Visiting a new city for the first time can feel daunting but there’s no need to panic! If you’re asking yourself ‘Is Cologne worth visiting?’ I’ve put together this Cologne travel guide to help you decide. And by the way, yes, Cologne is totally worth visiting!
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Full of historic charm, beautiful parks and incredible churches, Cologne Germany is a city full of personality. With great public transport, plenty to do and see and a vibrant culture it won’t be hard to answer the question is Cologne worth visiting?
Is Cologne worth visiting? Your ultimate Cologne travel guide!
What you need to know
- Is Cologne a good tourist destination? Cologne is a great tourist destination. It’s full of history with so much to see.
- How many days in Cologne is enough? I think 3 days in Cologne would be ideal, this gives you a couple of days to explore the city and time for a day trip!
- Is it safe to visit Cologne? Cologne is as safe as any other big city in Germany. As with anywhere be wary of pickpockets in crowded areas such as around the Cathedral.
Top things to do in Cologne
If you’re wondering, “Is Cologne worth visiting?” you’re likely curious about what this vibrant city has to offer. Fortunately, Cologne is brimming with fantastic activities and sights. Steeped in history, Cologne’s crowning jewel is undoubtedly its magnificent Cathedral. Here are just a few of the best things to do in Cologne:
Wander around Cologne’s Altstadt – Old Town
Cologne has the perfect example of a charming Old Town. Twisting alleyways lead you down cobbled streets lined with timbered houses, all set against a backdrop of impressive historic buildings. There’s plenty to see here, don’t miss out on these highlights:
- Cologne Cathedral: You can’t say you’ve been to Cologne without stopping by the Cathedral. It’s free to enter and you can even climb the steps to a 97m high viewing platform for a small fee!
- Fischmarkt: These pretty pastel buildings on the banks of the Rhine are backdropped by the Great St. Martin Church, making it the perfect photo spot!
- Cologne Rathaus – City Hall: Cologne’s town hall has a striking and unique appearance with one of its towers adorned with 124 stone figures. Be sure to look for the Platzjabbeck – a wooden face which sticks its tongue out every hour!
- Farina Fragrance Museum: Visit the birthplace of Eau du Cologne at the Farina Fragrance Museum! Explore the museum to learn all about the history of fragrance and how it’s produced.
- Hohenzollern Bridge – Love Lock Bridge: Hohenzollern Bridge has amassed quite a collection of love locks over time there are now thought to be a few hundred thousand! Take a stroll down the bridge and rummage through the locks to see what you can find!
Visit one of the 12 Romanesque churches
A significant part of Cologne’s rich history is its collection of 12 Romanesque churches. These churches are arranged in a semi-circle around the city centre, each possessing its own unique charm. For instance, St. Ursula’s is renowned for its Golden Chamber, filled with skulls and relics, while St. Gereon’s boasts an impressive mosaic floor depicting the story of David and Goliath.
Even if you’re not particularly religious, I highly recommend visiting as many of these churches as you can. They showcase incredible architecture, both inside and out, and are steeped in history!
Learn something new at a museum
If you’re a museum lover and wondering if is Cologne worth visiting, then you’re in luck! Cologne has a wide variety of museums to explore, here are a few of the best:
- Lindt Chocolate Museum: Discover the fascinating journey of chocolate production, delve into its rich history and learn how this beloved treat has evolved over time. And yes, there are free samples!
- Cologne City Museum: Explore Cologne’s rich history at the Cologne City Museum. Discover how the city has transformed over the centuries and get a glimpse into life during medieval times.
- Museum Ludwig: One of the most popular museums in Cologne, Museum Ludwig offers a fantastic showcase of modern art.
Relax in one of the Parks
Whenever I’m travelling somewhere and the weather’s nice I love spending as much time as possible in the parks. Cologne has some really great parks, here are a few suggestions:
- Flora and Botanical Garden Cologne: Home to around 12,000 plant species, the botanical gardens offer something for everyone. Explore the themed areas and greenhouses, each filled with unique plants.
- Volksgarten: Spanning 14 hectares, Volksgarten is filled with open lawns, wooded areas, lakes and parks. The perfect spot to relax on a sunny day!
- Rheinpark: On the banks of the Rhein you’ll find so much on offer. Rheinpark is home to a skatepark, cafes, flowerbeds, fountains and even a narrow-gauge railway!
Explore the city through Walking tours
When visiting a new place for the first time, a walking tour is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the area with expert travel guides. Learn all about the city’s history – and your way around! Here are a few different suggestions for Cologne Walking tours:
- The Dark Side of The City: Uncover Cologne’s dark past on this spooky tour!
