DinaCologne wasn’t on my radar. If you’d asked me six months ago whether I’d be flying from Athens to Düsseldorf and hopping on a train to the Rhine, I’d have given you a blank stare. But here we are and honestly? Cologne surprised me in the best way.
This was a quick trip, two nights in June 2026, right in the middle of a proper European heatwave. I went in with zero expectations and came back with a full camera roll, a new appreciation for German beer culture, and a very strong opinion about schnitzel. Let me walk you through the best things to do in Cologne and the honest bits nobody tells you.
Planning your first trip to Cologne? Here’s a quick overview before you go.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Ideal trip length | 2–3 days |
| Best time to visit | May–September, Christmas Markets & Carnival |
| Airport | Düsseldorf Airport or Cologne Bonn Airport |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Language | German |
| Is Cologne walkable? | Yes, most attractions are within walking distance |
| Famous for | Cologne Cathedral, Kölsch beer, the Rhine |
| Perfect for | Friends, weekend city breaks and beer lovers |
Cologne at a Glance
Before diving into the best things to do in Cologne, let me set the scene because this city has a very specific energy worth knowing about before you book.
- It’s a city for the young and social. Everywhere you look, people are walking around with a beer in hand. Big groups, bachelor parties, constant movement…very lively energy.
- Cash is king. Many bars, restaurants, and shops are cash only. ATM first, always.
- Toilets cost money. Shopping mall bathrooms charge €0.50. Keep coins handy.
- English isn’t as widespread as you’d expect. I couldn’t get sparkling water without learning to say Sprudel. One of the funnier moments of the trip.
- It gets very hot in summer. June 2026 brought a heatwave and the air conditioning situation in Cologne is… not strong. Pack light clothing and stay hydrated ideally with Kölsch.
Getting There: The Train Situation
Planning to travel from Düsseldorf Airport to Cologne? After struggling with the ticket machines on arrival, I booked my return journey through Omio and the experience was much smoother. The website is in English, tickets are stored on your phone, and comparing train times is incredibly easy.
I flew Athens → Düsseldorf and connected to Cologne by train and what should have been a simple 40-minute ride turned into a nearly 2-hour ordeal that tested every bit of my patience.
Here’s how it went, so you don’t make the same mistakes.
From the arrival gates at Düsseldorf Airport, there’s a free Sky Train (a small automated train) that takes you directly to the airport’s train station. Easy enough. The chaos starts at the ticket machines.
I wanted the regional train (RE) to Cologne: it costs around €13 and is the most budget-friendly option. The machines were in German only, the instructions weren’t intuitive, and I genuinely couldn’t figure out whether I needed to validate my ticket or not. I asked a woman nearby; she said yes. I then spent several minutes looking for a validator. Spoiler: you don’t need to validate regional train tickets in Germany!!! They’re valid as purchased. But you’d never know that from the machines.
Then came the departure board situation. Unlike most European train stations where the machines tell you the next available train at the point of purchase, here I had to separately check the departure screens to spot which train was heading to Köln and then quietly stress about whether I was on the right one.
The train was delayed 5 minutes. Then 10. Then 15, 30, 40 minutes. Then came and by the time we pulled into Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof (central station), the train simply stopped. Announcements came over the intercom… entirely in German. My best guess: some kind of unexpected technical issue. We sat there. Eventually I made it to Cologne, nearly two hours after what should have been a 40-minute journey.
The return trip was a completely different experience. I bought my tickets through Omio before leaving, and the difference was night and day. The platform is in English, the timetables are clear and easy to read, you can compare train options, and your ticket lives on your phone. No confusing machines, no language barrier, no validator anxiety.
One thing worth knowing: you can skip the regional train and take the ICE train (Germany’s high-speed intercity train) instead that is faster and more reliable. The catch is that the ICE doesn’t go directly to the airport. You ride it one stop to Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof, then transfer to a regional train for the final leg to the airport. It sounds more complicated than it is, but knowing this in advance means you won’t panic on the platform.
