City break to Cologne – culture and vitality | H-Hotels.com

A city break in Cologne is a very special experience. This city on the Rhine has an attitude to life that is unlike virtually any other city in Germany. A cheerful outlook and the age-old Kölsch tradition plus the young, open-minded population come together here to create a fascinating combination.

As a travel destination, Cologne has plenty to offer at any time of year. In February, the main attraction is the colourful hustle and bustle of the Cologne Carnival. A city break in Cologne during the summer months offers the opportunity to see Germany’s largest fireworks display. During your trip to Cologne, you can visit attractions such as Cologne Cathedral and you can meander at a leisurely pace through the famous old town. The Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral is a genuine highlight and opens its doors from late November.

Plan your Cologne city break with the help of our guide. This shows you which sights are absolutely essential in this cathedral city. We also suggest some interesting museums and other venues. Needless to say, the guide also covers the Cologne Carnival.

Cologne is a fabulous destination for a city break where sightseeing is the main attraction. Here we present a selection of the most important and attractive sights.

The official German name for Cologne Cathedral is Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus (Cathedral Church of Saint Peter). The history of what is probably the city’s most famous landmark goes back to the 13th century. The cathedral is a UNESCO world heritage site. Its towers are 157 metres high. Inside, you will find a stunning Gothic transept.

At around 144 metres, this is the longest in Germany. The cathedral has wonderful glass windows and an impressive high altar. During your tour you will also see the Shrine of the Three Kings. Created in the Middle Ages by the finest goldsmiths, it continues to magically catch your eye today.

Tip: Before the start of the Bundesliga football season there is traditionally an ecumenical service at Cologne Cathedral, celebrating FC Cologne football club. Lots of fans attend in their club kit. Hymns are sung too of course. This will give you goosebumps even if you are not an ardent FC fan. 

In Cologne’s old town, you will find Sankt Cäcilien (St. Cecilia's Church). This church is older than Cologne Cathedral and was built back in the 12th century. The building has a long and turbulent past. This site was both a people’s hospital and Hospitalkirche. Nowadays, St. Cecilia's is home to the Schnütgen Museum. The collection mainly contains medieval artworks and various important relics.

The historic centre of Cologne is a veritable feast for the eyes. As you wander its narrow alleyways, you can admire the huge number of historic buildings. A visit is also worthwhile from a culinary perspective. You will find lots of quaint bars in this area, where you will be served the legendary Kölsch of course. Turn your trip to Cologne into a journey through the city’s history. The best place to start is in the archaeological zone or at the famous Stapelhaus. From the old town it is just a short distance to the banks of the Rhine.

Built at the start of the 20th century, the Hohenzollern Bridge is Cologne’s second most famous landmark after the cathedral. The bridge spans the river Rhine and is a total of 409 metres long. This is a railway bridge that runs directly into the main station in Cologne. Every day more than 1,200 trains run over the Hohenzollern Bridge.

As a pedestrian, you can also cross the bridge. In addition to stunning views of the Rhine, the thousands of love padlocks on the railings are also remarkable. To ensure eternal love, couples attach an engraved padlock to the bridge, before throwing the key together into the Rhine. By now these locks have a cumulative weight of over 40 tonnes.

A visit to the Botanical Gardens in Cologne allows you to learn more about the diversity of plants. There are roughly 12,000 different plant species over an area of around 11.5 hectares. The Botanical Gardens welcome over a million visitors each year and are a real magnet for locals as well as tourists. The tropical greenhouses are a particular highlight.

Cologne Zoo is in the Riehl district. It opened back in 1860, making it one of Germany’s oldest zoos. The 20-hectare grounds are home to over 750 different animal species from every continent. The zoo’s declared objective is to create as natural an environment as possible for the animals. So, the newly redesigned elephant park, which opened in 2004, measures two hectares.

