Free things to do · Cologne · Germany
7 free things to do in Cologne
Cologne without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Thomas Robbin, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Cologne without paying an entry fee: Cologne Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge, Old Town and Alter Markt and Great St. Martin Church are all free. The cathedral, Romanesque churches, Hohenzollern Bridge and Rhine promenade are all free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Cathedral
1.Cologne Cathedral
Visit early in the morning or in the evening to avoid the busiest hours, and dress respectfully as services take place daily.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Landmark · Cathedral
2.Hohenzollern Bridge
Cross at dusk and sit on the Rheinboulevard steps in Deutz to watch the cathedral light up.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Couples
- Views
- After dark
.jpg){kind=link}
Neighbourhood · Old Town
3.Old Town and Alter Markt
Look for the Tünnes and Schäl statue near Great St. Martin; rubbing Tünnes's nose is said to bring luck.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Photo spot
Religious site · Old Town
4.Great St. Martin Church
Use it as a starting point for a walk to other Romanesque churches, such as St. Maria im Kapitol nearby.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Religious site · Citywide
5.Romanesque churches walk
Pick three or four churches close together, such as St. Maria im Kapitol, St. Pantaleon and St. Gereon, rather than trying to see all twelve.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Off the beaten path
_Rhine_River_view_b.jpg){kind=link}
Waterfront · Old Town
6.Rhine promenade and river cruise
Walk south along the river to the Rheinauhafen and return through the old town for a two-hour loop.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Views
Neighbourhood · Belgian Quarter
7.Belgian Quarter
Come in the late afternoon to shop, then stay for drinks around Brüsseler Platz.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Cathedral | Cologne Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge | 1 hour + 30–45 minutes |
| Old Town | Old Town and Alter Markt, Great St. Martin Church and Rhine promenade and river cruise | 1–2 hours + 30 minutes + 1–2 hours |
| Citywide | Romanesque churches walk | 2–3 hours |
| Belgian Quarter | Belgian Quarter | 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Viewpoint · Cathedral
Cathedral south tower climb
Climb in the morning before it gets crowded, and skip it if you are uncomfortable in tight, steep stairwells.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Active
- Photo spot
.jpg){kind=link}
Viewpoint · Deutz
KölnTriangle viewing platform
Time your visit for sunset, when the cathedral is lit from the west.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Museum · Innenstadt
EL-DE Haus (NS Documentation Centre)
Allow time for the basement cells, which are the most powerful part of the visit.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Old Town
Farina Fragrance Museum and 4711 House
Book a guided tour at Farina, then time your walk to the 4711 house to hear the carillon.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Museum · Innenstadt
Schnütgen Museum
Combine it with the neighbouring Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum of world cultures in the same complex.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- The cathedral, Romanesque churches, Hohenzollern Bridge and Rhine promenade are all free.
- Avoid carnival week and big trade fairs such as Gamescom if you want lower hotel prices.
- Brewhouse food is filling and reasonably priced, and Kölsch glasses are small and cheap.
- Use weekday lunch menus in the centre for good-value restaurant meals.
- A KölnCard pays off if you use public transport several times and visit two or more museums.
- Ehrenfeld's bakeries and grills are among the best-value places to eat.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cologne expensive to visit?
Cologne is moderately priced for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Cologne?
Cologne Cathedral: Visit early in the morning or in the evening to avoid the busiest hours, and dress respectfully as services take place daily.