Must SeeFree
Cologne Cathedral
Altstadt
A colossal Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO site, with a tower you can climb for views.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers · Photographers
Daily; tower open most days
Plan your Cologne trip
- Flight + Hotel PackageRecommended Best option if you want the trip arranged together. View Packages Packages
- Hotels Prefer to book accommodation separately? View Hotels Hotels
- Flights Already have accommodation? View Flights Flights
- Things To Do Tours, attractions and experiences. View Activities Activities
Overview
Why go to Cologne
Cologne’s vast cathedral dominates a friendly Rhine-side city of museums, brewery pubs and lively festivals. It is easy to combine with day trips along the Rhine.
- Where
- North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Recommended stay
- 2–3 nights
- Best time to go
- May–September for riverside strolls; December for Christmas markets; February for Carnival.
- Approx. daily budget
- £65–125 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.
What does Cologne cost?
Full cost guide- Budget traveller£60–85a day
- Mid-range traveller£115–165a day
- Luxury traveller£225+a day
Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.
Things To Do
See all 16 Top picks in Cologne
Must See~£14
Rhine Cruise
Rhine
A boat trip along the Rhine with views of the skyline and old town.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Families · Couples
Daily in season
Day Trips~£10
Brühl Palaces Day Trip
Brühl (15 km)
A UNESCO baroque palace and gardens south of Cologne, easy by train.
- Suggested time: 4 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers
Tuesday–Sunday; check hours
Local FavouritesFree
Hohenzollern Bridge
Deutz
A railway bridge covered with love locks, with a great view back to the cathedral.
- Suggested time: 30 min
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples · Photographers
Open-air; always accessible
Hidden Gems
See all 4 Beyond the checklist
Hidden GemsFree
Rheinauhafen Crane Houses
Rheinauhafen
Three striking crane-shaped buildings on a revitalised harbour, ideal for a walk.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples
Open-air; always accessible
Hidden Gems~£6
Museum Schnütgen
Altstadt
A museum of medieval sacred art housed in a beautiful Romanesque church, with carved wood, ivory and stained glass.
- Suggested time: 1h 15m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers
Closed Mondays
Hidden GemsFree
Severinsviertel
Südstadt
A lively neighbourhood of independent shops, cafés and brewery pubs, where locals live.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Everyone
Streets open all day
Hidden GemsFree
Flora and Botanical Garden
Riehl
A calm historic park and botanical garden with a glasshouse, a short walk from the zoo.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Outdoor lovers
Open daily; glasshouses have set hours
Hotels
All 3 hotels Best-value hotels in Cologne
Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.
Best ValueBest Mid-Range Hotel
Example listingDomblick Hotel
Altstadt, Cologne
Very good valueValue score 76 out of 100
Rated 8.7/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Cologne, in a central location.
From £110 per night · check current availability
Best for Families
Example listingRhine Riverside Hotel
Rheinauhafen, Cologne
Very good valueValue score 75 out of 100
Rated 8.5/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Cologne, with a pool.
From £105 per night · check current availability
Best Budget ChoiceBest for Couples
Example listingBelgian Quarter Inn
Belgisches Viertel, Cologne
Very good valueValue score 72 out of 100
Rated 8.6/10, priced in line with similar 3★ hotels in Cologne, in a central location.
From £70 per night · check current availability
Food & Restaurants
See all 4 Where to eat
Früh am Dom
A large, traditional brewery pub by the cathedral, serving Kölsch in small glasses with hearty food.
Known for: Kölsch, Himmel un Ähd, schnitzel
About £15–30 per person
Local favourite Good for Groups · Couples
Brauhaus Sion
A traditional Kölsch brewery pub, open since 1318, with waiters carrying trays of beer.
Known for: Kölsch, pork knuckle
About £15–30 per person
Local favourite Good for Groups · Couples
Gaffel am Dom
A lively Kölsch brewery pub beside the cathedral with a large terrace.
Known for: Kölsch and Rhenish dishes
About £15–30 per person
Good for Groups · Couples
Café Reichard
A traditional coffee house facing the cathedral, serving cakes and coffee.
Known for: Cakes, coffee, cathedral view
About £15–30 per person
Good for Couples · Families
A suggested Cologne itinerary
3 nights Couple
Cologne · Highlights
Cologne in 3 nights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Cologne picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
- Day 1 · Rhine Cruise, Rheinauhafen Crane Houses, Severinsviertel, Altstadt and Brewery Pubs
- Day 2 · Brühl Palaces Day Trip, Cologne Cathedral
- Day 3 · Museum Ludwig, Museum Schnütgen, Flora and Botanical Garden, Hohenzollern Bridge
Plan Cologne your way
Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you enjoy. We’ll build a first draft you can edit.