Itineraries for Your Trip to Cologne
1 Day in Cologne for First Timers
Unlike most travelers, the first time I visited Cologne wasn’t for the cathedral: My best friend had recently moved to Amsterdam, so we were meeting monthly in a different European city. The place was almost irrelevant, as I was so excited to catch up; however, this German city served as much more than just a backdrop to free-flowing conversation.
Cologne soon shot to near the top of my list of favourite cities in Western Europe, thanks to its Rhine River perch, world-class museum scene, and creative culture rooted in tradition. So, if you’re gearing up for one day in Cologne, here’s how to spend 24 hours enjoying its markets, museums, and monuments.
If you only have time for one thing, make it sipping kölsch beer on a brewhouse tour.
If you’re visiting Cologne for its Christmas markets in December, be sure to wrap up warm: temperatures average at 38°F (3°C).
With so much to see and so little time, kickstart your time in Cologne with a sightseeing tour that helps you tick off all its highlights. Begin with a wander around Cologne Old Town, home to monuments such as the richly Romanesque Gross St. Martin church and the colorful market square.
End your stroll at Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that took more than seven centuries to complete. Marvel at its Gothic grandeur and stained-glass splendor from inside and out, before climbing more than 500 steps to the towers for panoramic views of the city.
After a hearty lunch featuring the famously German ingredients of sausage and sauerkraut (fermented cabbage), get out on the Rhine River for a sightseeing cruise that promises unobstructed views of Cologne’s riverside sights.
As you sail, spot the hundreds of love locks attached to the railings of Hohenzollern Bridge and the waterfront Cologne Chocolate Museum, where you can tour the chocolate factory and indulge in tastings of the world’s most popular sweet treat.
Before the sun sets, get your culture fix at Museum Ludwig, which boasts one of the world’s largest collections of Picasso works and the biggest pop art exhibition outside of the US.
Then, it’s time to get acquainted with the etiquette of Cologne’s famous brewhouses on a beer tour that includes plenty of famous German beer, typically served in small glasses called stangen. Soak up the lively atmosphere and say prost (cheers) to your time in the Cathedral City.
