Cologne: Latest 2025 Travel Guide
🏰 Cologne Travel Guide
🌟 Recommended must-see attractions
1. Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)
- One of Germany's most famous landmarks and a World Heritage Site.
- The Gothic architecture is magnificent and took more than 600 years to complete.
- Climb up the South Tower to overlook the entire city and the Rhine River.
2. Hohenzollern Bridge
- Across the Rhine, next to the cathedral.
- The bridge is covered with "love locks" and is a romantic landmark that couples must visit.
- The atmosphere is especially charming when the lights are turned on at night.
3. Old Town (Altstadt)
- It is lined with cobblestone alleys, colorful houses and traditional taverns.
- Here you can experience the most authentic living atmosphere of Cologne.
4. Museum Ludwig
- It is a major center for modern art collection and has one of the largest Picasso collections in Europe.
- Friends who like modern art must not miss it.
5. Cologne Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum)
- This place is perfect for those with a sweet tooth! You can watch the chocolate being made and even try some.
- The riverside cafe outside the museum is also worth a sit and relax.
6. Cologne Triangle
- Located on a high-rise building on the opposite bank of the Rhine, you can climb up to the viewing platform to take panoramic photos of the cathedral from the best angle.
7. Cologne Carnival (Kölner Karneval)
- If you visit around February, be sure to attend this "Fifth Season"!
- The whole city was having a crazy costume parade and the atmosphere was extremely exciting.
🍽️ Must-try food in Cologne
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Kölsch beer <br>A light beer unique to Cologne with a refreshing taste, usually served in a slender glass.
Editor's note: In traditional pubs, the waiters will keep refilling your glass until you put the coaster on the beer glass! -
Himmel un Ääd (Heaven and Earth)
A traditional dish of mashed potatoes (earth) with applesauce (heaven), often served with blood sausage or sausage. -
Kölner Wurst
The local sausages have a unique flavor and a rich smoky taste. -
Rhine River fish dishes <br>Fresh fish dishes are common in riverside restaurants, fried fish or fish stew are especially recommended.
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Berliner (donut)
A common dessert in Germany, it is soft and sweet with a filling and can often be found in cafes.
🚆 Cologne Transportation Guide
City transportation
- KVB system : includes subway (U-Bahn), light rail (Stadtbahn), and bus.
- It is recommended to purchase a day ticket (TagesTicket) or a group ticket (GruppenTicket) , which is very convenient for moving around the city.
Airport Transportation
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Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN) :
The Hauptbahnhof in the city center can be reached in about 15 minutes by S-Bahn (S13, S19) or regional train (RE).
intercity transportation
- Cologne Main Train Station (Köln Hauptbahnhof) is right next to the cathedral, making transportation very convenient.
- By Deutsche Bahn (DB) high-speed ICE train:
- Berlin: approximately 4 hours
- Frankfurt: approximately 1 hour
- Brussels: approximately 2 hours
📝 A friendly reminder from the editor
- Best time to visit : Late spring to early autumn (May–September) for pleasant weather and the best riverside atmosphere.
- Cultural trivia : Cologne residents are known for their humor and cheerfulness, especially during Carnival, when the whole city comes alive like a party!
- Shopping recommendations : You can go shopping at Schildergasse , one of the busiest shopping avenues in Germany.
💡Editor 's Summary : Cologne exudes a sense of history and vitality. During the day, you can immerse yourself in the majestic atmosphere of the Gothic cathedral, and at night, sip Kölsch beer in the Old Town pubs and experience the warmth of the Rhine River with the locals.
🗓️ 2-Day 1-Night Coron Itinerary
🏰 Day 1 — The classic must-see route
Morning｜Arrival in Cologne
- Arrive at Cologne Central Station (Köln Hbf) and you will see the magnificent Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) as soon as you exit the station.
- When visiting the interior of the cathedral, don't forget to climb the south tower for a bird's-eye view of the entire city and the Rhine River.
Noon｜Walk in the Old Town & Lunch
- Head to the Altstadt Old Town and stroll among the colorful houses and cobblestone streets to soak up the medieval atmosphere.
- For lunch, we recommend going to the traditional pub Früh am Dom and ordering a Himmel un Ääd paired with the local Kölsch beer .
Afternoon｜Riverside Scenery
- Stroll to the Hohenzollernbrücke and admire the love locks.
- After crossing the bridge, climb up the Köln Triangle and take panoramic photos of Cologne Cathedral.
Evening｜Beer Culture Experience
- For dinner back in the old town, we recommend trying Cologne sausage (Kölner Wurst) or Rhine fish dishes.
- After dinner, stroll along the river at night and feel the romantic atmosphere of the Rhine.
🎨 Day 2 — Cultural and Culinary Tour
Morning｜Art & Museum
- Head to the Museum Ludwig to admire modern art from Picasso, Andy Warhol, and more.
- Or you can arrange a visit to the Cologne Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum) to see the chocolate making process and even taste it!
Noon｜Lunch by the River
- Enjoy lunch at a riverside café near the museum and enjoy views of the Rhine.
Afternoon｜Shopping & Departure
- Head to Schildergasse shopping boulevard , where you can find Zara, H&M, German department stores, etc., which is perfect for last-minute shopping.
- Afterwards, return to Cologne Central Station to prepare for your bus or go to the airport.
📝 Editor's reminder
- If you happen to be traveling during Karneval in February , it’s recommended to adjust your itinerary and dedicate Day 2 to the parade and party experience!
- It is recommended to book the Cathedral Tower & Museum tickets in advance to avoid queuing.
- Don't forget to bring cash (Euros), as most places accept credit cards, but traditional pubs still prefer cash.
💡Editor 's summary <br>This itinerary allows you to experience the history and riverside scenery on Day 1 , and immerse yourself in the culture and food on Day 2 , allowing you to experience the most quintessential charm of Cologne in a short period of time.
