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
URBAN LOFT Cologne

URBAN LOFT Cologne

Eigelstein 41, Cologne
The price is $98 total per night from Nov 2 to Nov 3
$98 total
per night
Nov 2 - Nov 3
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! (1,147 reviews)
"Staff very friendly. Rooms clean and comfortable"

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2025

URBAN LOFT Cologne
Maritim Hotel Köln

Maritim Hotel Köln

Heumarkt 20, Cologne, NW
The price is $143 total per night from Oct 19 to Oct 20
$143 total
per night
Oct 19 - Oct 20
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! (1,188 reviews)
"Great!!"

Reviewed on Sep 21, 2025

Maritim Hotel Köln
Dorint An der Messe Köln

Dorint An der Messe Köln

Deutz-Muelheimer-Str. 22 - 24, Cologne, NW
The price is $148 total per night from Oct 19 to Oct 20
$148 total
per night
Oct 19 - Oct 20
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! (1,003 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on Sep 28, 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.
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! (1,056 reviews)
"The apartments are very well located, only 10 minutes' walk from Heumarkt and a 5-minute walk from Poststraße U-bahn station. The apartment itself was fairly basic and a bit dusty in some areas, but comfortable and spacious enough for two people, with TVs in the living room and bedroom. The bathroom ..."

Reviewed on Oct 3, 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Köln City
Adina Apartment Hotel Cologne

Adina Apartment Hotel Cologne

Hans-Imhoff-Strasse 1, Cologne
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (338 reviews)
"First time using Adina and very impressed. Beds extremely comfortable. Excellent room arrangement including sofa, fridge, kettle. I used the pool first thing in the morning which was a bonus. Very good breakfast buffet included. One stop on S bahn to Cologne main railway station. A couple of OK restaurants ..."

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2025

Adina Apartment Hotel Cologne
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (72 reviews)
"Clean and good location."

Reviewed on Aug 25, 2025

Numa Cologne Ehrenfeld
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

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