The Cologne Cathedral is one of the most incredible historic sites to visit in Germany. However, if you’re thinking about going to the top, know that you’re in for quite the climb! Here’s what to know about the 500+ Cologne Cathedral steps, if it’s worth visiting the highest tower, and all about our own experience.
Why is Cologne Cathedral So Famous?
Before we can go into the amazing history of the Cologne Cathedral, you should know that its sheer size makes it worth seeing in person. The famous Cathedral is…
- The tallest twin-spired church in the world.
- Second tallest church in Europe after Ulm Minster.
- The third tallest church in the entire world of any type.
Pretty mind-blowing, huh? Well, the story behind how it was built is even more impressive!
The site itself has been home to places of Christian worship dating back to the 4th century. Yet, the actual construction of the Cologne Cathedral didn’t start until the year 1248.
This was when the Konrad von Hochstaden, the Archbishop of Cologne, decided to build a massive Gothic Church in the city centre. The idea was to house a shrine to the Three Wise Men after the relics were brought from Milan in 1164.
The massive project stalled out various times and went untouched for about 300 years from the 16th to 19th centuries. It would finally resume in 1842 during the Romantic period, and was finished over 600 years later in 1880!
→ 17 Amazing Things to do in Cologne Germany
General Cologne Cathedral Info
Opening Times: 6am to 8pm Everyday
Admission Price: €6 Adults – €3 Children
Completed In: 1880
Height: 157 meters (515 feet)
Cologne Cathedral Steps: 533
Our Climb Up the Cologne Cathedral Steps
We have climbed some serious towers during our time in Europe. From St. Mary’s Basilica in Gdansk to the Duomo di Milano, this always seems to be a part of our itinerary in historic cities!
Still, we had no idea what we were in for at the Cologne Cathedral. After paying our entrance ticket, we took a look up the long, spiral staircase.
Honestly, it seemed never-ending, and we were questioning what we had got ourselves into! Determined to make it to the top, we started our journey up the stairs.
The first issue was it being a hot August day in the city. Typically, we try to avoid tourist attractions like this during the busy summer months.
Yet, not knowing when we’d be back, we decided it was now or never for the Cologne Cathedral steps. The way up was pretty challenging and we just kept our legs moving.
We consider ourselves in pretty decent shape and love hiking and cycling throughout the year. Nevertheless, the steps just keep going forever, and the height is no joke either!
After about 20 minutes of constant climbing, we reached a large room that opened up to a bell tower. From here, it’s a quick climb further up the tower to a large room with a smaller steel staircase in the middle. When you get here it’s time for the final push to the very top.
Epic Views From the Cologne Germany Cathedral
It was hard to fathom the views once we reached the peak of the Cologne Cathedral. We made it!
You’re able to circle the top tower to get panoramic views of the entire city. Although we were tired, we have to say it was so worth it in the end.
We could see other famous churches around the city, the Hohenzollern Bridge, and even our NH Collection Hotel off in the distance.
Standing over 140 meters atop one of the largest cathedrals in the world (that took over 600 years to build) was so surreal. Obviously, we took our time up here to truly soak it in.
We had worked up an appetite by the time we got down, so we decided to head out for dinner and drinks. Be sure to stop by the amazing Brauhaus Früh Am Dom for a meal and delicious Kolsch beers!
Is the Cologne Cathedral Worth Visiting?
Yes! This was easily one of the highlights of our entire trip to Germany.
Still, know that the actual Cologne Cathedral steps may not be for everyone. We also want to point out that the walk down was almost more difficult than going up!
This is due to the fact that some of the stairs are slender around the corners and you’ll be passing other people the entire time. Below are a few more easy tips to know before you go.
1. You’ll need to be in good physical condition to complete the climb.
2. Bring sturdy walking shoes or sneakers. There were several people in flip flips, and you could tell they were having a more difficult time.
3. Make sure to bring plenty of water with you! We shared a large bottle and needed more as soon as we got down.
4. There is a mesh wiring at the top for safety. For the best photos, line up your phone/camera in the gaps to get the shots.
5. Give yourself enough time and don’t underestimate the climb up the Cologne Cathedral steps. Also, you might not want to plan for a walking tour (like this popular one) or anything too intense right afterwards. Instead, pick a fun Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting to celebrate!
6. If possible, go during a weekday outside of summer months or major holidays.
Planning Your Cologne Trip
🛌 Some of the most popular hotels in the city are Wasserturm Hotel Cologne, Hyatt Regency Köln & NH Köln Altstadt.
✈️ The Cologne Airport (CGN) is best connected by train and can get you to old town in just 15 minutes. Check out Skyscanner for cheap domestic and international flights to Germany.
🚗 Use Discover Cars to find rental cars before your trip (as low as $15 a day!) It’s best to head back to the airport to pick it up before heading off to explore more of Germany. From Cologne, you can easily visit some of our our favorite towns in the Moselle Valley.
⛵️ We covered many of the best things to do in Cologne Germany here. Yet, if there was one tour we would book for our next trip, it would be the Old Town Beer History Tour!
☀️ Never travel abroad without insurance. We personally use SafetyWing while away from home.
🎒 If you need help packing for your trip, scan through our Amazon packing lists, electronics and camera gear & long flight essentials.
Have any questions about the Cologne Germany Cathedral or want to share tips from your own visit? Let us know in the comments!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
