Cologne: Cathedral, museums and Rhine Park

Cologne Cathedral gives a stay in Cologne a distinctive historical dimension: its foundation stone was laid in 1248, and it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. Beneath the cathedral, an archaeological excavation covers about 4,000 square metres. The building’s history and archaeological research offer different ways to explore the city’s past.

The cathedral, churches and museums

Cologne has twelve Romanesque churches arranged in a semicircle around the city centre. Some stand on foundations dating back to Roman times; original medieval furnishings and relics can also be viewed there. This gives the city’s church landscape a historical dimension that goes beyond its architecture.

The Museum Ludwig has the world’s third-largest Picasso collection. Its extensive holdings also include Pop Art, German Expressionism and photography. The NS-DOK is located in the EL-DE House, the former Gestapo headquarters in the centre of Cologne. The building houses a memorial, the permanent exhibition “Cologne during National Socialism”, a documentation centre and a library.

Medieval art also has a prominent place in Cologne’s cultural scene: the Schnütgen Museum houses a significant collection in this field. Its largest exhibition space is the Romanesque Church of St. Cecilia, which is more than 1,000 years old. Together with the cathedral and Romanesque churches, it offers a distinctive focus for anyone interested in sacred art, architectural history and historical collections.

Gardens, the Rhine and wildlife

In the north of Cologne is the Flora and Botanical Garden, an 11.5-hectare garden complex. It displays 12,000 cultivated plant species from around the world outdoors and in greenhouses. Since 1920, the Cologne Flora and the Botanical Garden have combined a historic garden monument with a botanical garden and plant display greenhouses. The gardens, plant displays and different growing methods each offer their own highlights.

Rhine Park is right on the Rhine and offers family-friendly recreation with large play areas and lawns. It is freely accessible and open year-round; check the latest access information before your visit. It also makes it easy to plan some time outdoors during your stay in Cologne.

Cologne Zoo is in the heart of the city. Its aquarium features fish, anemones, corals, starfish, mussels and crustaceans in around 70 geographically arranged aquariums. At the Hippodom, visitors can explore a walk-through replica of an African river landscape with hippos, Nile crocodiles, antelopes and various bird species. The two areas present wildlife in different ways: in thematically arranged aquariums and a recreated landscape.

On foot, with an audio tour and by cable car

The Via Culturalis is a route of around 800 metres between Cologne Cathedral and St. Maria im Kapitol. A free audio tour is available, with around 30 audio segments at the original locations. The route and audio segments give culture enthusiasts a practical way to explore the places and themes of the Via Culturalis.

Cologne’s Old Town has numerous pubs, restaurants and breweries in its quaint lanes and traditional houses, all within walking distance. The Cologne Cable Car offers a different perspective: from above, visitors can take in the city skyline and the full panorama of the Rhine. The cable car timetable varies by season, so check it before your trip.

Carnival and brewery culture

Cologne’s street carnival is an annual Rhineland folk festival. Dates and programmes vary each year, so it is worth checking the dates relevant to your trip in advance. Brewery culture also shapes the city’s local character: it has a history of more than 500 years, and Cologne is the only city where the famous Kölsch beer may be brewed. A brewery tour can tell you more about the history of the breweries; tour availability may vary, so check the latest booking details.

The cathedral, churches and museums offer a cultural and historical focus, while the Flora, Rhine Park and zoo provide different highlights. The Old Town adds pubs, restaurants and breweries.

Discover more destinations: Gremberghoven, Worringen, Cologne, Junkersdorf, Cologne-Brück, Siegen-Wittgenstein, Coesfeld, Euskirchen.

Back to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.