Things to do in  Cologne

With its imposing Gothic facade and dramatic twin towers, the 13th-century Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is the city’s most recognized landmark. Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the magnificent cathedral is one of the most important in Germany and dominates the city skyline. Inside, you can gaze upon treasures such as the 4th-century St. Peter’s Staff and other priceless religious objects.

The best-known of Cologne’s seven bridges, the Hohenzollern Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke crosses the famed Rhine River. First debuted in 1911 and later reconstructed following the devastation of World War II, the Hohenzollern Bridge is located near the Cologne Cathedral, and is today celebrated as a romantic destination.

Stretching along the west bank of the Rhine River and presided over by the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral, the Old Town (Altstadt) is both the navigational and historical heart of Cologne. With its colorful old buildings, beautiful Romanesque churches, and scenic riverside promenades, it’s an obvious starting point for any exploration of the city.

Part antiquities collection, part archeological dig, the Roman-Germanic Museum (or Römisch-Germanische Museum) sits atop the last vestiges of the Roman town villa. In the museum's basement is a well-known Dionysus mosaic, undisturbed from its original installation. Remnants of Roman architecture, inscriptions, portraits of Caesar Augustus and his ceramics and more piece together the story of Cologne's development from a Germanic tribal settlement (the Ubii), to the Roman Cologne, to the capital of the Lower Germania. Other highlights of the museum are the 15 meters (50 foot) high sarcophagus of Poblicius, a legionnaire from the first century AD. Like the mosaic and the Roman road outside, this funereal monument was uncovered during excavations in the city. The collection also contains the largest collection of Roman glass, more mosaics and ceramics, as well as the stone, clay and bronze idols specific to various Roman cults. Tours are available, but the museum is fairly easy to negotiate by oneself. Given the wealth of archeological finds in the surrounding area, the Roman-Germanic Museum is one of the most important museums in the world, and is one of the most popular museums in all of Germany.

Cologne’s major modern and contemporary art museum, the Museum Ludwig has been a top cultural stop since its opening in 1976. Housed in a striking wave-like building near the Cologne Cathedral, the museum is known for its expansive range of modernist, pop-art, and surrealist pieces, including an enormous Picasso collection.

Opened by local chocolatier Hans Imhoff in 1993, theCologne Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum) is devoted to Cologne’s chocolate-making history. This fun family attractions lets visitors peek behind the scenes of a working chocolate factory, learn about the farming of cacao beans, and sample delicious Lindt chocolate.

Step into the sensory world of Giovanni Maria Farina, the legendary Italian perfumer who created the original eau de cologne in 1709. The Farina Fragrance Museum chronicles the rise of the family’s perfume dynasty in Cologne and offers a fascinating insight into perfume-making throughout the centuries.

Cologne’s EL-DE Haus—home to the NS-Documentation Center (NS-Dokumentationszentrum)—was a jewelry business until it was taken over by the Nazis in 1934. Transformed into a headquarters for the Gestapo secret police, it was used for interrogation and torture during World War II. Today, it stands as a monument to the victims of fascism.

Part science museum, part adventure park, Cologne’s Odysseum is the perfect place to get kids excited about science. The hands-on exhibits, interactive displays, and puzzle-solving activities are designed to engage all ages, while adventure playgrounds and a high ropes course inject a hefty dose of fun.

The Lanxess Arena in Cologne is one of Germany's largest multifunctional arenas, hosting up to 20,000 people for events. From ice hockey clashes with the Kölner Haie to intense basketball battles with the Köln RheinStars and gripping handball showdowns with VfL Gummersbach, it's the ultimate destination for sports and entertainment enthusiasts.

Established in the 19th century and spanning more than 700 years of art history, the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum is one of Cologne’s oldest and most storied museums. Internationally renowned for its collection of medieval art, it’s also home to the best collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art in Germany. Now housed in a modern building, it’s both an architectural and cultural highlight.

The Agrippabad offers a vibrant aquatic experience in the heart of Cologne, near Neumarkt. Loved by sports enthusiasts and families, it features an 82-foot (25-meter) sports pool, slides, a 33-foot (10-meter) diving tower, and a kiddie paddling pool. With indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, and a fitness area, it's a haven for water lovers of all ages and skills.

Located right in the Old Town (Altstadt), the Hard Rock Cafe Cologne is the city’s local outpost of the ever-popular rock ‘n’ roll-themed international restaurant chain. Open since 2003, the venue attracts a mix of visitors and locals with its indulgent, American-inspired food and drink; live music performances; and musical memorabilia.