Travel Guide of Cologne in Germany by Influencers and Travelers
Cologne is the largest city of Germany's most populous federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the fourth-most populous city in Germany.
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The Best Things to Do and Visit in Cologne
TRAVELERS TOP 10 :
1 - Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and of the administration of the Archdiocese of Cologne.
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2 - Köln
Cologne is the largest city of Germany's most populous federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the fourth-most populous city in Germany.
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3 - Tours & Sightseeing | Cologne City Tours
Pedal into every nook and cranny on this special e-bike tour of Cologne, with an English-speaking guide. You'll get to travel the fun way across the city and witness its striking contrasts as you go. Pedal through the hidden alleys of the Old Town, cruise along the Rhine, traverse the verdant Green Belt, and roll into the bustling Rheinau Harbour. Venture into the vibrant streets of the Südstadt and the Agnesviertel, all while comfortably cruising with a little help from your e-bike's tailwind. Get ready to soak up the authentic Cologne city life, away from the well-trodden tourist tracks. Your local guide, armed with a wealth of knowledge about the city's history, culture, and traditions, will lead the way on your two-wheeled journey. They’ll share fascinating facts, making the city's past and present come alive before your eyes. This 3.5-hour e-bike ride, limited to small groups of 12 or fewer, guarantees a personalized experience.
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4 - Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln
The Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln is a municipal formal park and botanical garden located adjacent to Cologne Zoological Garden at Amsterdamer Straße 34, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is open daily without charge.
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5 - Hohenzollernbrücke
The Hohenzollern Bridge is a bridge crossing the river Rhine in the German city of Cologne. It crosses the Rhine at kilometre 688.5. Originally, the bridge was both a railway and road bridge.
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6 - Domplatte
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7 - Rhine Garden
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8 - Rheinboulevard
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9 - Königsforst
10 km away
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10 - Bonn
24 km away
The federal city of Bonn is a city on the banks of the Rhine in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, with a population of over 300,000.
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11 - Poppelsdorf Palace
26 km away
Poppelsdorf Palace is a Baroque building in the Poppelsdorf district of Bonn, western Germany, which is now part of the University of Bonn.
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12 - Schloss Benrath
26 km away
Schloss Benrath is a Baroque-style maison de plaisance in Benrath, which is now a borough of Düsseldorf. It was erected for the Elector Palatine Charles Theodor and his wife, Countess Palatine Elisabeth Auguste of Sulzbach, by his garden and building director Nicolas de Pigage.
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13 - Kottenforst
32 km away
The Kottenforst is a large forest, about 40 km² in area, to the south, west and north of the city of Bonn in Germany. It is part of the Rhineland Nature Park and forms its eastern side.
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14 - Bad Godesberg
32 km away
Bad Godesberg is a borough of Bonn, southern North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. From 1949 to 1999, while Bonn was the capital of West Germany, most foreign embassies were in Bad Godesberg. Some buildings are still used as branch offices or consulates.
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15 - Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia
34 km away
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16 - Sattgrün Hafen
34 km away
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17 - Düsseldorf
35 km away
Düsseldorf is the capital city of North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state of Germany. It is the second-largest city in the state and the seventh-largest city in Germany, with a population of 617,280.
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18 - Rheinturm Düsseldorf
35 km away
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19 - Kasematten Düsseldorf
35 km away
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Pictures and Stories of Cologne from Influencers
20 pictures of Cologne from david henrichs, Atilla Taskiran, Glenn Carstens-Peters and other travelers
- First shot with the Canon 11-24mm 4.0 at the dom in cologne. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Benno Klandt | ©Unsplash
- Watching the leaves turning brown and the sun getting down. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @david henrichs | ©Unsplash
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Why should you visit Cologne ?
Travel to Cologne if you like:
🌲 Forest 🏰 Cathedral 🏰 Palace 🌉 Bridge 🗼 Landmark 🏘️ TownHow to visit Cologne ?
Why travel to Cologne?
Cologne is a vibrant and historic city in western Germany, located along the Rhine River. It's known for its stunning Gothic architecture, rich cultural heritage, and the famous Cologne Cathedral. Cologne is an excellent destination for art lovers, foodies, and history buffs alike, offering a mix of traditional and modern attractions.
How to get there?
Cologne is easily accessible through various modes of transportation. The Cologne-Bonn Airport (CGN) is the main international gateway to the city, with flights from many European cities. From the airport, you can take the S-Bahn train to the city center in just 15 minutes. Cologne is also well-connected by train to other German cities and major European destinations via the central train station (Hauptbahnhof). If you prefer driving, the city is conveniently located along the A1 and A3 highways.
What to book in advance?
It's a good idea to book your accommodation and any guided tours in advance to avoid disappointment. Some popular attractions, such as the Cologne Cathedral and the Chocolate Museum, may require advance booking, especially during peak travel seasons.
