Things to Do in Cologne

When I think of Cologne, the first things that come to mind are its cathedral and then the groups of women filling the streets for bachelorette parties. I remember thinking, “There are so many brides-to-be,” and realizing that Cologne is a popular weekend bachelorette party destination for Germans—at least, it was in mid-May 2019. I’m not sure if that’s still the case now 🙂 And, of course, there are also the colorful streets and houses… The places I’ve written about below are definitely must-see spots, but I think you should also immerse yourself in those narrow, colorful streets and explore the charming houses.

As for why I’m writing this now, it’s a result of traveling a lot in 2019 and then losing the motivation to write after I lost my camera during a trip to Copenhagen. I still haven’t written about a few cities and I’m not even touching the ones I barely remember, but Cologne is one place that stuck with me. While I can’t remember every single spot we visited, I’ve added the ones that I do remember throughout this post.

Cologne is a fun destination for a 2-3 day trip, especially if you’re using it as a stopover to connect to other cities in Germany, which makes sense. We took the train from Cologne to Hamburg afterward.

Accommodation in Cologne

For accommodation, we chose Ibis Koeln Am Dom. I’ll never forget the view I saw when I opened the window—the Cologne Cathedral standing right before me in all its glory. I hadn’t noticed this when making the reservation or when entering the hotel because we came in from a different direction. So, as you can imagine, it’s a very central spot, and waking up to the view of Cologne’s iconic landmark was delightful—provided you like the sound of church bells! 🙂

Cologne Botanical Garden (The Flora und Botanischer Garten)

While it’s not one of the most beautiful botanical gardens I’ve seen, it’s a peaceful place to spend time, especially in spring when you can witness the flowers awakening. And don’t forget that there are some lovely spots for Instagram photos. Of course, if you visit in winter, the botanical garden will offer a very different experience.

I initially thought it would be a larger place, but it’s not too big—you can tour it fairly quickly. We sat at the café inside (Gartenlokal Dank Augusta), enjoyed something to drink, and really soaked in the greenery. It’s about a 40-minute walk from the center. While it’s not a must-visit spot, you can add it to your list if you’re staying in Cologne for more than two days.

Hohenzollern Bridge

This is yet another bridge in Europe where lovers attach locks to the railings. Since I wasn’t in love, I simply took a photo next to the chains and sent a message to the universe, hoping it might happen for me one day. I’m reporting back five years later—it didn’t work! 🙁 The bridge has a middle section for trains and side sections for pedestrians. The architecture of the bridge is quite unique. To be honest, I’m not sure whether it’s better to photograph the bridge from afar or take photos of Cologne from the bridge itself. On the side of the bridge closest to the cathedral, you’ll find the Museum Ludwig, which focuses on modern art. We didn’t go in, but it’s worth noting for those interested.

Cologne Cathedral

It’s hard to deny its grandeur from the outside. For those who love Gothic architecture, it’s a building you’ll adore. You’ll want to photograph it from every angle—front, back, and side. Inside, I didn’t find the same sense of grandeur, though the stained glass windows are lovely, but similar to what you find in many European cathedrals. The square around the cathedral is always bustling with visitors, making it a lively spot.

We had coffee at Funkhaus nearby, which, while a bit more expensive than other places, was stylish and a pleasant place to spend time.

Ehrenfeld

On our walk from the Botanical Garden to Ehrenfeld, we passed streets that reminded me of Barcelona, and I was happy to stumble upon a pond in the middle of Media Park. It’s exactly the kind of view you want to see in the city! Seeing a stork also added to my joy, and I hope you spotted it in the photo too. 🙂

Now let’s talk about Cologne’s mural hub, Ehrenfeld. There are a few beautiful murals under the Ehrenfeld train station underpass and nearby, but unless you’re a real mural enthusiast, I’m not sure it’s a must-see. If you’re in the area, you could also visit the Cologne Central Mosque, which, with its modern design, looks quite different from our mosques. I don’t remember much, but Körnerstraße is also a pleasant street with boutiques. You’ll also come across many kebab and falafel shops around here. On the way back to the city center, you can stop by Grüngürtel Park, a large park where Cologne families hang out with their kids. We took a break there ourselves.

Fish Market (Colorful Houses)

Don’t worry—I’m not suggesting you visit an actual fish market. The famous spot for photographing the colorful houses is called the Fish Market. The pink, yellow, blue, and green houses in traditional German architecture create a charming view, but it’s tough to find a moment without people to take a photo, especially on weekends. We went back on a Monday and managed to snap some photos of the empty street. Of course, all those beautiful photos were in my camera—RIP. 🙁

Deutzer Bridge

While the bridge itself is rather ordinary, we took some of the best photos of Cologne from here. It’s also a great spot to take photos of Hohenzollern Bridge.

Rhine River

Cologne, situated along the Rhine River, offers lovely opportunities to enjoy the river. There are both walking paths and spaces to sit along the riverbank. In my opinion, crossing to the other side of the river gives you the best view of Cologne with its cathedral. We sat at Sticky Fingers, enjoying some food while taking in the view of the river and the sunset over Cologne. There are also tiered stone seating areas along this bank, so you don’t necessarily have to sit at a restaurant, but there are plenty of stylish dining options for those who want to.

Old St. Alban

This is the remains of a Romanesque-style church, and inside is a replica of the “Mourning Parents” monument, dedicated to all war prisoners. The church was heavily damaged during World War II and was never rebuilt. We stumbled upon it by chance, but it left an impression on us. Afterward, we noticed many Germans hanging out at Eiscafe Toto across the street, so we had a coffee here.