Cologne

12 places, 7 of them free and 4 tours and activities. A towering Gothic cathedral, riverside old town and Kölsch beer.

12 places

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

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

NightlifeFree

Altstadt and Brewery Pubs

Altstadt

Cobbled lanes of the old town and traditional Brauhaus pubs serving Kölsch.

  • Suggested time: 3 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples · Nightlife fans

Pubs open from late morning

Culture~£14

Chocolate Museum

Rheinauhafen

A museum about chocolate, with a working chocolate fountain and factory demonstrations.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Families · Culture lovers

Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 10:00–18:00

Culture~£12

Museum Ludwig

Altstadt

A modern art museum with a big Pop Art collection and works by Picasso.

  • Suggested time: 2 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 10:00–18:00

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

Food & DrinkFree

Belgian Quarter

Belgisches Viertel

Trendy streets of independent shops, cafés and bars, popular with locals.

  • Suggested time: 2h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Nightlife fans · Food lovers

Shops open daily; bars open evening

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

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