Before you go
Your trip to Colônia.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Colônia – Renânia do Norte-Vestfália Destination Colônia and Düsseldorf about 40 km from Düsseldorf
How to get there
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Flughafen Köln/Bonn (CGN) 17 km
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Köln Hauptbahnhof 1 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Colônia/Bonn airport (CGN) is about 17 km from the center, with a train to the central station in about 15 minutes. Check before booking. From Frankfurt the ICE reaches Köln Hauptbahnhof (Hauptbahnhof or Hbf is the central station) in about 1 hour; from Düsseldorf, in 20 to 30 minutes.
How many days
One day is enough for the cathedral with its tower, the old town, the bridge and one museum. With two days you can include the Schokoladenmuseum, the EL-DE-Haus memorial and the Deutz riverside at a relaxed pace. Those also visiting Düsseldorf can add one or two days.
When to go
From May to September, with long days and riverfront life. In December, Christmas markets usually run from the end of November until close to Christmas. Carnival begins on 11 November at 11:11 and peaks the week before Ash Wednesday, with the Monday parade, the Rosenmontag; the city fills up and prices rise.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No. The city centre is walkable and the network of metro, tram and S-Bahn covers the rest; validate your ticket at the machine when it asks. The city has an environmental zone (Umweltzone) that requires a sticker on the windshield, and parking in the centre is difficult.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Colônia
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Morning
Cathedral and climb to the tower
Start at the Kölner Dom, next to the central station, right at the opening of visitor access. Then climb the 533 steps of the south tower to the platform, about 100 metres up, and, if you still have the energy, see the treasure in the Domschatzkammer with a combined ticket.
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Afternoon
Museum Ludwig and old town
Have lunch near the cathedral and spend two hours at the Museum Ludwig, with pop art and Picasso. Then go down to the Alter Markt, see the historic town hall tower and the Romanesque church Groß St. Martin by the river.
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Late afternoon
Hohenzollernbrücke and view from Deutz
Walk across the Hohenzollernbrücke, among the padlocks and the trains, and go up to the KölnTriangle viewing platform to see the cathedral head-on. Return along the Deutz riverside for the classic photo of the bridge with the Dom.
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Evening
Kölsch in a traditional Brauhaus
Dine in a Brauhaus in the old town, with regional dishes and Kölsch served in 0.2-litre glasses. Remember: placing the coaster on the glass signals you don't want any more.
2 days in Colônia
Day 1
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Morning
Kölner Dom, tower and treasure
Visit the interior of the cathedral early, climb the south tower and finish at the Domschatzkammer, in the medieval underground rooms with reliquaries and sections of the Roman wall.
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Afternoon
Modern art at the Museum Ludwig
After lunch, head to the Museum Ludwig, next to the cathedral, with pop art, German Expressionism and one of the largest collections of Picasso in the world.
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Late afternoon
Alter Markt and Groß St. Martin
Walk through the Alter Markt and the Heumarkt, see the town hall tower and go into Groß St. Martin. Finish on the Rhine bank, on the old town promenade.
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Evening
Dinner in a Brauhaus
Choose one of the breweries around the Alter Markt to try Kölsch and dishes such as Himmel un Ääd, mashed potato with apple and blood sausage.
Day 2
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Morning
EL-DE-Haus memorial
Visit the NS-Dokumentationszentrum, in the former Gestapo headquarters, with the cells and the prisoners' inscriptions. Then walk to Neumarkt square via the central shopping streets.
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Afternoon
Schokoladenmuseum and Rheinauhafen
Go down to the Rheinauhafen and spend the afternoon at the Schokoladenmuseum, with the tropical greenhouse and the glass-fronted factory. On the way out, walk through the harbour among the crane-shaped buildings.
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Late afternoon
Bridge, KölnTriangle and Rheinpark
Return along the bank to the Hohenzollernbrücke, cross to Deutz, go up the KölnTriangle and walk through the Rheinpark with the view of the old town across the river.
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Evening
Cathedral illuminated
Return to the left bank and see the cathedral illuminated from Roncalliplatz. Dine near the central station or in the old town.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Cologne/Bonn Airport to the centre?
By train: the station is at the airport and the journey to Köln Hauptbahnhof takes about 15 minutes. Buy the ticket at the machine or on the Deutsche Bahn app.
How many days to stay in Colônia?
One day for the essentials and two to also see the museums and the other riverbank without rushing.
What is the Carnival in Colônia like?
The season starts on 11 November at 11:11 and the peak is the week before Ash Wednesday: the Weiberfastnacht on Thursday opens the street party, and the big parade is on Monday, the Rosenmontag. Many people dress up. Book accommodation in advance and watch your belongings in the crowds.
Is English spoken in Colônia?
Yes, in hotels, museums and restaurants in the centre. A few words help: Dom is cathedral, Altstadt is old town, Hauptbahnhof (Hbf) is central station and Brücke is bridge.
Can you go to Düsseldorf on the same day?
Yes. Trains between the central stations take 20 to 30 minutes and run all day.
