Cologne

Cologne is a vibrant city on the Rhine with a rich history from Roman times to today. It offers a wealth of architectural heritage, from the magnificent cathedral to Romanesque churches, and is a major cultural and economic centre. The city is known for its liberal atmosphere and famous carnival.

The climate of North Western Germany is changeable, often comparable to England or Northern France. Hottest time is late July/early August, coldest in January (around freezing), and June is the wettest month.

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is a hub for Eurowings with S19/RE6 connections to the main station. Düsseldorf Airport is also nearby. The main train station is Köln Hauptbahnhof, with high-speed ICE connections. The city is also served by intercity buses.

Cologne has a well-developed public transport network of U-Bahn, trams, and buses. Most attractions in the city centre are within walking distance. The main shopping street Schildergasse and the cathedral are easily reachable.

The top sight is the Cologne Cathedral (Dom), a UNESCO World Heritage site with free admission and a tower climb (€8). The city also boasts 12 Romanesque churches, including St. Gereon and St. Maria im Kapitol, many free. Museum Ludwig (€12) offers modern art, while the Roman-Germanic Museum (€6) covers Roman history. For a unique view, the Köln-Triangle viewing platform (€3) provides a panorama of the city. Take a Rhine river cruise with KD from €6.80, or ride the aerial tramway across the Rhine (€4.50 one way). The Botanical Garden and Skulpturenpark are free.

Cologne is famous for its Kölsch beer, served in small 0.2L glasses in traditional breweries like Früh am Dom, Gaffel, and Päffgen. For food, try Currywurst at Curry B. or De Fressbud, falafel at Falafel Habibi, and Döner at Zülpicher Döner. The Schildergasse area has many restaurants. A typical meal cost can be around €5–10 for street food.

Accommodation ranges from hostels like Black Sheep Hostel and Station Hostel (near the station) to budget hotels. During trade fairs, prices skyrocket; consider staying in Bonn or Düsseldorf. The city charges a 5% culture tax (Kulturförderabgabe) on hotel bills.

Cologne has average safety by German standards but has seen increased crime since the mid-2010s. Pickpockets are active in the city centre. Be cautious on the Ring at night and avoid drunk crowds. Outlying neighbourhoods like Chorweiler, Porz, and Ostheim are less safe. Watch for trams at street crossings.

Nearby destinations include Bonn (former capital, 20 min by train), Brühl (Augustusburg Palace and Phantasialand theme park), Düsseldorf, Königswinter (Siebengebirge), and the Ruhr region (industrial heritage). Zülpich has Roman baths.