Germany’s fourth-largest city and a long weekend choice has a hefty offering when it comes to taking in its art, architecture and trendy neighbourhoods. Check out our two-day suggested itinerary to get a taste of the city…
Day 1: Hit the town
Morning: Fuel up for a busy day of exploring with breakfast at Café Reichard, situated directly in view of the beautiful Gothic Cologne Cathedral. After enjoying the extensive breakfast buffet and admiring the cathedral from the outside, head in to explore further. The UNESCO World Heritage building houses the Shrine of the Three Kings and the Cathedral Treasury. Its rooftop doesn’t disappoint either, with views across the entire city.
Afternoon: Spend the afternoon in the Belgian Quarter, strolling through the charming streets and window shopping in its unique boutiques. As the trendiest neighbourhood in Cologne, this district offers a plethora of galleries, theatres, pubs, cafés and bars. Stop by the Stadtgarten, which serves as a beer garden, music venue, or Christmas market in winter.
Evening: Make your way towards the Old Town and the Rhine via Neumarkt and Heumarkt, taking the time to appreciate the cobbled streets and gabled buildings of this restored medieval part of the city. Keep the experience authentic by ordering a cold Kölsch, the local beer, in a traditional brewery, then head to dinner at Ox & Klee or Maibeck. The former has a meat and seafood or vegetarian menu to choose from, while Maibeck is the proud owner of a Michelin star.
Day 2: As sweet as chocolate
Morning: Discover Europe’s largest Pop Art collection and the world’s third-largest collection of Picassos at the Museum Ludwig, just steps away from Cologne Cathedral and the Rhine River. After a cultured morning, enjoy a leisurely walk along the riverside promenade towards the Rheinauhafen neighbourhood, with its modern architecture, cafes, restaurants and historic buildings.
Afternoon: Conveniently located right at Rheinauhafen, the Chocolate Museum is a delight for visitors with a sweet tooth. A variety of chocolate treats, along with idyllic river views, are on offer in the Chocolat Grand Café, while the museum is worth a visit to brush up on the history of chocolate. Afterwards, embark on a one-hour panoramic Rhine cruise with Köln-Düsseldorfer for a leisurely tour.
Evening: Spend the evening on the other side of the Rhine. Start off with a stroll across the Hohenzollern Bridge, famous for its thousands of love locks, stopping to read the messages. Then continue on to the Köln-Triangle observation deck for more impressive views of the city, including the twin-spires of the cathedral.
Just a short walk away is Grissini, an Italian restaurant with a vista of the Rhine boulevard. Pasta, seafood and tiramisu can all be washed down with a spritz.
Six of the best winter activities in Cologne
With festive traditions and warming treats keeping the cold at bay, Cologne in Germany makes for the perfect winter city break.
Cologne Cathedral
Dominating an open square, set amid the reconstructed old town, Cologne Cathedral is an imposing introduction to the 2,000 year-old city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the twin-spired building’s high Gothic architecture is emblematic of the region. After visiting the Shrine of the Three Kings and the Cathedral Treasury, climb 533 steps up to the tower for sweeping panoramic views of twinkling Christmas lights.
Chocolate Museum
When the weather is cold outside, there’s nothing that warms the soul quite like chocolate. Those with a sweet tooth will love the Chocolate Museum in the Rheinauhafen district which demonstrates a traditional production process. In the museum, the world’s most comprehensive cocoa exhibition can be found, spanning 5,000 years of chocolate-making history. The gold chocolate fountain is not to be missed.
Street Art in Cologne
Cologne is considered Germany’s art hub, with vibrant murals, graffiti and street art on show from Ehrenfeld to the Belgian Quarter and throughout the city centre. Cologne offers an impressive array of urban art, which can be discovered using the Urban Art Map, a digital guide showcasing the diverse artistic landscape. Other hotspots include the Latin Quarter, Nippes and Mülheim.
Cologne Old Town
Wrap up warm and take to the cobbled streets of the Old Town, a hive of shops, restaurants and bustling activity. Take in the colourful gables, historic buildings and Romanesque Churches that are reminders of the town’s medieval origins. As the beating heart of the city, the Old Town is a great place to sip a famous local beer Kölsch at breweries such as Früh, or sip a mulled wine in one of the many squares.
Rheinauhafen district
Contrasting with the old world feel of the Old Town, the Rheinauhafen district is a city of the future. Featuring beautifully renovated warehouses and experimental Kranhaus buildings, the modern architecture blends with Cologne’s historic charm along the Rhine River. Entry is across the iconic swing bridge, offering a gateway to delights such as the German Sport & Olympia Museum, cafés, restaurants and the Chocolate Museum.
Christmas Markets
As the festive season approaches, traditional German Christmas markets pop up across Cologne, including the splendid and immensely popular Market of Hearts, clustered around the Cathedral.
There are many themed Christmas markets, all of which create festive cheer with traditional nativity scenes, handmade decorations, twinkling lights and warming mulled wine.
Book it with… BA and Hilton
Flights with British Airways from London Heathrow to Cologne/Bonn on November 21 2024 cost from £60 return. A two-night stay at the Hilton Cologne, close to the Cologne Cathedral, including breakfast is priced from £174. britishairways.com; hilton.com