- Free Tour of Cologne: This free walking tour is a great way to hit up all of Cologne’s major attractions while learning all about their history.
- Cologne Highlights: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: Solve riddles and puzzles to unlock facts about Cologne’s top historical sites on this unique tour.
Sail over the Rhine in Cable cars
Ever wanted to ride across the Rhine River in a cable car? Well here’s your chance! This is definitely one of the more unique things to do in Cologne. The ride lasts around 6 minutes, you can go one way or get a return ticket and you’re treated to some great views of the city from both sides of the river.
KölnCard – Cologne tourist card
The KölnCard is a tourist card which offers great discounts on many major tourist attractions, some restaurants and walking tours as well as free use of public transport. This can be a great money-saving option if you’re looking to hit up lots of tourist spots and make use of public transportation!
You can buy a KölnCard at the Cologne tourist information centre, at some ticket machines on platforms and at a few travel agencies.
Public transportation in Cologne
I found Cologne to be really easy to navigate around. It’s pretty walkable if you’re up to it, with all the main spots within the city centre being well signposted. If you are looking to make use of public transport there are 3 main options:
- S-Bahn (Schnellbahn – Fast train): Not quite a train and not quite a tram, the S-Bahn is a bit of a hybrid between the two. S-Bahn lines run all through the city taking you pretty much anywhere. Tickets can be bought online via the website, through the KVB app or at stations. If you’re buying your ticket at the station be sure to validate it using machines on the platforms (usually next to the ticket machine!)
- U-Bahn (Untergrundbahn – Underground): Basically just the underground version of an S-Bahn. A lot of U-Bahn lines do go above ground once you’re out of the city centre and not all of them pass through the central station.
- Buses: Cologne has lots of bus lines and like the S-Bahn, they’ll take you to most places in the city.
Fares
A great thing about public transportation in Cologne is that one ticket applies to all modes. So your bus ticket will also get you on the S-Bahn which also allows you to travel on the U-Bahn. The pricing for public transportation tickets in Cologne is based on zoning on a map, if you’re only travelling within Cologne you’ll need a ticket covering zone ‘1B’. There are lots of different kinds of tickets available including week tickets which may be useful if you’re stopping for a few days.
When to visit Cologne
When deciding ‘Is Cologne worth visiting?’ an important thing to factor in is the time of year you’ll be visiting. I’ve set out all of Cologne’s major events by season as well as some information on the weather below:
Cologne in Spring
As the weather warms up, Cologne comes back to life in the spring. The city’s parks burst into bloom, and outdoor events begin to fill the calendar again. With temperatures reaching around 15°C in April and 20°C in May, it’s an ideal time to visit, especially if you prefer to avoid the heat of summer. Here are a few noteworthy spring events in Cologne:
- Kölner Karneval – Cologne Carnival: The Cologne Carnival is an event of epic proportions, epitomizing celebration and festivity. Held over five days, the Carnival features vibrant street parades, lively parties, and elaborate costumes. Drawing over a million participants each year, it transforms the city into a hub of fun and excitement.
- Spring Fair (Frühlingsvolksfest): A funfair on the banks of the Rhine, the Spring Fair is one for adrenaline junkies. A ghost train, thrill rides and a nearly 50m high Ferris wheel await you here for one unforgettable week in Spring!
Cologne in Summer
Cologne has so many great parks and outdoor spaces and summer is the perfect time to take advantage of them. Beach bars open up and river cruises aplenty will be making their way down the Rhine. Temperatures typically reach the mid-twenties providing perfect summer evenings to laze by the river.
- Cologne Pride: One of the largest pride events in Europe, Cologne Pride attracts over one million visitors each year. Spanning three days, this vibrant street festival culminates in a colourful parade through the city centre, making it a highlight of the summer.
- Cologne Lights: The Cologne Lights is a stunning light display that takes place one night in July. An epic fireworks show illuminates the sky, while glowing boats drift down the Rhine, all set to a captivating musical backdrop.
Cologne in Autumn
There aren’t many big events taking place in Cologne during the autumn, a bonus of this though is lower tourist levels and the temperatures will have dropped a little. Temperatures usually range between 16-20 degrees and as you get further into the season the parks will turn a lovely shade of orange. There are still plenty of reasons to visit Cologne in the fall. If you prefer a more relaxed visit without the hustle and bustle, autumn is an ideal time to experience Cologne.
