Cologne isn’t the most well-known German city for foreigners; but as a local tour guide in Cologne, I think it should be! Cologne can trace its origins back to the first century AD, making it the second oldest city in Germany. Today, the city remains one of Germany’s most important cultural centers and Cologne is the 4th largest city in the country.
Germans often joke that Cologne isn’t the most beautiful city, but it is the most friendly. I feel that unique vibe, especially in comparison to other German cities. The people here have a good sense of humor. They will randomly start chatting with you in line for the bathroom, and they are known for loving a good time.
Each winter, Köln’s legendary Karneval celebration brings out costumed locals ready to let loose. In fact, Cologne is the city with the most pubs per person in Germany, thanks to its beloved local Kölsch beer. Add a mix of effortlessly cool neighborhoods, pretty parks, and fabled food & drink, you’ll find yourself never wanting to leave Cologne. I certainly didn’t., Over 6 years later, I still live here. It may not have the iconic appeal of Munich or Berlin, but I think Cologne has a lot to offer a visitor.
20+ Unique & Fun Things to Do in Cologne Germany
Visit the Kölner Dom
On every single itinerary of Cologne, you are going to see the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom in German) recommended. The Dom is the attraction to see in the city! It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in the world. This cathedral is one of the tallest and largest churches in all of Europe! The jaw-dropping scale of this cathedral looms over you from the second you arrive, and you will undoubtedly be impressed.
The cavernous interior of the Dom boasts a number of large stained-glass windows which survived WWII. The remains of the 3 Wise Men are even here! Entrance to the Dom is free and without a ticket, but if you want to learn more about the history, there are guided tours of the Dom offered every day in several languages. You can climb the 500+ stairs to the top of the bell towers for a truly amazing view.
Smell the Original Eau de Cologne
When I started telling people that we were moving to Cologne, one of the most common replies that I got was “Like the fragrance?”. Yes, exactly like the fragrance. Cologne quite literally gave its name to eau de cologne and it was invented here in 1709. There are two rival companies in the city—4711 and Farinas—both of which offer fragrance tours at their flagship stores. Even if you’re not especially interested in perfume, it’s interesting to see how scent became such a defining product for the city Visiting one (or both!) of the original fragrance houses is a surprisingly fun way to connect with the city’s most important invention.
Farina Eau de Cologne
Johann Maria Farina first created Eau de Cologne in 1709 at the Farina Fragrance House, which still stands in the same location today. It houses the only Farina store in the world. I really prefer the Eau de Cologne from Farina, and I find their staff to be much more approachable and friendly than the highly corporate 4711.
If you were only going to visit one of the two, make it Farina! You can see what a visit to Farina is really like on my TikTok video.
At Farina, you can tour the historic building to learn how the fragrance. Eau de Cologne was originally used by European elites in lieu of showering, and some of the most famous clients of Farina include Napoleon Bonaparte, Princess Diana and Mark Twain. Farina is said to smell like “an Italian spring morning after the rain” with lots of citrus smells like orange, lemon, grapefruit and bergamot. The original fragrance recipe lives on today, and is kept as a tightly held secret. Plus, the Farina family descendants still run the company today!
4711 Eau de Cologne
Although 4711 started almost 100 years after Farina, most people nowadays believe that 4711 is the original Eau de Cologne. It’s a far more famous name in fragrance production, and you’ll find Germans have a strong nostalgic connection to the smell. I don’t personally enjoy the 4711 fragrance that much, but I appreciate its historical importance.
Just a short walk away from Farina, 4711 offers a slightly more corporate experience at their flagship store. The Art Nouveau building on Glockengasse houses exhibitions on fragrance production, advertising history, and the evolution of the iconic turquoise-and-gold branding. 4711 produces a number of different fragrances today, so you will find more than just the original Eau de Cologne.
Drink Kölsch Beer
Kölsch is the beer in Cologne. Walk into any beer garden or beer hall in the city and order a beer. You will be getting a Kölsch. Kölsch is a clear, light, and crisp lager. It is brewed with a top-fermenting yeast then conditioned at cold temperatures like a lager. It is a quintessential beer-beer.
Kölners are extra proud of Kölsch because it is the only beer in Germany to have a protected geographical status, similar to Parmigiano Reggiano in Italy or Champagne in France. For more fun facts about Kölsch, check out my beginner’s guide to Kölsch beer.