What are the costs?
Cologne is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other major European cities. Budget travelers can expect to spend around €50 per day, while mid-range travelers might spend around €100 per day. Luxury travelers can expect to spend upwards of €200 per day. Costs include accommodation, meals, transportation, and attractions.
What are the best things to do?
1. Visit the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom), a UNESCO World Heritage site and the city's most iconic landmark.
2. Explore the Museum Ludwig, housing an impressive collection of modern art, including works by Picasso.
3. Stroll through the historic Old Town and admire the colorful half-timbered houses and narrow cobblestone streets.
4. Take a scenic cruise along the Rhine River to enjoy beautiful views of the city and its surroundings.
5. Visit the Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum) to learn about the history and production of chocolate.
Where to eat?
1. Bei Oma Kleinmann: A traditional German restaurant known for its delicious schnitzel and cozy atmosphere.
2. Fruh am Dom: A historic brewery and restaurant serving local specialties, including the famous Kölsch beer.
3. Mangal: A popular Turkish restaurant offering authentic dishes such as kebabs and meze platters.
Where to stay?
1. 25hours Hotel The Circle: A stylish and unique hotel located near the city center, offering modern amenities and a rooftop lounge.
2. Motel One Cologne-Neumarkt: A budget-friendly option in a convenient location, with comfortable rooms and a good breakfast.
3. Excelsior Hotel Ernst: A luxurious and historic hotel situated near the Cologne Cathedral, offering elegant rooms and fine dining.
Off the beaten path:
For an unusual travel experience in Cologne, consider visiting the Kunsthaus Rhenania. This former warehouse has been transformed into a vibrant cultural hub, housing artists' studios, galleries, and event spaces. Visitors can explore the studios, meet local artists, and purchase unique art pieces. This hidden gem offers a glimpse into the city's thriving creative scene and is a must-visit for art enthusiasts.
Learn More about Cologne
Cologne is not only about its historical center and its imposing gothic cathedral. A little further on, the chic Belgisches Viertel (Belgian Quarter) escaped the bombings, leaving a collection of beautiful Art Nouveau buildings that give an idea of what the city looked like a hundred years ago. Today, Cologne is best remembered for its uniqueness: an open-minded art scene and a mentality based on a strange mixture of fatalism and optimism.
Cologne is also the main transit center of Western European countries, often chosen as the venue for international conferences, seminars and exhibitions. This urban area is also considered as the "city of festivals" with the Ringfest music festival, the Cologne comedy festival, the Carnival carnival...
The numerous churches and museums are typical of this city. The most outstanding masterpiece in Cologne is Cologne Cathedral - recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1996. Cologne Cathedral is a composite masterpiece of architecture, painting and sculpture built in 2005. 1248 and unfinished construction throughout the Middle Ages, not completed until 1880. The church has the largest facade in the world built in pure Gothic style 86.5 meters wide, 144.5 meters long with two giant twin towers 157 meters high.
Cologne has hundreds of museums distributed all over the city. The oldest Wallraf-Richartz Museum in Cologne houses top collections of medieval painting, German Romanticism, French Realism and Impressionism. With countless great masterpieces of great artists such as: Ruben, Rembrandt, Murillo, Boucher, Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci... In the medieval painting collection, the most prominent is the work "Madonna of the Rose Bower" by Stefan Lochner, completed in 1450 on oak, depicts the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus resting by a blooming rose tree with little angels around.
Cologne is also famous for its beer and perfumery. People refer to the locally produced beer as Kolsch, the same language they speak. Visitors can enjoy Kolsch beer in the oldest beer house here, Schreckenskammer, which is very nicely decorated in medieval style with stained glass windows, wood-paneled walls, lamps hanging from carriages... Perfume" The world famous Eau de Cologne" was first produced in the 18th century by an Italian named Johann Maria Farina. Today, visitors can buy perfume "Eau de Cologne" at the Farina family in Cologne.
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Cologne
Near the city center, there are Maritim Hotel, Stadthotel am Romerturm, Marriott Hotel
https://www.booking.com/hotel/de/maritim-koln.html
https://www.booking.com/hotel/de/stadthotel-am-romerturm.html
https://www.booking.com/hotel/de/cologne-marriott.html
You should visit Cologne Catherdral, Museum Ludwig, Hohenzollern Bridge, Historic Old Town, Chocolate Museum.
Where to Stay in Cologne
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More Travel spots to explore around Cologne
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🗼 Landmark spots 🏘️ Town spots 🏰 Palace spots 🌲 Forest spots 🌉 Bridge spots 🏰 Place of worship spots 🐾 Wildlife spots 🏰 Cathedral spots 🌲 Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests spots 🌲 Nature reserve spotsTravel map of Cologne
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