Things to do in Cologne

Activities, attractions and tours

Hohenzollern Bridge which includes night scenes, a church or cathedral and a bridge
Cologne
Cologne
Cologne
Alter Markt

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Most popular experiences in Cologne

Tours & day trips

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Cologne: Panoramic City Cruise

Cologne: Panoramic City Cruise

Activity duration is 1 hour
8.0 out of 10 with 10 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €18 per adult
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Private & custom tours

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Cologne Haunted Walk - The Last Witch Exploration Game

Cologne Haunted Walk - The Last Witch Exploration Game

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is €7 per adult*
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Food, drink & nightlife

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Cologne: IceBar Entry Ticket with Drinks

Cologne: IceBar Entry Ticket with Drinks

Activity duration is 1 hour
Free cancellation available
Price is €27 per adult
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Shows & concerts

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Cologne: Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn

Cologne: Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is €30 per adult
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Attractions

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Brühl: Phantasialand Entrance Ticket

Brühl: Phantasialand Entrance Ticket

Price is €68 per adult
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What to do in Cologne

Popular places to visit

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral

Marvel at the Gothic architecture and the shrine of the three wise men at one of the largest churches in the world.

Cologne Cathedral
LANXESS Arena

LANXESS Arena

Catch an event at LANXESS Arena during your trip to Cologne. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront or experience its fascinating museums.

LANXESS Arena
RheinEnergieStadion

RheinEnergieStadion

Catch an event at RheinEnergieStadion during your trip to Cologne. Stroll along the riverfront in this culturally rich area or visit its local chocolate shops.

RheinEnergieStadion
Chocolate Museum

Chocolate Museum

Delve into the delectable history of chocolate and sample the confectionary as you find out about the different ways that it is produced around the world.

Chocolate Museum
Cologne Zoo featuring zoo animals and dangerous animals

Cologne Zoo

This is one of the country’s oldest zoological gardens, and has the biggest collection of animals in Germany.

Cologne Zoo
Claudius Therme

Claudius Therme

You can take time to visit Claudius Therme during your travels to Cologne. Stroll along the riverfront or experience the fascinating museums in this culturally rich area.

Claudius Therme
Old Market

Old Market

The city’s former marketplace is now a lively spot known for its café culture and carnivals.

Old Market
Hay Market

Hay Market

Learn about the local history of Cologne when you spend time at Hay Market. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront or seek out the local tours.

Hay Market
Neumarkt

Neumarkt

You can find out about the history of Cologne with a trip to Neumarkt. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront or experience its fascinating museums.

Neumarkt

Areas of Cologne

Rheinau Harbour

Innenstadt

Known for its stunning cathedral and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Innenstadt. Check out top attractions like Cologne Cathedral and Old Market, and jump on the metro at Heumarkt U-Bahn or Appellhofplatz Breite Strasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Innenstadt
Kolumba-Diocesan Museum

Old Town Cologne

Cologne Cathedral and Schildergasse are a few top attractions in Old Town Cologne. Hop around the city on the metro at Heumarkt U-Bahn or Neumarkt U-Bahn and check out the area's stunning cathedral, stunning river views and popular shops.

Old Town Cologne
Cologne Cathedral

Altstadt-Nord

4.5/5(293 area reviews)

Known for its stunning cathedral and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Altstadt-Nord. Check out top attractions like Cologne Cathedral and National Socialist Documentation Center, and jump on the metro at Appellhofplatz Breite Strasse U-Bahn or Heumarkt U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Altstadt-Nord
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Deutz

3.5/5(32 area reviews)

Museums, shopping and river views highlight some notable features of Deutz. Make a stop by Cologne Triangle or LANXESS Arena while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Deutzer Freiheit U-Bahn or Deutz Koelnarena U-Bahn to get around town.

Deutz
Hohenzollern Bridge which includes night scenes, a church or cathedral and a bridge

Altstadt-Süd

4.5/5(106 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and fascinating museums, there's plenty to explore in Altstadt-Süd. You can visit top attractions like Chocolate Museum and Schildergasse, and jump on the metro at Severinstrasse U-Bahn or Poststrasse U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Altstadt-Süd
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Mülheim

3.5/5(29 area reviews)

Mülheim is a destination travellers like for its museums, and you might hop aboard the metro at Am Emberg U-Bahn or Im Weidenbruch U-Bahn to explore sights like Palladium.

Mülheim
Photo "Troisdorf" by aachim3 (CC BY) / Cropped from original
Photo by aachim3 (CC BY)

Troisdorf

Leverkusen featuring a pond and heritage architecture

Leverkusen

Dormagen

Dormagen

Bonn Marketplace featuring night scenes

Bonn

Photo by Christina Frowein

Bergisch Gladbach

Photo "Kerpen" by El Grafo (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by El Grafo (CC BY-SA)

Kerpen

Photo "Pulheim" by Pappnaas666 (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Pappnaas666 (CC BY-SA)

Pulheim

Bergheim

Bergheim

Frequently asked questions

Is Cologne worth visiting?
Known for its nightlife and culture, discovering fun things to do in Cologne is a cinch. Make sure to add Cologne Cathedral to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Cologne?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to Cologne Zoo and Aqualand Leisure Pool at Fuhlinger Lake. Then, explore other areas of Cologne for local dining and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Cologne?
The top tourist attraction in Cologne is Cologne Cathedral, so don't forget to add it to your sightseeing list.
Is three days enough to stay in Cologne?
Three days in Cologne is enough to visit the city's major attractions. Many travellers spend two days on average. Cologne Cathedral, Cologne Zoo and Museum Ludwig are top-rated sights. Want to see more? Stick around a while longer to visit nearby hotspots such as Düsseldorf.
Is Cologne a walkable city?
Some top attractions in Cologne, including Cologne Cathedral and Cologne Zoo, are within walking distance. You can also visit several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Only 0.48 kilometres from central Cologne is Innenstadt and Old Town Cologne is 0.32 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Cologne with kids?
Whether you're travelling with young explorers or playful teenagers, a schedule filled with fun activities makes a big difference. Take a look at our recommendations for what to do in Cologne with kids.

What to do in Cologne for adults?
LANXESS Arena and MediaPark are just a couple of the things to do in Cologne. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Cologne?
From enjoying parks to strolling around hip neighbourhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Cologne. If you need inspiration, ask a local tour guide for some tips. Cologne Cathedral is a must for anyone wanting to save on their sightseeing activities.