Things to do in Cologne

Activities, attractions and tours

Hohenzollern Bridge showing a bridge, a church or cathedral and night scenes
Hohenzollern Bridge showing a bridge, a church or cathedral and night scenes
Cologne
Cologne featuring heritage architecture, cruising and a river or creek
Cologne
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What to do in Cologne

Popular places to visit

Rollercoaster Pahntasialand

Phantasialand

Enjoy the thrills at Phantasialand and see why everyone loves this theme park in Bruehl. Discover the fascinating museums in this walkable area or seek out the local tours.

Phantasialand
Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral

Marvel at the Gothic architecture and the shrine of the three wise men at one of the largest churches in the world.

Cologne Cathedral
GHA977 Lanxess Arena of Cologne, Germany

LANXESS Arena

Catch an event at LANXESS Arena during your trip to Cologne. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront or experience its fascinating museums.

LANXESS Arena
Cologne_RheinEnergieStadion_507985_04

RheinEnergieStadion

Catch an event at RheinEnergieStadion during your trip to Cologne. Stroll along the riverfront in this culturally rich area or visit its local chocolate shops.

RheinEnergieStadion
City-panorama of Cologne at dusk, Rhine, Hohenzollern Bridge, cathedral, the Musical Dome, Colonius TV tower, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Europe

Musical Dome

Enjoy a show at Musical Dome, a theatre with a story to tell in Cologne. Make time for the stunning cathedral and local tours in this culturally rich area.

Musical Dome
Chocolate Museum

Chocolate Museum

Delve into the delectable history of chocolate and sample the confectionary as you find out about the different ways that it is produced around the world.

Chocolate Museum
Alter Markt featuring a city and street scenes

Old Market

The city’s former marketplace is now a lively spot known for its café culture and carnivals.

Old Market
Köln zur blauen Stunde

Palladium

Enjoy a performance at Palladium, a popular theatre in Cologne. Stroll along the riverfront or experience the fascinating museums in this culturally rich area.

Palladium
Cologne Zoo featuring dangerous animals and zoo animals

Cologne Zoo

This is one of the country’s oldest zoological gardens, and has the biggest collection of animals in Germany.

Cologne Zoo

Areas of Cologne

Rheinau Harbour

Innenstadt

Known for its stunning cathedral and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Innenstadt. Check out top attractions like Cologne Cathedral and Old Market, and jump on the metro at Heumarkt U-Bahn or Appellhofplatz Breite Strasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Innenstadt
Kolumba-Diocesan Museum

Old Town Cologne

Cologne Cathedral and Hohe Strasse are a few top attractions in Old Town Cologne. Hop around the city on the metro at Heumarkt U-Bahn or Neumarkt U-Bahn and check out the area's stunning cathedral, stunning river views and popular shops.

Old Town Cologne
Cologne Cathedral

Altstadt-Nord

4.5/5(293 area reviews)

Known for its stunning cathedral and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Altstadt-Nord. Check out top attractions like Cologne Cathedral and Cologne City Museum, and jump on the metro at Appellhofplatz Breite Strasse U-Bahn or Heumarkt U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Altstadt-Nord
Rheinboulevard showing a sunset, a river or creek and a city

Deutz

3.5/5(32 area reviews)

Museums, shopping and river views highlight some notable features of Deutz. Make a stop by LANXESS Arena or Tanzbrunnen Köln while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Deutzer Freiheit U-Bahn or Deutz Koelnarena U-Bahn to get around town.

Deutz
Hohenzollern Bridge showing a bridge, a church or cathedral and night scenes

Altstadt-Süd

4.5/5(106 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and fascinating museums, there's plenty to explore in Altstadt-Süd. You can visit top attractions like Chocolate Museum and Rheinau Harbour, and jump on the metro at Severinstrasse U-Bahn or Poststrasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Altstadt-Süd
Pedestrian bridge over the entrance to the Rhine port Muelheim, Germany; Shutterstock ID 689931151

Mülheim

3.5/5(29 area reviews)

Mülheim is a destination travellers like for its museums, and you might hop aboard the metro at Am Emberg U-Bahn or Im Weidenbruch U-Bahn to explore sights like Palladium.

Mülheim
Bilderbuchmuseum in Burg Wissem

Troisdorf

As we approached the palace it became apparent this was impressive. But it didn't prepare me for the interior.

Bruehl

monastery church near Dormagen (in german Kloster Knechtsteden) North Rhine-Westphalia Germany

Dormagen

Wilhlemshöhe in Hürth vom Weiler Berrenrath aus

Huerth

Ortstafel Langenfeld (Rheinland)

Langenfeld

Bonn Marketplace showing night scenes

Bonn

Breakfast in the Castle

Bergisch Gladbach

Monheim am Rhein (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) – farm Laacher Hof

Monheim

Frequently asked questions

Is Cologne worth visiting?
Known for its nightlife and culture, discovering fun things to do in Cologne is a cinch. Make sure to add Cologne Cathedral to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Cologne?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to Cologne Zoo and Aqualand Leisure Pool at Fuhlinger Lake. Then, explore other areas of Cologne for local dining and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Cologne?
The top tourist attraction in Cologne is Cologne Cathedral, so don't forget to add it to your sightseeing list.
Is three days enough to stay in Cologne?
Three days in Cologne is enough to visit the city's major attractions. Many travellers spend two days on average. Cologne Cathedral, Cologne Zoo and Museum Ludwig are top-rated sights. Want to see more? Stick around a while longer to visit nearby hotspots such as Düsseldorf.
Is Cologne a walkable city?
Some top attractions in Cologne, including Cologne Cathedral and Cologne Zoo, are within walking distance. You can also visit several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Only 0.48 kilometres from central Cologne is Innenstadt and Old Town Cologne is 0.32 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Cologne with kids?
Whether you're travelling with young explorers or playful teenagers, a schedule filled with fun activities makes a big difference. Take a look at our recommendations for what to do in Cologne with kids.

What to do in Cologne for adults?
LANXESS Arena and MediaPark are just a couple of the things to do in Cologne. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Cologne?
From enjoying parks to strolling around hip neighbourhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Cologne. If you need inspiration, ask a local tour guide for some tips. Cologne Cathedral is a must for anyone wanting to save on their sightseeing activities.

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