Things to do in Cologne

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Hohenzollern Bridge showing a bridge, a church or cathedral and a river or creek
Cologne
Cologne featuring heritage architecture, cruising and a river or creek
Cologne
Alter Markt
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What to do in Cologne

Discover the most popular places to visit in Cologne

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral

4.5/5(394 reviews)

Marvel at the Gothic architecture and the shrine of the three wise men at one of the largest churches in the world.

Cologne Cathedral
LANXESS Arena

LANXESS Arena

4.5/5(26 reviews)

Catch an event at LANXESS Arena during your trip to Cologne. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront or experience its fascinating museums.

LANXESS Arena
Chocolate Museum

Chocolate Museum

4.5/5(78 reviews)

Delve into the delectable history of chocolate and sample the confectionary as you find out about the different ways that it is produced around the world.

Chocolate Museum
RheinEnergieStadion

RheinEnergieStadion

4/5(46 reviews)

Catch an event at RheinEnergieStadion during your trip to Cologne. Stroll along the riverfront in this culturally rich area, or check out its local chocolate shops.

RheinEnergieStadion
Eau de cologne <3 Saw this amazing summer paradise from the cable car. The thermal baths seem so posh; really wish I could've just stayed and bathed here for an entire day! #weekendgetaway #waterlust

Claudius Therme

5/5(2 reviews)

You can take time to visit Claudius Therme during your travels to Cologne. Stroll along the riverfront or experience the fascinating museums in this culturally rich area.

Claudius Therme
Alter Markt featuring a city and street scenes

Old Market

4.5/5(103 reviews)

The city’s former marketplace is now a lively spot known for its café culture and carnivals.

Old Market
Cologne Zoo showing dangerous animals and zoo animals

Cologne Zoo

4.5/5(11 reviews)

This is one of the country’s oldest zoological gardens, and has the biggest collection of animals in Germany.

Cologne Zoo
Haymarket featuring heritage elements and a statue or sculpture

Hay Market

4.5/5(14 reviews)

Learn about the local history of Cologne with a stop at Hay Market. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront, or seek out the local tours.

Hay Market
Standby mode

Neumarkt

4/5(37 reviews)

You can find out about the history of Cologne when you stop by Neumarkt. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront or experience its fascinating museums.

Neumarkt

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Cologne

Kolumba-Diocesan Museum

Old Town Cologne

Known for its stunning cathedral, stunning river views, and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Old Town Cologne. Top attractions like Cologne Cathedral and Schildergasse are major draws. Catch the metro at Heumarkt U-Bahn or Neumarkt U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Old Town Cologne
Rheinau Harbour

Innenstadt

Central to Cologne, Innenstadt boasts historic old town charm, Gründerzeit era new town, and Deutz quarter. Explore landmarks like Cologne Cathedral, romanesque churches, and KölnTurm, while enjoying easy access to train stations and the Cologne Ring.

Innenstadt
Cologne Cathedral

Altstadt-Nord

4.5/5(378 area reviews)

Known for its stunning cathedral and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Altstadt-Nord. Check out top attractions like Cologne Cathedral and Cologne City Museum, and jump on the metro at Appellhofplatz Breite Strasse U-Bahn or Heumarkt U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Altstadt-Nord
Rheinboulevard showing a river or creek, a city and a sunset

Deutz

4/5(26 area reviews)

Part of central Cologne, Deutz serves as a business center and transportation hub, boasting the Köln Messe/Deutz station. Enjoy picturesque views of the old town from the river embankment and explore nearby Rheinpark.

Deutz
Hohenzollern Bridge showing a bridge, a church or cathedral and a river or creek

Altstadt-Süd

4/5(96 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Altstadt-Süd. Top attractions like Chocolate Museum and Schildergasse are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Severinstrasse U-Bahn or Poststrasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Altstadt-Süd
Cologne which includes road cycling as well as a couple

Ehrenfeld

4/5(9 area reviews)

Noted for its bars and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Ehrenfeld. Top attractions like MMC Studios and Neptunbad are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Koernerstrasse U-Bahn or Venloer Strasse Guertel U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Ehrenfeld

Popular day trips from Cologne

Photo "Troisdorf" by aachim3 (CC BY) / Cropped from original
Photo by aachim3 (CC BY)

Troisdorf

Leverkusen featuring heritage architecture and a pond

Leverkusen

Photo by Jeff White

Bruehl

Dormagen

Dormagen

Bonn Marketplace which includes night scenes

Bonn

Photo "Euskirchen" by Imus Eus (page does not exist) (CC BY) / Cropped from original
Photo by Imus Eus (page does not exist) (CC BY)

Euskirchen

Photo "Bornheim" by Prof. emeritus Hans Schneider (Geyersberg) (CC BY) / Cropped from original

Bornheim

Photo by Joanna Hull

Siegburg

Frequently asked questions

Is Cologne worth visiting?
Known for its nightlife and culture, discovering fun things to do in Cologne is a cinch. Make sure to add Cologne Cathedral to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Cologne?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to Cologne Zoo and Aqualand Leisure Pool at Fuhlinger Lake. Then, explore other areas of Cologne for local dining and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Cologne?
The top tourist attraction in Cologne is Cologne Cathedral, so don't forget to add it to your sightseeing list.
Is three days enough to stay in Cologne?
Three days in Cologne is enough to visit the city's major attractions. Many travelers spend two days on average. Cologne Cathedral, Cologne Zoo and Museum Ludwig are top-rated sights. Want to see more? Stick around a while longer to visit nearby hotspots such as Düsseldorf.
Is Cologne a walkable city?
Some top attractions in Cologne, including Cologne Cathedral and Cologne Zoo, are within walking distance. You can also visit several of the city's neighborhoods on foot. Only 0.48 kilometers from central Cologne is Innenstadt and Old Town Cologne is 0.32 kilometers away.
What are some activities to do in Cologne with kids?
Whether you're traveling with young explorers or playful teenagers, a schedule filled with fun activities makes a big difference. Take a look at our recommendations for what to do in Cologne with kids.

What to do in Cologne for adults?
LANXESS Arena and MediaPark are just a couple of the things to do in Cologne. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Cologne?
From enjoying parks to strolling around hip neighborhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Cologne. If you need inspiration, ask a local tour guide for some tips. Cologne Cathedral is a must for anyone wanting to save on their sightseeing activities.