In Cologne, there is plenty to choose from for a trip, from the cathedral and archaeological traces to collections spanning the Middle Ages to the modern era. Gardens and a described Rhine circular tour offer different focal points. For planning, you can first consider: Would you like to set aside more time for museums and history, or for green spaces and a set route outdoors?
The Cathedral, archaeological traces and the Old Town
Cologne Cathedral is an extraordinary work of human creative genius and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. Its foundation stone was laid in 1248. The archaeological excavation beneath the cathedral covers about 4,000 square metres. At Rathausplatz, Cologne’s Roman past and the Jewish history of the Middle Ages have been uncovered at an archaeological excavation site. The historic Old Town is home to monuments, fountains and excavations surrounded by numerous stories.
Cologne has twelve Romanesque churches arranged in a semicircle around the city centre. Some stand on Roman-era foundations; original medieval furnishings and relics can be viewed alongside the churches. Another cultural landmark for visitors is Cologne’s Via Culturalis: the route, around 800 metres long, runs between the cathedral and St. Maria im Kapitol. There is also a free audio tour with around 30 audio features at original locations.
Art and remembrance
The Museum Ludwig in Cologne covers different periods. Its permanent collection represents the most important modern movements from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. At the same time, the museum holds one of Europe’s largest and most significant photography collections, with works from the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection also includes the world’s third-largest Picasso collection, as well as extensive holdings of Pop Art, German Expressionism and photography.
Visitors wishing to focus on medieval art will find a significant collection in this field at the Museum Schnütgen. The museum’s largest exhibition space is the Romanesque Church of St. Cecilia, which is more than 1,000 years old. The NS Documentation Centre (NS-DOK) offers a different historical focus: it is located in the EL-DE House, the former Gestapo headquarters in the heart of Cologne. The building houses a memorial, the permanent exhibition “Cologne under National Socialism”, a documentation centre and a library.
Gardens and green spaces
In Cologne, Flora and the Botanical Garden form an 11.5-hectare garden complex in the north of the city. Since 1920, they have combined a historic garden monument with a botanical garden and plant display greenhouses. Here, 12,000 cultivated plant species from around the world are displayed outdoors and in greenhouses. The annual programme includes themed Sunday guided tours for individual participants at 11 am. If you plan to join a tour, check the programme for the relevant year.
With its large play areas and lawns, Rheinpark offers family-friendly recreation. It is freely accessible and open year-round; check the latest access information before your trip. So, alongside museums and historic sites, green spaces with different features are also available to include in your plans.
Circular tour and getting there
The Short Rhine Panorama Tour is an eight-kilometre circular route through Cologne. It starts at Cologne Cathedral and runs across the Hohenzollern Bridge, along the Rhine, and through Rheinauhafen and the historic Old Town. The route provides a specific itinerary; you can take its length into account when planning your time. The cathedral is also very close to the main railway station and is easily accessible by public transport and car.
The Old Town, traditional breweries and events
Cologne’s Old Town has numerous pubs, restaurants and traditional breweries in its quaint lanes and historic buildings. Cologne’s brewery culture dates back more than 500 years; Cologne is the only city allowed to brew the well-known Kölsch. Visiting during the street carnival requires some advance date planning: the festival takes place every year, but dates and programme vary from year to year. So check the dates for your travel period.
Discover more destinations: Lind, Worringen, Köln-Brück, Junkersdorf, Gremberghoven.
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