The modern zoo concept is also evident in the Hippodom. Over an area of around 2,500 square metres, you can see hippos, crocodiles and lots of other animals in an African riverscape. If you are spending several days in Cologne, the zoo is a must-see attraction.

For a multi-day trip, it is also definitely worth making a detour to Schloss Augustusberg in Brühl.  From the Hauptbahnhof in Cologne, it takes just 12 to 16 minutes to get there by train. After just a short walk, you reach the Schloss Augustusberg. The palace was built in the 1720s and still reflects the pomp of the German Rococo period. The wonderful Baroque garden is a lovely place to linger.

After the Federal Republic of Germany was founded in 1949, the building served for a long time as a so-called reception palace for the federal government and the German President. Inside the palace, you will find a magnificent central wing and a wide range of stunning rooms.

This city on the Rhine offers some very interesting lookout points, which reveal the city’s beautiful panorama. Make sure your city break includes time to admire Cologne from above.

Take advantage of your visit to Cologne Cathedral to climb up to the viewing platform in the south tower. This is at a height of 97 metres. Access to the platform is on foot. There are a total of 533 steps to conquer. There’s no doubt it’s a strenuous ascent, but the reward is a fabulous view over the city of Cologne. What's more, after 53 metres you go past the famous belfry. This contains the largest free-swinging church bell in the world.

The KölnTriangle skyscraper is another way to admire Cologne from up high. The viewing platform at 100 metres is in the second highest building in the city. It offers an impressive view of the entire city, including Cologne Cathedral. The 360-degree viewing platform on the roof is fully glazed and is a big attraction, pulling in around 600,000 visitors.

Cologne’s MediaPark is in the Neustadt-Nord district. The Kölnturm (Cologne Tower) was inaugurated there in 2001. Currently this is the highest building in the city, measuring 148.1 metres without the antenna, and 165.5 metres if this is included. The Kölnturm has a restaurant with roof terrace on the 30th floor. The view over Cologne towards Düsseldorf is stunning.

During your trip, there is bound to be time to visit one of the many museums in Cologne. Here we would like to describe five special museums in more detail.

Cologne’s Chocolate Museum has something to delight everyone, not just those with a sweet tooth. The museum is in the Altstadt-Süd district and showcases all sorts of interesting information about chocolate. Amongst other things, you will find out how chocolate is made. The museum tells the story of chocolate and how its global success was achieved. It has a tropical house containing real cacao trees. The chocolate museum hosts around 650,000 enthusiastic visitors each year.

Carnival is integral to Cologne’s cultural heritage. That’s why the city also has the Cologne Carnival Museum. Here you can learn about the history of the Cologne Carnival, including how it developed and more details about its many traditions. All sorts of costumes are included in the collection, as are historic carriages and carnival medals. You can also hire the premises for your own event.

The Wallraf-Richartz Museum presents classic paintings from several centuries. The collection was first opened in 1861. The art gallery is one of the most important of its kind in Germany. It also has a turbulent history: the exhibitions have been relocated on several occasions. Since 2001, the Wallraf-Richartz Museum has been housed in a new building right next to the city hall. The art of the Middle Ages is a key focus in the collection. 

If you visit this museum during your trip to Cologne, you can look forward to seeing lots of paintings from the famous Cologne School of Painting. The collection of art from the (Neo) Impressionist period is the largest of its kind in Germany. There are works by van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Munch.

Making science real: that is the motto at the Odysseum adventure museum in the Kalk borough of Cologne. All sorts of hands-on activities and other participatory experiences are on offer over an area of more than 5,000 square metres. The museum has different themed areas, such as the Life Area. During your visit, you will also come face to face with a lifelike replica of a T-Rex. 

You can even look for bones at an excavation site and help uncover them. The Odysseum is perfect for families with children. But adults will also find it fascinating.

Käthe Kollwitz is one of the most famous artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Her work continues to have a very special intensity today. It reflects in part her personal life but also the prevailing social and political circumstances of the time. The influence of realism and expressionism are plain to see. Käthe Kollwitz also achieved her own very unique style. You can see this for yourself at Cologne’s Käthe Kollwitz Museum. 

