Discover Cologne: Culture, Art and the Rhine

Cultural History and Art in Cologne

Cologne Cathedral is considered an extraordinary work of human creativity. Its foundation stone was laid in 1248, and the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. Beneath it lies an archaeological excavation site covering around 4,000 square metres. Another excavation site at Rathausplatz offers insights into Cologne’s Roman past and the medieval history of its Jewish community. The Old Town also brings together traces from different eras: monuments, fountains and excavations can be found there, with numerous stories surrounding them.

Cologne’s twelve Romanesque churches are arranged in a semicircle around the city centre. Some stand on foundations dating from Roman times; the churches also display original medieval furnishings and relics. For art lovers, the Museum Ludwig offers a different sweep through time: its permanent collection represents major modern movements from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. It also houses one of Europe’s largest and most important photography collections, with works from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum also owns the world’s third-largest Picasso collection, as well as extensive holdings of Pop Art and German Expressionism.

Other collections offer their own distinctive focus. The Schnütgen Museum houses medieval art; its largest exhibition space is the more than 1,000-year-old Romanesque Church of St. Cecilia. The EL-DE House, the former Gestapo headquarters, houses the NS Documentation Centre (NS-DOK), with a memorial, the permanent exhibition “Cologne during National Socialism,” a documentation centre and a library.

Gardens, the Rhine and Walking Routes

The Flora and Botanical Garden form an 11.5-hectare garden complex in Cologne. Since 1920, it has combined a historic garden monument with a botanical garden and plant exhibition houses. Visitors can see 12,000 cultivated plant species from around the world, both outdoors and in greenhouses. The annual programme includes themed Sunday guided tours for individual visitors at 11 a.m. Check the current programme before your visit if you are planning to join a tour.

Two clearly described routes offer different distances. The 8-kilometre Short Rhine Panorama Tour is a circular route: it begins at Cologne Cathedral and passes over the Hohenzollern Bridge, along the Rhine, through Rheinauhafen and through the historic Old Town. The Via Culturalis is much shorter, at around 800 metres, and runs between the cathedral and St. Maria im Kapitol. A free audio tour with around 30 recordings accompanies visitors at the original locations.

Rhine Park lies directly on the Rhine and offers large play areas and lawns for leisure activities. It is freely accessible and open year-round; check access information before your trip. At Cologne Zoo, the aquarium presents fish, anemones, corals, starfish, mussels and crustaceans in around 70 aquariums arranged by geographical region. At the Hippodom, visitors can explore a walk-through replica of an African river landscape featuring hippopotamuses, Nile crocodiles, antelopes and various bird species.

City Life and Practical Information

The cathedral is very close to the main train station and is easily reached by public transport or car. The cable car offers another perspective on Cologne and the Rhine: from above, you can take in the city skyline and panoramic views of the Rhine. Timetables vary by season, so it is worth checking them before your trip. Dates and programmes for the street carnival also change every year.

The atmospheric alleyways and traditional houses of Cologne’s Old Town are home to numerous pubs, restaurants and breweries. Cologne’s brewing culture dates back more than 500 years; Cologne is the only city permitted to brew the famous Kölsch. If you are looking for a hotel in Cologne, you can tailor your stay to your interests, whether they lie in art, history, green spaces, walking routes or city life. This makes choosing a destination the starting point for planning a trip that suits you.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Lind, Gremberghoven, Cologne-Brück, Junkersdorf, Worringen.

Back to the main travel guide: Cologne.