Places To Visit and Things to Do in Cologne, Germany

When people plan a trip to Germany, most lean toward Munich or Berlin, but I’d like to add a third destination to your vacation: Cologne! Don’t overlook this beautiful city along the Rhine River. The old town of Cologne has a taste of everything that a tourist expects to find in Germany in one convenient (and quite manageable) area. You will find history, architecture, fairy tales, chocolate, and, of course, Beer. What more can you ask? Before making your travel plans, find out why one of my favorite places to visit is Cologne!

 

Places to Visit Cologne

There is SOOOO much to see in this beautiful city on the Rhine.

 

Cologne Cathedral/ Kölner Dom

One landmark stands out: whether you arrive in Cologne by car or water, the Cologne Cathedral/ Dom dominates the skyline. (Oddly, you come up under the Dom if you arrive by train.) Thousands of people visit the cathedral annually, and for good reason. It’s amazing. Don’t just run to the door, peek in, and then leave. Spend time. I understand that many tourists get church fatigue from trying to visit 37 churches in 2 weeks, but this Dom is worth the time spent exploring.

 

Start in the Nave (the central part of the church). Look up. Imagine building those towering vaulted ceilings in the time before forklifts, cranes, and OSHA. Wander toward the Altar to the golden Shrine for the Three Kings. There are saints and reliquaries all over Europe, but the Three Kings? You’ve heard about them since you were a child listening to Christmas stories. You can almost touch this history (warning: you might be arrested if you try).

Admire the stained glass and the massive organ. You will have to pay extra to enter the underground treasure room, but it’s worth it. The artifacts and treasures are amazing.

Now, for the best part, climb to the top. There are 533 steps from the church floor to the very top. Fair warning: the staircase is a narrow spiral (it’s a bit claustrophobic for people like me), and people are constantly going up and down. But the view from the top is incredible. And it’s not just the view of the city. From the tower, you can see carved details of the Cathedral that are invisible below. If you are lucky ( or unlucky, depending on how sensitive your ears are) and time it right, you could be in the bell tower at the top of the hour to see those magnificent bells toll.

When you get back down, don’t miss this one last stop. Walk around toward the back of the Cathedral (on the side facing the river) and look down. You will see the workshop where 114 people are employed to carve and repair the stone for the Cathedral. I’m not sure where this animal fits, but it was interesting to see him.

For More information-Cologne Cathedral

Hohenzollern Bridge

Stretch your legs with a walk on the Hohenzollern Bridge. This heavily traveled rail bridge has a lovelock-lined pedestrian walkway with incredible views of the Altstadt. In March of 1945, after multiple airstrikes,  the bridge was finally blown up by the Allies because of its importance to the war machine. It took 13 years to rebuild the bridge completely, and now close to 1200 trains cross it DAILY. Walk across to the opposite side of the Rhine, or go part way. Maybe leave a lock as a promise you will return.

 

 

Chocolate Museum- Imhoff Schokoladenmuseum

You are in Germany, the land of the most delicious chocolate, so why not visit a museum dedicated to this sweet stuff? The Imhoff Schokoladenmuseum Chocolate Museum looks like a ship floating on the Rhine. But it’s actually on the Rhineauhafen Peninsula, on the banks of the Rhine, close to Old Town Cologne. This modern museum takes you through the 5000-year history and chocolate-making processes. It’s not just dull machines and photos. They have an actual RAIN FOREST in the museum, where they grow cocoa plants. There are massive displays of Kinder Egg Toys! And master Chocolatiers are working their magic!

Best of all, there is a gift shop (so you can take some home) AND the CHOCOLAT Grand Café. (Sadly, there aren’t many free samples, but you can’t have everything). Have a coffee and a slice of Torte, chocolate naturally, while watching ships go by on the Rhine.