A visit takes you through the artist’s life. The collection contains over 300 drawings and several hundred prints. This makes it the most extensive collection of her work in the world.

In Germany, carnival time is referred to as the "5th season", and it is hard to rival the celebrations that take place in Cologne. These start at precisely 11:11 am on 11/11 each year at Heumarkt in Cologne. The opening itself is a genuine highlight. Thousands of people in costumes celebrate the start of the new season there and all over the city.

Back in the Middle Ages, the Rhinelanders would have had a celebration one day before the start of the fasting period on Ash Wednesday. That’s where the German term “Fastnacht” (meaning carnival) originates. The Cologne Carnival, as it is celebrated today, has its origins in the late 18th century. During this period, a large number of carnival associations and societies were created.

According to tradition, the Kölner Dreigestirn (the Cologne triumvirate) assumes regency over all fools during the carnival period. This trio consists of a prince, a farmer and a virgin (all men). The triumvirate is invited as guests to various events and meetings that take place during carnival season. The highpoint of the annual festivities is undoubtedly the Rosenmontag procession. This has been taking place since 1823, making it the oldest procession (or “Zoch” as the locals call it) in Germany.

Several thousand people take part in the parade. The spectacle also attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists to Cologne. Participants throw little floral bouquets (“Strüßjer”) and sweets by the tonne. So make sure you take a bag with you! After the procession, celebrations continue in the city’s numerous pubs until the early hours of the morning.

Note: if you are planning a trip to Cologne around Rosenmontag, we recommend making a hotel reservation well in advance.

Cologne has a few central squares, which are typical of the city and make their own contribution to its architectural character.

The giant square in front of Cologne Cathedral is known by most locals simply as the Domplatte. With an area of over 7,000 square metres, this is a particularly large and spacious plaza. In summer, lots of visitors hang out on the steps of Cologne Cathedral, watching the colourful hustle and bustle from there. The Domplatte itself has only existed since the 1970s. It is located directly between the main station and the cathedral. This is also a perfect starting point for a sightseeing tour around Cologne. 

It is not far from here to the old town and Roncalliplatz. In winter, this is where you will find Cologne’s biggest Christmas market, which makes a trip to Cologne an attractive option even in the colder months.

If you want to learn more about Cologne during your trip, the best place to go is the Alter Markt. As early as Roman times, this was an important meeting point for people. During the Middle Ages and in the modern era, magnificent gabled buildings were built around the Alter Markt. Many of these were destroyed in the Second World War and some have been reconstructed. In the centre of the square is the famous Jan von Werth fountain. The Alter Markt is not just a popular meeting place but the heart of Cologne’s old town.

Cologne’s Heumarkt is right next to the Alter Markt. In fact, up until the 16th century these two squares formed a single area. The Heumarkt is where the official opening of carnival season takes place every year on the 11th of November. It covers an area of over 16,000 square metres and is an important traffic hub. 

Along the market there are some wonderful, historic buildings. These include the house at Heumarkt 77. Since 1878, the equestrian statue of Frederick William III (King of Prussia) has watched over the Heumarkt.

At the heart of the Belgian Quarter in Cologne is Brüsseler Platz. This is a popular meeting point for locals and holidaymakers alike. Around this square in Cologne’s popular and trendy neighbourhood there are lots of cafés, pubs, artisan outlets and galleries.

There are lots of events all year round in Cologne. These include concerts by international stars, theatre performances and a wide range of trade fairs. Just as wide ranging is the choice of venues offered by this cathedral city. Perhaps you can link your city break in Cologne with an event that will live long in the memory?

Palladium

The Palladium in Mühlheim is a former engineering hall and has its own very special charm. Since the end of the 1990s, it has hosted regular concerts. The Palladium can accommodate an audience of 4,000 people. Lots of international pop stars and artists make regular appearances there.

