Cologne - Museums

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Cologne

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Overview

Museums The guide was updated: 2025-06-27

Cologne’s been around for over 2,000 years, so there’s no shortage of history—and a lot of it is packed into its museums. Whether you're into Roman ruins, religious art, modern photography or Carnival costumes, there’s something to dig into.

The city has ten municipal museums, from big names like Museum Ludwig to smaller, more focused spots like the Romano-Germanic Museum. You’ll also find private collections and church-run museums dotted around town. If you’ve got time, they’re well worth a look.

Museum Ludwig

Museum Ludwig

Right next to the Cathedral, this museum is a must if you're into modern art. It covers the last century or so—Pop Art, Surrealism, Expressionism—and has one of the biggest Picasso collections anywhere. There’s also a strong photography section and regular contemporary shows.

Lindt Chocolate Museum

Lindt Chocolate Museum

If you’ve ever wanted to see a giant chocolate fountain in action, this is your spot. The museum covers 5,000 years of chocolate history, from ancient cocoa drinks to how Lindt makes its bars today. You’ll see real machines running, get a few samples, and probably leave craving more. Luckily, there’s a café and a shop right there—no shame in going straight for dessert.

Cologne City Museum

Cologne City Museum

This museum covers Cologne’s story from the Middle Ages to today—everything from politics and religion to everyday life. It’s set inside the old city armoury, built around 1600, which adds some extra character to the visit. Expect everything from maps and photos to quirky local objects.

Farina Fragrance Museum

Farina Fragrance Museum

This is where Eau de Cologne was born—literally. The Farina family’s been making perfume here since the 1700s, and the 45-minute guided tour walks you through three centuries of fragrance history. You’ll learn how scents were made, stored, and sold long before modern branding. It’s a small museum, but a good pick if you’re curious about the city’s namesake product.

NS Documentation Centre

NS Documentation Centre

Housed in the former Gestapo headquarters, this museum focuses on life in Cologne under the Nazi regime—what changed, who resisted, and how people lived through it. The most powerful part is the basement, where you can still see the original prison cells with messages left by prisoners scratched into the walls.

Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud

Wallraf-Richartz-Museum & Fondation Corboud

The Wallraf-Richartz Museum is one of Cologne’s main art museums, especially if you're into older European art. The medieval section is strong, with loads of wood panel paintings from the 1300s to 1500s, most from the region. There’s also a good mix of Renaissance, Baroque, and Impressionist works—expect names like Rubens, Rembrandt and Van Dyck.

Museum of Applied Art Cologne (MAKK)

Museum of Applied Art Cologne (MAKK)

Just around the corner from the Cathedral, MAKK covers ten centuries of design and everyday objects—furniture, ceramics, jewellery, glass, and all sorts of things people actually used. The modern design section is the standout, with everything from Bauhaus to contemporary pieces.

Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum

Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum

The Rautenstrauch-Joest Museum explores how people live, think, and express themselves around the world—with objects and stories from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, and Europe. It’s not laid out by geography but by theme, which makes it feel more like a conversation than a history lesson.

House of Studies of the Romano-Germanic Museum

House of Studies of the Romano-Germanic Museum

Currently housed in a temporary space while the main building is under renovation, this museum still shows off one of Germany’s best collections of Roman and early medieval finds. You’ll see everything from tools and jewellery to burial objects—and the highlight: the Dionysus mosaic from around 200 AD.

Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum

Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum

This museum covers 3,000 years of sport, from ancient games to modern Olympic highlights. It features a mix of memorabilia, media, and stories behind big moments and athletes. Recent sections cover trend sports like skateboarding, surfing, and BMX. It’s right by the river in a converted warehouse, and there’s even a rooftop pitch where you can kick a ball around if it’s open.

Cologne Carnival Museum

Cologne Carnival Museum

If you’re curious about what makes Cologne tick, this museum gives you a look into the city’s biggest tradition—Carnival. Through costumes, photos, music and props, it shows how the festival has evolved over the centuries. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but worth it if you want to understand why locals go all in every February.

Käthe Kollwitz Museum

Käthe Kollwitz Museum

This small but focused museum is all about Käthe Kollwitz—one of Germany’s most important 20th-century artists. Her work, primarily comprising drawings, prints, and sculptures, explores themes such as war, grief, and social justice. It’s an intimate space and home to the largest Kollwitz collection in the world.

Kolumba

Kolumba

Part museum, part architectural experience, Kolumba is run by the Archdiocese and brings together Christian art from Late Antiquity to today—paintings, sculptures, installations, all mixed across periods. The building, designed by Peter Zumthor, is worth seeing on its own. It was built over the ruins of the old St. Columba church, and the layers of history are part of the visit.

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