Best Travel Guide Cologne | ArrivalGuides.com

CologneGuide was updated: 2025-06-27

It is said that natives of Cologne who are living elsewhere always feel homesick, and visitors to this beautiful city will soon understand why. Germany’s oldest metropolis, which, of course, gave its name to the Eau de Cologne, offers a mix of magnificent and romantic churches, cutting-edge modern architecture, busy shopping streets, and world-famous museums. There is much to do and see in Cologne, and with all the frequent flights and transportation options, getting here has never been easier.

Do & See

Cologne’s Old Town is where the city’s history really shows, with highlights like the Cathedral, the Roman Praetorium, the twelve Romanesque churches, and the City Hall—the oldest one in Germany. If you want to mix things up, try a boat tour, take the cable cars over the Rhine, or head to a rooftop for a panoramic city view. And if you need a break from sightseeing, the parks, the Botanical Garden, and the zoo offer some quiet green space to unwind.

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Cologne Cathedral

Construction on the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, and it ended up being one of the biggest building projects of the Middle Ages. The idea was to make room for the waves of pilgrims coming to see the shrine of the Three Wise Men—yes, those Three Wise Men. Their supposed remains are kept in a gold casket near the altar, and it’s still the cathedral’s most prized relic.

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Cologne's City Hall

While in Cologne, you can visit Germany's oldest city hall, with parts dating back to the 11th century. Over time, it has picked up a mix of styles—Gothic tower, Renaissance loggia, some modern touches. The 61-metre tower is covered in carved figures, including some cheeky ones from local history, and the bells chime four times a day. There’s also a mechanical face called the Platzjabbek that sticks its tongue out on the hour. Inside, the Hansasaal is the main historic hall—worth a look if it’s open.

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Twelve Romanesque Churches of Cologne

Scattered throughout the Old Town, these twelve churches are among the oldest buildings in Cologne—most of them date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. They’ve all got that heavy Romanesque look, but each one’s a bit different. Great St. Martin stands out with its massive tower right by the river, St. Gereon has got an unusual oval dome, and St. Maria im Kapitol is one of the largest. You don’t need to see all twelve, but stopping in at a couple while you’re exploring the Old Town gives you a good feel for the city’s medieval side.

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Flora and Botanical Garden

This garden has been around since the 1800s and holds about 10,000 plant species. The main greenhouse is a highlight—step inside and it’s like a mini rainforest with tropical plants from South America and beyond.

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Hohenzollern Bridge

This railway and pedestrian bridge is one of the most recognisable spots in Cologne, and hard to miss if you’re near the Cathedral. Originally built in the early 1900s, it was rebuilt after being blown up in 1945. These days, most people come for the view and the thousands of love locks clipped to the railings. It’s a short, easy walk across the Rhine with some great photo angles of the city, especially at sunset.

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Cologne Triangle

For a great view of the Cathedral and the city, head up to the rooftop platform at Köln Triangle. It’s over 100 metres up, so you get a full 360-degree look. The lift gets you there fast, and on a clear day, you can spot pretty far across the skyline.

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Population:	Metro area: 1,153,000 (2025)
Currency:	Euro (EUR, €)
Emergency Numbers:	Police: 110 Fire brigade: 112 Ambulance: 112
Newspapers:	Express: www.express.de Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger: www.ksta.de
Tourist Information:	KölnTourismus Kardinal-Höffner-Platz 1 +49 221 346430 Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 10am–5:30pm, Sun closed