Cologne or as the local's call it Koln is the 4th largest city in modern Germany and the largest city of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia with a history that stretches back to Roman times. Today it's one of the key inland port of Europe as well as the historic, cultural and economic capital of the Rhineland.
How to get there.
Cologne has a busy airport that not only serves the city but also the nearby former capital of West Germany, Bonn. As a result it has a extensive list of connections to destinations across Europe and beyond. The airport enjoys good connections to the city center and one of the quickest and reliable ways is by useing the frequent S-Bahn train service that connects with Cologne central station. You can also travel to Cologne from across Europe and even the UK by train as it has connections to a number of train services.
Finally many visitors arrive in Cologne from the River Rhine that cuts through the heart of the city and is a important port for many River Cruise companies as well as regional River ferries. The citys River Cruise Port is part of the main docks area that runs for a mile along the river bank close to the Old Town and Hohenzollern Bridge.
Accommodation
Cologne has an assortment of hotels to suit all budgets and taste, so you won't be short of a place to stay. However it also has a thriving number of Airbnb apartments available and this is a popular choice for many visitors to the city. When we were there we used a very good budget hotel that was within 3 minutes walk of the Central Station it was the TRYP by Wyndham Koln City Centre its room's were a good size, comfortable and with good amenities and the staff were friendly and very helpful with advice or directions, really all we were looking for for our short 3 day visit.
TRYP Wyndham Cologne
What to see and do
Christmas Markets
OK this is seasonal, so only relevant if your visiting in December BUT it is one of Cologne's biggest attractions and is a time when the city is busy with visitors and locals alike. It was in fact at this time that we visited the city and there is one thing the German cities do well its Christmas and the markets. Cologne was no exception and there was in fact 7 different markets to experience and enjoy. All with a different feel and theme. One of the biggest is at the Cathedral and was impressive but all are worth a visit, and you can get around them on the Hop on Hop of Christmas road train that visits them all day, its a good way to get from one to another as they are spread across the city.
Logistics Manager in one of the Christmas Markets
Stall in the market
Logistics Manager meets the main man
Road train that travels between all the markets
Games in the Christmas Market
Enjoying a hot mulled wine
Cologne Cathedral Probably the most famous building in the city This UNESCO site has been been a international pilgrimage site for centuries, inside, it holds the remains of The Three Kings and thousands of visitors attend to see the gilded shrine that holds them. However the cathedral is also filled with other important art pieces including its stained glass windows added to the building in the 1500's This is now Germany's single most visited landmark. One other interesting thing you can do is climb to the top of the Cathedral to see the bells and get some great views.
Cologne Cathedral
Inside Cologne Cathedral
Another part of the Cathedral
Gilded shrine that is said to hold the remains of the three kings.
Visit Cologne Old Town
As you walk around this busy modern and thriving city its worth remembering that over three quarters of the city was completely obliterated during World War 2. But parts did survive and you can see there unique architecture still such as at Heumarkt Plazza or Altermzrkt.
Grob St MartinAnother building that stands out in the Cologne skyline this place of worship was in fact extensively damaged by bombing during the war however it was then fully restored and as a result Roman fuins were discovered in its foundations and you can visit these today.
Grob St Martin
Vist the Chocolate Museum
This one is a must, and its for little and big kids alike !! This is now one of the world's top attractions in its field, and strikes a balance between education and information relating to the growing, harvesting and manufacture uses of Coca and chocolate and then the pleasure of seeing chocolate being made before your eyes and then the fun part... eating or drinking it.
Not to mention the 3 meter high chocolate fountain !!
There is also a tropicarium where cacao trees are grown as well as a great cafe where yes chocolate is on the menu in all its forms and uses. All in it is a great place to visit.
Chocolate fountain
I told her we would never get them in the case !
Seeing how chocolate is made
Workers hard at work making your favourite bars
Old style shop selling chocolate of all varieties
Cacao tree
Well I was not going to not buy a bar ☺
Walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge to Rhine Boulevard
The bridge dates back to the early 20th century but had to be completed rebuild after the war when it was restricted to rail and pedestrian traffic. So you can walk across it and get some good views of the River Rhine and the city once across it you can also enjoy the open space of the Rhine Boulevard and if you time it right sit back and see the sun set across the city and river.
