Why Cologne Should Be on Your UK Travel Bucket List
Nestled on the banks of the Rhine, Cologne (Köln) is where medieval magic meets contemporary culture. The city is a magnificent blend of Gothic architecture, world-class museums, riverside promenades, and joyful festivals.
It is indeed a place that embraces what is antique and what is contemporary, thus offering variety and charm to visitors. Warm and friendly residents and a lively food scene make Cologne an easy city to explore either by walking or biking.
Thanks to the Eurostar connections (via Brussels) and direct flights from major airports, Cologne ranks high on the spot for a city getaway. In this detailed and thorough guide, you will find the most unforgettable things to do in Cologne as well as tips on how to have a smooth and memorable trip ahead.
Suggested Itinerary: 3 Days in Cologne
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
| 1 | Cologne Cathedral & Tower | Chocolate Museum & Rhine Cruise | Dinner in the Old Town |
| 2 | Museum Ludwig & Wallraf-Richartz | Belgian Quarter & Art Galleries | Show at the Musical Dome |
| 3 | Hohenzollern Bridge & Botanical Garden | Basilica of St. Ursula & Fischmarkt | Kölsch Pub Crawl in Altstadt |
Adjust this itinerary for 2 or 4 days by adding a day trip or museum visit.
1. Begin at Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)
This is where all Cologne itineraries ought to begin. The massive Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Cologne’s iconic landmark.
Its towering spires, Gothic exterior, and enormous interior draw millions of tourists annually, and it’s not hard to see why. Inside, be in awe of the Shrine of the Three Kings, a glittering gold shrine that contains legendary relics.
If you’ve got energy to spare, climb 533 steps up to the southern tower and savour a complimentary, unbeatable panorama view. Go early to beat the queue and hear the Sunday bells ring; it’s a treat that stays with you for a long time afterwards.
Must Do:
- Climb up to the Rhine views tower
- Shoot the cathedral during golden hour
- Visit Shrine of the Three Kings
2. Visit the Historic Old Town (Altstadt)
Altstadt (Old Town) of Cologne is a charming labyrinth of cobbled streets, colourful buildings, and century-old landmarks. You’ll see Roman remains, medieval churches, and festive beer halls around every corner.
This is a vibrant quarter that exudes charm and is excellent for walking tours and stumbling upon surprises. Explore local bars to try a Kölsch beer or visit the Roman-Germanic Museum to see ancient artefacts.
Don’t miss soaring Groß St. Martin church towering over pastel townhouses. The Old Town is where Cologne’s spirit is most lively; old-world charm with a warm modern feel.
Highlights:
- Explore Roman remains beneath City Hall
- Make a stop at Brauhaus Früh to
- Visit Groß St. Martin Church
3. Walk Across Hohenzollern Bridge & Add a Love Lock
Hohenzollern Bridge is more than a bridge; it’s a romantic Cologne landmark. Set over the Rhine, it is decked out in thousands of locks left behind by lovers from around the globe. Walking over, it is beautiful to see views of both the river and the city skyline, particularly as it begins to get towards sunset.
Bring a padlock of your own, write your names, and make a memory of your holiday. This is regularly cited as “things to do in Cologne for couples,” and it’s not hard to see why. It is simple, it is symbolic, and it is very photogenic.
Why It’s Special:
- Secure your love lock to the railings
- Photograph the city skyline at blue hour
- Link with a walk to the KölnTriangle
4. Take a Rhine River Cruise
There is nothing quite like experiencing Cologne over a river. A Rhine River Cruise is a leisurely, scenic way to enjoy the city skyline and its past. Take a one-hour sightseeing cruise or a more extensive dinner cruise with German delights and live commentary. Some have stop-offs at local towns for a more diverse experience.
The best is at night when city lighting is reflected back off the water. For those who like to take it slow and easy, it is a must-try.
Cruise Options:
- One-hour hop-on-hop-off tours
- Evening dinner cruise
- Multi-day itineraries from Cologne
5. Visit the Schokoladenmuseum (Chocolate Museum)
Make your Cologne trip a sweet experience by visiting the world-renowned Chocolate Museum. Located at Rheinauhafen peninsula, it’s a tasty and informative experience that takes you through chocolate’s history and production methods.
You’ll be able to view real cocoa plants, see chocolate made right in front of you, and still be able to dip a wafer in a gigantic chocolate fountain. Informative and fun, it’s a good experience for kids and adults alike.
With over 650,000 visitors a year, it’s one of Cologne’s most popular attractions; and it’ll smell fantastic too!
What You’ll Find:
- Functional chocolate production line
- Chocolate and wine stations
- A chocolate boutique
- Interactive exhibits of cocoa culture
6. Explore Museum Ludwig & Wallraf-Richartz Museum
Art lovers, we have good news: Cologne is home to not one but two top-quality museums. Museum Ludwig boasts a massive pop and modern collection, complete with Warhol, Picasso, and Lichtenstein pieces.