More information about the–> Imhoff Schokoladenmuseum Chocolate Museum

Chocolate Museum photo wikipedia commons by -pedelecs

 

Have a Kolsch

Because you worked so hard and climbed all the way to the top of the Cathedral, you have earned a rest and a beer, but not just any beer, a Kölsch! The Kölsch beer is a specialty beer only brewed in Cologne. It’s a light ale served in the traditional 0.2 liter Kölsch glasses called a Stange, which are tall and cylindrical. Leave the Cathedral from any of the doors, go down the steps, past the chalk artists, tourist groups following flag-bearing leaders, and the silver-painted people pretending to be statues, cross the plaza, and look around. You will see several restaurants and Brauhauser (Breweries) that have set up open-air tables.

Order some food and Kölsch, relax; you’ve earned it. My personal favorite? Früh am Dom. This restaurant wanders up and down stairs and has fun pocket rooms to sit in.

Various Kölsch Biers… Wikipedia Commons

 

Ride the Bimmelbahn

The Bimmelbahn is most fun if you have small children, a goofy sense of humor, or you just don’t feel like walking (because you climbed to the top of the Dom and then had a filling lunch). Ride to the waterfront on a little street train called the Bimmelbahn, a little green train that looks like it jumped straight out of a children’s storybook. The Chocolate Express stops at the Dom every half hour to pick up riders. Travel through the old town and hop off at the Chocolate Museum. Ok, yes, the train is more of an experience than a place to visit, but you get to see things with minimal effort.  But after climbing up to the top of the Dom, riding is much easier on the feet than walking.

More information about the Bimmelhahn–> Bimmelbahn

 

The Heinzenmännchen Fountain

Legend has it that the city of Cologne was once inhabited by Heinzelmännchen or Elves, who did all of the unfinished work; they cleaned, made shoes, did laundry, and were quite helpful while everyone slept. UNTIL! The Shoemaker’s wife decided to find out who was doing these things. She set a trap of dried peas. The little men slipped and crashed to the ground. Everyone woke up and saw them, so they ran away, never to be seen again. Now you can visit the Heinzelmaennchen Brunnen (Elf Well), which is conveniently located in front of the Früh Brewery, and remind yourself that curiosity killed the cat (and left the people of Cologne to do their own work).

Then go have another Koelsch to gear up for the last stop.

Heinzelmännchen Fountain in Cologne, Germany photo- Raimond Spekking

Find the Heinzelmännchen Fountain here–>
Der Heinzelmännchenbrunnen is at Brauhaus Früh
Am Hof 12-14
50667 Köln

Haus Farina, the Birthplace of Cologne

Almost every bathroom in Germany has a bottle of gold and blue labeled 4711 Koelnisch Wasser (Cologne Water). But did you know that this Koelnisch Wasser was not the FIRST Cologne in Köln? The original comes from Haus Farina, and if you’ve never smelled it, GO! Take the museum tour (you need a reservation for this- Reservations). The fragrance library, beautiful furniture, and workrooms are all on display. Haus Farina has been in the same family for generations, and their fabulous scents were favorites of Princess Diana and Mozart (oh, and me).

Here’s a post I wrote about my visit to this wonderfully fragrant museum–Haus Farina

 

 

And yes…. you can also visit 4711!

You will see the 4711 museum near the Dom. And you will see 4711 EVERYWHERE!  Insider tip- Haus Farina came first… 4711 came after, but had a better Marketing Team. I suggest hitting both and making a comparison. Tours and seminars are offered every day… and, of course, there is a gift shop!
Find out more here–> 4711 Museum

See the Colorful Houses of the Fish Market

Although the Fish Sellers are all gone, you can still find something delicious to eat in this colorful Market Square along the Rhine River (right behind the Grosse St Martin).

 

 

Check out These Great Cologne Tours!

To make the most of your time in Cologne, take a tour! Having a local guide will insure that you don’t miss anything.
Or try a scavenger hunt! This makes a game out of sightseeing, and is fun for even the most reluctant traveler in your group.