Cologne, the fourth most populous city in Germany situated by the river Rhine, is a very popular tourist destination with a rich history as well as a highly developed cultural, economic, and scientific fields. With many remarkable places to visit, Cologne also hosts a lively bar and cafe scene along with many music and art choices for every taste. With many things to do and explore, this travel guide will focus on budget-friendly places without skipping the most iconic spots of the city. If you are eager to learn what this marvelous city offers, then let’s dive into the 13 places to visit in Cologne!
Cologne Cathedral
The most iconic site in Cologne without a doubt is the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter also known as Cologne Cathedral. Located in the heart of the city center, just by the train central station, the Catholic church displays magnificent Gothic architecture and is known as the third tallest church in the world. The construction of the church started back in 1248 but was left unfinished until only in 1880 it was finished and obtained the medieval vision. Sadly, during World War II, the church suffered from bombing but the renovations, completed in 1956, restored the damaged parts. Now the Cologne Cathedral is one of the main sightseeing landmarks for any visitors to the city and rightly so, the church is not only impressive but magnificently beautiful.
Since 1996, the Cologne Cathedral has also been a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, making it truly a worthy visit. The church is open to visitors without an entrance fee every day, except when masses are being held. However, to experience the city views from the tower costs 6 Euros per adult but you can buy a ticket for 10 Euros and also visit the Cathedral Treasury to see the medieval assets in the vaulted cellars beneath the cathedral. You can also join guided tours of the church that must be registered in advance which cost 10 Euros. For more information on exploring the church, available times, and guided tours, you can visit the cathedral’s official website here: https://www.koelner-dom.de/en
Hohenzollern Bridge
Just a few minutes walk away from the Cologne Cathedral you will find the most often used railway bridge in Germany – the Hohenzollern Bridge. Constructed between 1907 and 1911, it was destroyed in 1945 during World War II, and only in 1959 it was finished repairing. While exploring the bridge, you cannot miss four equestrian statues of German emperors and Prussian kings, representing the era of Prussian rule in the Rhine Province. On the east bank, you will find statues of Frederick William IV and Kaiser Wilhelm I made by sculptors Gustav Blaeser and Friedrich Drake. On the west bank were added two statues of Friedrich III and Wilhelm II by sculptor Louis Tuaillon that are unmissable stops while visiting the bridge.
The Hohenzollern Bridge provides great views of the Rhine River and is also accessible by pedestrians who can enjoy the views and the structure to the fullest. The bridge has become a popular place for many people to leave engraved padlocks which is a beloved activity for tourists to mark their visit to the city. While leaving a padlock might not be a necessary thing to do to enjoy the site, it’s a unique touch to the place and one that you can admire all across the bridge.
Fish Market
One of the most picturesque places in Cologne certainly is the Fish Market square right by the Great St. Martin Church in the old town. Situated by the Rhine River, the square historically was a very lively market area, dating back to the 12th century, when the city was an important fish trading center. With late-gothic architecture-style buildings, the square attracts many visitors with one of the most spectacular views of the place – the colorful houses placed next to each other offering a beautiful sight.
While visiting the square, you will come across Fishwive’s Fountain, designed and constructed in 1986 by Rainer Walk, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the site’s craftsmen’s association. The fountain has become a widely known spot to take pictures with the colorful houses in the background. Aside from the charming views, the square has many food options to try out some local cuisines overlooking the area and river as well as lively pubs and bars.
Farina Fragrance Museum
One of the best and well-known things to do in Cologne is visiting the famous Farina Fragrance Museum just a short walking distance away from the Fish Market. Dating back to 1709, it is considered the oldest fragrance factory still to be sited, thanks to perfumer Johann Maria Farina (1685-1766). Today the site works as a museum where you can learn the way a perfume is made, mainly focusing on the popular perfume Eau de Cologne along with insights into the history and culture of the past three centuries that the perfume dates back to. At the museum, you will also find a shop filled with the classic Eau de Cologne and other perfumes.
If you are curious about visiting the museum, you can join a guided tour in English that you can buy tickets to and register here on the official website: https://farina.org/welcome/# The tour lasts about 45 minutes and costs 8 Euros for a full adult ticket. The museum is open every day and certainly is a must-visit site while exploring Cologne to experience such a unique opportunity and expand your knowledge of perfumes.
Heumarkt
Heumarkt (Haymarket) is not only the main square of Cologne but also one of Central Europe’s oldest markets. Located in the city center near Fish Market, back in the Middle Ages the square became a large trading center and with the success, it also earned recognition as one of the most beautiful squares in Central Europe. In the middle of the square, you will also find a statue of Friedrich Wilhelm III, placed in 1878.