There are a number of large scale Kölsch producers in Cologne, such as Früh or Gaffel, as well as smaller independent breweries, like Mühlen or Peters. I’ve got a number of other blog posts (linked throughout this section!) summarizing my favorite places to drink Kölsch all around Cologne.
Chocolate Museum
Said to be the most visited museum in all of Germany, the Lindt Chocolate Museum (Schokoladenmuseum in German) is a fun and lighthearted museum that will satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth! The museum shows the entire chocolate making process from bean to bar with a working chocolate factory inside. There are interactive displays, collections of molds, and antique chocolate boxes.
The best part though? Free samples from the chocolate fountain and chocolate bar machine! Go behind the scenes of my experience at the Chocolate Museum with my TikTok video!
Better still, you can even design your own chocolate bar to take home with you. Guided tours are available but it can be easily explored on your own. The cafe inside the museum is noteworthy for its amazing cakes and sweet creations. If it is a rainy day, this isn’t a bad place to spend a few hours.
EL-DE Haus / NS-Dok
The EL-DE Haus is one of the most somber museums in Cologne. During the Nazi era, this former commercial building served as the local Gestapo headquarters. Today it houses the NS Documentation Center, which provides detailed context about Cologne during the Third Reich, local resistance, persecution, and the machinery of repression. It’s a heavy but important stop that grounds the city’s history in real human experiences rather than abstract dates and events.
I think the “highlight” of the museum (if you can even call it that) is the basement. It was used as a prison during the Third Reich, and was left almost entirely intact. The prison cells still have carved inscriptions left by prisoners on the walls. Behind the building, there is a small garden that was used for executions which is now a memorial for those who died in gestapo custody.
Roman Germanic Museum
As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, Cologne was founded by the Romans in 50AD. It was originally called Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, eventually being shortened to Colonia/Cologne/Köln. It was a major Roman city on the Rhine with a population of about 20,000 people at its height. To learn more, make a visit to the Roman-Germanic Museum which tells that story through an impressive collection of archaeological finds.
The permanent museum next to the cathedral is currently under renovation, but you can find an abridged collection at the Belgisches Haus. The highlight is the Dionysus Mosaic, discovered in 194, along with detailed Roman glassware, jewelry, and everyday objects that make ancient life feel surprisingly tangible. The museum does a good job of showing how Roman urban planning, religion, and trade shaped Cologne’s foundations.
Ludwig Museum
Located right next to the cathedral, Museum Ludwig is Cologne’s go-to museum for modern and contemporary art. It houses one of Europe’s largest Pop Art collections, including major works by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, along with an extensive Picasso collection that often surprises visitors who didn’t expect to find it here.
The museum also leans heavily into post-war and contemporary movements, with strong German representation and rotating exhibitions that keep things fresh. Even if modern art isn’t usually your first stop, the layout is approachable and the mix of big names and lesser-known artists makes it easy to spend a few thoughtful hours here without feeling overwhelmed.
Hohenzollern Bridge (Love Lock Bridge)
This is one of Cologne’s most photographed landmarks, and it is super close to the Dom, so it is easy to add to any Cologne itinerary. Stretching across the Rhine, this important railway bridge is best known today for the hundreds of thousands of “love locks” attached to its pedestrian railings. Couples write their names on a padlock, fasten it to the bridge, and toss the key into the river below — a tradition that’s been going strong since the late 2000s.
Flora Botanic Garden
My university hosted a welcome party at Flora my first week in Cologne, so it was one of the first places I discovered in the city. With acres of sprawling lawns, individual gardens and 10,000 different species of plants, Flora is a wonderful place to spend a sunny day in Germany. Open all year-round, you can spend an hour or two meandering through the well-groomed paths and tree-lined promenades.
The tropical settings of the greenhouses and the Palm House are delightful, whatever the season. My favorite part of the garden is the exquisite glass palace in the center, which was inspired by London’s Crystal Palace at Kew Gardens and built in the 1860s. There is a small cafe inside with a large patio, making it a perfect place to enjoy a mid-afternoon snack or beer.
Köln Triangle
For some of the best views of Cologne and the Dom, take the elevators up 29 floors to the top of KölnTriangle. The 360 degree viewing platform on the roof offers a spectacular panorama of the entire city. Unfortunately there is nothing else on the roof, so you’re really just going for the views. As such, it is only really worthwhile on a clear day. But trust me, they’re beautiful! If you come around sunset, the crowds will be larger but the sun sets behind the Dom so the photos are picture perfect. Tickets to the platform are approximately €5.
