Things to do in Cologne

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

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
    find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
    calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
    trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    Members save % or more when you book activities.

Most popular activities in Cologne

Tours & day trips

See all 204 activities
Cologne Cathedral and Old Town Tour with 1 Kölsch

Cologne Cathedral and Old Town Tour with 1 Kölsch

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥3,397 per adult
Cologne Cathedral and Old Town Tour with 1 KölschOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 96 activities
Cologne Haunted Quest: The Witch Self-Guided Tour

Cologne Haunted Quest: The Witch Self-Guided Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥1,244 per adult*
Cologne Haunted Quest: The Witch Self-Guided TourOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 29 activities
Public brewery tour in Cologne in English

Public brewery tour in Cologne in English

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥3,541 per adult
Public brewery tour in Cologne in EnglishOpens in new tab

Attractions

See all 6 activities
Cologne: Cologne Zoo and Aquarium Entry Ticket

Cologne: Cologne Zoo and Aquarium Entry Ticket

Activity duration is 1 day
10.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥4,093 per adult
Cologne: Cologne Zoo and Aquarium Entry TicketOpens in new tab

Cruises & boat tours

See all 6 activities
Cologne: Top Sights Rhine River Cruise

Cologne: Top Sights Rhine River Cruise

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
8.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥4,253 per adult
Cologne: Top Sights Rhine River CruiseOpens in new tab

What to do in Cologne

Discover the most popular places to visit in Cologne

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral

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

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
RheinEnergieStadion

RheinEnergieStadion

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
Chocolate Museum

Chocolate Museum

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
Cologne Zoo showing dangerous animals and zoo animals

Cologne Zoo

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

Cologne Zoo
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

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

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

Old Market
Haymarket featuring heritage elements and a statue or sculpture

Hay Market

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

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 National Socialist Documentation Center, 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
Default Image

Mülheim

3.5/5(15 area reviews)

Mülheim is a destination travelers like for its museums, and you might hop aboard the metro at Am Emberg U-Bahn or Im Weidenbruch U-Bahn to explore sights like Palladium.

Mülheim

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.