10 Ways to Spend a Day in Cologne
Cologne - or Köln as its known in German - is one of the most-visited cities in Germany, attracting around six million visitors annually with its vibrant culture, gothic architecture and historic landmarks. Its seat along the Rhine river makes it one of Europe’s key hubs and the second-largest domestic port in Germany, and it’s well known as a cultural hub with over 30 museums and hundreds of galleries. When we charted a course through Southern and then Western Germany, we knew that we had to make a stop in Köln; what was a bit less evident was how to spend what little time we had in a city that offered so very many things to do.
1. Visit Kölner Dom
The first and most obvious thing to do in Köln is to visit Kölner Dom - what is referred to in English quite simply as the ‘Cologne Cathedral’. This towering structure stands at 515 feet (157 meters) tall, the largest twin-spired cathedral in the world. Admission to the Sanctuary is free of charge and there are several points of interest inside that might interest the historians of your group, while those less interested in history and philosophy can simply marvel at the gargantuan size of the cathedral’s main halls. Most notably, the South Tower remains accessible to day guests for a fee of €8 per adult. If your budget allows and your body can handle it, you can actually ascend all 533 steps to the peak of the South Spire and secure the most magnificent view in the city. Be advised, however, that the climb to the top can be taxing and that two-way traffic persists on a singular spiral staircase for most of the day. If you’re going to do this, it’s best to do it as early as possible to try and stay ahead of that traffic and reduce the peril of your ascent.
2. Have a Traditional German Meal
Where there is culture, there is often food - and Köln is home to a great many restaurants and cafes serving up authentic German meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. Schnitzel, Sauerbraten and Bratwurst/Currywurst are easy to come by in the city, and although not all dishes are of the same quality, it’s hard to go wrong with freshly prepared dishes from a thriving culinary district - and we can certainly vouch for the dishes that we enjoyed just a few city blocks South of Kölner Dom. I cannot stress enough that you’ve not had Currywurst until you’ve had it from a genuine German shop, where you can literally watch the meat treated and cooked right before your very eyes. We had traveled far on this trip and enjoyed a number of different freshly-prepared meals, but nothing beat the fresh Currywurst and the classic Döner-Kebab that we got from a small shop in Germany’s cultural hub.
Above: There are dozens of cafes and restaurants in Cologne ("Köln") where you can find traditional German Döner-Kebabs and Currywurst, if you want the authentic German experience during your visit!
3. Take a Rhine River Cruise
Rhine (DE: Rhein) River cruises are one of the most accessible and popular activities available to visitors in Köln. Boats constantly drift past the city center, offering short sightseeing loops and longer dinner excursions that float past historic buildings, waterfront homes and riverside breweries. Most of the year, you can simply walk up to the dock, check the posted timetables and book on the spot without any prior planning. The rub is that these cruises often take a few hours at a time even before you account for embarkation and disembarkation; which is why we weren’t able to enjoy a cruise of our own. If you have even a little more time than we did, a few hours on the river seems like a simple way to take in Cologne’s skyline without walking miles to do it.
4. Explore Fragrances
There’s a reason that ‘Cologne’ is used as the anglicized stand-in for the city’s true name of Köln. Cologne, the fragrant sprays that you’ve no doubt heard about or possibly used before walking out the door for a big date, was born in the city of Köln. “Eau de Cologne” was created in 1709 by Italian perfumer Giovanni Maria Farina, and to this day, perfume shops line the Old Town streets with everything from heritage brands to modern fragrance studios. Even if you don’t consider yourself a scent enthusiast, it’s hard not to be intrigued by the knowledge that this city essentially created an entire global product category. Here, visitors can browse original formulas, see historic bottles and purchase authentic blends that have been crafted in Germany for centuries. If nothing else, it’s a unique keepsake…and it smells better than any souvenir magnet you could take home.
5. Follow the Journey of Chocolate
Not all museums are illustrative, and some of the world’s best art is edible. The Lindt Cologne Chocolate Museum (“Schokoladenmuseum” in German) is a great way to spend an afternoon, and the museum’s self-guided tours can take as little or as much time as you feel like they need. Part factory, part exhibit, this museum follows the journey of chocolate from cocoa beans to packaged sweet treats and produces real, consumable chocolate right before your very eyes. It’s playful, educational and wonderfully aromatic; something that the whole family can enjoy in multiple languages. We’d advise dedicating at least two hours to the experience as there’s a lot to see and do, and some exhibits can wind up holding your attention for quite a while. I would be remiss if I didn’t encourage you to save a little room, too…complimentary chocolates are plentiful throughout the tour route!
