.

Once you arrive and pay the entrance fee, a fast elevator whisks you all the way to the 29th floor in a few seconds, from where you can enjoy the very best skyline views of the city.

The observation desk is enclosed by glass panels, thus protecting visitors from the elements while still offering unforgettable photo opportunities.

• Opening times: Daily, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm; closed during storms or high winds

• Adresse: Ottoplatz , 50679 Köln, Deutschland.

• Admission: Adults 5 Euro, and children up to 12 are free.

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Be in Awe Of the Mighty Dom Cathedral

No bit of Cologne sightseeing would be complete without a visit to Germany’s most visited landmark, the mighty Dom Cathedral.

Standing at 157 meters tall, the cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the tallest twin-spired church in the world, as well as the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe.

The cathedral is a quintessential example of Gothic architecture, and a symbol of resilience and endurance as it remarkably survived bombardment.

While many visitors are on a pilgrimage to see the relics of the Three Kings of biblical fame and catch a glimpse of the largest hanging bell in the world, we visited to marvel at its grandeur – the sheer scale of the cathedral is sure to make you stop mid-step.

We admired intricate stone carvings and soaring spires, and were equally impressed by the cathedral’s interior, which featured expansive stained-glass windows and high, vaulted ceilings.

We didn’t climb the 500+ stairs to the top of the bell towers because the girls were tired, but we visited the Cathedral Treasury for a small entry fee.

When we visited the cathedral at the beginning of June, entry was free for all. But from July 1st, 2026, the Cathedral started charging tourists an entry fee.

• Entry fee: €12 regular, €6 students and Free for children under 14

• Cathedral Treasury: €8 regular

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Walk Across the Hohenzollern Bridge

A walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge is a must-do because not only is it a beautiful and symmetric steel bridge of three arches, it is also a lovely spot to pause for a moment and take in the surroundings.

When built early in the 20th century, it was named after the Royal family of Prussia and was designed for cars, trains and pedestrians. Since its renovation after its WWII destruction, it only carries trains and pedestrians.

The railway bridge connecting the cathedral quarter to the east bank of the river is the city’s landmark that’s weighed down by thousands of padlocks, attached by lovers- a tradition that started in the late summer of 2008 and has not slowed down since.

From the bridge, you can enjoy fantastic views of the Rhine and Cologne Cathedral and feel the deck shudder as a high-speed train passes.

The pedestrian footpath is separated from the rail tracks, and the walk across doesn’t take longer than ten minutes, but we took our time and lingered mid-bridge to take in the views across the river and the classic postcard view back to the Dom.

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Visit Lindt Chocolate Museum

Cologne isn’t just a city of cathedrals and delicious pretzels; it is also a paradise for chocolate lovers.

Originally, we had no plans to stop by the chocolate museum, but once the girls found out about the museum’s famous three-meter chocolate fountain, we initially incorporated it into our Cologne itinerary.

The interactive museum with the well-laid-out exhibits that trace the full history of chocolate from the cacao forests of Mesoamerica through to modern production sits on a small peninsula in the Rhine, within easy reach of Old Town.

The best thing about the museum is the fact that they’re actually producing Lindt chocolate in the museum, and you can see the whole process.

On the second floor, you can see handcrafted chocolates being made and can even create your own unique chocolate bar.

• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

• Admission fee: 17.50 euros for Adults and 45 euros for a family ticket

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Try Delicious Food

If you are a foodie and want to dive into local cuisine, you’ll find a good few tasty options.

As vegetarians, we skipped meat options but still ended up sampling lots of wonderful foods.

• Sweet Pretzel / a yoghurt glaze-covered pretzel coated in almonds with a slightly crunchy texture. It is a perfect thing to grab as an on-the-go snack and costs less than 1.5 euros. We got ours from Merzenich, which is one of the most famous bakery chains in the city.

• Reibekuchen / another delicious speciality, are crispy, pan-fried potato pancakes made from grated potatoes. They are mixed with egg, onion, flour, and fried until golden brown on the outside while staying tender inside. In Cologne and the Rhineland, they’re served with applesauce, but you can also have them with sour cream.

• Kölsch – Kölsch is the city’s own lager, brewed exclusively in the Cologne region, served in a slim 0.2-litre Stange glass. Yes, it’s not food, but it is a must-try when in Cologne. The beer is replaced automatically by the waiter until you until you place your coaster over your glass. Now that’s service.

