Cologne, germany
Attractions Guide

Cologne is one of Germany's largest major cities, located in Western Germany along the Rhine River. Cologne is located between two other major cities along the Rhine, Bonn and Dusseldorf, and acts as a major transportation hub. The cities of this area along the Rhine River are extremely well-connected and easy to reach very quickly by train.

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne is best known for its magnificent towering Cologne Cathedral, which is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe at over 500 feet (150 m) tall. Apart from its massive size, the Cologne Cathedral is famous for its strikingly intricate Gothic architecture and design, earning it the status as a UNESCO world heritage site. Be sure to take a tour of the cathedral and enjoy the views overlooking Cologne from atop its tower.

Alter Markt (Old Market Square)

A short walk away from Cologne’s Cathedral is the city’s Alter Markt (Old Market) square line with colorful old buildings, including the oldest city hall building in Germany, Rathaus Koln. Cologne’s Alter Markt also hosts a famous Christmas Market and is surrounded by many shops and restaurants.

Towering above the Old Market square is the stunning castle-like Great St. Martin Church, a 1,000 year old Romanesque-style church.

Museums

Just across from the Cologne Cathedral is the Museum Ludwig, an eccentric ultramodern structure containing important collections of modern art, including works by Andy Warhol and one of the most sizable collections of Picasso’s works in Europe. Adjacent to this museum is the Roman-Germanic Museum which houses an impressive collection of ancient Roman artifacts originating from the ancient city on which Cologne was built on top of.

On a small island along the Rhine River south of the Cologne Cathedral is the extremely popular Cologne Chocolate Museum with exhibits detailing the history of chocolate, beginning in Mesoamerican civilizations. Unsurprisingly, this museum also sells some incredibly good-tasting chocolate.

The Cologne Chocolate Museum is located at the tip of an island along the Rheinauhafen waterfront promenade, which also hosts an Olympic Museum, and the stunning ultramodern Kranhaus (Crane House) buildings.

Just south along the Rhine River is Cologne’s smaller twin city of Bonn. Bonn’s Marktplatz (Market Square) is surrounded by lovely historic buildings, especially the Bundesstadt Bonn Altes Rathaus (Old City Hall building).

Bonn Minster Church

While not as incredible as Cologne’s Cathedral, the city’s Bonner Münster (or Bonn Minster) Church is one of the oldest churches in Germany and is very impressive. Bonn Minster is known for its massive spired-topped towers and displays beautiful Romanesque architecture.

Beethoven-Haus Museum

Interestingly, Bonn was the birthplace of the famous composer Beethoven, and his early childhood home is now a museum, called the Beethoven-Haus. This museum is the only preserved home of the Beethoven family, and contains the largest collection of items related to Ludwig van Beethoven in the world.

Schloss Drachenburg Castle

The next city along the Rhine River south of Bonn is Königswinter, which is known for its gorgeous fairytale-like Schloss Drachenburg Castle. This lavish 19th century castle sits atop a forest-covered hill above Königswinter and displays elegant architectural designs, inspired by the great castles of the Middle Ages.

You can reach the Drachenburg Castle via hiking trail, or by taking a short tram ride up the hill via the Drachenfelsbahn (Drachenfels Railway).

Drachenfels Castle

This Drachenfels Tramway actually continues further up the hill to the ruins of the medieval Burgruine Drachenfels Castle (or Dragon’s Rock Castle Ruins). Alternatively you can continue hiking up through the forest to reach this 12th century castle. From the viewing platform below the Drachenfels Castle you can enjoy amazing views overlooking the Rhine River from high above.

Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by train to the west of Cologne is the city of Aachen, which is famous for hosting one of Germany’s top attractions, the Aachen Cathedral.

Aachen Cathedral

This massive Aachen Cathedral is a UNESCO world heritage site and houses the tomb of the great Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne, who is often considered to be the father of Europe, having united many kingdoms during the early Middle Ages.

The 9th century chapel containing the emperor’s remains is majestically decorated. Additionally, the cathedral hosts many strikingly complex and ornate mosaics amongst its decadent interiors. Also impressive is the Aachen Cathedral’s stunning gothic exterior.

Marktplatz & Rathaus

Across the square from the Aachen Cathedral is the castle-like Rathaus Aachen city hall building, displaying marvelous gothic and baroque style architecture. Behind the Rathaus is Aachen’s Marktplatz (Market Square), which hosts a lovely fountain and is lined with historic buildings. Marktplatz also hosts a popular open marketplace.