The Wallraf-Richartz Museum next door offers a whole different experience, with pieces spanning the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
The contrast between both is a rich, well-rounded cultural experience. Art enthusiast or not, both museums are worth your time. And the best part: they’re located behind the cathedral.
Tips:
- Museum Ludwig: emphasis on modern art
- Wallraf-Richartz: explore German masters
- Do both and have a culturally-filled afternoon
7. Ascend the KölnTriangle Observation Deck
For a great top-down perspective of Cologne’s skyline, try the KölnTriangle. This glass-enclosed skyscraper overhanging a bend in the Rhine’s eastern bank offers sweeping 360° views of the city from its observation deck. It’s especially stunning at sunset, when golden hues illuminate the cathedral and cityscape.
The express elevator makes it an easy stop and has adjacent cafes and riverside promenades. For travel photographers and scenery buffs, it’s one of Cologne’s best-kept secrets. Pro tip: bring a zoom and get cinematic shots.
To Do:
- Visit during golden hour or sunset
- Frame postcard-worthy skyline views
- Combine it with your Hohenzollern Bridge tour
8. History of Scents at Farina Fragrance Museum
Ever wondered where Eau de Cologne got its name? Right here in Cologne! The Farina Perfume Museum is where Eau de Cologne’s very first version emerged in the 18th century when Johann Maria Farina made it.
You’ll be able to take guided tours of evocative rooms that contain old bottles, perfume apparatus, and even handwritten receipts. You’ll get to see where perfumes are created and leave with a newfound appreciation of perfumery as a craft.
It’s a rare sensory experience, and a fragrance stop-off to bring back as a memento too!
Experience Includes:
- Aroma-guided exploration tours
- Learn 300 years of perfumery history
- Sample classic 4711 Eau de Cologne
9. Basilica of St. Ursula & Bone Chapel Visit
Hidden behind busier streets is the Basilica of St. Ursula, Cologne’s most intriguing hidden gem. The church is full of legend, as it is claimed that St. Ursula and 11,000 virgin followers are buried there.
But it’s what’s within the Golden Chamber that draws your eye: a small room decorated with bones, arranged in elaborate designs. It’s spooky yet captivating, offering a rare glimpse into medieval religious art.
This chapel is not suited to those who are faint-hearted, but it leaves a lasting impression. It’s perfect for tourists who enjoy a blob of darkness accompanied by heritage.
Unique Experience:
- Explore the Golden Chamber’s bone mosaics
- Enjoy guided tours for in-depth history
10. Unwind at Fischmarkt & Groß St. Martin Square
For those looking to relax and enjoy the local ambience, Fischmarkt and Groß St. Martin Square are ideal. This quaint section of the Old Town is well-known for pastel-colored buildings, outdoor cafes, and old-world ambience.
It’s a photographer’s delight and that of anyone who desires to get away from more populated tourist areas. The calm atmosphere of the square and proximity of the Rhine harbour render it a lovely spot to drop by and enjoy a casual promenade or coffee break.
It’s also a good spot to people-watch. Do be sure to take a few photo-worthy shots here.
Why Visit:
- Instagram-worthy, vibrant residences
- Outdoor cafes with river views
- A peaceful environment surrounds the main attractions
11. Go Shopping on Schildergasse
No Cologne trip is ever complete without a spot of shopping, and Schildergasse is Cologne’s shopping heartbeat. With a status as one of Europe’s busiest shopping streets, it attracts thousands of customers every hour.
The area offers a range of international high-street brands through to individual local shops. It is a good spot to purchase mementoes and fashion goods or for window shopping. The busy street atmosphere is part of it all, making it more than a shopping trip. You’ll find something to fit every fashion sense and pocket here.
Consumer Decisions:
- Zara, H&M, and local stores
- shops: Hohe Straße and Ne
12. Ride the Cologne Cable Car and Go to Rheinpark
Looking for a fun, family activity with good views? The Cologne Cable Car is a good place to get a different aerial view of the city as it glides over the Rhine River and is one of the best things to do in Cologne.
From the zoo area to the massive Rheinpark, a green oasis that is ideally suited to picnics, playtime, or a relaxing respite before city sightseeing, it is a smooth and beautiful ride with excellent camera shots of the city skyline.
Once you’re over it, you’re free to partake in open park spaces or, more rarely, pop over to local thermal baths. It’s a local and tourist favourite, especially when it’s sunny outside.