Cologne in Winter
Cologne lights up at the end of the year, transforming into a picture-perfect magical festive scene as the Christmas season takes over. You’ll find winter activities galore among the markets and ice skating rinks. Even the biggest Grinch will find it hard not to feel a bit Christmassy! Temperatures will usually go no higher than 5C so be sure to wrap up warm and enjoy the festive cheer.
- Christmas markets: No visit to a German city over the festive period is complete without seeing a Christmas market. The city usually has around 7 main markets, each offering a magical and unique festive experience.
- Night of the Museums: Experience a unique museum evening in November as Cologne’s museums and art galleries keep their doors open after hours until 1 am. This special event offers a completely different museum experience, with parties and live acts at many venues, bringing Cologne’s vibrant cultural scene to life!
Day trips from Cologne
Another question I was considering when asking myself ‘Is Cologne worth visiting?’, is are there any good day trips? Getting out and about exploring exciting locations is one of my favourite things to do when travelling. Luckily, Cologne has lots of great day trips located nearby, here are just three of the top places to visit:
Drachenfels – Dragon Rock
If you’re looking for a fairytale castle and a scenic hike, Drachenfels (Dragon Rock) is the perfect day trip for you. Located just south of Cologne, this Drachenfels is home to two castles. At the summit, you’ll find Burg Drachenfels, the ruins of a once-mighty fortress. Halfway down the hill stands Schloss Drachenburg, a 19th-century castle still standing in all its glory.
Drachenfels is steeped in legend and mystery, with tales of a dragon that supposedly lived in a cave on the hill. As you climb Drachenfels, you’ll have the chance to explore both castles and enjoy great views of the valley and surrounding mountains from the top!
Bonn
Full of charm and history, Bonn is a beautiful city that’s easily accessible from Cologne. There’s plenty to explore, visit the incredible botanical gardens at Poppelsdorf Palace, grab some sweets at the Haribo factory outlet, and see the birthplace of Beethoven. Or simply wander around the pretty streets and, if you’re visiting in spring, see the amazing cherry blossoms!
With it only being a 25-minute train ride Bonn is the perfect spot for a day trip from Cologne!
Dusseldorf
Located just north along the Rhine, Düsseldorf is often overlooked but makes for an excellent day trip from Cologne. Start your visit by browsing the luxury shops along Königsallee (King’s Avenue), then head to the historic old town to immerse yourself in the city’s rich heritage. Don’t miss a stop at Carlsplatz Market, where you can sample incredible fresh produce and local delicacies.
With a great blend of modernity and history, as well as some great parks, Dusseldorf has something for everyone to enjoy. As Dusseldorf is also located on the banks of the Rhine you can even take a boat from Cologne to get there for a unique day trip!
Neighbourhoods in Cologne
Like anywhere, Cologne is so much more than its city centre. The surrounding neighbourhoods each have their own personality and quirks to explore, here are just a few to get a taste of what’s on offer:
Agnesviertel – For relaxation
The spot to go to relax, Agnesviertel is home to beautiful buildings, great parks and lovely cafes. You can find the sculpture park here as well as the magical Rosengarten. While Agnesviertel has a more upscale vibe compared to other neighbourhoods, you can still discover some fantastic street art scattered throughout the area.
Belgian Quarter – For fashion lovers
Probably the most well-known neighbourhood in Cologne is the Belgian Quarter. Fashion and the Belgian Quarter go hand in hand and you’ll find a seemingly endless supply of clothes stores here featuring everything from well-known brands to handmade items crafted right in Cologne. This is the place to be to grab a new outfit. Beyond fashion, there’s plenty of great street art to explore as well as lots of independent shops full of treasures.
Ehrenfeld – For the hip and trendy
Ehrenfeld, Cologne’s trendy district, has firmly established itself as the epicentre of the city’s hipster and urban scene. Renowned for its vibrant street art, cosy cafes, vintage bookstores, and a wide array of street food, Ehrenfeld offers a chilled-out, creative atmosphere. Flea markets, art exhibitions, and food markets can all be found regularly here. Whether you’re hunting for a bargain or eager to explore the local art scene, Ehrenfeld is the place to be.
Südstadt – For foodies
If you’re a foodie, Südstadt is the place to be. This vibrant area is brimming with an array of cafes, restaurants, bars, and markets. Whether you’re in the mood for fine dining or a quick bite on the go, Südstadt has it all. It’s home to one of the city’s most popular parks, Volksgarten, as well as one of Cologne’s historic city gates, the Severinstorburg.
Summary
So, is the city of Koln worth visiting? Absolutely! Full of history with modern touches, there’s so much to see and do here. I loved my time in Cologne it’s become one of my favourite German cities and I highly recommend it to others!
