Cologne.
Cathedral city, Rhine metropolis, carnival stronghold

When you think of Cologne, Cologne Cathedral, carnival and Kölsch beer inevitably come to mind. However, the metropolis on the Rhine also scores with numerous sights from over 2,000 years of history and the warm serenity of its inhabitants. Cologne presents itself to its visitors full of charm and joie de vivre. The famous Rhenish humour, cosmopolitan charisma and versatility make this lively city an ideal destination for a short trip.

Visit the Rhine metropolis and learn informative and entertaining facts about Cologne’s origins and developments on a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne – in the footsteps of the Romans, in front of the gigantic cathedral and at the most beautiful places in the city. In addition to the well-known sights of Cologne, discover the hidden corners of the city on the Rhine. Many charming squares and neighbourhoods deserve a visit, even if they are not on the record lists for visitor numbers.

Cologne Cathedral is not only the city’s landmark, but also one of Germany’s most popular sights. It is the third tallest church in the world and one of the largest churches in the Gothic style. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

The best vantage point in the city is the KölnTriangle. The office tower has a large, fully glazed viewing platform on the 29th floor, which offers a fascinating view over the city.

Cologne’s old town at the foot of the cathedral impresses with numerous breweries and the historic town hall, the oldest town hall in Germany. On a walk through the city centre, you will also discover twelve large Romanesque churches.

Your visit should definitely also take you to the newly designed Rheinauhafen harbour in the southern part of the city. There you will discover a special mix of listed buildings such as the harbour office and new architectural highlights such as the huge crane houses. In recent years, the former harbour has been transformed into a young and attractive district with small cafés, restaurants and galleries where you can take a relaxed stroll.

Culture lovers also get their money’s worth in Cologne. The Museum Ludwig, one of the most important exhibition centres for modern art in Europe, is located in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral. Not far away is the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum for art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, which also enjoys an outstanding international reputation.

The most popular museum in Germany is the Chocolate Museum. Here you can follow the production process from the cocoa bean to the finished chocolate bar and have a nibble at the chocolate fountain in between.

The Roman-Germanic Museum introduces you to the city’s archaeological heritage from prehistory to the early Middle Ages.

Cologne and its sights are wonderful to explore on foot or by bike. However, a special highlight of a day trip through Cologne is experiencing sightseeing from above. The Cologne cable car offers you an impressive panorama over a distance of just under one kilometre.

Sightseeing from a boat allows you to experience the cathedral metropolis from a completely new perspective. The panoramic cruise on the Rhine offers you a marvellous view, while on board a comfortable boat you learn lots of interesting facts about the cathedral city, its peculiarities and inhabitants.

The Rhine metropolis offers countless opportunities for great shopping pleasure. In addition to the well-known shopping streets such as Hohe Strasse, Schildergasse, Breite Strasse and Ehrenstrasse, the Belgian Quarter is particularly attractive with its many individual, young designer shops. You can find further suggestions for your visit to Cologne under Cologne tips and restaurant recommendations.