Cologne Attractions - The Top 10 Most Popular Attractions

No Cologne Without Cologne Cathedral

The people of Cologne love their cathedral - and rightly so. But the cathedral is also known far beyond the city's borders. Thus, the building is one of the most famous landmarks in Germany. On average, around 20,000 visitors come to see the cathedral daily(!).

The cornerstone for the Roman Catholic church of superlatives was laid as early as the 13th century. At that time, the old existing cathedral seemed no longer representative enough.

Second Tallest Church in the World

Today, the Cologne Cathedral with its two towers and fascinating Gothic architectural style is THE landmark of the city. No other building shapes the city's skyline as much as the cathedral. At 157 m tall, it is the second tallest church building in the world (after Ulm Minster).

Its unique architecture, the shrine of the Three Kings, and the beautiful stained glass windows have contributed to the fact that the Cologne Cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.

Our conclusion: 'Let's leave the cathedral in Cologne, because it belongs there' (Bläck Fööss) - rightly our number 1 of the top 10 Cologne attractions.

Kölle Alaaf! Although our number 2 of the most popular attractions in Cologne is not a building or a legendary place, the annual carnival spectacle is something you should not miss.

The Fifth Season

Every year, Cologne transforms into a carnival stronghold. From Weiberfastnacht (Women's Carnival Night) to Carnival Tuesday, the city is entirely in the hands of festive carnival fans.

In the spirit of Carnival, people celebrate, sing, and dance to their hearts' content. On the famous carnival parades through the city, alone on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), which is considered the highlight of the Cologne Carnival, up to 100 tons of sweets, bouquets, and kisses (Bützcher) are thrown to the enthusiastic spectators along the streets.

It's no wonder that the Cologne Carnival is among the largest and most famous carnival celebrations in the world - and is our number 2 of the most popular Cologne attractions!

The Old Town is primarily a colorful mix of long-established shops, breweries, and taverns. Stapel houses and the small alleys create a special atmosphere.

History on the House Facades

Those who take a closer look at the houses will find stone-carved masks, known as shame masks, on the facades. Many different legends tell of their creation. Flood marks on the house walls remind of past floods.

Our conclusion: A stroll through the Old Town of Cologne is definitely worthwhile and can either be a small shopping trip or a jovial visit to a tavern.

Football in Cologne

Number 4 of the top Cologne attractions is all about football. The RheinEnergieSTADION is one of the most modern and largest football stadiums in Germany and the home of 1. FC Cologne.

But the RheinEnergieSTADION is not only exciting as a sports venue - its extraordinary design also makes it a very special place. The stadium features illuminated corner pylons at its four corners, making it recognizable even from afar.

Popular Event Venue

Inside RheinEnergieSTADION, there is a TV studio, VIP boxes, and various business areas. It holds a total of 50,000 spectators, making it an excellent venue for large events. Many national and international superstars - including the Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams, and Herbert Grönemeyer - have visited the RheinEnergieSTADION.

Tip: For dedicated FC Cologne fans, tours of the stadium are available. Information about tours, opening hours, and prices can be found here. A different kind of sightseeing!

Love is in the air

If you want to pledge eternal love in Cologne, you will surely do it here: at Hohenzollern Bridge. The Rhine bridge is now adorned with thousands of individually designed small padlocks that love-struck couples attach to the bridge as a symbol of their love. According to tradition, the accompanying key is thrown into the Rhine.

All Roads Lead to... Cologne

The Hohenzollern Bridge and the adjacent main train station are also one of the most important transit hubs in the German railway network. About 1,500 trains cross the bridge daily. The special thing about the Hohenzollern Bridge: it is the only bridge in Cologne that was not destroyed by bombs during World War II but was later blown up by the Wehrmacht to slow the advance of the Allies.

Today, a total of six railway tracks and a bike and pedestrian path on each side cross the historic bridge - cathedral panorama included. Number 5 on our top 10 list of the most popular Cologne attractions and a must-see during your Cologne vacation!

