What can you do in Cologne?

Whether a short trip or a longer vacation, with children or alone - Cologne is an exciting city that surprises with great sights in both summer and winter. Are you currently traveling in the cathedral city and asking yourself: “What can you do in Cologne?” B&B HOTELS have put together the most famous sights and the most popular leisure activities for you!

Sights not to be missed

The city on the Rhine is best known for its impressive cathedral, which is impossible to miss on arrival. It is located right next to the main train station and can be visited outside of church service times. A true journey through time awaits you inside: During guided tours, you can learn more about the history of the bells and the treasury. The High Cathedral Church of St. Peter, as the cathedral is called in full, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and is one of the most visited cultural monuments in Germany.

If the weather is cold or rainy, you should definitely take the time to visit a museum. Two of the city's most famous museums are located in the immediate vicinity of Cologne Cathedral: the Museum Ludwig and the Roman-Germanic Museum. Here you have the choice between Picasso, Expressionism and other 20th and 21st century art in the Museum Ludwig. You can also immerse yourself in the city's Roman history and marvel at the 15-metre-high Tomb of Poblicius.

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The best activities in Cologne

Looking for exciting activities in Cologne? Have you ever heard of escape games? That's right, these are adventure games in which you and your friends have to escape from a room in a limited time by solving various puzzles. Thrills are guaranteed!

Romantics and lovers should definitely take a walk along the Rhine and over the Hohenzollern Bridge. What's so special about the bridge? It was and is decorated by lovers with little padlocks. Who has their lock with them?

A visit to the Botanical Gardens should not be missed on any tour of the city. The diversity and beauty of the plant world is like a trip around the world with all your senses. Speaking of senses: would you like to discover Cologne's culinary delights? The brewery culture is unique and has a long tradition in the city on the Rhine. Here you should not only drink the typical Kölsch beer, but also try the various dishes from delicious sauerbraten to Himmel und Äd. More information on the best restaurants can be found here.

Are you in town at the beginning of the year? Then you will have noticed that the people of Cologne are already celebrating in style. Carnival is one of the biggest and most important events in the city on the Rhine. Join the revelers and enjoy the Rose Monday parade! Find out more about carnival here.

Fancy something extraordinary?

For excursions with children, there is a very special museum visit where you can eat chocolate: come to the Chocolate Museum at Rheinauhafen! Here you can learn all about chocolate - from its oldest use by the Maya and Aztecs to modern industrial production today. A real experience, not just for adults! You can find out more about the museums in Cologne in our article here.

Tip: Every first Thursday of the month is Cologne Day. This means free admission for all Cologne residents to all museums!

Some alternative sights can be found all over the city: Lively street art can be experienced in Cologne Ehrenfeld in particular. Here you will find the highest density of street art, including works by well-known artists. So, get your camera out and let's go!

Of course, flea markets are also one of the cool things to do on a Sunday afternoon. And how about a bird's eye view of Cologne? Take a seat in one of the gondolas of the Cologne cable car and enjoy the panoramic view of the city, the Rhine and the beautiful surrounding countryside. The ride takes around six minutes and takes you from Deutz (trade fair) to the zoo. The cable car is open daily from March to November and also offers night rides.