Thinking about a visit to Cologne Germany? Well, don’t question it… It’s time to book your trip!! For us, this city was love at first sight, and a destination we already can’t wait to go back to. The world famous Cologne Cathedral is a must, but there are truly so many more fun things to do in Cologne! Let us show you some of the can’t miss attractions, as well as the secret places that we discovered along the way.
17 Things to Do in Cologne Germany
1. Start in Cologne Old Town
The Old Town of every German city always the first place we visit, and that was no different in Cologne! Altstadt is the historic heart set right on the Rhine river.
Here you can find endless bars, restaurants, and historic architecture around every street corner. Keep an eye out for the 12 Romanesque churches that you can spot around the medieval city centre.
As you’ll see in this article, many of the best things to do in Cologne are located within the old town. Yet, if you’re planning to use public transportation to get around, look into getting a KölnCard. This will give you access to the efficient subway system, local buses, and discounts to many great attractions.
Simply walking around the historic district is so fun in itself! However, a guided old town tour (like this popular one) is a great intro for your time in the city.
2. Climb the Cologne Cathedral
Out of all the things to do in Cologne, we decided to take on the Cologne Cathedral first. This was ideal because we were excited to see the view from the famous monument.
Still, know that there are over 500 steps to get to the top! It was basically like being on a 30+ minute stair stepper, as we twisted our way up to the peak.
Nevertheless, the view was definitely worth all the work. This ended up being on of our favorite experiences in Cologne.
Make sure to wear sneakers with a good grip since the stairs can be a little slippery. Also, avoid the middle of the day, especially in the peak summer when it’s hot and very crowded.
3. Fischmarkt Cologne
Just around the corner from the Cologne Cathedral (exact location), lies the former fish market of the city. It’s set right on the Rhine River, with amazing bars and restaurants everywhere you look.
During different times of the year, there are certain events that take place in the area. One of our favorite things to do in Cologne during the winter is to hit the many Christmas markets!
The Fischmarket also makes for a fun photo spot while exploring. Take a seat at one of the outdoor cafes and enjoy an ice cold beer with a view.
4. Grab Drinks on the Rhine
Looking for a great view on the Rhine? Grab a drink and head down to the riverfront!
A local move we discovered was to buy a takeaway beer from the minimarts and walk to the steps on the water. This is a popular spot where friends gather to enjoy a view of the famous bridge.
After you finish your beer, you can even walk over the other side to get a different perspective.
5. Hohenzollern Bridge
The bridge we’re talking about is of course the Hohenzollern! This historic railway bridge is known for its unique design, views of the cathedral, and cityscape.
The bridge has over 1,200 train crossing daily and the rails are lined with love locks from its many pedestrians.
6. Try a Kölsch Beer
No visit to Cologne would be complete without trying a delicious Kölsch beer. There are many rules around this beer (similar to Champagne from France) from who can produce it, to how it’s served, and even the glass it’s poured in.
The light golden ale is such a treat, and not too heavy or strong. This makes it the perfect beer for a hot summer day during your adventures in Cologne.
The funny thing about the breweries in this region of Germany is that the drinks literally won’t stop coming! We found this out the (not so) hard way during our first visit to Dusseldorf.
Basically, the waiters keep bringing out fresh beers to your table. The only way to cut off this never-ending supply is to put a coaster on top of your glass.
If you’re overwhelmed with where to start tasting Kolsch beer, then consider jumping on a tour! This Brewery Tour with tasting and Old Town Beer History Tour are two of the most popular.
7. Go to a Traditional Brewery
If you’re planning a trip to a brewery, it only makes sense to have some food, too! One of the best things to do in Cologne Germany is to indulge in German cuisine.
Our absolute favorite was Brauhaus FRÜH am Dom, but we have to delve further into our night there for you to truly understand. Believe it or not, this restaurant is also the 2nd largest beer hall in the entire country.
We had the Schweinshaxe and Sauerbraten, then ended with a homemade apple strudel. It was hands down one of the best traditional meals that we’ve ever had in Germany.
Not up for a full dinner? You can easily order a snack off their menu to go with your beer. The Halver Hahn is a dutch cheese we tried that’s aged in their cellar.
It was heaven when added to a slice of bread with mustard, and we’re still craving it to this day! Read more about our visit to Brauhaus Früh Am Dom here.
Dining at Zum Kornbrenner
With Cologne being such an international city, there is also a great mix of food from other countries Europe. On our second night in the city we had dinner at Zum Kornbrenner, which is a German and Greek fusion restaurant.
And yes, it was as delicious as you can imagine!
We started off with stuffed red peppers with feta and a full plate of fried calamari. For our main course, we ordered lamb and a massive schnitzel. Be sure to check out this special restaurant in the Nippes neighborhood on your next trip to Cologne.
8. Visit the Lindt Chocolate Museum
Ready for some dessert? A trip to the Cologne Lindt chocolate museum is an experience you won’t want to miss! The world-renowned Swiss company has a longstanding history and a strong connection to this German city.