Nowadays the Heumarkt doesn’t have the same trading purpose as back in the time but it still holds beauty and is a great stopping point while exploring the city. The square can be enjoyed also by the various restaurants, bars, and cafes placed by the site, making it the perfect place to have refreshments while enjoying views and savoring the historical significance of the place. If you happen to visit Cologne during Christmas time, you can also expect to find a Christmas market with an ice skating rink that is appraised to be the best holiday market in the city.
Museum of Applied Art
One of my favorite places in Cologne that is also free of cost to visit is the Museum of Applied Art, the second oldest museum in the city. Opened in 1888, originally the museum was located on Hansaring Boulevard but during World War II the building sadly was destroyed. Currently, you can find the museum next to the small Kolpingplatz park and the catholic Minoritenkirche church. The museum has a spectacular collection of memorable items in Europe from the 10th century till today, ranging from furniture, sculptures, household items, decorative objects, electronics, kitchenware and so much more, expressing different periods of the past.
I’m usually not the biggest fan of visiting museums but the exhibition at the Museum of Applied Art was so captivating that we spent several hours admiring the many historic pieces one by one. You can also visit temporary exhibitions held at the museum that cost 5 Euros and vary from time to time. The museum is open every day, except on Mondays but for more information, you can visit the official website here: https://www.makk.de/Start
Römerturm
A historically unique stop in Cologne is the Römerturm, a watchtower dating back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries. At the time of the Roman Empire, the tower marked the ancient town’s fortifications along with other 18 towers. Today, ruins of some of these towers are still visible throughout the city but the Römerturm is definitely an outstanding example with exquisite engraved mosaic ornaments. The tower sits in a modern city setting on a very busy street and while the visit might be a short one, it’s still an impressive remnant of the past that you can admire without any entrance fee.
St. Gereon’s Basilica
Just a few minutes away from Römerturm, you will find an exquisite example of Romanesque-style architecture at St. Gereon’s Basilica. Dating back to the sixth century, the church exterior was finished in 1227, however only in the 20th century works on the interior were carried out. In the Roman Empire time, the walls of the city were masterfully integrated into the church’s structure, and with the impressive architecture, the church was admired not only back in the day but it’s still a favored site by many visitors today. Being not so touristy, it’s the perfect place to admire the historic artifacts found in the church, the paintings, and the quiet atmosphere as well as if you are in the mood to enjoy some music, the church hosts choir and other musical events. For more information, check the official website here: https://www.stgereon.de/
Belgian Quarter
An exciting neighborhood to visit in Cologne is the Belgian Quarter, considered one of the best areas in the city. With streets named after Belgian provinces and cities, the quarter sits in the inner city district which has a spectacular artistic, cultural, and trendy scene. With beautiful Art Nouveau architecture from around 1900, it hosts numerous galleries, boutiques, vintage and designer stores, quirky cafes and restaurants, theater, and the best city’s nightlife. A memorable stop in the quarter is the Brussels Square where you will find the St. Michael’s Neo-Romanesque church that was finished in 1906, making the neighborhood even more diverse. The Belgian Quarter is truly the best place to immerse yourself in the creative atmosphere, have the best shopping experience, and treat your taste buds along with having a picturesque stroll through the streets of the neighborhood.
Hahnen Gate (Hahnentor)
The impressive Hahnen Gate is a well-preserved and great example of the Roman Empire. Built in the 13th century between 1235 and 1240, it was one of the twelve city gates that were part of the area’s fortifications which were considered at that time the largest ones in Germany. Being the most important gate of the city, it was used also by German Kings but nowadays it is a home to a carnival society. After all these years and afterward the impacts of World War II, the gate has faced multiple renovations and now is a majestic sight in the city center, right by the Belgian Quarter.
Hiroshima-Nagasaki Park
If you are looking for a peaceful and relaxing spot in Cologne, Hiroshima-Nagasaki Park is the place for that. Named after the World War II bombing in Japan to pay tribute to the victims, it is located in the center of Cologne and provides an excellent escape from city life. The park surrounds Aachener Weiher Lake which provides a wonderful opportunity to catch some sun rays while lying in the grass by the water. The park is not only a great place to go for a stroll or jog, but it also has a beer garden where you can have a drink or a meal and also meet locals and socialize. When we visited the park in late October, it was still full of greenery and sun but the chillier temperatures meant fewer people and it was perfect to enjoy nature in the otherwise very dynamic city.
