At Cologne Cathedral, architectural history and archaeological traces lie close together: the foundation stone was laid in 1248, and the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. Beneath the building, the archaeological excavation covers about 4,000 square metres. This means you can discover Cologne’s history not only at the famous cathedral, visible from far away, but also beneath its foundations.
History in the cityscape and in museums
The Via Culturalis connects Cologne Cathedral with St. Maria im Kapitol along a route about 800 metres long. A free audio tour, with around 30 audio segments at the original locations, offers further historical points of interest along the way. Cologne’s twelve Romanesque churches also shape the look of the city centre: they are arranged in a semicircle around it. Some stand on Roman-era foundations; visitors can also see original medieval furnishings and relics alongside the churches.
For art enthusiasts, the Museum Ludwig offers a range of collection highlights. It has the world’s third-largest Picasso collection and extensive holdings of Pop Art, German Expressionism and photography. The Museum Schnütgen focuses on medieval art. Its largest exhibition space is the Romanesque Cäcilienkirche, which is over 1,000 years old. Together, the cathedral, churches and museums offer different ways to explore Cologne’s history and art, without limiting discoveries to a single era.
Garden worlds and animal encounters
In northern Cologne, Flora and the Botanical Garden form an 11.5-hectare garden complex. Since 1920, the site has brought together a historic garden, a botanical garden and plant display houses. It is home to 12,000 cultivated plant species from around the world, both outdoors and in greenhouses. Moving between these areas offers different perspectives on the diversity of plants, without requiring a particular route.
Cologne Zoo is in the heart of the city. Its aquarium presents fish, anemones, corals, starfish, mussels and crustaceans in around 70 aquariums arranged by geographical region. At the Hippodom, visitors can experience a walk-through replica of an African river landscape, with hippos, Nile crocodiles, antelopes and various bird species. The aquarium and the Hippodom offer different experiences: the aquarium focuses on geographical arrangement, while the Hippodom features a recreated river landscape.
Rhine views and time outdoors
Rhine Park is right on the Rhine and offers family-friendly recreation, with expansive play areas and lawns. It is freely accessible and open year-round; check the latest access information before your visit. If you would like to see Cologne from a different perspective, you can take the Cologne Cable Car to enjoy views of the skyline and the entire Rhine panorama from above. Operating hours vary by season and should be checked before your trip.
You can also discover everyday life in Cologne’s Old Town: its characterful lanes and traditional buildings are home to numerous pubs, restaurants and breweries, all within walking distance. Brewery culture has a tradition spanning more than 500 years. Cologne is also the only city permitted to brew the well-known Kölsch beer. On a brewery tour, you can learn more about the history of the breweries; check availability and current booking details in advance.
The annual calendar includes street carnival, a Rhineland folk festival held every year. Dates and programmes vary from year to year. Cologne’s attractions range from art, architecture and historic sites to gardens, wildlife, Rhine panoramas and brewery culture. Which of these aspects interests you most can help shape your stay.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Cologne, Worringen, Gremberghoven, Junkersdorf, Cologne-BrĂĽck; also Aachen, Siegen-Wittgenstein and Viersen.
Return to the main travel overview: North Rhine-Westphalia.
