Cologne Germany Travel Guide: 24 BEST Things To Do In Cologne

Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is a towering Gothic cathedral that took over 600 years to complete and dominates Cologne's skyline with its twin spires, featuring massive stained glass windows and the gilded shrine of the three kings.

Melaten Cemetery is a notable cemetery with celebrity graves and curiosities.

Ehrenfeld District is known for its street art walking tour.

The Rhine River offers riverside views and cruises, a promenade with views of the cathedral and city skyline, and the Hohenzollern Bridge known for its love locks.

The Old Town (Altstadt) features cobblestone streets, colorful houses, traditional pubs, riverside cafes, the Great St. Martin Church, and the Historic Town Hall (Rathaus), offering local cuisine like Kölsch beer.

Kölner Dom, the city’s most iconic landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a Gothic masterpiece that took over 600 years to complete and is one of the tallest cathedrals in Europe.

Gross St. Martin, also known as St. Martin's Church, is a Romanesque church in Cologne's old town with a tower that shapes the city's skyline.

The Historic Town Hall (Rathaus) is an architectural highlight in Cologne's Old Town.

The Rathaus (Historic Town Hall) is an architectural highlight in Cologne's Old Town.

Museum Ludwig features one of Europe’s best modern art collections, including works by Picasso, Warhol, and Lichtenstein.

The Roman-Germanic Museum showcases ancient Roman artifacts discovered in the city, including a preserved mosaic floor and artifacts from Colonia Claudia era Agrianium.

The Hohenzollern Bridge is famous for its thousands of love locks left by couples.

Schildergasse is one of the busiest shopping streets in Cologne.

Hohe Strasse is one of the busiest shopping streets in Cologne.

The Belgian Quarter is a trendy area full of boutiques, cafes, and nightlife.

Cologne Christmas Markets are some of the best in Europe, featuring lights, crafts, and mulled wine, with the main market in front of the cathedral.

The Excelsior Hotel Ernst is a luxury hotel located right next to the cathedral.

The 25hours Hotel The Circle offers great design and city views.

NH Collection Köln Mediapark offers great design and city views.

Gross St. Martin, also known as St. Martin's Church, is a Romanesque church in Cologne's old town with a tower that shapes the city's skyline.

St. Martin's Church, also known as Gross St. Martin, is a Romanesque church in Cologne's old town with a tower that shapes the city's skyline.

Colonia Claudia era Agrianium was the Roman capital of Germania inferior, and artifacts from this era are displayed at the Roman-Germanic Museum.

The Columba Museum combines history, art, and modern architecture, built over the ruins of the late Gothic St. Columba Church, featuring works spanning more than 2,000 years.

The St. Columba Church is a late Gothic church, now the location of the Columba Museum.

The Madonna in the ruins chapel is integrated within the Columba Museum.

The Cologne Botanical Garden features 28 acres of lawns, themed gardens, glass houses, and a beautiful glass palace (Flora).

Cologne Zoo offers a full day of discovery with over 10,000 animals from more than 700 species, including elephants, gorillas, and hippos.

The Walraff Rich Arts Museum features a wide collection of European art covering over 700 years from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.

Basilica of St. Mary in the capital is the largest of Cologne's Romanesque churches built on the site of an ancient Roman temple, featuring 900-year-old wooden pictorial doors.

Riding the Cologne Cable Car offers wide views of the Cologne Cathedral, city skyline, and green parks below.

Rhino Hoffen District blends old port buildings with bold modern architecture, including the cran house buildings shaped like giant cranes, and offers riverside paths and dining.

At the Lint Chocolate Museum, you can watch chocolatiers make treats, taste chocolate from the fountain, and learn about cocoa's journey from bean to bar.

The Fragrance Museum is located in the oldest perfume factory in the world, where the first Oda cologne was made in 1709.

The Rat House is near the Fragrance Museum

Aaronfeld is a creative neighborhood known for its colorful murals, street art, vintage shops, and cozy cafes.

Venlower Strasa is located in Aaronfeld, where shops sell vintage clothes, records, and handmade crafts.

Kerner Strasa is located in Aaronfeld and is lined with colorful houses, small boutiques, and cozy cafes.

Zoo Cafe Roaster is a pleasant spot to relax and watch people go by in Aaronfeld.

The Colonius Tower is a striking landmark that adds character to Cologne's skyline, especially noticeable in Aaronfeld.

The NS documentation center, housed in the former Gestapo headquarters (ELD house), provides a deep look into Cologne's history during the Nazi era.

The ELD house, former Gestapo headquarters, is the location of the NS documentation center.

The NS documentation center keeps a complete record of Stalperstein, small brass memorial stones placed across Cologne to honor victims of Nazi persecution.

Coy Messa exhibition halls hosts Gamescom, one of the largest gaming events in the world.

The Christmas market by the iconic Cologne Cathedral at Noyart where stalls sell handmade gifts beneath the soaring spires.

Hinsel's winter marion at Hymar features a spectacular large ice skating rink popular for all ages as a Christmas market.

Rudolph Plots features St. Nicholas Village set against the historic Hanto gate at Cologne's Christmas market.

The historic Hanto gate at Rudolph Plots within St. Nicholas Village during the Cologne Christmas Market.

St. Nicholas Village at Rudolph Plots set against the historic Hanto gate.

St. Jerion's Basilica is part of Cologne's 12 Romanesque churches and is known for its unusual shape with a main dome that has 10 sides.

The Pieta Chapel in St. Jerion's Basilica has historic altars and a life-sized sculpture under a starry vated ceiling.