Walk Along the Rhine River
Genuinely one of my favorite things to do in Cologne is walk along the Rhine River Promenade. It straddles both sides of this major river. The densest stretch of the promenade runs from the Hohenzollernbrücke (aka the Lock Bridge) in front of the Dom south until the Chocolate Museum which lies just in front of the Severinsbrücke.
To really act like a local, pack yourself a small picnic with bread, cheese and beer to enjoy on the river. I regularly meet friends for a walk and beer on the river, since Germany has open container laws and the Rhine promenade is such a nice way to enjoy the outdoors.
If you’re feeling especially adventurous, rent one of the city’s bike share bicycles for the afternoon and take it for a spin along the river. The paved path is flat and easy for all skill levels, and you’ll get a real sense of how Kölners spend a sunny day in the city. I would recommend biking southwards on the west side of the river, crossing over the Rhine at either the Südstadt bridge or the Rodenkirchen bridge (if you’re up for a longer ride). Then, head back north on the east side of the river. The views of the Dom are spectacular from this side, especially at golden hour.
WWII Bunker
Tucked beneath the grounds near Cologne’s Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht), the Röhrenbunker is a preserved World War II air-raid shelter that offers a very different perspective on the city’s wartime history. “Röhrenbunker” literally means “tube bunker,” referring to its distinctive rounded, reinforced concrete corridors designed to better withstand bomb blasts.
Built in 1940, it could shelter hundreds of civilians during air raids, and much of its original structure remains intact. Today, the bunker can be visited on a guided tour. Tours are only offered on specific days each month, or by private reservation. Visitors walk in the bunker’s narrow passageways and hear how Cologne’s residents used the bunker during repeated bombings from 1941 – 1945. It’s a stark reminder of daily life under air attack.
Claudius Thermal Bath
Wellness activities are important to German people, and one of the most typical ways they rejuvenate is in thermal baths. These are big day spas with thermal water pools at various temperatures as well as sauna areas. You can buy a day pass, or a ticket for just a few hours. I find it super relaxing to sit in the warm pools or sweat it out in the saunas, especially in the cold German winters.
There are several thermal baths around Cologne, but my favorite (and the nicest) is Claudius Therme. Located on the edge of Rheinpark, one of the saunas even has a Dom view! There are both clothed areas and naked areas at Claudius depending on your level of comfort with public nudity. Be aware that the naked area is mixed gender.
TimeRide Cologne
For something slightly off-beat, TimeRide is a virtual reality experience that lets you “travel” back to 1920s Cologne. Using VR headsets combined with staged sets and guided storytelling, visitors move through different scenes, including a simulated tram ride through the city during its pre-war heyday. It’s a lighter, more immersive way to explore Cologne’s past, especially if you’re traveling with family or looking for something interactive rather than museum-based.
Sweet Pretzel
Nugatbretzel is a type of sweet pretzel that is famous in Cologne. It is basically a yogurt glaze-covered pretzel coated in almonds with a slightly crunchy texture. It is a perfect thing to accompany coffee in the morning and costs less than 1.5 euro. They’re a local specialty! I would recommend getting a Nugatbretzel from Merzenich. This is one of the most famous bakery chains in the city and you’ll find plenty of them around the city center.
Reibekuchen
Reibekuchen are crispy, pan-fried potato pancakes. Made from grated potatoes mixed with onion, egg, and a bit of flour, they’re fried until golden brown on the outside while staying tender inside. The edges are lacy and crisp, which is really the whole point. Discover my favorite Reibekuchen spot in Cologne over on my TikTok featuring the best Reibekuchen in Cologne. In Cologne and the Rhineland, they’re traditionally served with applesauce but you’ll also find them paired with sour cream or even smoked salmon in some places.
Beer Gardens
In the summer, there is nothing better than a beer garden. It has SUCH a vibe. I summarize all my favorite Cologne beer gardens in a separate blog post, but one spot I will call out here is Aachenerweiher. This is the hangout spot for Kölners looking to relax & enjoy a beer with friends.
The technical name is Hiroshima-Nagasaki Park, because of the Japanese cultural center located in the park; but locals don’t really call it that. They call it Aachenerweiher after the street it is on (Aachenerstrasse) and the little pond feature (weiher in German) that sits in the center of the park. Regardless, you will see crowds of people on picnic blankets, sunbathing and generally relaxing outside. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink, otherwise stop at the beer garden on the east side of the pond.
This post was originally published in February 2022 and updated in January 2026.