Pretty Travels Tips for the Düsseldorf–Cologne train:
- Book through Omio: English interface, clear timetables, mobile tickets. Worth it.
- Regional trains (RE) cost around €13 and are the cheapest option. No validation needed.
- Build in at least 90 minutes of buffer between your flight landing and any fixed plans in Cologne.
- If your regional train is delayed, check if an ICE is running
- Announcements on board are almost exclusively in German. Download a translation app before you go.
Pretty Travels Recommendation: If I could change one thing about my trip, I’d book my train tickets through Omio app before landing. It would have saved me time, confusion at the ticket machines and the stress of figuring everything out after a long flight.
Where I Stayed: Wasserturm Hotel Cologne, Curio Collection by Hilton
The hotel alone made me do a double take. The Wasserturm is a 19th-century water tower converted into a stunning circular luxury hotel. Each floor wraps around the original structure and the rooms have an elegant, almost theatrical quality that you don’t find in your average city break hotel.
Breakfast here was one of the highlights of my stay a proper, generous, beautiful spread. Build extra time into your mornings just for it.
👉 Check availability and rates for Wasserturm Hotel Cologne on Booking.com
Cologne Itinerary for 2 Days
If you’re visiting Cologne for a weekend like I did, here’s the itinerary I’d recommend.
Day One
- Cologne Cathedral
- Old Town
- Great St. Martin Church
- Hohenzollern Bridge
- Kölsch at a traditional Brauhaus
Day Two
- Rhine River Cruise
- Shopping
- LANXESS Arena (if there’s an event)
- Dinner overlooking the Rhine
If you have an extra day, consider visiting the Chocolate Museum, Museum Ludwig or taking a day trip along the Rhine.
Top 10 Things to Do in Cologne
These are the absolutely best things you can do in Cologne, Germany.
#1. Visit the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)
Visiting the Cologne Cathedral is one of the best things to do in Cologne definately. The Cologne Cathedral, or Kölner Dom in German, is not just the city’s most famous landmark, it’s one of the most extraordinary Gothic cathedrals in the entire world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
👉 Book a guided Cologne Cathedral tour on GetYourGuide and get the history explained properly.
I’ve stood in front of a lot of churches in my life. Seven years in Rome will do that to you. I’ve seen Notre-Dame in Paris, the Duomo in Milan, St. Peter’s Basilica. The Kölner Dom still amazed me. The scale when you’re standing at the base looking up at ‘those twin spires, 157 metres into the sky, is disorienting. Your brain takes a moment to process that humans built this. By hand. Over 632 years (construction began in 1248 and was only completed in 1880!).
What to see inside the Cologne Cathedral:
The Shrine of the Three Kings is the centrepiece and the reason the cathedral exists in the first place! This golden reliquary is considered one of the most important medieval artworks in the world and is said to contain the remains of the Biblical Three Wise Men the Magi who followed the star to Bethlehem. It’s covered in gold, silver, precious stones.
The stained glass windows are extraordinary. The cathedral has several sets from different eras, but the most talked-about is the Richter Window on the south transept a pixelated, almost abstract composition of 11,500 squares of coloured glass created by German artist Gerhard Richter in 2007. The older Gothic windows on the north side are equally stunning.
The Gero Cross is another highlight not to miss, a large painted crucifix dating from around 970 AD, making it one of the oldest surviving large-scale sculptures of Christ north of the Alps.
I have read about the Cathedral Tower climb (533 steps) but to be honest, I did not have any energy left to climb even I am sure the view would be amazing.
Entry to the main cathedral is free. This cathedral is one of the most most visited landmarks in Germany attracting around 20,000 visitors per day at peak season.
Pretty Travels Tip: Go first thing in the morning, ideally right when it opens. If you’re visiting in summer during a heatwave, like me. The cathedral is also cool inside
👉Want to discover the fascinating stories hidden inside Cologne Cathedral? I highly recommend joining a guided Cathedral & Old Town tour.