It makes for a very popular attraction for families and kids. If possible, plan your visit for first thing in the morning and avoid the busy weekends.
You will learn all about the history of chocolate making and see the actual process on the upstairs level. Not to give away too many spoilers, but there are also plenty of delicious chocolate samples along the way!
One thing that we loved is you can make a custom chocolate bar with toppings of your choice. Fill out the card at the end of the tour with the toppings you want, and then watch it get made in the assembly line.
Even if you don’t want tour the full museum, we recommend making a stop into the cafe. It’s located on the first floor where you can order a coffee and large slice of cake.
9. Cologne Botanical Garden
One of our favorite outdoor activities in Cologne was going to the botanical gardens. It features over 12,000 plants from all over the world, and the colors were certainly popping in August! The gardens are located right next to the Cologne Cable car (more on that next), which makes it an easy choice to visit.
Another great thing about the Cologne Botanical Garden is that it’s completely free to enter. You can stop in for a quick viewing or spend an hour see all the different areas of the gardens.
10. Hop on the Cologne Cable Car
After the gardens, it’s time to jump on the Cologne Cable Car! This scenic attraction has been in operation since 1957. You can buy your tickets to take it one way to Rheinpark or make it a round trip.
We decided to take the Cable Car one way, as we wanted to get out and explore the park on the river. The Cable Car is a quick 6 minute trip that takes you up over the park, across a bridge, and above the Claudius Therme.
11. Picnic in Rheinpark
Just over the river from the city center is Cologne’s stunning Rheinpark. This is a massive green space filled with running trails, kids playgrounds, and pop up cafes.
It makes for a beautiful area to walk around for an hour, while still not being too far from old town. One of the most popular things to do in Cologne is to pack a picnic for Rheinpark and enjoy the views of the city.
Hopping on the cable car one way and walking back across the river to old town was such a fun afternoon!
12. Soak at Claudius Therme
On the edge of Rheinpark, you will also find the Claudius Therme. If you haven’t yet visited a thermal Spa in Germany, you are sorely missing out! The spa has both indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms, and so much more.
This is also one of the best things to do in Cologne during the winter months when the temperatures drop. Warming up in the thermal waters of Cologne is such a relaxing activity this time of year!
13. Take a Rhine River Cruise
Want to get out on the water? If so, we highly recommend jumping on a boat cruise down the Rhine.
You can take a classic river cruise (like this popular one), book one with dinner, or even take a ferry to another city.
There is actually a boat that runs from Düsseldorf to Cologne. This can be a great way to make a day trip between the cities since they are so close together. We even took a VIVA Cruise this past summer that passed through both!
Check out the top reasons why you should visit and our 1 Day in Dusseldorf guide if you’re including it in your Germany itinerary.
14. Explore the Belgian Quarter
While Cologne old town gets its well deserved recognition, there are so many other exciting neighborhoods to see around the city. One of our favorite days here was walking through the Belgian Quarter.
This hip area is home to so many incredible cafes and restaurants. After taking some time to stroll through the Belgian Quarter, we stopped into Herr Pimock for lunch. Try a traditional Flammkuchen flat bread here and definitely order a Banana hefeweizen beer.
We stayed walking distance from here at the NH Collection Köln Mediapark, which was a fantastic location close to all the major attractions. It even had spectacular views of the Cologne Cathedral from our room!
15. See the Ehrenfeld Murals
Not far away from the Belgian Quarter, is another one of the coolest neighborhoods to visit in Cologne Germany. Ehrenfeld is a mix of residential apartments, local restaurants, and a thriving art scene every traveler will love.
This is a great list of where to find all the colorful murals that adorn the walls. We couldn’t believe how these paintings popped during our trip to Ehrenfeld!
16. Ride the Cologne Ferris Wheel
For a unique view of the city, head over to the iconic ferris wheel of Cologne. It’s located perfectly right next to the Lindt Chocolate Museum, so you can combine the two activities.
At its peak, you’ll be 48 meters above the river! This is a fun idea for families with kids and a romantic ride for couples at night.
17. The Most Beautiful Street in Cologne
Don’t get us wrong. Cologne is filled with so many gorgeous streets and alleyways that will captivate even the most seasoned travelers.
However, there was one street that we just couldn’t get enough of on our visit! Körnerstraße has earned the title as the most “beautiful street in Cologne,” and we have to say we agree.
It’s located in the bustling Ehrenfeld neighborhood, which is full of life and international food options. Be sure to take stroll down this long street, stop into the boutique stores, and have a coffee at Zwoo Kaffeeröster.
Planning Your Cologne Germany 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. 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 this article or want to share more of the best things to do in Cologne Germany? Let us know in the comments below.
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
This experience was made possible in partnership with Cologne Tourism. As always, any opinions and recommendations remain our own.
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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!
