Centred around a towering Gothic cathedral, this cultural urban oasis is a stone’s throw from Dusseldorf yet feels a world apart. A city where Germany's old traditions meet modern influences, the best things to do in Cologne will keep you entertained all day and all night.
Köln, to use its German name, is at its best during its world-famous Carnival celebrations – a city-wide fancy dress party fuelled by beer and good spirits, starting on Shrove Thursday and running right through Easter weekend. But when the party finally fades, you’ll find there’s something to do in Cologne all year round. Get a taste for the fiercely protected Kölsch brews, test your sweet tooth at the Chocolate Museum, dance the night away to techno and eat your bodyweight in pork and potatoes before you leave.
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Duncan Madden is a writer based in Cologne. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
With its remarkable twin-spire church, Cologne Cathedral is Germany's most visited tourist attraction. Stand humbled in the nave under vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows. Don’t miss the mind-boggling ‘Richter-Fenster’ in the southern transept, a 106 sqm window made up of 11,000 hand-blown glass panels in 72 different colours.
Why go? Towering at 515 feet tall, it's home to the largest facade of any church in the world. God-level stuff.
Chocolatier and magnate Peter Ludwig gave his name to Cologne's most prominent collection of modern art. The renowned Ludwig Museum is home to the third largest collection of Picasso works in the world and holds spectacular exhibitions. Cologne Philharmonic Orchestra shares the same building, making it one of the city’s cultural hubs.
Why go? To see world-beating modern art, including the works of Gerhard Richter, one of Germany’s most important contemporary artists (and creator of the eponymous Richter-Fenster in the Kölner Dom).
Breakfast at Café Rico may just be the best way to start your day (or end your night) in Cologne. Don’t be fooled by the slight sense of mania, go with the flow and you’ll discover the service, food and clientele all rock.
Why go? It’s a favourite hangout for the local LGBTQ community and hosts some lively crowds.
The Fragrance Museum has been around since 1709 and exists as one of the oldest factories for fine perfumes in the world. The story unfolds over several floors detailing the complex process that goes into every bottle of a signature scent.
Why go? Unpack the fragrant history of the Eau de Cologne at this museum in the heart of the city.
Dig into the rich 5,000-year history of chocolate. Learn how a humble jungle pod is turned into everyone's favourite sweet treat. For a more hands-on experience, make for the showcase chocolate fountain and dip in.
Why go? It’s a great stop off on a walk around the beautifully developed harbour, past the famed crane houses along the Rhine. Schokoladen's museum cafe has waterfront seating with lovely views towards the Dom.
Shockwaves rippled through the Cologne culinary scene when two-time Michelin starred Le Moissonnier shut its restaurant doors in 2023 after 36 years, seemingly for good. But now, this tiny Agnesviertel neighbourhood bistro has reopened serving a mouthwatering lunch only, five days a week.
Why go? If you can snag a table (reserve very early), expect decadent French cooking with plenty of flair in one of Cologne’s most loved institutions.
You’ll encounter some 12,000 plant species over the 5.5 hectares of Cologne’s lovingly maintained botanical gardens, conveniently located next to the huge city zoo. It’s best just to walk in and get lost, but follow your nose and you’ll no doubt end up at the lovely Dank Augusta garden café, where the coffee and cakes are a treat.
Why go? Two enormous new parabolic greenhouses will open in 2024, home to tropical gardens, trails and an on-site laboratory investigating the evolution of deserts.
Cologne has many spas, but Claudius Therme on the banks of the Rhine is its most impressive, with indoor and outdoor areas where you can relax and let it all hang out. Pools, saunas, steam rooms, sleeping zones – it’s a day of unadulterated relaxation. Remember to leave your bashfulness at the door with your bathing suit, because clothes aren’t allowed.
Why go? Apart from being a great way to recoup after one too many kölsch the night before, practising a little Freikörperkultur – ‘free body culture’ – is a unique window into German life.
Hop on a train to the forested outskirts of Cologne and you’ll find a man made lake housing a giant wakeboard park and world’s first floating surf pool. Take to the water or take it easy on Surf Langenfeld's beachside café and bar.
Why go? For a welcome respite from the city and a chance to get a taste of North Rhine-Westphalia’s natural assets.
Come hungry for a traditional down-to-earth German dining experience at Peter's Brauhaus. From the Himmel un Äd (Sky and Earth) to the Kassler (smoked and boiled pork), meals are heavy on the meat and potatoes, rich and fatty, hearty and delicious. Go hungry.
Why go? There’s only one tipple to wash down your meal with: Kölsch. A crisp Cologne speciality with a distinctive golden glow brewed under strict historic provisions, it’s the pride of the city.
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