#2. Explore the Old Town & Great St. Martin Church
The area surrounding the cathedral forms Cologne’s charming old town, and it rewards slow wandering. Just a short walk from the Dom, Great St. Martin Church is another medieval gem its beautiful Romanesque tower is one of the most photographed silhouettes in the city.
The streets around it are lined with colourful buildings, small squares, and good spots to sit and people-watch. It’s not as polished as some old towns I’ve visited, but it has real character.
#3. Walk the Love Lock Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke)
Cologne’s famous railway bridge over the Rhine is covered in thousands of padlocks. Couples attach them as a symbol of their love and throw the key into the river. Walk across for the views alone: the Rhine stretching out in both directions, the cathedral rising behind you. In the summer heat, there’s usually a breeze on the bridge which is a genuine relief.
Whether the love lock tradition is romantic or slightly chaotic is entirely personal. Either way, it’s one of the best things to do in Cologne for free.
Is Cologne Walkable?
Yes. One of my favourite things about Cologne is that most of the city’s main attractions are within walking distance of each other.
During my two-day visit I barely needed public transport. The Cathedral, Old Town, Rhine promenade, Hohenzollern Bridge, shopping streets and many restaurants can easily be explored on foot. If you’re staying centrally, expect to walk around 15,000–20,000 steps per day.
#4. Fischmarkt & Old Town Riverside
From the bridge, wander down to the Fischmarkt: the old fish market square near the Rhine. Medieval-style buildings, the river in the background, people sitting outside in the sun. It looks like it was designed to make you feel like you’re in a postcard. Very photogenic, very pleasant for a summer evening stroll.
#5. Experience Kölsch Culture at a Local Brauhaus
If you enjoy local food and beer experiences, a guided Kölsch brewery tour is one of the best ways to experience Cologne’s unique beer culture. You’ll visit traditional breweries, taste authentic Kölsch and learn the traditions behind Germany’s most famous beer city.
Here is something nobody prepared me for, and it became one of my favourite things about Cologne: Kölsch culture.
Kölsch is the local beer and it’s only brewed in Cologne, only served in small 200ml glasses called Stangen, and it comes with its own unspoken rules that took me a while to figure out. The waiter (called a Köbes) comes around with a round tray full of glasses and simply places a fresh one in front of you, without you asking. He keeps coming. He keeps replacing your glass. You never technically “order” a Kölsch; it just keeps arriving.
Our group sat there genuinely confused for a while. Are we paying for all of these? Is this free? Are we being pranked? Here’s how it works: you pay for every glass that arrives. The Köbes keeps a tally by making marks on your beer mat. When you want to stop, you place your beer mat ON TOP of your glass, that’s the signal. Until you do that, the beer keeps coming.
It’s a wonderfully communal, low-pressure way to drink, and it turns any afternoon into a long, easy social event. The Deutzer Brauhaus is a great spot to experience this! Outdoor tables, river views, the cathedral visible across the water. Highly recommend.
Pretty Travels Tip: Kölsch is light and goes down easily. The small glasses make it deceptively easy to lose count of how many marks are on your beer mat.
👉 Book a Cologne Kölsch brewery tour, a fun way to learn the full story behind the beer.
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#6. Eat Schnitzel at Sorry Mama
Non-negotiable. The schnitzel at Sorry Mama was one of the best things I ate in Colgone! Crispy, properly sized, completely satisfying. The atmosphere is fun and service is good, the kind of restaurant where you immediately feel comfortable.
#7. Dinner at Joseph’s
For a more refined evening, Joseph’s is a lovely option. We went on our second night and it was exactly what you want after a full day of walking in the heat relaxed, good food, easy atmosphere.