E-Werk

E-Werk is another venue located in the Mühlheim district of Cologne. This former power station is a listed building and has been used as an event location since the early 1990s. In addition to lots of national and international music stars, E-Werk offers a stage for other events. A good example is the Stunksitzung event that takes place during carnival season. The venue is designed for around 2,000 visitors and thus smaller than the Palladium.

Essigfabrik (Vinegar Factory)

The name of this venue is thanks to its previous incarnation as a vinegar production facility. Now it hosts concerts, corporate events, family parties and carnival events.

RheinEnergieStadion

The RheinEnergieStadion is home to FC Cologne. The club plays its home fixtures here. Located in the Müngersdorf district, this is a place where lots of other events take place too. Stadium concerts by national and international music stars attract tens of thousands of people. 

The Köln Messe exhibition centre

Cologne is a prestigious trade fair destination with an international reputation. The exhibition centre in the Deutz district of the city is designed accordingly. There are eleven halls and two congress centres here. The outdoor facilities cover an area measuring 100,000 square metres. The site hosts lots of important events, such as the international Confectionery Exhibition (Süßwarenmesse) and photokina. Since 2009, Cologne’s trade fair site has undergone an annual transformation into a Mecca for gamers. Every August this is where gamescom kicks off, which now attracts over 370,000 visitors.

Cologne is a very cosmopolitan and tolerant city. Many visitors are absolutely amazed at the joie de vivre of Cologne’s residents. The town has roughly 1.085 million inhabitants. This makes it the fourth largest city in Germany after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich.

Cologne is on the river Rhine and is subdivided into nine boroughs and 86 districts. The best-known boroughs (or Stadtbezirke) are Porz and Nippes. Some famous people have been born in Cologne, who are known well beyond the city itself. These include Stefan Raab (1966), Anne Will (1966), Dirk Bach (1961), Heinrich Böll (1917), Willy Millowitsch (1909) and Konrad Adenauer (1876).

The city is blessed with lots of parks and green spaces. This is where local residents seek rest and relaxation at weekends and in the evening. Many regard Blücherpark as the city’s finest park. It covers a large area (around 18 hectares) and is designed in the baroque style, including a lake. In spring and summer, you can take a boat out for a couple of circuits round the lake. The Friedenspark is characterised by an almost enchanted atmosphere. The park is located on the site of a former fort. The ruins and ramparts can still be seen today but are overgrown in places.

A trip to Cologne is also worthwhile from a culinary perspective. For example, what about a delicious Rhine Sauerbraten or a hearty serving of “Decke Bunne met Speck” (thick bean stew with bacon)? Particularly in the old town, you will find any number of pubs, bars and breweries serving regional food and drink. And needless to say, this includes Cologne’s approved beverage Kölsch. Traditionally this is served in a 0.2 litre glass.

Our tip for your Cologne city break: this city on the Rhine has an excellent public transport network. You can use this to reach many of the important sights, city squares and venues that we have described here. Practical 24-hour tickets are available for individuals and groups. The KölnCard, which is valid for 24 or 48 hours, gives you free travel on all public transport. 

It also offers discounts of up to 50% on lots of tourist attractions, cultural institutions and restaurants. 

You can start your trip to Cologne by aeroplane, train or car. The Konrad Adenauer (Cologne/Bonn) airport is located to the south-east of Cologne, about twelve kilometres from the city centre. In terms of passenger numbers, it counts as the sixth biggest airport in Germany. S-Bahn line 13 (14 minutes) and the regional express RE8 (11 minutes) offer particularly quick connections to the city centre in Cologne.

It is easy to get to Cologne by train. The ICE Sprinter connects Hamburg with Cologne in just three and a half hours. From Frankfurt the journey only takes an hour. The main station in Cologne is directly next to the cathedral and thus very central.

Arriving by car from the north involves travelling via the A1, and from the south you use the A4. The A3 is the option if you are coming from further east.