Cologne (or Köln in German) is most famous for the silhouettes of the ornate spires of its magnificent cathedral. Stay in the city and discover a charming old town, museums for everyone and atmospheric Christmas Markets in the holiday season. Or, perhaps, travel further afield to see everything that colorful western Germany has to offer.
A taste of the old town
Experience the Cologne of centuries past with a walk through the streets of the Altstadt. Narrow alleys lined with rustic buildings make for an easy afternoon of meandering through the twists and turns. Stop for a coffee or lunch in Fischmarkt, a picturesque plaza with pastel-colored townhouses and cafés, so you can soak up the atmosphere of this warm and welcoming town.
No trip to Cologne is complete without a visit to Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). Step inside this tranquil building and admire the arched nave. Ascend the bell tower to the viewing platform for breathtaking panoramic views of the city and admire the 26-ton St Peter’s Bell (St. Petersglocke) on the way. Back at ground level, the gilded reliquary on the cathedral’s altar is the Shrine of the Three Kings - said to hold the bones of the original Three Wise Men from the Bible.
Cologne in winter
During the Christmas season, wooden huts dappled with fairy lights pop up all over the city. Cologne is Germany’s number one destination for the iconic German Christmas Market. Warm your hands around a mug of glühwein and smell the scent of gingerbread on the crisp air as you hop between seven different markets, each with their own character - all filled with delicious treats, so you can stop off for a steaming mug of hot chocolate on a cold winter night.
Spend the day museum hopping
Never mind something for everyone, Cologne has a museum for everyone. The Romish-Germanisches Museum, next to the cathedral, is home to hundreds of fascinating Roman artefacts found along the Rhine valley, giving an insight into the day-to-day life of Romans in Germany. Art enthusiasts will love the city’s oldest museum, the Wallraf-Richartz Museum. Born out of a private collection from the mid-19th century, artworks spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century adorn the walls, including paintings by masters like Monet, Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Munch.
Explore the origins of one of Cologne’s most famous exports at the Farina Fragrance Museum. Birthplace of the original eau de Cologne, the exhibits in this converted factory building cover 300 years of fragrance history.
Follow another sweet smell and head to the Cologne Chocolate Museum. Peer through windows at every step of the chocolate production process and learn the 2,000-year history of cocoa. Of course, there’s a tasting room…
Head out into the Rhine Valley
Head to the UNESCO protected stretch of the Rhine at Oberes Mittelrheintal where terraced vineyards and ruined castles line the sloped banks – it’s one of Germany’s most scenic drives.
Stop at Drachenburg Castle near Königswinter. Adorned with fairy tale turrets, this stunning castle with its jumble of architectural styles was built as a private villa in the 19th century. Its storybook façade is a jumble of Gothic and faux medieval styles, and the inside does not disappoint either. From grand rooms with frescoed ceilings there are glorious views out of the arched windows onto the river valley below.
Finish your drive at Koblenz, a town over 2,000 years-old. Flanked by low hills, this picturesque town is the perfect place to refresh at the end of the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine.
With car rental in Cologne you can explore the treasures of western Germany and the Gothic wonders of this friendly city.