To Do:
- Ride the Köln Seil
- Enjoy green lawns and picnic spots in Rheinpark
13. Attend a Show at the Musical Dome
The Musical Dome is situated next to Cologne’s central railway station and is one of the city’s major entertainment hubs. With a dominating blue exterior and international-class sound and acoustics, the dome hosts world-class musicals, pop shows, and theatre productions.
Classic theatre or new-school theatre, there’s always a show that’s worth seeing at this venue. Finishing your day of sightseeing with a concert is a great idea, as it brings a sense of glitz and sophistication to it.
Try to preview the programme in advance and get your seats early, pop shows are snapped up in a flash!
What’s On:
- Mamma Mia!, The Lion King, and more
- Book via GetYourGuide or Musical Dome Tickets
14. Join the Cologne Carnival
If your luck lands you in Cologne around Carnival time, you are in for a treat. The local term “fifth season” refers to Cologne Carnival as it sweeps over a city with a sea of costumes, colour, and party atmosphere.
From November 11th to Ash Wednesday, city venues around town come alive with celebration culminating in the grand Rose Monday parade. Residents and foreign expats are a part of it all, dressed to the hilt in elaborate costumes and dancing through city streets.
It’s a cultural highlight showing much about Cologne’s party-loving atmosphere. This is not a festival; it’s a tradition.
Must See:
- Rose Monday Parade
- Floats and local performances
15. Visit Cologne City Hall (Rathaus)
Rich in centuries of history, Cologne City Hall is Germany’s oldest city hall. Dreamed up in the 14th century, it boasts a stunning Gothic tower and Renaissance-style loggia.
As you wander its corridors, you’ll see that it houses massive statues and the mythic Hansasaal, previously used as a place of great city deliberation. With its stately facade and daily striking of the carillon out front, it’s a stop worth a visit.
For history lovers or architecture enthusiasts, this spot offers a taste of Cologne’s political and cultural heritage. Tours are available and are worth it.
Don’t Miss:
- Renaissance loggia
- percussion performances every
- Histasoorn Educational Tours of Histas
16. Visit the Belgian Quarter & Art Galleries
Flamboyant, fun, and innovative, the Belgian Quarter is Cologne’s version of Shoreditch or Berlin’s Kreuzberg. The Quarter is dotted with hip cafes, independent boutiques, and an ever-changing canvas of street graffiti.
Art lovers will enjoy visiting such places as the Kolumba Museum, which is so beautifully intertwined between modern and medieval art. There’s also Walther König, a world-credentialed arts bookshop that is a collector’s haven and a browser’s paradise as well!
Whether you’re brunching, looking through galleries, or gazing at open-air installations, the Belgian Quarter is a real, artsy experience perfectly counterposed beside the historic centre.
Hidden Gems:
- Kolumba Museum
- Independent bookstores and galleries
- Original murals and pop cafes
17. Plan Day Trips: Bonn, Düsseldorf, Phantasialand & Aachen
Cologne is a perfect base to experience western Germany, as many fascinating cities and attractions are just a short rail trip away.
Visit Bonn and go on a musical tour through Beethoven’s city, or experience Düsseldorf’s chic shopping and riverside strolls. Phantasialand, a wonderful fun park with roller rides and interactive zones, also supplies thrills. And if culture is what you’re looking for, Aachen’s medieval cathedral and Roman baths are sure not to disappoint.
These days, excursions are a pleasant break and a more in-depth experience of the area’s diversity and culture.
Alternatives
- Bonn: The City
- Düsseldorf: Fashion and nightlife
- Phantasialand: Germany’s leading theme park
- Aachen: Historical cathedral city
Make Cologne Your Next Adventure
From ancient cathedral to chocolate-infused riverside, Cologne surprises and charms around every bend. The city break lets you tick some boxes for the things to do in Cologne, including architecture, arts, shopping, and relaxing on a cruise along the Rhine. It’s compact yet rich in experiences, traditional yet trendsetting.
The food is great, the beer is better, and the people are some of the friendliest in Europe. If you’re looking for an unforgettable getaway that’s easy to reach from the UK, this city should be at the top of your list. Ready to go? Save this guide, book your trip, and let Cologne charm you.
Don’t forget to share your favourite spot in Cologne in the comments!
FAQs:
Q1: How many days should you spend in Cologne?
A: Ideally, 2–3 days to experience the main sights and a day trip.
Q2: Is Cologne expensive for UK citizens?
A: Reasonably affordable. Count on €2.50 pints of beer, €10–15 museums, and day transport at €8–10.
Q3: Is German a required language?
Q: Not required. English is widely spoken.
Q4: What is the best time to go?
A: Spring and summer for the climate, winter for Christmas markets and Carnival.
Q5: Is there a child/family-friendly atmosphere in Cologne?
A: Yes! The Chocolate Museum, cable cars, Rheinpark, and cruises are child-friendly.
