Travel guide · Germany
Cologne travel guide
Gothic cathedral, Kölsch brewhouses and Germany's wildest carnival
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Cologne's twin-spired Gothic cathedral stands right next to the main station, so most visitors step out of the train and straight into the city's defining sight. Around it lie two thousand years of history, from Roman foundations and twelve Romanesque churches to major art museums, all within walking distance along the Rhine. The city is famously sociable: Kölsch beer is served in small glasses in old brewhouses, and carnival takes over the streets every February or March. Plan 2 days for a first visit; the best months are May–September and December.
Key facts
- Country
- Germany
- Best time to visit
- May–September and December
- Ideal stay
- 2 days
- Main airports
- CGN, DUS
- Mid-range daily budget
- $150–$260 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Cologne Cathedral, Kölsch beer, Carnival and Hohenzollern Bridge
Why visit Cologne
- Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, took more than 600 years to finish and its south tower can be climbed for views over the Rhine.
- Museum Ludwig, the Wallraf-Richartz Museum and Kolumba cover art from medieval altarpieces to Pop Art within a few hundred metres of the cathedral.
- Traditional brewhouses serve Kölsch in 0.2-litre glasses, replaced automatically until you cover your glass with a beer mat.
- Cologne Carnival, from 11 November to the Rose Monday parade, is one of Europe's biggest street festivals.
- Bonn, Düsseldorf, Aachen and the Brühl palaces are all under an hour away by train.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Religious site · Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral
Begun in 1248 and finished only in 1880, the Gothic cathedral has twin spires of about 157 metres and one of the largest church façades in the world.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Landmark · Cathedral
Hohenzollern Bridge
Trains rumble across this steel-arched railway bridge between the cathedral and Deutz, while the footpaths on either side are covered in tens of thousands of love padlocks.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Couples
- Views
- After dark
Gallery · Cathedral
Museum Ludwig
Next to the cathedral, Museum Ludwig is one of Europe's leading modern-art museums, with a large Picasso collection, Russian avant-garde works, German Expressionists and one of the most important Pop Art collections outside the United States, including Warhol and Lichtenstein.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Viewpoint · Cathedral
Cathedral south tower climb
A narrow spiral staircase of 533 steps climbs the south tower to a viewing platform about 100 metres up, passing the belfry with the huge St.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Active
- Photo spot
Gallery · Old Town
Wallraf-Richartz Museum
The city's oldest museum covers European painting from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century, with the gold-ground altarpieces of the medieval Cologne School, Rubens and Rembrandt, and a strong collection of Impressionists and Post-Impressionists.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
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Neighbourhood · Old Town
Old Town and Alter Markt
The Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares, the historic City Hall with its Renaissance loggia and the lanes running down to the river form Cologne's old town.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Photo spot
Where to stay
Cathedral and Hauptbahnhof is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and solo travellers
Cathedral and Hauptbahnhof
The Dom, the main station and the start of the Hohe Straße shopping street
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife and couples
Old Town (Martinsviertel)
Narrow lanes, brewhouses and colourful gabled houses facing the Rhine
$$$ · Best for shopping, food lovers, nightlife and couples
Belgian Quarter
Boutiques, cafés and bars on streets named after Belgian cities
$ · Best for nightlife, budget, food lovers and solo travellers
Ehrenfeld
Former industrial district of street art, clubs and international food
What to eat
- Kölsch — Cologne's pale, light top-fermented beer is served in slim 0.2-litre glasses called Stangen.
- Halve Hahn — Despite the name ('half a chicken'), this is a rye roll with a thick slice of Gouda-style cheese, mustard and onion rings, a classic beer snack.
- Heaven and earth — Mashed potato ('earth') mixed with apple sauce ('heaven'), served with fried black pudding and caramelised onions.
- Rhineland sauerbraten — Beef marinated for days in vinegar and spices, then braised and served in a sweet-sour sauce thickened with raisins and gingerbread, with red cabbage and potato dumplings.
- Potato pancakes — Grated potato fried into crisp pancakes, served with apple sauce, on dark bread or with smoked salmon.
- Cologne caviar — Thick slices of Flönz, the local blood sausage, served with raw onion rings, mustard and a rye roll; a joke name for a beloved beer snack.
When to go
The best time to visit Cologne is May to September, when the Rhine promenade, beer gardens and summer events are in full swing. Late November and December are popular for Christmas markets, and carnival week in February or March is a unique experience if you enjoy crowds. Check the trade-fair calendar, as big fairs raise hotel prices.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Mild, changeable weather and blossom along the river, with carnival in some years. |
| Summer | June–August | Warm days, riverbank evenings, Pride and big fairs; the busiest time outside carnival and Christmas. |
| Autumn | September–November | Settled September, autumn colour, then the carnival season opening on 11 November and the first Christmas markets. |
| Winter | December–February | Christmas markets in December, quiet January, and street carnival in February or early March. |
Getting there and around
Cologne Bonn Airport is about 15 km south-east of the centre; S-Bahn and regional trains reach Köln Hauptbahnhof in about 15 minutes. Düsseldorf Airport is about 45–60 minutes away by direct train.
Cologne's centre is compact: the cathedral, old town, museums and Rhine promenade are all within a 15-minute walk of the main station. KVB trams and Stadtbahn lines, S-Bahn and buses cover the rest.
Plan your days
One day covers the cathedral, the old town, the Hohenzollern Bridge and an evening in a brewhouse. Two days adds Museum Ludwig, the Chocolate Museum and the Belgian Quarter; a third day allows a trip to Bonn, Aachen or the Brühl palaces.
Practical information
- Currency
- EUR
- Language
- German
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 112 (fire and ambulance), 110 police
- Tipping
- Round up or add about 5–10% for table service, telling the waiter the total when paying.
Cologne is generally safe for visitors, but pickpocketing occurs around the main station, the cathedral square and during carnival and Christmas markets. Large crowds at carnival and big events call for extra care with belongings and drinks.
Flights to Cologne
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Cologne?
One day covers the cathedral, the old town, the Hohenzollern Bridge and an evening in a brewhouse. Two days adds Museum Ludwig, the Chocolate Museum and the Belgian Quarter; a third day allows a trip to Bonn, Aachen or the Brühl palaces. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Cologne?
The best time to visit Cologne is May to September, when the Rhine promenade, beer gardens and summer events are in full swing. Late November and December are popular for Christmas markets, and carnival week in February or March is a unique experience if you enjoy crowds. Check the trade-fair calendar, as big fairs raise hotel prices.
+What is Cologne known for?
Cologne Cathedral, Kölsch beer, Carnival, Hohenzollern Bridge, Eau de Cologne, Romanesque churches and Christmas markets. Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, took more than 600 years to finish and its south tower can be climbed for views over the Rhine.
+Is Cologne expensive?
Cologne is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $150–$260 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Cologne?
No. Trains and trams cover the city and nearby cities, and parking is expensive. A car helps only for the Eifel hills or rural villages.