Cologne

Travel Guide

Hohenzollern Bridge showing a bridge, a church or cathedral and night scenes
Cologne
Cologne
Cologne
Alter Markt
Discover the character of this liberal and hospitable city, now a hub for arts and culture in Germany’s Rhineland.

Cologne lies on the banks of the Rhine River and is Germany’s fourth largest city. Its long and fascinating history has given the city a distinctive charm a towering cathedral, medieval marketplace and grand old buildings sit alongside modern office blocks. Cologne is a hot spot for tourism, as well as media and business. It is famous worldwide for the scent Eau de Cologne, first produced here in 1709. It’s also known as being one of the most liberal cities in Germany.

One of the most popular areas for visitors is the picturesque Old Town, which was almost completely reduced to rubble during World War II. Cologne was one of the most heavily bombed cities in Germany, but it has been painstakingly rebuilt. The historic center, including the Alter Markt (Old Market), has been restored to its pre-war heritage and the surviving old buildings, such as the famous Cologne Cathedral, carefully preserved. A more modern attraction, but still one of the oldest of its kind in Germany, is the Cologne Zoo.

Cologne today is known for being a major cultural center and is famous for its Winter Carnival, held in February. There’s also plenty of activity throughout the year thanks to the city’s vibrant arts scene, countless galleries and more than 30 museums. The Museum Schnütgen houses an extensive collection of medieval art in an 11th-century Romanesque church. Visit the Museum für Angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Art) and browse through thousands of design objects, from a Mies van der Rohe chair to a retro vacuum cleaner.

If you want to practice your German, Cologne is a great place to do so as the locals are known for their welcoming nature. English is also widely spoken here, especially by younger people, and tours and information in English are available for all of the city’s main attractions.

Getting around Cologne is easy with the efficient and affordable public transport network, which includes trams, buses and trains. There is an English language feature on ticket machines. Renting a bike is another great way to see this city rentals are available from the northern side of the main train station.

Where to stay in 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 Schildergasse 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 National Socialist Documentation Center, and jump on the metro at Appellhofplatz Breite Strasse U-Bahn or Heumarkt U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Altstadt-Nord
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Deutz

3.5/5(32 area reviews)

Museums, shopping and river views highlight some notable features of Deutz. Make a stop by Cologne Triangle or LANXESS Arena 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 Schildergasse, and jump on the metro at Severinstrasse U-Bahn or Poststrasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Altstadt-Süd
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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
Maritim Hotel Köln

Maritim Hotel Köln

Heumarkt 20, Cologne, NW
The price is HK$993 per night from 14 Aug to 15 Aug
HK$993
HK$1,116 total
14 Aug - 15 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,161 reviews)
"Had a wonderful 5 night stay at the hotel. I was a bit apprehensive after reading some reviews but i was pleasantly surprised. Lovely welcome from check in staff and given lots of information about the hotel and surrounding area. Hotel lobby is impressive, superior double room was spacious, clean ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Maritim Hotel Köln
Novotel Köln City

Novotel Köln City

4 out of 5
Bayenstr. 51, Cologne, NW
The price is HK$874 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
HK$874
HK$982 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
A clean comfortable hotel in an ideal location
"This was a very pleasant stay as usual."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Novotel Köln City
URBAN LOFT Cologne

URBAN LOFT Cologne

Eigelstein 41, Cologne
The price is HK$805 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
HK$805
HK$905 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,173 reviews)
"Very nice hotel. Easy check in and out. Friendly staff. Good coffee. And great location."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

URBAN LOFT Cologne
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Adina Apartment Hotel Cologne

Adina Apartment Hotel Cologne

Hans-Imhoff-Strasse 1, Cologne
Stay at this aparthotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (314 reviews)
"Great little place, and the host was great!"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Adina Apartment Hotel Cologne
Aparthotel Adagio Köln City

Aparthotel Adagio Köln City

Blaubach 3, Cologne, NW
Stay at this aparthotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,044 reviews)
"Staff was welcoming and did accommodate our request to be near another room, location was walkable to many major areas and also accessible by metro. Our unit had everything we needed, bed was very comfortable. Groceries right around the corner. Overall a good stay!"

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Köln City
Numa Cologne Ehrenfeld

Numa Cologne Ehrenfeld

Venloer Straße 241-245, Cologne
Stay at this aparthotel in Cologne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Cologne Cathedral and Musical Dome are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (67 reviews)
"overall a great experience"

Reviewed on 11 May 2025

Numa Cologne Ehrenfeld
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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