Cologne Central Mosque
Arguably one of the best things to do in the city is visiting the spectacular building of Cologne Central Mosque. Created by architects Paul Böhm and Semih İrteş, and calligrapher Hüseyin Kutlu, it is considered one of the largest mosques in Europe and the largest one in Germany. It was completed in 2017 and has a majestic neo-Ottoman architecture style with a dome and two 55-meter-high minarets. What I found the most beautiful part of the building is the glass windows covering the walls that create a vastness to the place as well as bring a lot of natural light into the indoor space.
The cost of the building is estimated at around 30 million euros and has not only a prayer area but also a library, lecture halls and even event halls, shops, and a restaurant that is open to everyone, whatever religion you may belong to. The mosque is open to visitors outside the times of prayer, following certain rules but you can also join a guided tour without registration on specific days of the week. If you would like to book a tour outside the offered times, you can also request a mosque tour on their official website here: https://moscheeforum.de/
Flora and Botanical Garden
The best place to explore beautiful greenery and a wide variety of plants is the remarkable Flora and Botanical Garden. Only 25 minutes away by public transport from the city center, lays a rich green space with gardens in Italian Renaissance, English, and French Baroque styles and many more with an overall 12000 different plant species as well as ponds with fountains and four greenhouses. Dating back to 1863 when the garden was first built by landscape gardener Peter Joseph Lenné, it was expanded and united with another botanical garden in 1920 and since then restored and advanced.
One of the main attractions in the park is the stunning glass palace that has been recently renovated and is open for different events along with a cafe that you can enjoy on the terrace in the warmer months of the year. Without an entrance fee, you can freely roam around the park, enjoy a multitude of different plants, or relax on one of the park’s benches and savor the ambiance to the fullest. It’s important to note that dogs unfortunately aren’t allowed to enter the park as well as cycling isn’t permitted.
Right by the Flora and Botanical Garden, you will find an extensive Cologne Zoological Garden which is also the third oldest zoo in Germany. Founded in 1860, it has more than 850 species residing in the massive zoo preserving endangered animals from extinction. The site is open every day and one adult ticket costs 23 Euros. For more information about the zoo and visiting it, you can check their official website here: https://www.koelnerzoo.de/en/home-en
Day trip to Bonn
If you are spending a couple of days in Cologne, I highly recommend taking a day trip to Bonn, a charming city by the river Rhine. Famous for being the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, it is full of art and culture, divine neighborhoods with majestic residential houses, a gorgeous old town, and during spring is known for the lovely sights of cherry blossom trees. Being one of the oldest cities in Germany, it dates back to the 1st century BC, while in the 20th century, Bonn was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990 and was the seat of government from 1990 to 1999. Because of the importance of the city, Bonn is still a very important political and economic center.
Reaching Bonn from Cologne is possible by train that you can take from the central station and lasts approximately half an hour to reach the city. The best part is the possibility of using the same public transport tickets as in Cologne, meaning if you purchase day tickets to travel in Cologne, you don’t need to purchase another one to visit Bonn.
There’s quite a lot to do and explore but here are some of the places that you cannot miss:
- The Rococo style 18th century Town Hall and the adjacent Market Square;
- Minster of St. Martin’s Catholic church, one of Germany’s oldest churches, dating back to the 11th century;
- The statue of Ludwig van Beethoven in Munsterplatz, the largest square in the city center;
- Beethoven House Museum;
- The Cherry Blossom Avenue with pink blooms during spring;
- Poppelsdorfer Boulevard;
- Poppelsdorf Palace, a stunning example of Baroque architecture, and the palace’s botanical garden;
- Japanese Garden in the Rheinaue Park;
- Museum of Modern Art with a vast collection of German Expressionism art examples;
- The famous HARIBO candy shop with a large selection of sweets in the city where it’s manufactured;
- Count the many murals found on the streets of Bonn.
There is certainly way more to see and do in Bonn but these are some, in my opinion, unmissable places while stopping by for a day or two. I visited Bonn for the first time when I was 15 years old and I was lucky to visit it during spring when the cherry blossoms were at their fullest, and ever since I couldn’t stop thinking about the city – how beautiful, welcoming, and magical it felt. On my second visit during the autumn of 2023, the feeling didn’t go away, it’s truly a remarkable city.
Cologne is undoubtedly such a vibrant and unmatched city located by one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe and is truly worth visiting. We explored the city for only two days but it was still enough both to see the most admired places as well as capture the energy and allure of the place. For more blog posts about Germany, click here!
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