Top things to do in Cologne
Attractions, tours, and activities in Cologne
Recommended museums in Cologne
Where to find art and culture in Cologne
Cologne: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Cologne
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Deutz
0.9 miles from downtown
Deutz is the city’s largest commercial area, filled with high-rises, hotels and office blocks. However, it’s not all suits and suites – it’s home to the sprawling Rhine Park, which covers around forty hectares along the banks of the Rhine. If you have tickets for a concert or sporting event, chances are it will take place at the Lanxess Arena.
Places to stay from $43 a night
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Ehrenfeld
2 miles from downtown
Multicultural-cool. This walkable area north east of the centre bubbles over with inviting cafés, fringe theatres and student culture. See the huge street-art murals on Ehrenfelder Station, hit the shops scattered throughout the area, or pull up a stool in Rubinot – this sparkling cocktail bar is a starting point for many an evening’s soirée!
Places to stay from $58 a night
About Cologne
Including tips for the best time to visit Cologne
Nestled on the banks of the Rhine River, Cologne represents the best of Germany's past, present and future. Blending medieval architecture with contemporary design, the city takes notes from its illustrious past to offer some of Europe's best museums, music venues and entertainment hubs.
From a flourishing Roman settlement to the ruins of World War II, the 'Cathedral City' has constantly rebuilt itself and forged new identities. This continuous evolution dominates the city's skyline, where you can see the modern and gothic contrasts of Cologne Tower and Cologne Cathedral.
As one of Germany's prominent cultural centres, Cologne offers a wealth of diverse activities. While Cologne Chocolate Museum and Cologne Philharmonic are portals to worlds of cocoa and music, it's Museum Ludwig that offers the best value with the world's third-largest Pablo Picasso collection. If you're travelling with kids, the grassy open spaces and ziplines of the Rheinpark are always worth a visit.
Explore the Old Town to see Cologne's photogenic cathedrals and medieval streets. Make a stop at Haxenhaus to grab a bite of schnitzel, sauerkraut and other German staples. If it's shopping you're after, head over to the Innenstadt area known for its high-street stores and boutiques on Schildergasse, Hohe Strasse and Lindenthal.
Located 15 kilometres outside the city, Cologne Bonn Airport can be reached via the S-Bahn within a quarter of an hour. The city is also served by high-speed ICE and Eurostar trains – connecting to Brussels, London and nearby German cities like Dusseldorf and Munich.
Tonight
From $88 per night
This weekend
From $470 per night
Next weekend
From $153 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.08 |
| Language | German |
| Average weekend price | $202 per night |
| Average weekday price | $200 per night |
| Average stay | 1 night |
Points of interest in Cologne
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Cologne
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Cologne Cathedral
0.1 miles from downtown
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LANXESS Arena
1.1 miles from downtown
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RheinEnergie Stadium
3.7 miles from downtown
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Cologne Christmas Market
0.2 miles from downtown
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Cologne Chocolate Museum
0.6 miles from downtown
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Romano-Germanic Museum
0.1 miles from downtown
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Hohenzollern Bridge
0.4 miles from downtown
Cologne reviews
What other travelers say about Cologne
A winter trip for the Xmas markets, museums and art...
December 9, 2023
A winter trip for the Xmas markets, museums and art galleries and the Cathedral ,other churches and even the shops! We had 3 full days, even 4 or 5 would be good, and would like to visit in spring or Summer or early autumn and take a boat trip on the Rhine, the river too fast and high to do a boat trip in winter. The history and combining this with visiting Trier and Aachen if a full week in the area...Lovely inns and bars and cafes too..The Fruh chain of hotel and bars , we stayed in the Eden Hotel. Walking, or the tram or the underground, and if there hadn't been a train strike, we would have tried the trains.
Cologne is a city very close to my heart, it being the first...
December 8, 2023
Cologne is a city very close to my heart, it being the first city i ever visited outside my home country. The magnificient Catherdral (Dom) located just outside the Hauptbahnhof (central station) is a feast to the eyes. Very close to it is the Rhein river, the scenic bridge over which you can walk and see the thousands of locks locked by trustworthy lovers, and get down and again walk to the Lindt museum. From the cathedral also begins the Altstadt (the old town), which has several well know brand shops, and the carneval celebrations are famous. You can also sample the famous Cologne wasser. Cologne is a beautiful city and a must visit for anyone coming to Germany. A lot of restaruants offering cusinies from all over the world are available, and easily reachable as you stroll along the old town.
For the Christmas period 2 nights were perfect, we were able...
December 7, 2023
For the Christmas period 2 nights were perfect, we were able to see all the markets, you could even stay three nights. However , if it is not Christmas time, I believe the options are very slim as to what to see and do, and one night it is enough to see the city. Locals are extremely polite and friendly.
This is the third time we have been for Cologne Christmas...
December 6, 2023
This is the third time we have been for Cologne Christmas markets. And the second time staying in this hotel. There are seven Christmas markets, not just one. The atmosphere is friendly, jolly and safe. The food is excellent as is the mulled wine, available in white and red, along with fabulous hot chocolates. can’t recommend it enough.
We did not know we would have a wheelchair user with us when...
December 4, 2023
We did not know we would have a wheelchair user with us when hotel booked but found all access to the city were flat to get the chair up but had to look for them which made us do more distance than thought. Not Cologne fault but weather very cold especially for the wheel chair use as not able to use much energy sat in the chair.
The main reason of my is to visit the christmas markets.
December 4, 2023
The main reason of my is to visit the christmas markets. It was perfect experience for us. 3 days visitis enough for this purpose. Dom is magnificent. I did not have a chance to expereince the night life.
Popular places to stay in Cologne
Stay in some of the best accommodations Cologne has to offer
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Apartment Airport Cologne Elsdorf, Cologne
From $102 per night
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Apartment Miro Altstadt-Nord, Cologne
From $145 per night
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Stern am Rathaus Altstadt-Nord, Cologne
From $166 per night
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Mein Appartement Hürth Köln Cologne, Germany
From $123 per night
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Legend Hotel Altstadt-Nord, Cologne
From $173 per night
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