Rhine Boulevard
Hohenzollern Bridge
Visit the Museum'sCologne is well known for its world class and different museums so you can visit for example the Ludwig Museum specialising in Art from the 1900's including the work of Picasso or visit the Romano-Germanic museum next to the cathedral to learn about roman ruins found in the city from when Cologne was a important Roman settlement or the Walraff-Richartz Museum and its collection of Gothic art. These are just a few of the possibilities there are others and all offer a interesting way to pass a few hours.
Ludwig Museum
Visit Cologne Zoo and Botanical Gardens
In the north of the city you can visit Cologne Zoo and next door to it Cologne Botanical Gardens.
The zoo is home to over 10 000 animals and has the largest elephant park in Europe, it focuses on conservation projects and offers a interesting day out, you could then visit the near by Botanical Garden with over 11 hectares of gardens and glasshouses. All built around a large glass house called Flora which was inspired by London's Crystal Palace.
Botanical Gardens
KolnTriangleCologne Cathedral's world heritage listening means that no building is allowed to interfear with it or the skyline near to it, as a result the KolnTriangle skyscraper was restricted to 100 meters in height it is located on the right bank of the Rhine and affords panoramic views across the Old Town and cathedral from its observation deck, this is where you can get that special picture of Cologne Old Town and the Rhine or even the sunset as the Observation Deck is open till 23.00
KolnTriangle
Hop on Hop off busLike most cities the option of a Hop on hop off bus is available in Cologne I have said before sometimes these are not value for money due to the routes / stops etc but not here this is one that does cover all the sights and a bit more that you will want to visit. It leaves regularly from outside the Central Station and next to the Cathedral. You can simply pay on the bus or like us you can pre book online here
Hop on Hop off bus
Cologne Cable Car
This is another way to get that birds eye view of Cologne and its Cathedral the cabel car crosses the Rhine and is a popular attraction for tourists looking for something different or that special photograph.
Eating and Drinking in Cologne
Kolsch Bar
Kolsch is the beer of Cologne, walk into a bar and ask for a beer your getting Kolsch. Its a clear light and crisp lager with a head its not served in large steins as in other parts of Germany but in small glasses.
The beer is brewed by local large breweries and they have many Bars around the city one of the more popular ones is Fruh. If you enter these bars you will see blue jacketed waiters who will serve you the beer in the small glasses it is then regularly refilled by the waiters once you finish. If you want them to stop you simply put a beer mat on top that indicates your finished. These bars also offer traditional foods like roast boar or local sausage which is also very good and full of flavour. Its a experience and one you should try. If you do, I would recommend
Gaffel am Dom which is close to the Cathedral and Central Station we really enjoyed our visit there.
Gaffel am Dom
Enjoying the Kolsch
Visit the Belgian Quarter
This area of the city is possible its most vibrant and trendy, its full of galleries, bars, restaurants, clubs and boutiques. They are all in streets named after the cities of Belgium such as Liege, Ghent and Brussels. It is a great area to spend the evening and enjoy a meal you will be spoilt for choice.
Belgian Quarter
Conclusion
Cologne is a vibrant modern city but with a long history and some truely magnificent buildings, its a city well worth spending some time to get to know wither your on a city break or a day excursion from a River Cruise.
It is also due to its location and transfer links a great base to stay if you want to tour a few cities in the Rhineland, such as Bonn, Dusseldorf and Dortmund as well as the surrounding countryside. So this is a city with much to offer and one we enjoyed on our short pre Christmas break there. So if you were, once things return to normal, maybe next year thinking of experiencing Christmas market's in Europe then Cologne is one city to visit.
Hope you enjoyed my thoughts and suggestions on Cologne please read my other reviews and share on your social media. Keep safe and I will see you soon with some more tips from a different destination.
Davie
