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Destination:

Köln

Lokal
temperatur
26°
Lokal
tid
19:38

Köln

It is said that natives of Cologne who are living elsewhere always feel homesick, and visitors to this beautiful city will soon understand why. Germany’s oldest metropolis, which, of course, gave its name to the Eau de Cologne, offers a mix of magnificent and romantic churches, cutting-edge modern architecture, busy shopping streets, and world-famous museums. There is much to do and see in Cologne, and with all the frequent flights and transportation options, getting here has never been easier.
Cologne Cathedral seen from below with blue sky. Cologne Cathedral, or Kolner Dom, is the main landmark of Cologne and a catholic church in Germany.
Cologne Cathedral
Domkloster 4, Cologne

Construction on the Cologne Cathedral began in 1248, and it ended up being one of the biggest building projects of the Middle Ages. The idea was to make room for the waves of pilgrims coming to see the shrine of the Three Wise Men—yes, those Three Wise Men. Their supposed remains are kept in a gold casket near the altar, and it’s still the cathedral’s most prized relic.

City Hall Tower Cologne
Cologne's City Hall
Rathausplatz 2, Cologne

While in Cologne, you can visit Germany's oldest city hall, with parts dating back to the 11th century. Over time, it has picked up a mix of styles—Gothic tower, Renaissance loggia, some modern touches. The 61-metre tower is covered in carved figures, including some cheeky ones from local history, and the bells chime four times a day. There’s also a mechanical face called the Platzjabbek that sticks its tongue out on the hour. Inside, the Hansasaal is the main historic hall—worth a look if it’s open.

Perfume shop
Dufthaus 4711
Glockengasse 4, Cologne

4711 is the original Eau de Cologne and a true Cologne institution. The flagship store on Glockengasse has been selling its signature scent for over 200 years. You can pick up classic bottles as souvenirs or gifts, and check out the small in-house museum to learn more about the history of the brand and how the world-famous fragrance came to be.

Beautiful women shopping for some clothes at a store
Neumarkt Passage
Neumarkt 18A, Cologne

Neumarkt Passage is a small, covered shopping arcade just off the busy Neumarkt square featuring a handful of fashion and lifestyle shops, a café, and a small museum space.

Best Time to Visit

The best times to visit Cologne are late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–early October), offering mild weather and manageable crowds. Summer is the busiest season—warm, beer gardens in full swing, plenty of outdoor festivals and open-air events, but also higher prices and more tourists. Winter is colder but still draws plenty of visitors thanks to the Christmas markets (from late November) and Cologne Carnival in February, both major highlights if you don’t mind bundling up.

Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN)
Cologne Bonn Airport

Cologne Bonn Airport is around 15 km southeast of the city centre, and it takes about 15–20 minutes to get into town. The airport has its own train station directly under the terminals, with frequent S-Bahn and regional trains heading to Cologne’s main station. Buses also connect the airport with various parts of the city. Taxis and ride-shares are available outside arrivals.

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