You can also enjoy breathtaking views of the city from the Cologne Triangle. It is a unique office skyscraper that was completed in 2005 and has become another landmark of the city.

Up High

The building stands more than 100 m tall and is located directly across from the Cologne Cathedral, near the banks of the Rhine and the Koelnmesse. The uniqueness of the tower arises from the successful interplay of innovative architecture, a central location, and modern technology.

On the roof of the Cologne Triangle, there is an observation deck that is open to the public. From here, you can enjoy a unique view of the Rhine, the cathedral, and the surrounding area. The Cologne Triangle should also be on your list of top Cologne attractions.

Everything you ever wanted to know about chocolate can be found at the Imhoff Chocolate Museum. With over 650,000 visitors annually, the Cologne Chocolate Museum is the most visited museum in Cologne. For this reason, it should not be missing from your sightseeing tour.

A Must for Sweet Tooth

A highlight of the museum: you can also sample chocolate yourself! In the glass dome of the building, there is a large chocolate fountain. The fountain flows with fine chocolate, which can be tasted with small wafers.

From Cocoa Bean to Chocolate

In addition to tasting, the Chocolate Museum informs its guests about chocolate and cocoa. From the cultivation of the plants to harvesting and production to packaging, the manufacturing process is explained in detail. Here, you will experience an impressive journey through the cultural history of chocolate on 4,000 m². You definitely shouldn't miss this delicious attraction in Cologne!

Another attraction in Cologne is the Cologne City Hall. It is the oldest city hall in Germany and has a long and eventful history.

House of the Citizens

The building was first mentioned in the early 12th century when it was referred to as the 'House of the Citizens'. Today, the building impresses with a mix of historic architecture and modern, newly planned elements. The latter had to be added due to war damage, as not all parts of the original buildings could be reconstructed.

Particularly charming about the Gothic design of the Cologne City Hall are the many small and large wooden sculptures. Before the war, there were 124, depicting famous or important personalities. Gradually, the city of Cologne is now filling the empty spaces of the missing sculptures with 106 new figures.

But not only visually is the city hall impressive. Four times a day, a carillon rings in the city hall tower, making the Cologne City Hall one of the most beautiful attractions in Cologne.

A visit to Cologne should definitely lead you to the restructured Rheinauhafen in the South City. This is a very young and attractive neighborhood right on the Rhine. It is not only a promenade but also a prestigious neighborhood and yacht harbor all in one.

The district is characterized by modern residential and office complexes, alongside many small cafes, restaurants, and galleries. If you are looking for architectural highlights, you will definitely find them here.

Old and New

The transformation of the old harbor area began in the late 1990s. Many old buildings were carefully restored for the development of the area. Today, the district impresses architecturally, particularly through the interplay of modern building complexes and heritage-protected structures.

At the center of the Rheinauhafen are three large crane houses approximately 60 m high. They house both luxury condominiums and offices, making them a perfect motive for snapshots.

A visit to Cologne without a Kölsch? Impossible! If you want to experience a true Cologne traditional tavern, you must go to Lommerzheim, affectionately known as 'Lommi'.

The Kölschest of All Kölsch Pubs

From the outside, the pub may not seem very inviting, but the interior promises a wonderfully rustic atmosphere. The establishment gained cult status, especially through its publican Hans Lommerzheim and his own witty and warm manner. He opened the pub in 1959 and ran it with his wife until 2004. Since then, Lommerzheim has been regarded as the Kölschest of all Kölsch pubs.

In 2008, the traditional pub reopened after careful renovation. The historic serving room was retained in its original state, while other areas were expanded.

Cologne is a very special city on the Rhine. Strongly shaped by its carnival culture, it is a true gem for anyone who wants to experience wild carnival revelry. But beyond carnival, there is plenty to see in Cologne, from Gothic to modern architecture, there's something for everyone.

Population: 1,075,935 (2016)

Area: 405.02 km²

Language: German

Currency: Euro

Time Zone: Central European Time (UTC+1)

Average Temperature in Summer: 64.9 °F

Average Temperature in Winter: 36.3 °F

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