Discover Cologne: Cathedral, Rhine and culture

Cologne brings together a distinctive historical heritage with art, gardens, animal habitats and experiences along the Rhine. The Cathedral is a widely known landmark; beneath it, the archaeological excavations offer another glimpse into the history of the site. The city also has museums with very diverse collections and green spaces that give your visit a different pace. When planning your trip, you can focus on architecture and history, nature and animals, or a mix of city life and brewhouse culture.

Cathedral, churches and museums

The foundation stone of Cologne Cathedral was laid in 1248, and it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. The archaeological excavations beneath the Cathedral cover about 4,000 square metres. The Via Culturalis offers a second perspective on the city’s history: the route, around 800 metres long, runs between the Cathedral and St. Maria im Kapitol and offers a free audio tour with around 30 audio stops at the original locations. Its short length and audio format make it a practical way to explore Cologne’s cultural history.

The Romanesque churches also add a distinctive touch. Twelve churches are arranged in a semicircle around the city centre. Some stand on foundations dating from Roman times; visitors can also see original medieval furnishings and relics in the churches. At the Schnütgen Museum, the collection of medieval art extends into an exhibition space that itself has a long history: the largest room is the Romanesque Church of St. Cecilia, which is over 1,000 years old. The Museum Ludwig offers a different artistic focus, with the world’s third-largest Picasso collection as well as extensive holdings of Pop Art, German Expressionism and photography.

The NS-DOK is located in the EL-DE House, the former Gestapo headquarters in the heart of Cologne. The building houses a memorial, the permanent exhibition “Cologne during National Socialism,” a documentation centre and a library. This site complements the art and church museums with an important examination of the history of National Socialism.

Gardens, the Rhine and animal habitats

Flora and the Botanical Garden form an 11.5-hectare garden complex in the north of Cologne. Since 1920, they have brought together a garden monument, a botanical garden and show greenhouses. Outdoors and in greenhouses, visitors can see 12,000 cultivated plant species from around the world. This lets you complement a museum itinerary with impressions of diverse plant worlds, without limiting your city outing to a single theme.

Rheinpark lies right on the Rhine and combines large play areas with meadows. This family-friendly leisure destination offers space for a break in the greenery; the park is freely accessible and open all year round. Check the notices before your visit. Visitors interested in animals will find a range of highlights at Cologne Zoo: in around 70 aquariums arranged by geographical region, the Aquarium displays fish, anemones, corals, starfish, mussels and crustaceans. At the Hippodom, visitors experience a walk-through replica of an African river landscape featuring hippos, Nile crocodiles, antelopes and various bird species.

You can experience the skyline and the entire Rhine panorama from above on the Cologne Cable Car. Schedules vary by season; check the times before your trip. The elevated views of the Rhine, the diversity of plants and the animal habitats offer different ways to get to know Cologne beyond its museums and churches.

Brewhouse culture and trip planning

In Cologne’s Old Town, quaint lanes and traditional buildings invite you to explore pubs, restaurants and brewhouses; they are within walking distance. Brewhouse culture has a tradition spanning more than 500 years. Cologne is also the only city where the well-known Kölsch beer may be brewed. A brewhouse tour will tell you more about the history of the brewhouses. As availability for these tours can vary, check the latest booking details in advance.

The street carnival is an annual Rhineland folk festival; dates and programme change from year to year. So if carnival is the reason for your trip, it is worth checking the dates for that year. When choosing a place to stay, you can start by considering which experiences matter most to you: the Cathedral and museums, gardens and Rheinpark, animal habitats or brewhouse culture each offer a different focus.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Cologne, Worringen, Gremberghoven, Junkersdorf, Cologne-Brück.

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