#8. Shopping: Drottninggatan & Yes, Primark
If shopping is your thing, Cologne’s main pedestrian shopping streets deliver. There’s a solid mix of high street and independent stores, and yes there is a Primark if that matters to you. It delivered, as it always does.
Note on cash: as mentioned, many shops and certainly most bars are cash only. Don’t assume your card will work.
#9. Attend a Live Event at the Cologne Arena
Cologne punches well above its weight as a live events city. During my visit, the Cologne Major (one of the world’s biggest Counter-Strike esports tournaments) was taking place at the Lanxess Arena. We attended from a private Lounge and the experience was genuinely electric.
I’ll be honest: esports isn’t my usual world. But the atmosphere, the production quality, the intensity of the crowd, it was one of those live events that reminds you how powerful being physically present somewhere is. The arena is impressive regardless of what’s on.
Check what’s happening in Cologne during your visit: concerts, sports, esports, exhibitions. The city’s event calendar is consistently strong.
#10. Take a Rhine River Cruise
One of the most popular things to do in Cologne and a great way to see the skyline and the famous bridge from the water. Cruise options range from short sightseeing tours to longer afternoon or sunset trips along the Rhine. It’s a relaxing counterpoint to all the walking, and genuinely pretty.
Book a Rhine River cruise in Cologne on GetYourGuide
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👉 One of the best things to do in Cologne is seeing the city from the Rhine river. I highly recommend this super popular 1-hour panoramic Rhine River Cruise. It’s a great way to admire Cologne Cathedral, the famous Hohenzollern Bridge and the city’s skyline from the water.
Honest Notes on Cologne (The Real Talk Section)
🚂 Train connections from Düsseldorf: budget extra time, expect delays, and download DB Navigator before landing.
🌡️ Summer heat: June brought a full heatwave and the AC situation across the city is genuinely inadequate. Carry water, wear light layers, plan indoor breaks around the hottest part of the day (1–4PM).
💬 English: less common than expected. Learn: Sprudel (sparkling water), Bitte (please), Danke (thank you), and Die Rechnung bitte (the bill please). You’ll survive.
💵 Cash: carry it everywhere. This is not optional.
🚽 Paid toilets: €0.50 in shopping centres. Small coins in your pocket at all times.
🍺 Cover your glass: when you’re done drinking Kölsch, put your beer mat on top of your glass. Otherwise the beer will keep coming and so will the bill.
Final Thoughts: Is Cologne Worth Visiting?
Yes with the right expectations. Cologne is a city that rewards people who want to walk, eat well, sit outside with a cold beer, and look up at genuinely impressive architecture without it feeling like homework. The cathedral alone justifies the trip. The schnitzel at Sorry Mama also justifies the trip, if I’m being completely honest.
It’s not a quiet romantic escape like Verona for example, but it’s lively, social, slightly chaotic in places, and absolutely full of energy in summer. If that’s your scene, you’ll love it.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just carry cash, learn to say Sprudel, cover your glass when you’ve had enough, and add 90 minutes to every train connection.
Yes. If you enjoy history, architecture, beer culture and walkable cities, Cologne is absolutely worth visiting. I only spent two nights there and felt it was the perfect amount of time for a first visit.
For most travellers, yes. Two full days are enough to visit the Cathedral, wander through the Old Town, enjoy a Kölsch in a traditional Brauhaus, take a Rhine Cruise and have a nice dinner. If you enjoy museums, add a third day.
I found Cologne to be moderately expensive. Accommodation can be pricey during summer and major events, but many of the city’s best attractions, including Cologne Cathedral and the Old Town, are completely free.
Absolutely. The train usually takes around 40 minutes, making Cologne one of the easiest day trips in Germany.
Very. I walked almost everywhere during my stay and rarely needed public transport.
I felt safe throughout my trip, including in the evenings. Like any major European city, simply stay aware of your belongings around the main train station and busy tourist areas.
Kölsch, schnitzel, bratwurst, pretzels, apple strudel.
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