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About Köln
Köln (Cologne) is the largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia and the fourth largest in Germany, with about 1.1 million residents on the Rhine. The twin spires of the Kölner Dom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site begun in 1248 and finished in 1880, rise beside the Hauptbahnhof, and the Altstadt around Alter Markt and the Rathaus lies between the cathedral and the river. The Roman city is shown in the Römisch-Germanisches Museum, the Romanesque churches of St. Gereon, Groß St. Martin and St. Maria im Kapitol survive from the Middle Ages, and Museum Ludwig, Kolumba and the Schokoladenmuseum cover art and chocolate. Brauhäuser serve Kölsch, the local top-fermented beer, in thin 0.2-litre glasses with Halve Hahn and Himmel un Ääd, and Karneval in February is the city's biggest festival. The Hohenzollernbrücke leads to the Deutz bank for skyline views, Stadtbahn, tram and S-Bahn make a car unnecessary, and Düsseldorf, Bonn, Aachen and the Eifel are easy day trips.
- Capital
- Berlin (national capital); Düsseldorf is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Köln is the state's largest city
- Largest city
- Köln (largest city of North Rhine-Westphalia and Germany's fourth largest)
- Population
- About 1.1 million (city of Köln); over 3 million in the wider Cologne Bonn region
- Languages
- German
- Currency
- Euro
- Time zone
- Europe/Berlin (UTC+1, summer UTC+2 CEST)
Explore Köln by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Köln
The 22 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Hohenzollernbrücke
Museum Ludwig
Römisch-Germanisches Museum
Schokoladenmuseum (Chocolate Museum)
Kolumba
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Köln Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Köln, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Köln
- Days 1-2Köln city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Köln
- Days 1-3Köln comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Köln, departure
Where to stay in Köln
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget EUR 95 (about USD 109)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range EUR 210 (about USD 241.50)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury EUR 500+ (about USD 575+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom
Grand five-star hotel directly opposite Cologne Cathedral and a short walk from the Hauptbahnhof, with a historic staircase and the taku restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comHyatt Regency Cologne
Rhine-front hotel in Deutz with views across the river to the cathedral, a glass-atrium restaurant, pool, spa and fitness club.
Check rates on Booking.comSavoy Hotel Köln
Boutique hotel near the main station whose rooms are themed on destinations around the world, with a restaurant and spa facilities.
Check rates on Booking.comWasserturm Hotel Cologne, Curio Collection by Hilton
Design hotel in a converted 19th-century water tower in the Südstadt, part of Hilton's Curio Collection.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Köln
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Früh am Dom
Gaffel am Dom
Brauhaus Sion
Päffgen Brauhaus
Peters Brauhaus
Brauerei zur Malzmühle
Book a food tour in Köln We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Köln
Cologne (Köln) is a city of about 1.1 million people and one of Germany's busiest rail junctions. Köln Hauptbahnhof sits beside the cathedral and sends ICE, Thalys-route and regional trains to Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin and Munich. Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is about 15 km south-east of the centre and is linked to the Hauptbahnhof by the S-Bahn S19 in roughly 14 minutes. Inside the city, KVB runs the Stadtbahn and buses, and the Altstadt, the cathedral quarter and the Rhine promenade are easy to cover on foot. The Deutschlandticket (EUR 63 per month, ~$72) covers all local transport and regional trains across North Rhine-Westphalia.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 50 (about USD 57.50) | EUR 120 (about USD 138) | EUR 300 (about USD 345) |
| Food (per day) | EUR 25 (about USD 28.75) | EUR 50 (about USD 57.50) | EUR 120 (about USD 138) |
| Transportation | EUR 8 (about USD 9.20) | EUR 10 (about USD 11.50) | EUR 30 (about USD 34.50) |
| Activities | EUR 12 (about USD 13.80) | EUR 30 (about USD 34.50) | EUR 50 (about USD 57.50) |
| Daily total | EUR 95 (about USD 109) | EUR 210 (about USD 241.50) | EUR 500+ (about USD 575+) |
Best time to visit Köln
Weather through the year in North Rhine Westphalia
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for North Rhine Westphalia.
