Cologne

Travel Guide

Hohenzollern Bridge showing a bridge, a church or cathedral and a river or creek
Cologne
Cologne featuring heritage architecture, cruising and a river or creek
Cologne
Alter Markt
Discover the character of this liberal and hospitable city, now a hub for arts and culture in Germany’s Rhineland.

Cologne lies on the banks of the Rhine River and is Germany’s fourth largest city. Its long and fascinating history has given the city a distinctive charm a towering cathedral, medieval marketplace and grand old buildings sit alongside modern office blocks. Cologne is a hot spot for tourism, as well as media and business. It is famous worldwide for the scent Eau de Cologne, first produced here in 1709. It’s also known as being one of the most liberal cities in Germany.One of the most popular areas for visitors is the picturesque Old Town, which was almost completely reduced to rubble during World War II. Cologne was one of themost heavily bombed cities in Germany, but it has been painstakingly rebuilt. The historic center, including the Alter Markt (Old Market), has been restored to its pre-war heritage and the surviving old buildings, such as the famous Cologne Cathedral, carefully preserved. A more modern attraction, but still one of the oldest of its kind in Germany, is the Cologne Zoo.Cologne today is known for being a major cultural center and is famous for its Winter Carnival, held in February. There’s also plenty of activity throughout the year thanks to the city’s vibrant arts scene, countless galleries and more than 30 museums. The Museum Schnütgen houses an extensive collection of medieval art in an 11th-century Romanesque church. Visit the Museum für Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Art) and browse through thousands of design objects, from a Mies van der Rohe chair to a retro vacuum cleaner. If you want to practice your German, Cologne is a great place to do so as the locals are known for their welcoming nature. English is also widely spoken here, especially by younger people, and tours and information in English are available for all of the city’s main attractions.Getting around Cologne is easy with the efficient and affordable public transport network, which includes trams, buses and trains. There is an English language feature on ticket machines. Renting a bike is another great way to see this city rentals are available from the northern side of the main train station.

Where to stay in Cologne

Kolumba-Diocesan Museum

Old Town Cologne

Known for its stunning cathedral, stunning river views, and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Old Town Cologne. Top attractions like Cologne Cathedral and Schildergasse are major draws. Catch the metro at Heumarkt U-Bahn or Neumarkt U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Old Town Cologne
Rheinau Harbour

Innenstadt

Central to Cologne, Innenstadt boasts historic old town charm, Gründerzeit era new town, and Deutz quarter. Explore landmarks like Cologne Cathedral, romanesque churches, and KölnTurm, while enjoying easy access to train stations and the Cologne Ring.

Innenstadt
Cologne Cathedral

Altstadt-Nord

4.5/5(378 area reviews)

Known for its stunning cathedral and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Altstadt-Nord. Check out top attractions like Cologne Cathedral and National Socialist Documentation Center, and jump on the metro at Appellhofplatz Breite Strasse U-Bahn or Heumarkt U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Altstadt-Nord
Rheinboulevard showing a river or creek, a city and a sunset

Deutz

4/5(26 area reviews)

Part of central Cologne, Deutz serves as a business center and transportation hub, boasting the Köln Messe/Deutz station. Enjoy picturesque views of the old town from the river embankment and explore nearby Rheinpark.

Deutz
Hohenzollern Bridge showing a bridge, a church or cathedral and a river or creek

Altstadt-Süd

4/5(96 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Altstadt-Süd. Top attractions like Chocolate Museum and Schildergasse are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Severinstrasse U-Bahn or Poststrasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Altstadt-Süd
Default Image

Mülheim

3.5/5(15 area reviews)

Mülheim is a destination travelers like for its museums, and you might hop aboard the metro at Am Emberg U-Bahn or Im Weidenbruch U-Bahn to explore sights like Palladium.

Mülheim
Maritim Hotel Köln
Maritim Hotel Köln
Heumarkt 20, Cologne, NW
$118 nightly
The price is $132 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$132 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,142 reviews)
"Great location, nice hotel, excellent staff."

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Maritim Hotel Köln
URBAN LOFT Cologne
URBAN LOFT Cologne
Eigelstein 41, Cologne
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$83 nightly
The price is $93 total per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
$93 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,175 reviews)
"Walkable to everything"

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

URBAN LOFT Cologne
Dorint An der Messe Köln
Dorint An der Messe Köln
Deutz-Muelheimer-Str. 22 - 24, Cologne, NW
$106 nightly
The price is $119 total per night from Jul 24 to Jul 25
$119 total
Jul 24 - Jul 25
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"nice staff good food clean and comfortable rooms"

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Dorint An der Messe Köln
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Numa Cologne Ehrenfeld
Numa Cologne Ehrenfeld
Venloer Straße 241-245, Cologne
Stay at this aparthotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Cologne Cathedral and Musical Dome are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (63 reviews)
"overall a great experience"

Reviewed on May 11, 2025

Numa Cologne Ehrenfeld
limehome Köln Friesenplatz
limehome Köln Friesenplatz
Friesenpl. 15, Cologne, NRW
Stay at this aparthotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Cologne Cathedral and Musical Dome are ...
8/10 Very Good! (51 reviews)
Lovely apartment
"Really easy to checkin yourself. Room was clean and tidy, had everything I needed."

Reviewed on Jan 24, 2025

limehome Köln Friesenplatz
Aparthotel Adagio Köln City
Aparthotel Adagio Köln City
Blaubach 3, Cologne, NW
Stay at this aparthotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,035 reviews)
"Great location, would highly recommend!"

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Köln City
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Cologne

An extensive bus, subway and trolley network means that Cologne is easy to get around using public transit, with many of the city’s main sights – like the cathedral and museums – sitting near to stops or stations. Unusually for a German city, Cologne is not particularly bike-friendly, but the historic center of the city is fairly easy to explore on foot. Regional trains serve the surrounding area. Visit the Cologne Transport AuthorityOpens in a new window website.Browse Cologne rental cars.

Best time to visit

Cologne has different things to offer visitors at different times of year. Winters can be chilly, but around the holiday season this just adds to the cozy atmosphere of the city’s Christmas markets, which are open from late November. Summers are warmer than anywhere else in Germany but can also be busy and expensive, while spring and fall offer a good compromise, with nice weather but smaller crowds.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Cologne

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
189
5 - Excellent 49%
4 - Good
166
4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
27
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
3
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Easy to get around, small enough to do major attractions in 2 days tops.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Lots to do. Very salable.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Amazing city with a special charm.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

A short walk along Eigelstein street to the Eigelstein-Torburg gate, once you pass under the railway line is a pleasant surprise. The architecture, atmosphere and civilised restaurant prices compared to central station or shopping mall direction.

3/5 - Okay

Tina

Didn’t like at all, not much to look.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Wonderful city

Cities near Cologne

Other places like Cologne