6. Get a Bird’s Eye View
Just across from the Chocolate Museum (and accessible with an onsite combination ticket) sits the Lindt Chocolate Wheel, a massive Ferris wheel that gives riders a slow, comfortable ascent over the Rhine and the skyline of Köln. It isn’t the tallest observation device in Europe, but the views are magnificent nonetheless…particularly at sunset, when the sun casts gold reflections across the cathedral spires. Best of all, there’s no rush; the wheel turns slowly enough to allow for photos, casual conversation and plenty of gawking at the city below and the ride cycles through at least three times per customer. If heights don’t bother you, it’s a relaxing way to get a memorable perspective of the city center!
Above: The Giant Ferris Wheel at the Lindt Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum Köln) in Cologne.
7. Visit a Museum
With over 30 museums to choose from, Köln could fill a week of your time on museum experiences alone. The city boasts everything from contemporary art galleries to Roman history exhibits, with collections dedicated to sports, medieval weaponry, photography and even mustard. Whether you’re into ancient artifacts or quirky specialty topics, there is genuinely something for everybody, and it’s all packed within a navigable urban core. Some well-known installations worth looking into include Museum Ludwig, the Wallraf‑Richartz Museum, Kolumba, the Römisch‑Germanisches Museum and Käthe Kollwitz Museum Köln - on top of the Schokoladenmuseum, of course. If you only have limited time, it’s worth researching which subjects interest you most; but if you’re the spontaneous type, you could just wander into the nearest one and still walk out satisfied.
8. Visit the Botanical Gardens
If you’re looking for a quieter day, away from city bustle, you can find one at the Flora und Botanischer Garten, Cologne’s sprawling botanical garden featuring greenhouses, landscaped flower corridors and rare plant species from around the world. Like Kölner Dom, entry to the gardens is free; which makes it one of the most cost-effective ways to unwind after a long day of sightseeing. Visitors can stroll through themed gardens, admire seasonal blooms or simply sit on a shaded bench and listen to birds flutter through the trees. If you’re an avid plant lover - or even someone who just needs a break from cathedral stairs - the Botanical Gardens offer an easy breath of fresh air.
9. Cross the Hohenzollern Bridge
At first glance, the Hohenzollern Bridge is just a standard train trestle with a pedestrian walkway. In reality, it’s quite a cultural landmark - a living monument covered in tens of thousands of “love locks” that have been left by visitors from around the world. Couples (or mischievous singles) attach padlocks to the bridge’s fencing, symbolizing affection, friendship or any other sentiment that they want to immortalize in metal. Watching freight trains thunder by while you walk across the river provides a unique contrast between romantic symbolism and industrial transport. Whether you’re here to contribute a lock of your own or simply admire the shimmering wall of metal along the walkway, the bridge is a must-see piece of Köln’s personality. Bonus points may be awarded for taking a train from Köln Hauptbahnhof, the central railway station of Cologne, to get across the bridge.
10. Explore the Architecture
Although Kölner Dom is the obvious headliner, Cologne’s skyline isn’t solely defined by its famed cathedral. The city is also home to some of the most surprising modern and historic architecture in Germany. The most unusual examples can be found in the Fischmarkt and the Rheinauhafen district, where crane-like buildings jut out over the water like massive steel lollipops. These structures, known as the Kranhäuser, look like futuristic office towers that have been lifted by invisible machinery, reflecting the river below in their glass surfaces. Throughout the city, you’ll find a similar blend of medieval remnants, post-war rebuilds and avant-garde designs. The clash of styles doesn’t always make sense…but somehow, Köln pulls it off. In many ways, it’s the collage of different visions and ideas that really makes the city stand out.
Cologne is a city of contrasts. Ancient stone stands beside modern glass, high culture pairs with silly tourist rituals and global history mingles with everyday comfort foods and chocolate samples. No matter how long you stay, it’s difficult to do everything…which is exactly why Köln tends to lure visitors back for a second (or third) round. The city has a way of turning simple activities into unforgettable memories, and after 9 hours, 515 feet (157 meters) of elevation gain and roughly 6 miles (9.6km) of walking, we still feel like we only scratched the surface of what this city has to offer. We hope to return to this beautiful city one day to dig a little deeper; but in the meantime, you can check out the vlog from our day in Köln and make your own decisions about whether or not our time was well spent!