Visit in May-June or September to mid-October for mild weather, open terraces and festivals without the highest hotel rates. Choose Carnival (4-10 February 2027) only for the street party and book rooms months ahead.
Late spring and early autumn have mild temperatures of 15-24 C, open Rhine terraces, Brauhaus beer gardens and fewer crowds than July. The Christmas markets at the Dom, Heumarkt, Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz are a winter draw, but expect crowds and cold, damp weather. Hotel rates track the Koelnmesse trade-fair calendar and Carnival more than the weather.
Essential travel tips
- Download the KVB app or buy tickets at machines at stops; the KölnCard (cologne-tourism.com) bundles transport and discounts
- The Kölner Dom interior costs EUR 12 (about USD 13.80) since 1 July 2026 and the tower climb is 533 steps; book online at tickets.koelner-dom.de
- Most municipal museums close on Monday, Kolumba closes on Tuesday and shops close on Sunday; supermarkets and many stores are shut on public holidays
- In a Brauhaus the Köbes (waiter) brings a fresh 0.2-litre Kölsch Stange whenever a glass is empty until a beer mat is placed on top of the glass
- Try Halve Hahn, Himmel un Ääd, Rheinischer Sauerbraten and Reibekuchen in a Brauhaus
- Book hotels early for Karneval, gamescom and the Christmas markets; Cologne Tourist Information is at Kardinal-Höffner-Platz 1, 50667 Köln, tel. +49 221 346430
Safety information
Keep phones, passports and wallets in zipped inner pockets in the Hauptbahnhof, on the Domplatte, on KVB trams (lines 5, 16 and 18 are busy) and S-Bahn trains, and on Hohe Straße; phones are the most common target.
Wear a cross-body bag in front of the body in crowds and never hang a bag on a café chair or leave a phone on a table at the Dom terraces and in Brauhäuser.
Be wary of anyone who offers help at ticket machines in the Hauptbahnhof or at KVB machines; use the DB Navigator or KVB app to buy tickets, or an official counter.
At Carnival (Weiberfastnacht 4 February 2027 to Veilchendienstag 9 February 2027) carry only a phone, a card and a little cash, avoid the Zülpicher Straße and the Ringe at peak hours, leave glass bottles at the hotel and agree a meeting point with friends in case phone networks overload.
Walk, take a taxi or use a ride-hailing app after midnight rather than walking through poorly lit parts of the Hauptbahnhof surroundings, Ebertplatz and the Rhine embankment alone.
Lock bicycles with two locks; bike theft is common in Cologne, and rental bikes should be locked even for a short stop.
Watch for rapid Rhine water rises in the Altstadt after heavy rain; the Rheinufer and lower promenades can flood, and signs and barriers mark closed areas.
Travel with a valid ticket on KVB trams and S-Bahn trains; fare inspectors check at random and the fine for travelling without a ticket is €60.
Call 112 for any emergency (ambulance, fire, police) and 110 for police only; save both numbers and the address of the hotel in the phone before going out.
Keep a copy of the passport and a card-blocking number (116 116) separate from the wallet, and report thefts to the police for insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cologne Cathedral free to enter?
Not for sightseeing since 1 July 2026: the interior costs EUR 12 (about USD 13.80), free for children under 14. Book at tickets.koelner-dom.de.
How many days do I need in Cologne?
Two to three days cover the Dom, the Altstadt, two or three museums, a Brauhaus evening and the Deutz viewpoint; add a day for Düsseldorf, Bonn or Aachen.
Is Cologne safe for solo travellers?
Yes. Watch for pickpockets around Hauptbahnhof and during Karneval, and use official taxis late at night. Emergency number: 112 (ambulance, fire) or 110 (police).
Do I need a car in Cologne?
No. The Altstadt is walkable and the KVB Stadtbahn, trams and buses plus regional trains reach everything else; see kvb-koeln.de.
What currency is used in Cologne?
The euro (EUR). The guide uses 1 EUR = 1.15 USD for planning; many small Brauhäuser and shops still prefer cash or a girocard.