• Himmel un Ääd – Translating to Heaven and Earth is a combination of blood sausage, mashed potatoes and apples. It is served in Cologne Brauhauses and traditional restaurants.

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Visit Museum Ludwig

If you are a museum-goer, you’ll be pleased to learn that Cologne has its fair share of museums, many dedicated to art.

There’s East Asian Art, Applied Arts, Glass Art, Medieval Art, and Impressionist Art, but the one we liked the best was the Ludwig Museum because it meets the requirements of a great museum.

Not only will you find well-organised and awe-inspiring collections and a unique geometric facade, but also a peaceful haven where you can relax and reflect.

You can also sign up for a workshop, guided tour or simply browse the shelves of the Museum Shop, which is located on the 1st floor.

The museum was originally founded by Peter and Irene Ludwig in the 1980s, who donated their own multi-million-dollar art collection to the museum.

It has Europe’s largest collection of Pop Art and one of the largest Picasso collections in the world. Its modern art is an eclectic selection of artists from the last 125 years, including Dalís, Mondrian’s, Hockney’s, and Klee’s, all under one roof.

• Address: Heinrich-Böll-Platz, a short stroll from the Cologne Central Station

• Admission: Tickets start at  €19.80  and kids under 18 go free.

• Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Closed on Mondays.

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Embark On A Day Trip

If you have more than a few days in the city, I highly suggest a day trip.

Cologne has a fantastic train station and is close to some beautiful German cities like Aachen, Trier, Koblenz, Düsseldorf, Bonn, Essen and Frankfurt, just to name a few.

If you have a hard time choosing which ones to visit, here are a few suggestions:

• Bonn – Beethoven’s birthplace and a very compact, walkable city that can be reached in 20–30 minutes by train

• Aachen – beautiful city with an amazing cathedral, imperial history, and the Carolus Thermen thermal baths for an afternoon unwind. Only takes 45 minutes by train

• Düsseldorf – offers a unique mix of modern architecture, a vibrant food scene and a flashier, bigger bar scene. Better for a more active day and takes 20 minutes to reach by train

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Best time to visit Cologne

Cologne is a year-round destination, but the best time to come to Germany is from May to September.

Just like pretty much any other European city, Cologne gets flooded with visitors during July and August.

• Summer | While Accommodation and travel costs are at their highest during the peak travel months, it is also a time of long, warm days that are perfect for relaxing in the city’s green spaces, beer gardens, and enjoying festivals like Eat Play Love, Summerjam and the Christopher Street Day parade.

• Autumn | In September and early October, the weather is still mild, crowds are smaller, and hotel prices drop, making it a great time to visit Cologne. The second half of October arrives with very beautiful autumn foliage, and by November the weather turns grey, chilly, and quiet.

• Winter | Wintertime is usually cold and dark, with the sun setting around 4 p.m, but for a cosy, festive atmosphere with Christmas markets and twinkling lights, winter in Cologne is unbeatable.  Outside of Christmas, winter’s early nights and wet weather can limit activities.

• Spring | is a mixture of sunny days, overcast skies and rain. But when the sunshine appears, the city wakes up; outdoor patios, city squares and beer gardens fill up quickly. While the first few weeks of spring can be chilly, Cologne comes alive with blooming daffodils and cherry blossoms.

We visited at the beginning of June and found it to be an excellent time to explore the city. We had long daylight hours and plenty of sunshine for being outdoors.

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Getting to and from Cologne airport to city centre

The easiest way to get from Cologne-Bonn Airport to Cologne City Centre is by using the S-Bahn train S13 or S19. These trains go directly to Köln-Hauptbahnhof station.

They depart every 10-15 minutes during the day from the airport train station, and the journey is around 14 minutes.

• Location: The station is located right between Terminals 1 and 2

• Cost: around €3 to €4 one way.

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Final Thoughts: Is Cologne Worth Visiting?

So there you have it – our top recommendations for some of the best things to see and do in and around Cologne.

We loved our time in the city and found it to be  social, lively and absolutely full of energy

It’s a living city with edges, layers, and a charm that reveals itself the more time you spend here.

Catching a glimpse of the Cologne Cathedral alone justifies the trip. 

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Now, over to you!

Have you ever been to Cologne? Let us know in the comments below!

Let us know if you are planning a visit to Cologne and have travel-related questions

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